Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
Technical Information

Background
The early success of the Lockheed Hudson resulted in the development of a more advanced design for the British, to be named the B-34, later redesignated the RB-34 Lexington. These first entered service in October 1942. As aircraft were transferred between the Lend-Lease program, the USAAF, and the U.S. Navy, designations went from B-34 to R-37 to B-37 to PV-3. The Navy received it's first quantities in December 1942 as the PV-1 (Ventura).

RNZAF Venturas
The RNZAF operated 139 aircraft of this type - 82 PV-1 (NZ4501-82, NZ4606-39) and 57 B-34 (NZ4583-4605), although all were known as Venturas. The first aircraft arrived in 1943 as Hudson replacements. Eventually the aircraft were operated by No.s 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, & 9 BR Squadrons and No.1 (B) OTU. The bomber force was being wound down at the end of the war and at that time only three squadrons were operational. After WWII, No.2 Squadron operated 12 Venturas from Ohakea until June 1946 when they were withdrawn, to be replaced by the Hudson again.

PV-2 Harpoon
In June 1943 the Navy ordered a new version under the designation PV-2 and with the name Harpoon. This version had the wingspan increased by 9 feet, increased fuel capacity, greater fin and rudder area, and improved armament (five .50 cal forward firing machine guns in the nose, two 50 cal machine guns in both dorsal turret and ventral position, and up to four 1000 lb. bombs internally with two 1000 lb. bombs externally). The PV-2 served primarily in the Pacific theater, and was used until the end of World War II.

Technical Details
Crew  Seven
Engine  2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-31 2,000 hp engines
Span  65' 6"
Length  51' 9"
Height  11' 11"
Maximum Speed  164 mph
Range  1,660 miles
Armament  2 x .50 caliber machine guns in nose and dorsal turret 2 x .30 caliber machine guns ventral position
Bombload  up to 2,000 lbs of bombs