![]() The first squadron in combat was VP-135, deployed in the Aleutian Islands in April 1943. The PV-1 began to be delivered in December 1942, and entered service in February 1943. These aircraft could also carry eight 5 in (127 mm) HVAR rockets on launchers underneath the wings. Late production PV-1s dispensed with this bombardier position and replaced it with a pack with three 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns underneath the nose. The most important addition was of an ASD-1 search radar.Įarly production PV-1s still carried a bombardier's station behind the nose radome, with four side windows and a flat bomb-aiming panel underneath the nose. The maximum fuel capacity of the PV-1 was increased from 1,345 gal (5,081 l) to 1,607 gal (6,082 l), to increase its range the forward defensive armament was also reduced for this reason. The main differences between the PV-1 and the B-34 were the inclusion of special equipment in the PV-1, adapting it to its patrol bombing role. The PV-1 Ventura, built by the Vega Aircraft Company division of Lockheed (hence the "V" Navy manufacturer's letter that later replaced the "O" for Lockheed), was a version of the Ventura built for the U.S. ![]() While 550 were ordered by the Army Air Forces, acquisition by the USAAF stopped after only 18 Venturas were accepted, when the Army Air Forces agreed to turn over exclusive use of the Ventura to the United States Navy. Before the first of these flew, the design was redesignated again as the B-37 with a higher powered version of the R-2600, later it also was designated the RB-37. The O-56 was redesignated the RB-34B (the R denoted 'restricted' meaning it was not to be used for combat). Army Air Forces dropped the "O-" category used to designate "observation" (reconnaissance) aircraft. The main differences between the Ventura and the O-56 were in the engines: rather than the 2,000 hp (1,491 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radials of the Ventura, the O-56 used 1,700 hp (1,270 kW) Wright R-2600-13 radials.īefore completion of the first O-56, the U.S. This aircraft was originally planned to be built under the designation O-56. Among the orders were for 550 armed reconnaissance versions of the Ventura. In August 1941, large orders for Venturas were placed with Lend-Lease Act money. ![]() Army Air Forces placed its own order for 200 Ventura Mark IIA, which were put into service as the B-34 Lexington. The RAF placed a further order for 487 Ventura Mark IIs, but many of these were diverted to United States Army Air Forces service. The Venturas were gradually transferred to patrol duties with Coastal Command, 30 went to the RCAF and some to the SAAF. They were replaced in this role by the de Havilland Mosquito. They proved unsuited to this task, because (like many other bombers used by the RAF) they were too vulnerable without long-range fighter escorts. Venturas were initially used for daylight raids on occupied Europe. They were delivered from mid-1942 onwards. The RAF ordered 188 Venturas in February 1940. The primary difference was not in layout rather, the Ventura was larger and heavier than the Hudson. The Ventura was very similar to its predecessor, the Lockheed Hudson. Development Lockheed Ventura/B-34 Lexington
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |