Lockheed Ventura PV1 and B34, NZ 4501 to NZ 4550, 1943 to 1948, Part 1

Company:
Lockheed

Wing Span:
65 ft 6 in 19.96 M

Wing Area:
551 sq ft

Length:
51 ft 5 in 19.67 M

Height:
11 t 10 in 3.62 M

Ceiling:
25,200 ft 7,681 M

Range: with Max Load
1,000 Miles 1,609 Km

T/O Weight:
26,000 lb 1,793 Kg

Crew:
1 Pilot
1 Nose Gunner
1 Dorsal Gunner
1 Ventral Gunner

Role:
General Reconnance
Bomber

Total Manufactured:
2,106 All Marks

First Flight:
13 Jul 1941

Developed from:
Lockheed Model 18 Civilian Passenger

Armament:
2 x .5 in Machine Gun in Nose Turret
2 x .5 in Machine Gun in Dorsal Turret
2 x .5 in Machine Gun in Ventral Turret
up to
3,000 lb Bombs Internal

Qty Served:
139

Years Served:
1943 to 1948

Tail Nos:
PV 1 NZ 4501 to NZ 4582
B34 NZ 4583 to NZ 4605
PV 1 NZ 4606 to NZ 4639

ENGINE

Qty:
2

Type:
Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp R2800 – 31
18 cylinder, twin row, air-cooled, radial, supercharged.

Bore:
5.75 in 146.05 mm

Stroke:
6.0 in 152.4 mm

Volume:
2,804 cu in 45.96 L

Horse Power:
2,500 HP

Max RPM:
2,800 RPM

Fuel:
100/130 Octane

Length:
81.4 in 2.068 mm

Diameter:
52.8 in 1.342 mm

Weight:
2,360 lb 1.073 Kg

Power to Weight Ratio:
0.89 hp/lb 1.45 KW/Kg

NZ 4501

Constructors No,: 5312
US Navy No.: Bu 33303
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 7 Jun 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 20 Oct 1943
To 10 Servicing Unit Bougainville
To 2 BR Sqn Feb 1944
Crashed at Bougainville
Written off 8 May 1944

NZ4502

Constructors No.: 5317
US Navy No: Bu 33308
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 7 Jun 1943
To 1 OTU Ohakea 1943 – 1944
Crashed at Ohakea after engine
Failure on take off 7 Jun 1944
Converted to Inst 102 for dingy practice at Ohakea

NZ 4503

Constructors No.: 5318
US Navy No: Bu 33309
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 7 Jun 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai 9 Jul 1943
To Guadalcanal departing 24 Oct 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Apr 1944
To NZ 20 – 21 May 1944
To 1 OTU Ohakea Jun 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4504

Constructors No.: 5319
US Navy No.: Bu 33310
Mark: PV - 1
assembled at Oaha Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 7 Jun 1943
Arrived Whenuapai from Kaneohe 7 Jul 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 17 Oct 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Feb 1944
To NZ 20-21 May 1944
To 2 Sqn Whenuapai May – Jun 1945
No further records

NZ 5405

Constructors No.: 5320
US Navy No: Bu 33311
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 7 Jun 1943
Arrived at Whenuapai from Kaneohe 26 Jun 1943
The first of the Venturas to arrive in NZ
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 20 Oct 1943
To NZ 20-21 May 1094
To 8 Sqn Nausori, Fiji Nov 1944
No further records

NZ 4506

Constructors No.: 5321
US Navy No.: Bu 33312
Mark PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 7 Jun 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 17 Oct 1943
To 2 B R Sqn Feb 1944
To N Z 20-21 May 1944
No further records

NZ 4507
Constructors No.: 5322
US Navy No: Bu 33313
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 7 Jun 1943
Code letters ZX –M
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 24 Oct 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Feb 1944
To NZ 20-21 May 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4508

Constructors No.: 5323
US Navy No.: Bu 33314
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 7 Jun 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 20 Oct 1943
Stalled in a turn in zero visibility
Weather and crashed
Into the sea near Domo Cove 0545 on 7 Dec 1943
F/O Gifford Stansell P/O Charles Harney
W/O James Burton F/S Leslie Smith killed
Sgt H Ham injured

