Lockheed PV-1 Ventura: High-Performance Multirole Aircraft

Conceived in 1941 as a patrol bomber derivative of the Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar commercial transport, the Ventura was a testament to Lockheed’s design genius. In less than a year, its engineering team transformed a civilian plane into a military marvel. Lockheed replaced the Lodestar’s 1,200-horsepower Wright R-1820 engines with two potent 2,000-horsepower Pratt and Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines.