Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: Saxman on October 11, 2010, 06:42:00 PM

Title: Ok, I know....
Post by: Saxman on October 11, 2010, 06:42:00 PM
No more US planes, but after reading TnDep's story on the O Club, ( :cry) I HAD to put this one out there:

(http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/album/data/551/medium/Lockheed_PV-2_Harpoon.jpg)

Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon
4000lbs of bombs or torpedoes
8x.50cal machine guns forward fixed
8x5" HVAR
Maximum speed 320mph
Range of ~2500mi

Not as fast as the Mosquito, but double the range while also being faster than the B-25 and B-26 and comparable in bomb load, while also carrying rockets.
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Ack-Ack on October 11, 2010, 07:21:40 PM
The PV-2D would be a nice addition to the plane set and the Harpoon can be skinned for various Allied air forces.

ack-ack
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Letalis on October 11, 2010, 07:49:04 PM
+1 :aok
I'd thought about this one before but didn't because of the small production numbers (the Pe-2 is the most mass-produced aircraft not represented in AH)
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: curry1 on October 11, 2010, 07:49:29 PM
I am surprised i never really saw much of this plane but after i read that story it seems fairly competent aircraft.
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Tupac on October 11, 2010, 07:49:48 PM
I was about to make a post requesting it aswell

+1,000,000,000

+1 :aok
I'd thought about this one before but didn't because of the small production numbers (the Pe-2 is the most mass-produced aircraft not represented in AH)

It had around 3,000 produced
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Saxman on October 11, 2010, 08:27:59 PM
Doing some further reading, several sources note that:

1) Although I'm seeing conflicting information on top speed, there's a consensus the PV-2 could outrun the Zero at level flight.
2) PV-2s were sent in to attack targets unescorted, as they were maneuverable enough to defend themselves against enemy fighter defenses. That's pretty impressive considering they were primarily used against the highly nimble Japanese fighters
3) Ordinance totals of up to 6000lbs of bombs, with a pair of 1000lbers on external hard points and 4000lbs in the internal bays.
4) The two external bombs could instead be replaced with external fuel tanks for further extended range.
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Dichotomy on October 11, 2010, 09:41:42 PM
I'm with ^^^^ all of them.  Didn't know anything about this plane until today.  +1
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Pigslilspaz on October 12, 2010, 01:34:02 AM
was about to put a request for this because of the story, lol. Great minds think alike
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Beefcake on October 12, 2010, 02:30:55 AM
That plane must be the sexy wife to my B25H.  :D
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Ghosth on October 12, 2010, 06:40:53 AM
Works for me! More planes is right up my alley!
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Saxman on October 12, 2010, 07:09:35 AM
That, and EVERY sim has a B-17, or B-24, or B-25, or B-26, or A-20. But how many have the PV-2?
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: JHerne on October 12, 2010, 08:46:07 AM
+1 Sure!

Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: waystin2 on October 12, 2010, 09:04:44 AM
I'm with ^^^^ all of them.  Didn't know anything about this plane until today.  +1

Same here.  Never heard of it, but definitely interesting! :aok
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Karnak on October 12, 2010, 09:08:17 AM
+1 :aok
I'd thought about this one before but didn't because of the small production numbers (the Pe-2 is the most mass-produced aircraft not represented in AH)
I agree we need the Pe-2, but it is not the "most mass-produced aircraft not represented in AH" as it is narrowly edged in production total by the Vickers Wellington.