NZ 4509

Constructors No.: 5329 PV-1
US Navy No.: Bu 33320
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 7 Jun 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 24 Oct 1943
Damaged in action 24 Dec 1943
Attacked by 9 Zeros over St George’s Channel
Shot down 3 confirmed
Plus 2 probables 24 Dec 1943
F/O Don Ayson [P] and
W/O W N Williams[Nav] awarded DFC
F/S G E Hannah [Mid Upper Gunnr] awarded DFM
To 4 Repair Depot Espiritu Santo
To 2 BR Sqn Mar 1944
To NZ 20 – 21 May 1944
To 8 BR Sqn Whenuapai Oct 1944
To 2 Sqn Whenuapai May – Jun 1945
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4510

Constructors No.: 5439
US Navy No.: Bu 33430
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 10 Jul 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 17 Oct 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Mar 1944
To NZ 20 – 21 May 1945
Named Tonawhai
To 8 BR Sqn Whenuapai Oct 1944
No further records

NZ 4511

Constructors No.: 5440 PV-1
US Navy No.: Bu 33431
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 10 Jul 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 24 Oct 1943
Named Slippery Sam
To 2 BR Sqn Feb 1944
To NZ 20-21 May 1944
No Further Records

NZ 4512

Constructors No.: 5443
US Navy No.: Bu 33434
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 10 Jul 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 17 Oct 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Feb 1944
To NZ 20 – 21 May 1944
No further records

NZ 4513

Constructors No.: 5444
US Navy No.: Bu 33435
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 10 Jul 1943
Code letter ZX-N
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 24 Oct 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Mar 1944
To NZ 20 – 21 May 1944
To 1 OTU Ohakea 1944 – 1945
No further records

NZ 4514

Constructors No.: 5447
US Navy No.: Bu 33438
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 10 Jul 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 20 Oct 1943
Code letter ZX –K
To 3 Sqn
To 2 BR Sqn Mar 1944
To NZ 20 – 21 May 1944
To 1 OTU Ohakea Jun 1944
No further records

NZ 4515

Constructors No.: 5448 PV-1
USAAF No.: Bu 33439
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 10 Jul 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To 2 BR Sqn Ohakea Sep 1943
To Guadalcanal departing 20 Oct 1943
To NZ 20 – 21 May 1944
To 1 OTU Ohakea Jun 1944
No further records

NZ 4516

Constructors No.: 5449
US Navy No.: Bu 33440
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 10 Jul 1943
Named Patua Te Ra
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To 2 BR Sqn Apr 1944
To NZ 20-21 May 1944
To 1 OTU Ohakea Jun 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4517

Constructors No.: 5450
US Navy No.: Bu 33441
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 10 Jul 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 24 Oct 1943
Crashed on take off from Guadalcanal 13 Nov 1943
Written off

NZ 4518

Constructors No.: 5451 PV-1
USAAF No.: Bu 33442
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 10 Jul 1943
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 20 Oct 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Mar 1944
To NZ 20 – 21 May 1944
To 8 BR Sqn Whenuapai Oct 1944
To 4 Sqn Whenuapai
Mid air with Dakota NZ 3501
A/C dived towards the ground with a
Damaged starboard wing and crashed into a
Paddock at Kaukapakapa 1030 on 21 Mar 1945
F/L William Farnsworth killed
Sgt R Smith Sgt C Wellington
Sgt I King Sgt M Hall
bailed out injured

NZ 4519

Constructors No.: 5532
US Navy No.: Bu 34642
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 10 Aug 1943
To 2 GR Sqn Ohakea Sep 1943
To 8 Sqn Whenuapai
Crashed on approach to Whenuapai after
Suffering an engine failure
The A/C lost height and hit a tree
Before crashing and catching fire 1050 26 Oct 1944
F/S Edward Brightwell F/S James Pederson
F/S Archibald Alexander Sgt Harold Mauger
Sgt Russell Robbie killed
Written off 8 Nov 1944

NZ 4520

Constructors No.: 5533
US Navy No.: Bu 34643
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 10 Aug 1943
Arrived at Ohakea 25 Aug 1943
To 2 BR Sqn
Crashed into sea near Cape Queiros,
Seen with an engine on fire, flying at low
Level in heavy rain and
Crashed into sea shortly after 1445 on 17 Jan 1944
F/L Peter Wood P/O Francis Baird
F/S Robert Carter F/S Brian Vesty
Sgt Thomas Murray Cpl Edward Ayrey
LAC Raymond Goff killed

