The Lockheed Ventura, a twin-engine medium bomber and patrol bomber from World War II, made its combat debut in Europe as a bomber with the RAF in late 1942.
Known as the PV-1 in the United States Navy (US Navy), it saw action in the Pacific in 1943.
Additionally, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) utilised the bomber, designating it as the Lockheed B-34 (Lexington) and B-37 for training purposes.
Various British Commonwealth forces also employed the Ventura in different roles, such as anti-shipping and anti-submarine search and attack missions.
The Ventura aircraft originated from the Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar transport plane, with the intention of replacing the Lockheed Hudson bombers that were currently being utilized by the Royal Air Force.
Initially deployed for daylight assaults on occupied Europe, these aircraft demonstrated certain vulnerabilities, leading to their withdrawal from bomber operations.
However, some Ventura’s were repurposed for patrol missions conducted by Coastal Command.
Following the elimination of the US Army Air Force’s exclusive control over land-based bombers, the US Navy commissioned a modified version of the aircraft.
This revised design, known as the PV-2 Harpoon, was specifically employed for anti-submarine operations and subsequently entered active service.
Variants
B-34
US designation for the Model 137 (with 2000-hp R-2800-31 engines) bought for the Royal Air Force, 200 built and designated the Ventura IIA by the British.
B-34A
Former Royal Air Force Ventura’s returned to the USAAF under a reverse lend-lease.
B-34B
B-34As converted as navigation trainers.
B-37
Lockheed Model 437 for the USAAF (with 1700-hp R-2600-13 engines), only 18 out of an order of 550 built for armed observation.
Originally designated the O-56, it was later designated the RB-37.
PV-1
United States Navy version of the B-34; 1,600 built.
A total of 388 were delivered to the Royal Air Force as the Ventura GR.V, others to the RAAF, RNZAF and SAAF.
PV-1P
Designation for PV-1s fitted with a camera installation.
PV-2 Harpoon
Updated model with larger fin and wing area; 470 built.
PV-2C
Modified version of the PV-2 used for training; 30 built.
PV-2D
Same as PV-2 but with eight 0.5-inch nose guns; 35 built.
PV-2T
Designation for PV-2s used for crew training.
PV-3
Twenty-seven former RAF Ventura IIs requisitioned by the USN.
Ventura I
R-2800-S1A4-G powered variant for the Royal Air Force,
188 built, 30 to the RCAF and some to the SAAF,
later re-designated the Ventura GR.I.
Ventura II
R-2800-31 powered variant for the RAF, 487 built, some transferred to the USAAC and USN.
Ventura IIA
British designation for the B-34.
Ventura V
British designation for the PV-1, later designated Ventura GR.V.
