Lockheed Ventura Scale Models

Lockheed Ventura

The Lockheed Ventura is a twin engine patrol bomber designated PV-1 by the United States Navy. The bomber was also used by the United States Army Air Forces, which designated it the Lockheed B-34 Lexington and B-37. The Ventura was a medium bomber of World War II, used by United States and British Commonwealth forces in several guises, including anti shipping and anti submarine search and attack.

The Ventura was developed from the Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar transport, as a replacement for the Lockheed Hudson bombers then in service with the Royal Air Force. Used in daylight attacks against occupied Europe, they proved to have weaknesses and were removed from bomber duty and some used for patrols by Coastal Command.

After USAAF monopolization of land-based bombers was removed, the US Navy ordered a revised design which entered service as the PV-2 Harpoon for anti-submarine work.

Specifications (B-34 Lexington)

General characteristics

Crew: 6
Length: 51 ft 5 in (15.7 m)
Wingspan: 65 ft 6 in (20 m)
Height: 11 ft 10 in (3.6 m)
Wing area: 551 ft2 (51.2 m2)
Empty weight: 20,197 lb (9,161 kg)
Loaded weight: 31,000 lb (14,061 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 34,000 lb (15,422 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engines, 2,000 hp (1,491 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 322 mph (518 km/h)
Cruise speed: 230 mph (370 km/h)
Range: 1,660 mi (2,670 km)
Ferry range: 2,600 mi (4,200 km)
Service ceiling: 26,300 ft (8,020 m)
Rate of climb: 2,035 ft/min (15.4 m/s)
Wing loading: 56.4 lb/ft2 (275 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.13 hp/lb (0.21 kW/kg)

Armament

Guns:
4 × .50 BMG (12.7 mm) Browning M2 machine guns
2 × .30 cal. (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns
Bombs:
3,000 lb (1,400 kg) general ordnance or
6 × 325 lb (147 kg) depth charges or
1 × torpedo

Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, A59-75 SF-Q of 13 Sqn RAAF Minicraft Kit with Red Roo Decals 1/72 Scale