Royal Air Force Bomber Command 60th Anniversary

Lockheed Ventura

The Ventura, a derivative of the popular Hudson then in service with Coastal Command on anti-shipping and reconnaissance tasks, replaced Blenheim day bombers in No 2 Group. By the time it entered service with Bomber Command, was outdated and suffered heavy losses.

The Ventura entered service with No 21 Squadron at the end of May 1942, some 18 months later than planned and made its debut in November. A month later, Venturas joined other aircraft from No 2 Group (Mosquitos and Bostons), in the famous raid on the Philips works at Eindhoven.

The aircraft was not popular with its crews and earned the nickname 'The Pig'. By April 1943, Ventura losses were beginning to mount and a month later the aircraft's inadequacies were shown in a daylight attack on a power station near Amsterdam.

Twelve aircraft from No 487 Squadron RNZAF, operating with an escort of Spitfires, were 'bounced' by German fighters as they approached the intended target. The Spitfires were engaged by elements of the defending force whilst the remainder attacked the helpless Venturas. Within minutes, 9 Venturas had been shot down and a tenth, badly damaged, managed to evade the fighters and return to England. This left a single bomber, piloted by Squadron Leader LH Trent, which pressed on and managed to attack the power station. After seeing his bombs just miss, Trent's aircraft was then attacked and shot down with only the pilot and his navigator surviving the crash to become prisoners of war. Squadron Leader Trent was finally awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery when the story of the fateful attack was reconstructed after the war.

The final bomber op for the Ventura was flown in September 1943, by which time Ventura squadrons had transferred to the Second Tactical Air Force. Some were also transferred to duties in the Middle East and to Coastal Command.

Specifications
Details for Ventura B.II
Length:	51ft 2½in (15.60m)
Wingspan:	65ft 6in (19.96m)
Height:	11ft 10½in (3.62m)
Maximum Speed:	300mph (484km/h)
Cruising Speed:	260mph (419km/h)
Ceiling:	25,000ft (7,617m)
Range:	950 miles (1,532km)
Powerplant:	Two Pratt and Whitney Double Wasp GR2800 of 1,200hp each
Payload:	2,500lb (1,135kg)
Defensive Armament:	2 x fixed .50in and .303in guns in nose, 2 or 4 x .303in guns in mid-upper turret and 2 x .303in guns in mid-lower position.
Recognition:	Short, squat body with curved undersides sweeping up to twin tails mounted at rear of fuselage. Heavily framed nose with cockpit winshield in line with leading edge of mainplane.
Ventura B.II 3-angle view (Click to enlarge)

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