P2V-5/7 Neptune Air Tankers for FSX

**BillgjCook** · August 9th, 2012, 22:57

Hi, my name is Bill and I have been working for some timenow on the P2V-5 and -7 Lockheed Neptune’s that were converted for use as airtankers. I am in need if some help finding good cockpit photos that show all ofthe gauges used and even the Pilot's handbook and Operating manual, anything atthis point would be a big help so I can complete the models and get themreleased to all to enjoy. This is some of my WIP shots.

Attachment 70565 Attachment 70564 Attachment 70563 Attachment 70567 Attachment 70568

Thank you
Bill

**Ian Warren** · August 10th, 2012, 04:28

Hi ya Bill , Neptune's .. I do have a lot off photo material on the early models and its history but nothing on the firebombers internals , I do have a couple of large volumes of the aircraft best authored is Wayne Mutza , another good source for reference and have a pilots manual is www.flight.manuals-on-cd.com , i have this CD but shows little more than what you need to no .

I almost got on board Australia's HARS P2 , but this was closed down due to a laps in security .. two kids got in the office and decided they wanted bits and pieces , fortunate they got stopped but so did i , maybe contact them for further photo information .

This aircraft is one that has an appealing look to it , i did start a photoreal paint of the Alphasim P2 .. I should pull that out in the next couple days and post it .

**BillgjCook** · August 10th, 2012, 06:42

Originally Posted by Ian Warren

Hi ya Bill , Neptune's .. I do have a lot off photo material on the early models and its history but nothing on the firebombers internals , I do have a couple of large volumes of the aircraft best authored is Wayne Mutza , another good source for reference and have a pilots manual is www.flight.manuals-on-cd.com , i have this CD but shows little more than what you need to no .

I almost got on board Australia's HARS P2 , but this was closed down due to a laps in security .. two kids got in the office and decided they wanted bits and pieces , fortunate they got stopped but so did i , maybe contact them for further photo information .

This aircraft is one that has an appealing look to it , i did start a photoreal paint of the Alphasim P2 .. I should pull that out in the next couple days and post it .

Thank you, I will look in to contacting them about their Australia's HARS P2. That's too bad about the CD, I will keep searching the Web for the photos I need.

Thank You

Bill

**Daveroo** · August 10th, 2012, 08:13

have you attempted to contact neptune aviation?..and ask them if they have any info they are willing to help with?

**BillgjCook** · August 10th, 2012, 09:39

Originally Posted by Daveroo

have you attempted to contact neptune aviation?..and ask them if they have any info they are willing to help with?

I have not, but I have contacted Minden Air corp. and every time they say that their aircraft are out of state. Thanks.

**jbDC9** · August 11th, 2012, 07:14

Take a peek through this Warbird/Airtanker thread; some good detail pics plus a couple of good P-2 cockpit shots...
http://warbirdinformationexchange.or...hp?f=3&t=37751

And, as long as we're talking tankers, check out this thread; tons of '60s California "ramp rat" tanker pics... Avengers, B-17s, PBYs, S-2 Trackers, F7F Tigercats, you name it. 10 pages of Airtanker Goodness.
http://warbirdinformationexchange.or...p?f=23&t=40156

And then there's this thread; started as a post by a tanker pilot from the '70s-'80s regarding a single engine landing in a B-17... but the thread evolves into 9 pages of pics (Neptunes included!) and airtanker flying stories. Epic...
http://warbirdinformationexchange.or...hp?f=3&t=18840

Seriously, you could waste a few hours reading those forum threads, really good stuff.

**BillgjCook** · August 11th, 2012, 09:03

Thank you for the links, the one link had some good photo. I love those old tanker photo, makes my wount to build them all.

**BillgjCook** · August 12th, 2012, 14:40

WIP shots of the exterior, added some antennas and littledetails to get the exterior looking a little better.
Attachment 70714Attachment 70715

**Ian Warren** · August 12th, 2012, 15:36

Looking Great Bill ! .. Going thru my library yesterday and found many Neptune's in this role still had glazed nose's and tip tanks , you model got me mucking around with the old Alphasim , giving it a replacement metal texture from one of the many photos i have here , figured be ideal to tweak areas slightly to maybe make a historical USN or other air forces .
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**Snurdley** · August 12th, 2012, 17:25

The Virtavia version is half-off at PC Aviator. Coincidence? I think I'll hold off.

