Lockheed Ventura

Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Description
Role	Patrol Bomber
Crew	6
First Flight	July 31, 1941 (Ventura Mk.I) November 3, 1942 (PV-1)
Entered Service	February 1, 1943
Manufacturer	Lockheed
Dimensions
Length	51ft 5in	15.7 m
Wingspan	65ft 6in	20 m
Height	11ft 10in	3.6 m
Wing Area	551 ft²	51.2 m²
Weights
Empty	20,197 lbs	9,160 kg
Loaded	31,077 lbs	14,090 kg
Maximum takeoff	34,000 lbs	15,420 kg
Powerplant
Engine	2 × Pratt & Whitney Double-Wasp; GR-2800
Power (each)	2,000 hp	1,490 kW
Performance
Maximum speed	322mph @ 13,800ft	518km/h @ 4,210m
Combat range	1,660 miles	2,670 km
Ferry range	km	miles
Service ceiling	26,300 ft	8,020 m
Rate of climb	ft/min	m/min
Wing loading	56.4 lb/ft²	275.2 kg/m²
Power/Mass	0.129 hp/lb	0.211 kW/kg
Armament
Guns	4 × 0.5in machine guns 2 × 0.3in machine guns
Bombs	3000lbs, or six 325-lb depth charges, or one torpedo
Avionics
Avionics	ASD-1 radar

The Lockheed Ventura was a bomber and patrol aircraft of World War II, used by American and British forces in several guises. It was developed from the Lockheed Lodestar transport as a replacement for the Hudson bombers into service with the RAF. The RAF ordered 675 Venturas powered by Pratt & Witney Double-Wasp; 2800-S1A4-G motors rated at 1500hp (1120kW) and a fuselage 50ft (15.2m long). The use of three-bladed airscrews was said to make the type unusually quiet in service. They were delivered from the summer of 1942 and served with the RAF as Ventura Mk.I.

The Venturas were initially used for daylight raids on occupied Europe, but like many of the RAF types they were too vulnerable with no long-range fighter escorts. They were gradually transferred to patrol duties with Coastal Command.

The RAF placed a further order for 487 Ventura Mk.II, but many of these were diverted to USAAF service. The USAAF placed its own order for 200 Ventura Mk.IIA, which were put into service as the B-34 Lexington. These had 2000hp (1500kW) 2800-21 engines.

A batch of 18 aircraft fitted with the Wright R-2600-13 engine was built for armed reconnaissance & observation as the Lockheed B-37. This program was discontinued in July 1942 as part of a complicated deal between the rival Army and Navy land-based air forces. In exchange for use of the Navy's Renton factory to build the B-29 Superfortress, the Army handed the land-based anti-submarine role to the Navy with free use of the Lockheed factory to build a long-range Ventura. (The Navy were also permitted to procure their own versions of the B-24 Liberator and B-25 Mitchell).

The Naval PV-1 Ventura had increased fuel capacity in two 155-gallon (700l) underwing drop tanks, and an additional 490 gallons (2230l) could be carried in bomb bay tanks for ferry missions. They had reduced defensive armament and a nose-mounted radar unit.

PV-1 Venturas were deployed to bases in the Aleutian Islands in April 1943. In addition to patrol duties they carried out attacks on Japanese bases in Paramushiru and Shimushu in the Kurile Islands chain. They combined fast combat speed with a low landing speed useful for island operations, and were used to lead USAAF bomber formations. They were later deployed in the Solomon Islands. 1600 PV-1s were built.

The PV-2 Harpoon was a major redesign of the Ventura with the wing area increased to 686 ft² (63.7 m²) giving an increased load-carrying capability. However the wing was not strong enough and delivery of PV-2s were delayed by necessary redesign. Deliveries were resumed with the PV-2D ground-attack variant with 8 forward-firing machine-guns, but the bulk of the order was cancelled when the war ended. Some PV-2s saw service in the Pacific theatre.

Venturas also served with RCAF, SAAF, RAAF and RNZAF forces, and after the war in several other countries and in civilian conversions.

Related content
Related Development	Lockheed Lodestar
Similar Aircraft
Designation Series	XB-31 - B-32 - XB-33 - B-34 - B-35 - B-36 - B-37 - XB-38 - B-39 - B-40
Related Lists	List of military aircraft of the United States - List of bomber aircraft

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