NZ 4521

Constructors No.: 5534
US Navy No.: Bu 34644
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 19 Whenuapai 10 Aug 1943
Code letter ZX- G
To 1 Sqn Whenuapai
To Guadalcanal departing 17 Oct 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Mar 1944
To NZ 20-21 May 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4522

Constructors No.: 5535
US Navy No.: Bu 34645
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 10 Aug 1943
To 2 GR Sqn Ohakea Sep 1943
To 3 Sqn Bougainville
Hit by enemy fire while on an operation
Over Rabaul
Crash landed at Talasea, New Britian 9 Sep 1944
F/L F Thomas F/O G Shanks
W/O G Millar Sgt R Budd
uninjured
Written off
Parts were salvaged for restoration of
NZ 4600 by MOTAT 1972 – 1973

NZ 4523

Constructors No.: 5536
US Navy No.: Bu 34646
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 10 Aug 1943
To 2 GR Sqn Ohakea Sep 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4524

Constructors No.: 5537
US Navy No.: Bu 34647
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 10 Aug 1943
Code letter OP – F
To 2 G R Sqn Ohakea Sep 1943
Crashed into sea on ferry flight from
Norfolk Island to Guadalcanal
Double engine failure 4 Hrs out from
Norfolk Island
Ditched into sea
W/O John Smith Sgt Ralph Bryant
Sgt Harold Bayliss LAC Edward Bunting
killed
W/O D Stout W/O H Small [Passenger]
Rescued

NZ 4525

Constructors No.: 5538
US Navy No.: Bu 34648
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 10 Aug 1943
Arrived at Ohakea 25 Aug 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Ohakea
To 2 Sqn Bougainville Nov 1943
To NZ Sep 1944
To 14 SU Whenuapai
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4526

Constructors No.: 5539
US Navy No.: Bu 34649
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 10 Aug 1943
To 9 Sqn Bougainville
Crashed on take off from Bougainville
On a ferry Flight 18 Aug 1944
Written off

NZ 4527

Constructors No.: 5540
US Navy No.: Bu 34650
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 10 Aug 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Ohakea Dec 1943
To 9 Sqn Bougainville
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4528

Constructors No.: 5633
US Navy No.: Bu 34743
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 4 Sep 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4529

Constructors No.: 5634
US Navy No.: Bu 34744
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 4 Sep 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Ohakea Dec 1943
To 9 Sqn Bougainville
Crashed at Pallikulo Field after engine
Failure during a mission
Attempted a flapless landing, over ran airfield,
Crashed through a fence and burst into flames
As the crew were trying to disconnect
The batteries 1710 on 11 Apr 1944
F/S G Gee Injured
F/S J Wilson F/S N Ingerson
F/S J Carroll Sgt G Skuse
Sgt H Lapthorne uninjured

NZ 4530

Constructors No.: 5641
US Navy No.: Bu 34751
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 4 Sep 1943
To 9 Sqn Bougainville
Eng failure when returning from a patrol
Ditched into sea 150 miles
NE of Bougainville 1010 on14 Jun 1944
F/O Reginald Mather P/O Jack Battye
W/O Ivan Lorenzen F/S William Neave
Sgt Henry Mosen killed

NZ 4531

Constructors No.: 5631
US Navy No.: Bu 34747
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 6 Sep 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Jan 1944
To 8 Sqn Nausori, Fiji Nov 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4532

Constructors No.: 5632
US Navy No.: Bu 34748
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 6 Sep 1943
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

image source

NZ 4533

Constructors No.: 5642
US Navy No.: Bu 34652
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 6 Sep 1943
To 2 OTU Ohakea 1943
While landing after a test flight at Ohakea
The wheels locked up while landing onto wet grass
The A/C over ran the runway and
Crashed into a ditch 9 Nov 1943
Written off 19 Nov 1943

NZ 4534

Constructors No.: 5639
US Navy No.: Bu 34749
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 24 Sep 1943
Code letter ZX – D
To 1 OTU Ohakea Jun 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4535