And those only if we ignore things that aren't really useful in AH.
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Yossarian on October 12, 2010, 12:31:43 PM
Interesting plane.  Definitely +1 from me.
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: 321BAR on October 12, 2010, 12:35:27 PM
Doing some further reading, several sources note that:

1) Although I'm seeing conflicting information on top speed, there's a consensus the PV-2 could outrun the Zero at level flight.
2) PV-2s were sent in to attack targets unescorted, as they were maneuverable enough to defend themselves against enemy fighter defenses. That's pretty impressive considering they were primarily used against the highly nimble Japanese fighters
3) Ordinance totals of up to 6000lbs of bombs, with a pair of 1000lbers on external hard points and 4000lbs in the internal bays.
4) The two external bombs could instead be replaced with external fuel tanks for further extended range.
you read the story, the ex navy flyer "was in for a treat". from what i read, that plane can take alot more stress than most bombers that size. and from what i read i almost bawled... :cry
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: RoGenT on October 12, 2010, 01:45:15 PM
+  :aok
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Wildcat1 on October 12, 2010, 04:20:12 PM
+1

this w/ or w/o formations would be my main buff ride

and the story choked me up :cry :aok
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: LLogann on October 12, 2010, 05:35:07 PM
+1















































































Thousand!   :aok
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: DEECONX on October 12, 2010, 05:37:20 PM

+1  :aok :banana:
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: AceHavok on October 12, 2010, 05:43:30 PM
Interesting looking aircraft. +1 here
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Saxman on October 12, 2010, 09:34:53 PM
Incidentally, here's a PV-2D with the 8x.50cal armament:

(http://www.aero-web.org/database/museums/showimage.php?id=1655)
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Pigslilspaz on October 13, 2010, 02:48:16 AM
Incidentally, here's a PV-2D with the 8x.50cal armament:

(http://www.aero-web.org/database/museums/showimage.php?id=1655)

very nice looking
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Plawranc on October 13, 2010, 06:57:18 AM
That thing is awesome, I would personally like every WW2 aircraft that saw service in Aces High, and I am sure that is the eventual goal.

But this would be a high priority.

While I want my Beau and Boomerang, this would be veeery cool
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Liberator on October 13, 2010, 11:59:16 AM
YES! +10
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: STXAce8 on October 13, 2010, 03:59:06 PM
YES! +1000000000000
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Saxman on October 14, 2010, 10:58:09 PM
It's awesome to see such universal approval of this plane. I know there's other priority aircraft, (G4M, Ki-43 and He-111, for starters) but even with the priority birds it's very rare to see one of these threads where EVERYONE has been in agreement. I really hope HTC takes note.
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: stealth on October 14, 2010, 11:08:28 PM
I remember seeing that plane in a John Wayne movie. +1 :aok
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: 1sum41 on October 14, 2010, 11:27:08 PM
+1000
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Guppy35 on October 15, 2010, 12:33:24 AM
Lots of em got used as Fire bombers after the war.

Interestingly enough there is a great thread on the WIX forum about the recovery of a D model that had been sitting for 16 years or so.  They are going to take it back to stock.  There is another ongoing thread by a gal who works on the team that keeps a Harpoon going in Indianapolis

The recovered "Poon

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=38160

"Hot Stuff" the "Poon on the warbird circuit

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25790&hilit=hot+stuff
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Krusty on October 15, 2010, 12:59:42 AM
Never mind the fact that the PV-2 saw almost no service in WW2, eh?

PV-1 saw plenty, but was underpowered and overloaded. PV-2 had the same engines but a much increased wingspan to help carry the extreme amount of fuel onboard. They also tacked on another 1000lbs of ord (from 3k to 4k). Only problem is this wrinkled the wings on takeoff.

After a long retesting and redesigning phase, that included shortening the wings a bit (still didn't fix it) the majority of PV-2s were shipped out after late 1944 and were used stateside as trainers.

They would have been slower than the PV-1 due to the much larger wing, but would have had longer range because the fuel was increased thinking they could add more weight without problems.


If you want a PV-1 that's one thing. They soldiered on despite being rather outdated in the PTO. It was slower than an A-20G, had less fixed guns, and less payload. However only about 69 PV-2s (according to Wikipedia's count, some other webpages don't specify) were actually delivered of all types. Some were -D models but overall they were an advanced trainer.

