![]() The service of this aircraft was fairly brief, and was cut short by the end of the war in the Pacific. The PV-2 Harpoon was first taken into combat in March of 1945. Unfortunately, this didn’t cure the problem and a full redesign of the wing followed, leading to a delay of the PV-2’s service. There was then a quick modification made involving a six foot reduction in the wingspan. being her maximum.įirst tests by the Navy on December 3, 1943, showed a dangerous amount of “wrinkling” of the wings. The length is 52 feet 1 inch, and height 13 feet 3 inches. The Harpoon’s climbing rate was 1,630 feet per minute, and her service ceiling was 23,900 feet. Its max speed at 13,700 feet was 282 mph., at sea level 271 mph and its cruising speed was recorded at 171 mph. Made for the reconnaissance role, the PV-2 included, two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-31 air-cooled radial engines rated at 2,000 horsepower for take-off, and 1,600 horsepower at 11,900 feet. In June of 1943, the Navy ordered 500 planes under the designation PV-2, and the name Harpoon was assigned. She could also carry eight 5 inch HVAR rockets under the wings. Now the Harpoon could also carry two “Tiny Tim” rockets completely enclosed. The bomb load capacity was increased 30% on the PV-2 to 4,000 lbs., leading to a redesign of the bomb bay doors giving the PV-2 a distinctive “bulge” on the underside. 50 inch guns in the rear ventral position. 50 inch guns in the dorsal turret, and two. Along with the forward guns the PV-2 also carried two. 50 inch machine guns in the upper nose decking, and 3 fixed. The forward guns were increased from three on the PV-1 to five on the 2’s 2 fixed. Unfortunately, speed statistics were projected lower than the PV-1 due to the use of the same engines but an increase in weight, but was expected to have increased range and better takeoff characteristics. ![]() To try and improve the take-offs on the PV-2 the wing area increased from 551ft2 to 686 ft2, and the wingspan increased by 6 feet 6 inches to 75 feet, to increase the load-carrying capability. of bombs, all of which was changed on the PV-2 Harpoon. Also, the later production PV-1’s had 3 machine guns under the nose, and could carry approximately 3,100 lbs. One of which was its poor-quality take-offs when carrying full tanks of fuel. ![]() The PV-1 entered service in December of 1943. The main differences between the PV-1 and the B-34 were, the PV-1’s fuel capacity increased, to add to its range the forward armament was reduced, and the PV-1 now included an ASD-1 search radar. The “V” in PV-2 stood for “Vega” Aircraft Company, a division of Lockheed that built the Ventura’s. Shortly thereafter, the US Army Air Force turned over exclusive use of the Ventura to the US Navy, so came the PV-1 Ventura. The O-56 was redesignated the RB-34B (RB-Reconnaissance Bomber), but before even one took flight, it was renamed again the B-37. The main difference between the O-56 and the Ventura was the engines, dropping the horsepower on the Ventura from 2,000 P&W R-2800 radials to 1,700 on Wright R-2600-13 radials on the O-56. In 1941 large orders were placed for armed reconnaissance versions of the Ventura designated O-56. ![]()
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