Ventura I

The Ventura I was a twin‑engine, low‑wing transport aircraft built by the Lockheed Corporation in the early 1940s. Developed as a derivative of the earlier Model 14 Super Electra, the Ventura I incorporated a reinforced airframe, larger fuel tanks and a revised cockpit layout to meet the U.S. Army Air Forces’ demand for a versatile medium‑range bomber and cargo platform. Its first flight took place on 24 March 1943, and the type entered production later that year at Lockheed’s Burbank plant, where a total of 923 units were completed before production ceased in 1946.

Key features included two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines delivering 2,000 horsepower each, a maximum speed of 300 mph, a service ceiling of 26,000 feet and a payload capacity of 3,500 pounds. The aircraft’s retractable tricycle landing gear, fully enclosed pressurized cabin, and modular interior allowed rapid conversion between bomber, troop‑carrier and reconnaissance roles.

Although overtaken by post‑war designs, the Ventura I proved crucial during World II, providing reliable support in the Pacific and Mediterranean theaters. Its rugged construction and multi‑mission flexibility established a template for later Lockheed transport and patrol aircraft, influencing the development of the P‑2 Neptune and C‑130 Hercules.

Lockheed Corporation

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Production & History

Design & Classification