P.S. Some comments about a few -2Ds used as ground attack on (I think it was) the Aleutian islands, but after 1943 the air forces of the world began to rethink their different categories of planes, and dedicated attackers weren't needed when fighter-bombers were just as good and could also kill enemy planes. By late 1944/early 1945 P-47s, P-51s, and P-38s ruled the PTO and had most of the jabo tasks covered.
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Guppy35 on October 15, 2010, 01:08:12 AM
Relax Krusty.  They got inspired by a history story and got interested.  A far better reason to talk about it then wading through Wiki and hoping to come up with a new plane to throw out on the wishlist.

You could certainly make an argument for the Ventura/Harpoon series of birds based on their broad use just about everywhere in the war.
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Krusty on October 15, 2010, 01:32:59 AM
The PV-1 certainly soldiered on despite being Zero meat. I read one story about how one survived multiple attacks from many fighters, downing many and barely making it back to crashland at the field. They could be tough planes!
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Rich46yo on October 15, 2010, 04:26:10 AM
Nice airplane but we will always be lacking without a Soviet level bomber.
(http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr149/Rich46yo/tu-2-6.jpg)
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: mbailey on October 15, 2010, 06:36:16 AM
Lots of em got used as Fire bombers after the war.

Interestingly enough there is a great thread on the WIX forum about the recovery of a D model that had been sitting for 16 years or so.  They are going to take it back to stock.  There is another ongoing thread by a gal who works on the team that keeps a Harpoon going in Indianapolis

The recovered "Poon

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=38160

"Hot Stuff" the "Poon on the warbird circuit

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25790&hilit=hot+stuff
Thanks for the link Dan, She is one pretty gal!!! I love seeing people save these warbirds. I truly believe they do this for no other reason than the love of the history,and the men and women that made that history. Truly selfless people.
 Im fortunate enough to have a restoration of a P61 going on close to where i live, and have been allowed to get up close and see the progress they have made.They are gonna get her flying,and she will be the only flying P61 in the world.

+1 on this bird
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Saxman on October 15, 2010, 07:02:22 AM
Way to spoil a positive thread, Krusty. Totally AWESOME job. Hope you're proud of the accomplishment.

 :P
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Dichotomy on October 15, 2010, 10:56:28 AM
it's still got my vote.. sounds like a nice addition. 
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Krusty on October 15, 2010, 07:12:19 PM
Way to spoil a positive thread, Krusty. Totally AWESOME job. Hope you're proud of the accomplishment.

 :P

You call that positive? And you call pointing out the very obvious fact that it saw no combat and was used in limited numbers stateside as a trainer to be "spoiling" the topic?


Okay... But you're in for a disappointment if you read ANY of the past threads in the last 10 years. You'll find most of them are "positive" wishes that are "spoiled" by silly facts and details....
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Ack-Ack on October 15, 2010, 07:20:24 PM
You call that positive? And you call pointing out the very obvious fact that it saw no combat and was used in limited numbers stateside as a trainer to be "spoiling" the topic?


Okay... But you're in for a disappointment if you read ANY of the past threads in the last 10 years. You'll find most of them are "positive" wishes that are "spoiled" by silly facts and details....

The PV-2C was used stateside as a trainer, not the 2D, which saw limited numbers produced by war's end.

ack-ack
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Krusty on October 15, 2010, 07:24:58 PM
The 60 or so made included -2Ds in that tally, and most of those were still used state-side. I've read that they were used on one sortie to some islands, but the time they got to the front the war was almost over and their contribution was nil.
Title: Re: Ok, I know....
Post by: Guppy35 on October 15, 2010, 10:55:36 PM
The 60 or so made included -2Ds in that tally, and most of those were still used state-side. I've read that they were used on one sortie to some islands, but the time they got to the front the war was almost over and their contribution was nil.

PV-2s went into combat with VPB-139 in the Aleutians against Japan in April 45 and continued flying missions to the Kurile islands and elsewhere til the end of the war. VPB-135 got there in July.  So not in great numbers, but they did get into action.  PV-1 obviously was involved a lot longer.