Constructors No.: 5640
US Navy No.: Bu 34750
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 24 Sep 1943
To New Hebrides departing 14 Nov 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Nov 1943
To 8 BR Sqn Whenuapai Oct 1944
To 2 Sqn Whenuapai May – Jun 1945
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4536

Constructors No.: 5643
USAAF No.: Bu 34753
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 24 Sep 1943
Code letter ZX – B
To 1 OTU Ohakea Jun 1944
Struck by taxiing Kittyhawk NZ
While parked at Ohakea 10 Apr 1945
Written off 20 Apr 1945

NZ 4537

Constructors No.: 5737
US Navy No.: Bu 34847
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 24 Sep 1943
To 2 BR Sqn Dec 1943
To 2 Sqn Whenuapai May – Jun 1945
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4538

Constructors No.: 5740
US Navy No.: Bu 34850
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 24 Sep 1943
To 9 Sqn Bougainville
Carrying out a practice bombing run near
Pallikulo flicked onto it’s back and dived
Into the sea 1230 on 6 Apr 1944
F/L Gordon Mc Lachlan F/L Bernard O’Fagan
F/O Maxwell Harwood F/O Lionel Wood
P/O Augustine Thurston crew
Lt R Fresh Fireman A Stinson
US Navy killed

NZ 4539

Constructors No.: 5742
US Navy No.: Bu 34852
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 2 Oct 1943
Code letter ZX – A
To 1 OTU Ohakea Jun 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4540

Constructors No.: 5743
US Navy No.: Bu 34853
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 2 Oct 1943
Code letter/No.: 43
To 2 Sqn Guadalcanal
Crash landed at Munda
Written off 11 Mar 1944

NZ 4541

Constructors No.: 5745
US Navy No.: Bu 34855
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 2 Oct 1943
To 2 Sqn Guadalcanal Mar 1944
To NZ 20-22 May 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4542

Constructors No.: 5746
US Navy No.: Bu 34856
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 2 Oct 1943
Code letter ZX – E
To 1 OTU Ohakea Jun 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4543

Constructors No.: 5741
US Navy No.: Bu 34851
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 2 Oct 1943
Code letter ZX – F
To 1 OTU Ohakea Jun 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4544

Constructors No.: 5744
US Navy No.: Bu 34854
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 18 Oct 1943
To 1 OTU Ohakea Jun 1944
Drifted off track and flew into a cloud
Covered Mount Egmont while on a
Navigation exercise 1100 on 3 Oct 1944
F/O Jack Martin F/S Arnold Hill
Sgt Harold Day Sgt James McKay
Sgt Frank Webb killed

NZ 4545

Constructors No.: 5747
US Navy No.: Bu 34857
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 18 Oct 1943
To 2 OTU Ohakea 1943
To 2 Sqn Espiritu Santo
Crashed on take off 22 Dec 1943
Written off

NZ 4546

Constructors No.: 5895
US Navy No.: Bu 48659
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 13 Dec 1943
To 4 BR Sqn Nausori, Fiji
Operational Mission, suffered engine failure
Forced landing at Nausori 15 Sep 1944
Converted to Instructional A/F CV 1 at Nausori

NZ 4547

Constructors No.: 5896
US Navy No.: Bu 48660
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
Crash landing at Kaneohe, Hawaii during
Delivery flight
Port U/C collapsed 3 Jan 1944
Written off at Hamilton 3 Nov 1944

NZ 4548

Constructors No.: 5897
US Navy No.; Bu 48661
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 13 Dec 1943
Code letter ZX – C
To 1 OTU Ohakea Jun 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4549

Constructors No.: 5898
US Navy No.: Bu 48662
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 13 Dec 1943
To 3 GR Sqn Ohakea Feb 1944
Sold from Rukuhia
To J Larsen Palmerston North 2 Mar 1948

NZ 4550

Constructors No.: 5899
US Navy No.: Bu 48663
Mark: PV - 1
Assembled at Oahu Hawaii
B O C Unit 12 Ohakea 13 Dec 1943
To 8 Sqn Nausori, Fiji
Landing in a cross wind at Nausori,
Ran off runway and
Depth charges blew up 1650 on 4 Dec 1944
P/O Jack Dungey F/S Walter Young
F/S Ronald Mc Auliffe Sgt Leonard Bowick
Sgt Norman Heal killed

Unsourced photos through the Ohakea Museum

with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner