NEPTUNE P2-V ARR52 SONO BUOY RECEIVER

The P2V-7 Lockheed Neptune featured an advanced version of the early Magnetic Anomoly Detector (MAD) first carried by the US Martin PBM Mariner in the late 1940's.

The AN/ASQ-8 Magnetic Anomaly Detector sensor was installed in the Neptune's extended tail boom in order to avoid any interference from electrical equipment or metal in the fuselage of the aircraft.

The MAD unit detected minute variations in the Earth’s magnetic field caused by the transit of a submarine across that field. The disturbance was recorded as a blip on a paper chart providing the sonar operator a good indication of a target.

To increase accuracy of location, the technique employed by the Neptune’s crew was to use the MAD unit to secure a generalised location and then to drop a series of sonar buoys across the suspicious area to provide more accurate coordinates of the submarines location and heading. Once pinpointed, the coordinates of the target were communicated back to the ‘hunter-killer’ group’s destroyers.

Each Sonar Buoy transmitted a VHF signal on a different channel back to the Neptune’s bank of C3540 Sonar Buoy Signal Control Units. Multiple signals were then processed and combined to provide an accurate bearing to the submarines location on the pilot’s Bearing Distance Horizontal Indicator. 

Here is an extremely informative youtube video of the launch and activation of one of the SSQ-801E BARRA Sonobuoy deployment carried by both the Neptune and its later replacement, the P3 Orion:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eidMDdMK38s

All of the Neptune's Sonar Buoy control switches and dials appear to be fully functioning although I have no idea if the unit itself is operational.

*NOTE - ONLY 1 AVAILABLE

This P2-V Neptune Instrument comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

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