Has anyone built this kit? I built the old Hasegawa P-3C Orion for my step-father about a year ago (he worked on these when he served in Vietnam), and he has gushed about that model ever since. Tonight I went to visit him and my mother, and he asked if I could build the Neptune for him as well, since his squadron had also been outfitted with the P2-V. So I have embarked on doing so.
I found a P2-V7 kit in 1/72 by Hasegawa @ Great Models. There were several Eduard detail sets but I decided not to get those until I actually get a look at the kit. The kit actually is for a Japanese bird but I figure I should be able to either acquire or make decals for a U.S. bird.
It’s actually quite a good kit despite it’s age. More importantly it’s the only kit of the Neptune (except for some antiques). It’s been released many times in may markings, including under the Minicraft label and IIRC Revell Germany. Try E-Bay too, search with Neptune under Models. Microscale/Superscale did a few decal sheets too. It’s also the P2V-7, don’t think the dash would hamper your search but you never know. Good hunting.
My LHS which is kind of stunningly good has a bunch on the shelf, if you want I’ll let you know prices, decals etc. i’d be certain its a great kit, that vintage Hases impress me.
There is also the ROG kit. I built it about five years ago for my dad ( who flew with VP-42). I would sugest the eduard set, there are lots of parts that look better in pe. If you need a canopy for the P2V-5 you will need to get a falcon vac canopy. You have to by what they call a triple converson set ( it has three conversion sets for three diferent kind of planes in one package). As for decals, you will be stuck with making your own, there are no am decals on the market.
Just out of curiosity. Did Hasegawa ever release the P2V/SP-2 in a version without the forward radome? Or is it a seperate piece in the kit? Or will I have to do plastic surgery? The fire bombers didn’t/don’t have the radome.
