Military Aviation Museum Welcomes Rare WWII Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon
Virginia Beach, November 6, 2025 - The Military Aviation Museum announced the arrival of a rare World War II Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon, BuNo 37396, marking an important addition to its nationally recognized collection of historic military aircraft. The twin-engine patrol bomber, nicknamed Island Doll, landed at Suffolk Executive Airport after a nearly 600-mile ferry flight from Indiana, greeted by an enthusiastic group of museum volunteers who had been tracking its approach across the Midwest.
The PV-2 Harpoon played a significant yet often overlooked role in the Pacific theater during the final year of World War II. As the ultimate evolution of Lockheed’s Electra-based patrol bomber family, the Harpoon combined long-range capability with a durable airframe designed for tough maritime environments. The aircraft operated in demanding missions across the Aleutian Islands and northern Pacific, flying extended over-water routes in extreme weather to disrupt Japanese garrisons and safeguard Allied shipping. Though overshadowed by other aircraft of its time, the Harpoon’s contribution to the War’s final stages was important—and remains underrecognized in aviation history.
The American Military Heritage Foundation, the longtime caretakers of Island Doll at Indianapolis Regional Airport donated the museum’s newly acquired item. Successive generations of volunteers have diligently maintained the aircraft, and its transfer to Virginia Beach underscores the Foundation’s dedication to preserving and publicly displaying the Harpoon.
The chance to add a Harpoon to the Military Aviation Museum collection arose unexpectedly this year. Representatives from both groups met during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, where they discussed the aircraft’s future and the best long-term location for its ongoing care. After a thorough inspection by the Fighter Factory’s Senior Director of Maintenance, who praised the aircraft’s condition and integrity, the museum’s Collection Committee and board unanimously approved accepting the historic PV-2.
A recovery team composed of museum staff and Fighter Factory mechanics traveled to Indiana in late October to prepare the aircraft for relocation. Besides the Harpoon itself, the museum received an extensive collection of specialized tools, documentation, spare parts, and an additional R-2800-31 engine resources that will support ongoing maintenance and future flight operations.
With Island Doll now in Virginia, the Military Aviation Museum begins the next chapter in preserving and interpreting this rare naval patrol bomber. The aircraft’s presence will allow the museum to showcase lesser-known Pacific operations, the development of America’s maritime patrol aircraft, and the bravery of the crews who flew dangerous long-range missions in remote and harsh conditions.
The Museum looks forward to sharing the Harpoon’s remarkable story with visitors as it joins one of the world’s largest collections of flying World War II aircraft. You can learn more about the Harpoon aircraft, including details on its journey to its new home, at www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org.
