Lockheed P-2 Neptune and P-3 Orion: books - history

Vega Ventura : The Operational Story of Lockheed's Lucky Star

Drawn from the files of English, American, New Zealand, Australian and Canadian sources, as well as from veterans, this is the story of Lockheed's Lucky Star-the marvelous Ventura!
Fashioned from the Lockheed Model 18 airliner, the Ventura went on to fight on nearly every World War II battlefront as a penetration bomber, anti-submarine patrol aircraft, reconnaissance bomber, and even nightfighter.

PV Ventura / Harpoon Units of World War 2 (Osprey)

A development of the successful Lockheed 'medium twins' of the late 1930s, the PV Ventura/Harpoon family of patrol bombers saw widespread service with both the US Navy/Marine Corps and the TAF and Commonwealth from October 1942 onwards.
The USAAF also used surplus Venturas originally ordered by the RAF, designated B-34 Lexingtons, in the bomber training and coastal patrol roles. The final variant in this family was the larger PV-2 Harpoon, which was built to a US Navy requirement from March 1944 onwards. Used primarily in the Pacific, 470 Harpoons saw frontline service on anti-shipping and submarine patrols through to VJ-Day.

This book covers each of these variants in complete illustrated detail.

The Lockheed P2V Neptune - An Illustrated History

This informative and long overdue account provides an extraordinary amount of insight into the Neptune's lengthy history, beginning with its inception during World War II to the present day survivors.

Lockheed's Neptune was the first aircraft designed exclusively as an anti-submarine patrol bomber and was progressively developed throughout its operational career.
Versatility became a byword as the Neptune's role as the U.S. Navy's premier sub-hunter greatly expanded. A veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, the venerable Neptune proved highly adaptable to nearly any mission. More than 1,000 examples were built, many of which thrive today as fire bombers and warbirds.

Presented here for the first time are the many fascinating details describing Neptune service with non-U.S. air arms, and obscure operations to include gunships, U.S. Army variants, and CIA operations.
Clearly evident is the in-depth research that makes this extensive volume accurate, detailed and redable. Complete with serial and bureau numbers lists that correspond to its many assignments, plus many rare photographs, this comprehensive history does justice to the legendary Neptune.

The Age of Orion - The Lockheed P-3 Story

The Age of Orion is the first book devoted solely to the development and operational use of the illustrious USN maritime patrol and anti-submarine hunting aircraft the Lockheed P-3 Orion.
David Reade details for the first time the complete history and walks you through all the different models, versions and variants. The book authoritatively establishes the Orions different configurations, roles and missions it performs, as well as describes its endless array of capabilities currently and into the future.

Besides chronicling all of its international operators, and their future upgrade programs, The Age of Orion contains comprehensive and informative appendices, charts, graphs, and impressive illustrated Bureau Number Aircraft Location listing of every P-3 Orion in the world this list is packed with additional historical data on any particular P-3 Orion.
Over 280 color photographs illustrate all of the various U.S. Navy and foreign markings during the aircrafts thirty-plus year history.

P-3 Orion (Vol. 1) - Pilot's Flight Operation Instructions

The U.S. Navy's front line, land-based maritime patrol aircraft, the Lockheed P-3 Orion is a highly capable anti-submarine warfare platform. Conceived as a replacement for the P-2 Neptune and P-5 Marlin, the P-3 first flew in 1961. It was loosely based on the design of the Lockheed L-188 Electra passenger aircraft.

Equipped with four Allison T56 turboprop engines, the P-3 has the speed of a fast propeller-powered fighter and a range of nearly 2,400 nautical miles. It can remain on station at 1500 feet for three hours with a range of 1,300 nm.
The aircraft typically carries a crew of three pilots, two naval flight officers, two flight engineers, three sensor operators and a technician. Armament typically includes up to 20,000 pounds of missiles including the AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84E SLAM, AGM-84H/K and AGM-65F Maverick.

The P-3 has provided reliable service to the U.S. and other navies including Germany, Japan, Canada, and South Korea. In addition to Cold War submarine tracking, its missions have included enforcing the blockade of Cuba during the 1962 crisis, coastal patrols in the Vietnam War, and targeting of Iraqi naval elements during the Gulf War.
Over several decades of service, the P-3 has received several major updates, and more than forty variants have been developed. It is expected to remain in service for the U.S. Navy until at least 2013 when the P-8 Poseidon begins deployment.

This P-3 Orion pilot's manual (Volume 1 of 2) was originally "restricted". It has been declassified and has now been reprinted in books form.

P-3 Orion (Vol. 2) - Pilot's Flight Operation Instructions

This P-3 Orion pilot's manual (Volume 2 of 2) was originally "restricted". It has been declassified and has now been reprinted in books form.