Lockheed Ventura

The Lockheed Ventura was a twin‑engine medium bomber and patrol aircraft developed in the early 1940s by the Lockheed Corporation. Derived from the earlier Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar transport, the Ventura featured a reinforced wing, larger fuel tanks, and a longer fuselage to accommodate a crew of five and a heavier bomb load. First flown on 14 September 1941, it entered service with the United States Army Air Forces as the PV‑1 and with the Navy as the A‑28. Over 1,800 Venturas were built in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where they served in anti‑submarine warfare, maritime patrol, and low‑level bombing over Europe and the Pacific. Key features included two Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 Double Wasp radials delivering 2,000 hp each, a top speed of 300 mph, a range of 1,660 miles, and armament of up to 3,000 lb of bombs plus multiple .50‑caliber machine guns. The aircraft’s versatility marked a shift from pure bomber designs to multi‑role platforms, influencing later Lockheed and other manufacturers’ post‑war designs. Its operational record helped secure Allied control of sea lanes and cemented Lockheed’s reputation for innovative, reliable aircraft.

Lockheed Corporation

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