Vengeance IV

The Vengeance IV, the final evolution of the Vultee‑manufactured Vengeance series, entered service in early 1944 as a dedicated dive‑bomber and close‑support aircraft. Born from the earlier V-72 prototypes, the IV was refined after extensive testing by the United States Army Air Forces and the Royal Air Force, which had adopted the type for operations in the Mediterranean and Southeast Asian theatres. Powered by a 1,710 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830‑94 Twin Wasp radial engine, the Vengeance IV could deliver a 1,000‑lb bomb through a 60‑degree dive, aided by hydraulic dive brakes and a reinforced, split‑tail assembly that reduced aerodynamic flutter at high speeds. A fully retractable landing gear, self‑sealing fuel tanks, and an all‑metal stressed‑skin fuselage gave the aircraft superior durability and a top speed of 285 mph at 15,000 ft. Its twin‑seat cockpit accommodated a pilot and an onboard gunner, who operated a flexible .30‑caliber rear machine gun for defense against fighters. The Vengeance IV’s reliability and precision made it a pivotal asset in the Allied push against well‑fortified positions, influencing post‑war dive‑bomber concepts and cementing Vultee’s reputation for rugged, mission‑focused designs.