Ventura II

The Ventura II was a twin‑engine, low‑wing transport aircraft built by Lockheed Corporation in the early 1940s as a development of the earlier Lockheed Ventura bomber series. First flown in 1942, the model was intended for both military cargo duties and civilian airline service, combining a reinforced fuselage with a spacious cargo hold and a comfortable passenger cabin that could accommodate up to 20 troops or 15 civilian seats. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engines delivering 2,000 horsepower each, the Ventura II could cruise at 260 knots and reach a range of 1,800 nautical miles, giving it unrivaled flexibility for long‑range logistical missions. Its distinctive feature was the integrated double‑slot flap system, which reduced take‑off distance on short, unprepared strips, a crucial advantage in wartime forward bases. Although only 124 units were produced before the program was terminated in 1945, the aircraft demonstrated the effectiveness of a dual‑role design and paved the way for later Lockheed transports such as the Constellation series. The Ventura II remains a notable example of mid‑century innovation, illustrating how military and commercial requirements could be merged into a single, versatile airframe.

Lockheed Corporation

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Design & Classification