Lex van Eck

Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon 

The MLD hoped to obtain the Lockheed P2V-5 Neptunes around 1950. At the time, this type was the most modern aircraft in the field of anti-submarine warfare. However, this aircraft was not available at the short term, so that 18 PV-2 Harpoons were made available to the MLD by the US as an interim solution.

Between September and November 1951 the 18 Harpoons arrived at Valkenburg airfield. Due to the lack of various electronic equipment, the Harpoon was not really suitable for anti-submarine operations and was therefore replaced by the Lockheed P2V-5 Neptune in early 1954. The Harpoon was used on VSQ8 until 1955 for OSRD (search and rescue) flights.

In the period 1955 - 1956 the Harpoons were handed over to Portugal after a complete overhaul.