A record setting Neptune called "The Turtle" — or was it "The Truculent Turtle"?

A record setting Neptune called "The Turtle" — or was it "The Truculent Turtle"?:

A record setting Neptune called The Turtle — or was it The Truculent Turtle?

There is no doubt that this aircraft with its two piston engines is special, setting a long distance unrefueled flight record which remained standing until a B-52 Stratofortress claimed the title. What is in doubt is the name of the aircraft. Many records, including the museum page, say it is the Truculent Turtle — however, the nose and earliest references say The Turtle. Truculence aside, the ship was aptly named since the average cruise speed of the flight was an unremarkable 200 mph (320kph) but for a fantastic distance of 11,235 miles (17,976km). The flight took off from Perth Australia with the intention of landing at Washington DC but weather over the Pacific Ocean and the Rockies cut into the fuel supply, so the flight terminated in Columbus OH instead. The flight crew of four pilots, along with a kangaroo, were aloft for 55 hours and 17 minutes.

Naturally, The Turtle was no ordinary P2V Neptune since it was modified to fly for such a long distance. Incredibly, so much more fuel was carried that it took off weighing 2.7 times its own weight and required the assistance of JATO bottles to get airborne. The aircraft can be seen in the National Naval Aviation Museum suspended from a hangar ceiling with its landing gear deployed.

The record setting Lockheed P2V Neptune known as "The Turtle" though some say "Truculent Turtle" — photo by Joseph May

The nose art shows no "truculent" character — photo by Joseph May

The Turtle's starboard side — photo by Joseph May

Four men flew The Turtle for a bit over 55 hours to set a world endurance record — photo by Joseph May

<><><><><><>

Additional resources

• A page on the Truculent Turtle and with more information


• Another page on The Turtle


• Yet another page on The Turtle, but with maps

<><><><><><>

Addendum

Thanks to David McLay, of the Florida Aviation Historical Society, a friend and retired Neptune pilot advises that as of the 1960s those in the Navy knew the aircraft as the Truculent Turtle. He also mentioned that the Neptunes also equipped with jet engines used those engines when taking off, for high speed mine laying runs or emergencies. Many thanks for the information.