Lockheed Ventura / Harpoon

Lockheed Ventura / Harpoon History

Lockheed's early success in WWII with their Hudson bomber (a derivative of the Type 14 Super Electra used by the RAF) led them to propose a dedicated bomber and reconnaissance version of their Type 18 Lodestar. Lockheed dubbed the new prototype the Type 37, and after a brief trial period, the RAF ordered a total of 675 and named the new aircraft the Ventura. Larger, heavier, more loaded and better equipped than the Hudson, they entered service with the RAF on 3 November 1942. Soon, the limitations of the Ventura as a day bomber became apparent, as large numbers of enemies were killed in the fire.

They were handed over to RAF Coast Command for home defence duties and more than half of the original order was cancelled.

These replacement aircraft were procured by the U.S. Army Air Forces, designated B-34 and B-37, and assigned to maritime patrol missions. The US Navy also ordered their first aircraft and received the designation PV-1 Ventura. In June 1943, the Navy ordered a slightly modified long-range version that became the PV-2 Harpoon. At least 2,100 Navy Venturas and Harpoons were delivered by the end of the war, with a total of over 3,000 delivered to all customers.

Venturas in particular are supplied to some other countries including Brazil, France and all Commonwealth countries.

The PV-1 and PV-2 fought in the Pacific Theater and served in the U.S. Navy Reserve in the late 1940s. Some of the remaining models were delivered to countries such as Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal and Peru. Howard Air Services in the United States converted some of the other planes into VIP civilian transports, and some into mosquito-spray planes.

Only a few are now able to fly as warbirds.

Lockheed Ventura / Harpoon Specification

BASICS

Service Year

1942

Origin

United States

Crew

6

Production

3,028

MANUFACTURER(S)

Lockheed - USA

OPERATORS

Australia; Brazil; Canada; France; New Zealand; South Africa; United Kingdom; United States

ROLES

Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Special Mission: Ship Defense

Equipped to find, track, and attack enemy surface elements through visual acquisition, radar support, and ship-based weapons.

Commercial Aviation

Used in roles serving the commercial aviation market, moving passengers and cargo over long distances.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Education (General)

Develop the ability to become a dedicated student pilot instructor (usually under the supervision of an instructor).

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHTS

Length

51. 5 ft

(15. 70 m)

Width/Span

65. 6 ft

(20. 00 m)

Height

11. 8 ft

(3. 60 m)

Empty Wgt

20,194 lb

(9,160 kg)

MTOW

33,069 lb

(15,000 kg)

Wgt Diff

+12,875 lb

(+5,840 kg)

POWER & PERFORMANCE

Installed:

2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800 air-cooled radial piston engines developing 2,000 horsepower each.

Max Speed

322 mph

(518 kph | 280 kts)

Ceiling

26,312 ft

(8,020 m | 5 mi)

Range

1,659 mi

(2,670 km | 4,945 nm)

Rate-of-Climb

2,035 ft/min

(620 m/min)

RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

ARMAMENT

STANDARD:4 x 12. 7mm M2 Browning machine guns2 x 7. 62mm M1919 Browning machine gunsOPTIONAL:1 x torpedo6 x depth charges (325lbs each)Up to 3,000lbs of ordnance