Technical Data

Type: PV-2 Harpoon

Serial Numbers: FAA#N7265C; Navy Bureau #37396; Lockheed Serial # 15-1362

Manufacturer: Lockheed

Crew Compliment:  Pilot, co-pilot & navigator; radar operator & tunnel gunner; turret gunner; radio operator

Power Plant:  Two (2) Pratt and Whitney R-2800-31s producing 2000 HP.

Performance:  Maximum Speed at 13,900 feet - 282 mph.  Service Ceiling - 23,900 feet.  Combat Range - 1790 miles.

Dimensions:  Length - 51 feet, 1 inch.   Height - 13 feet, 3 inches.  Wing Span - 75 feet.   Weight - 36,000 lbs.

Armament:  9 - .50 caliber machine guns; 8 - 5 inch HVAR rockets; 2 - 1000 lbs. bombs could be carried on wings in place of drop tanks; 4000 lbs in bombs or depth charges.

Designed as an extended range replacement for the PV-1, the Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon entered military service with the Navy in March, 1945. This workhorse of the air war filled many roles in WWII. PV-2s were used as bombers, patrol bombers, and attack aircraft. They normally operated without fighter escort due to their ability to adequately defend themselves.

In the Atlantic, their mission was primarily anti-submarine patrol and interdiction. In the Pacific, they were used as a close air support plane. With up to eight (8) 50 Cal. machine guns mounted in the nose, under wing rockets, and up to 2000 lbs. in bombs, the PV-2 proved a powerful weapon against the enemy.

Harpoons based in the Aleutians were used to bomb the Japanese home islands by equipping them with long range fuel tanks. During the last few months of WWII, Harpoons carried out bombing and rocket attacks on the Japanese Kurile Islands, Truk Island, Wake Island, and others, along with performing the important duty of patrolling the shipping lanes near Guam, Siapan, and other American bases.

When confronted by a Japanese Zero, sufficient power could be added for the plane to out run the Zero, but these high power settings usually resulted in an engine change if the escape was successful.

After WWII, Harpoons served with active and reserve patrol squadrons until the late 1950s. 

Squadrons that flew the PV-2 included VPB-135, VPB-136, VPB-139,  VPB-131 and VPB-153.

In 1990, a group of pilots who had formed the nucleus of the AMHF purchased a PV-2 (N2697C) from it's owners in Tyler, Texas where it had been partially restored. It was ferried to Mt. Comfort airport and 12 months later was ready for WWII commemorative air shows. It's longest and most profitable trip to date was the 1995 WWII "Freedom Flight".

The American Military Heritage Foundation's PV-2 is the only one of its type still flying in military configuration and is in demand at air shows through out the country.