Lockheed PV-1/B-34 Ventura

Country of Origin: United States | Type: Four-five crew patrol bomber

Introduction

Developed from the Model 18 Lodestar transport, the Ventura was designed to meet a British requirement for a Hudson replacement and contracts for 675 aircraft were placed with Lockheed's Vega Aircraft subsidiary in 1940. The first Ventura I flew on 31st July 1941 with deliveries beginning in June 1942.

More Power

The Ventura I was followed by the Ventura II with more powerful R-2800-31 engines and the similar Lend-Lease supplied Mk IIA. Intended for use as a day bomber in RAF Bomber Command service, the Ventura was not overly successful in this role despite making a spectacular start in the gallant December 1942 raid on the Phillips factory at Eindhoven. The aircraft was subsequently used by RAF Coastal Command as a patrol bomber under the designations GR.Mk 1 and GR.Mk V, equivalent to the US Navy and Marine Corps PV-1. Total RAF Procurement reached 394 with many other requisitioned for US service.

Features

The PV-1 featured a 'solid' nose and 1,600 were delivered for use mainly in the Pacific from late 1942. Other US Navy versions were the PV-1P photo-reconnaissance conversion anf the PV-3, 26 requisitioned RAF Ventura IIs. Other Venturas requisitioned from British orders went to the USAAF as the B-34 Lexington and B-37, the latter powered by 1,700hp (1,268kW) Wright R-2600 Cyclone engines.

Secondary Roles

Some USAAF aircraft were used as overwater patrol bombers and others in training and secondary roles; some US Marine Corps PV-1s were modified as the service's first night fighter and equipped with British AI radar, the first victory in this role being scored over the Solomon Islands in November 1943. The Ventura was used by several Commonwealth countries, Australia's seeing action in both the Pacific and Europe, including the Eindhoven raid. South Africa was a big Ventura operator with about 270, while New Zealand had 139 on strength.

Specification

Dimensions

Wingspan: 19.96 metres (65 feet 6 inches)
Length: 15.77 metres (51 feet 9 inches)
Height: 3.63 metres (11 feet 11 inches)

Powerplants

Ventura I - two 1,850hp (1,379kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-S1A4G Double Wasp 18-cylinder radials with three bladed propellers
Others - two 2,000hp (1,491kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-31 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radials with three bladed propellers

Weights

PV-1 - Empty: 9,161kg (20,197lb)
Loaded: 14,097kg (31,077lb)

Armament

PV-1 - two 0.50 inch machine guns in each of nose and dorsal turret, two ventral 0.303 inch machine guns
Maximum Internal Bomb Load: 1,360kg (3,000lb), plus 907kg (2,000lb) under wings