The Harpoon was also capable of carrying 4,000 pounds of bombs and eight 5-inch rockets beneath the wings. He was the first artist to produce material for Osprey Aviation electronically. The offensive and defensive armament for the PV-2 consisted of an assortment of 50-caliber machine guns spread among the upper and lower nose positions, the dorsal turret and the rear ventral position. This is his first book for Osprey.Tom Tullis has illustrated a number of books in both the Aces and Combat Aircraft series. The publication of this volume on the Ventura and Harpoon follows previous aviation works by the author on the PB4Y-1 Liberator, PB4Y-2 Privateer and the PBJ/B-25 Mitchell for Schiffer Publishing Ltd. Since 1997, Alan has taught social studies, reading and behavioral courses in the Georgetown, Texas, public school system. A former member of the US Marine Corps Reserve and Army Reserve, he graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a graduate degree in public administration and an undergraduate degree in history. The short video clip below of the PV-2 Harpoon "Attu Warrior" was taken during the Naval Aviation Centennial "Parade of Flight".Based in Round Rock, Texas, Alan C Carey has worked as a freelance aviation author since 1999. With a maximum speed of approximately 300 mph and a normal range of 1700 miles, its maritime patrols could last 8 to 16 hours.Īfter WWII, production ceased for the PV-2.
#Pv 2 harpoon plus#
Bomb load capacity was 3,000 pounds plus 2,000 pounds under the wings. Initial tests of the aircraft showed a problem with the wings which was eventually remedied with a new wing assembly.ĭesigned for a crew of five, the Harpoon was armed with nine 50 caliber machine guns: five fixed guns in the nose, two guns in the top turret, and two guns under the fuselage.
The PV-2 Harpoon was an improved version of the PV-1 Ventura, with a redesigned fuselage, greater wingspan, increased bomb-load capacity, and greater armament. Photos above right and below left, are of a PV-2 Harpoon on static display during the Naval Aviation Centennial. The Navy agreed, provided that the Army would stop opposing the existence of separate naval aviation. According to the announcer during the flyby, at the time the Harpoon was being built, the Army was trying to control all aircraft production and wanted the engines allocated for this aircraft to be diverted to the B-29 Super Fortress assembly lines. Powered by two R-2800, 2000 horse power radial engines, the Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon patrol bomber saw brief service by the U.S. Her nose art is Attu Warrior, featuring a female warrior with a spear, running alongside a polar bear.
The aircraft pictured above was part of the air show during the Naval Centennial Celebration. On 6 April the Harpoon made its long-awaited combat debut against the Japanese with a rocket attack on Kokutan Zaki.” (Kokutan Zaki is located at the northern tip of Shimushu Island in the Kuriles just south of the Kamchatka peninsula. PV-2 Harpoon flyby at Naval Centennial Celebrationįirst delivered to the military in 1944, the PV-2 was an over-water patrol bomber which was also used for anti-submarine patrol, ground attack, and search and rescue missions.Īccording to Alan Carey in PV Ventura/Harpoon Units of World War 2, (p.30), “VPB-139 was the first PV-2-equipped unit to see combat.