Australian Neptune takes back to the sky

After two years of meticulous restoration work, former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Neptune A89-273 reclaimed its spot as the world's only flying example of its kind, on 24 December 2023. The long-range maritime surveillance aircraft, registered as VH-IOY, is owned by the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society HARS) of Albion Park (NSW), 100 kilometres south of Sydney, Australia.

In service with RAAF 10 Squadron out of Townsville from 1962 to 1977 until its replacement by the Lockheed Orion, the P2V-7 Neptune is powered by four engines -- two 18-cylinder Wright 3350 radials and two Westinghouse J-34 turbo-jets. The designation P2V-7 was in some countries (like the Netherlands) later replaced by that of SP-2H.

Interesting detail is that the big R3350s now produce less horsepower than before as they have to do with lower octane fuel. The ‘old time’ 115/145 is no longer available so HARS can now only use Shell 100LL(100 octane low lead) in the Neptune (and in their Connie, Caribou and Tracker).

Neptune 273 holds a special place in the evolution of HARS.  Acquired in 1988, a search by president Bob De La Hunty for extra engines for the aircraft led to his discovery of an abandoned US Air Force Lockheed Super Constellation in the Arizona Desert, its acquisition and five year-long restoration to bring her home as Connie in 1996 and the proud symbol of today's HARS Aviation Museum.

An interesting movie on the Neptune's first flight can be found here.

Photo Historical Aircraft Restoration Society