Lockheed B-34 Lexington / PV Ventura / PV-2 Harpoon. Photo. Characteristics.
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Lockheed B-34 Lexington / PV Ventura / PV-2 Harpoon. Photo. Characteristics.

Lockheed B-34 Lexington / PV Ventura / PV-2 Harpoon. Photo. Characteristics.

 

USA

A type: twin-engine bomber and reconnaissance aircraft

Crew: four or five people

Inspired by the success of the Royal Air Force aircraft "Hudson» (Hudson), the company "Lockheed" developed for the same consumers more advanced "twin bomb", based on the plane model 18 «Loudstar." The new aircraft, won the Royal Air Force designation "Ventura» I (Ventura - adventure)) was not only larger than its predecessor, but had more powerful engines, ventral location of guns and could carry a larger bomb load.

The first of 675 ordered by the British copies were 3 November 1942 year tested by the Command of the bomber aircraft in battle. Serious losses during the subsequent day raids revealed the vulnerability of the Ventura aircraft as a day bomber, so the surviving aircraft were transferred to the Coast Guard and the order for the remaining more than 350 aircraft was canceled. Superfluous planes were taken to the hands of the US Air Force, they were flying under the designation B-34 as a sea patrol aircraft. At that moment, the US Navy also showed interest in the aircraft, which operated it under the designation PV-1 - no less than 1600 modified for naval tasks, the Ventura aircraft were delivered before the end of the war.

Modified modification of aircraft PV-2 «Harpoon» (Harpoon) was commissioned in June 1943 year to March 1943-500 first was delivered copies. As PV-1, aircraft PV-2 participated in the fighting in the Pacific, some of the aircraft remained in service until the end of the Navy Reserve 1940-ies. Many decommissioned aircraft were converted by "Howard Aero Service» (Howard Aero Service) in administrative or used for chemical treatment of crops.

About twelve aircraft in a state of airworthiness can be found in North America (and one in Australia).

Basic data

Dimensions:

  • Length: 15,67 m
  • Wingspan: 19,96 m
  • Height: 3,63 m

 

Power point: two engines R-2800-31 «Double Wasp" Company "Pratt- Whitney"

Power: 4000 l. from.

The weight:

  • BLANK: 7836 kg
  • Maximum take-off: 12 360 kg

 

Date of first flight:

  • July 31, 1941

 

Aircraft performance characteristics:

  • Maximum speed: 507 km / h
  • Range: 1529 km

 

The surviving airworthy modifications:

  • PV-1, PV-2, PV-2D, PV-2T and "Howard» 350 / 400 / 500

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