Lockheed P-2 NeptuneLockheed P 2 Neptune airplane model. The first prototype of this long range maritime patrol aircraft was flown on May 17, 1945, and P2V 1s began to enter service in March 1947 and proved effective in their role. One airplane named "The Turtle" set a world piston engine distance record in 1946. The Korean War expanded the requirement for such aircraft, and the later involvement of the United States in Southeast Asia, plus need to provide similar