***TARPSBird*** · August 13th, 2012, 10:41

Bill, when you get your air tankers worked up to your satisfaction...
What are the chances of your doing an older version P2V such as a -4 (solid nose, six 20mm) or a -5 (Emerson nose turret, two 20mm) with the .50cal dorsal and 20mm tail gun positions?

**SeanTK** · August 13th, 2012, 10:44

The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania, US has a military Neptune.
Considering that they used to be involved in flight simulator addon development, they may be willing to help you with research.

http://www.maam.org/neptune/p2_1.html

***ColoKent*** · August 13th, 2012, 10:45

...a plain old -5F with no nose turret. Just a typical ASW -5F.

This thing looks GREAT!

Kent

**BillgjCook** · August 13th, 2012, 12:05

Originally Posted by TARPSBird

Bill, when you get your air tankers worked up to your satisfaction...
What are the chances of your doing an older version P2V such as a -4 (solid nose, six 20mm) or a -5 (Emerson nose turret, two 20mm) with the .50cal dorsal and 20mm tail gun positions?

Originally Posted by SeanTK

The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania, US has a military Neptune.
Considering that they used to be involved in flight simulator addon development, they may be willing to help you with research.

http://www.maam.org/neptune/p2_1.html

TARPSBird, as much as I would like to do the navy birdsright now I am putting all my work into the fire tankers right now and maybedown the road I will do them just not at this time.

SeanTK, I have sent out an email in regards to the p2v-7 they have and stillhave not heard anything back yet.

***TARPSBird*** · August 13th, 2012, 12:13

Originally Posted by BillgjCook

TARPSBird, as much as I would like to do the navy birdsright now I am putting all my work into the fire tankers right now and maybedown the road I will do them just not at this time.

Roger that Bill, thanks for the reply. Press on with those tankers. :salute:

**airattackimages** · August 19th, 2012, 11:08

Kick ass Bill! This project is going to be awesome.

**malibu43** · October 21st, 2014, 14:54

Sorry for digging up an old thread. And sorry for an "Any updates?" post...

...but...

Any updates?

I grew up watching Aero Union P2V's fight fires near my house and would love to fly one in FSX!

**airattackimages** · October 21st, 2014, 15:48

I too have been wondering

**malibu43** · November 7th, 2014, 15:10

Well, I'm not surprised there is no response. But deep down inside there was a little hope for an update.

I hope all is well and the project is still moving forward!

**BillgjCook** · November 7th, 2014, 17:29

I am sorry for not responding sooner, life events and long work weeks have all but ended my flight simming at this time, as much as I would like to continue the project I just don't have any spare time to put in to it to make it right. I do have the models and the gmax files if anyone would like to continue with them. I am sorry to just leave you all hanging with no updates.

**malibu43** · November 7th, 2014, 21:46

Real life sure does take our attention sometimes, doesn't?

How much work is left? Unfortunately it may be beyond my abilities, but maybe someone else can pick it up and run with it.

**dougbr2005** · November 8th, 2014, 05:18

Check out this site http://www.avialogs.com/ it has various Neptune Manuals including IPC & FM. To download just sign up pay a small fee and during your membership you will have access to all material on pdf that can also be downloaded. Hope this helps.

**dougbr2005** · November 8th, 2014, 05:19

Originally Posted by malibu43

Real life sure does take our attention sometimes, doesn't?

How much work is left? Unfortunately it may be beyond my abilities, but maybe someone else can pick it up and run with it.

May be interested in doing that, was this a going to be Freeware or Payware. Send me a PM.

**BillgjCook** · November 12th, 2014, 14:53

Originally Posted by malibu43

Real life sure does take our attention sometimes, doesn't?

How much work is left? Unfortunately it may be beyond my abilities, but maybe someone else can pick it up and run with it.

Malibu43 I was in the proses of building 3D gauges for the VC and mapping it also, it has been a wile but I believe that the external models have been completed and mapped.

Originally Posted by dougbr2005

May be interested in doing that, was this a going to be Freeware or Payware. Send me a PM.

Dougbr2005 it will be freeware only as I don't have the skills needed to make payware models. Shoot me a PM with your email and how you would like to transfer the files. I just ask that you include all that have helped with this project, and I will provide all that info at the time of file transfer.

**malibu43** · November 13th, 2014, 08:50

If we are short on resources to model 3D gages, we could always just point to stock FSX gages, right? I know they may not be 100% accurate, but it's an option if gages become the gating item. Plus it's easy; even I've done it!