PV-1's in RNZAF Service.
From August 1942, 487 Squadron RNZAF, (operating in Europe as part of the RAF), was equipped with the type, although losses (including on 3 May 1943 the loss of all 11 aircraft attacking Amsterdam), lead to their replacement with the de Havilland Mosquito in June.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Pacific received 139 Venturas and some Harpoons from June 1943 to replace Lockheed Hudsons in the maritime patrol bomber and medium bomber roles. Initially Venturas were unpopular with the RNZAF due to rumoured poor performance on one engine, the fate of Squadron Leader Leonard Trent VC of 487 Squadron (above) as well as the failure of the U.S. to provide New Zealand with promised B-24 Liberators. Despite that the RNZAF Venturas came to be among the most widely used of any nation's, seeing substantial action until VJ Day over South West Pacific islands.
The first 19 RB-34s that arrived by sea from the U.S. in June had much equipment either missing or damaged. Six airworthy machines were hurriedly produced by cannibalization and sent into action with No. 3 Squadron RNZAF in Fiji. On 26 June the first PV-1s were flown to Whenuapai and No. 1 Squadron RNZAF was able to convert to 18 of these by 1 August, then replacing the mixed 3 Squadron in action at Henderson Field, Guadacanal in late October.
By this time No. 2 Squadron RNZAF at Ohakea and No. 9 Squadron RNZAF were also using the type. The following year No. 4 Squadron RNZAF and No. 8 Squadron RNZAF also received Venturas. Some squadrons were retained on garrison duty while others followed the allied advance to Emirau and Green Island and to New Britain. RNZAF Venturas were tasked with routine patrols, anti-shipping strikes, minelaying, bombing and strafing missions, air-sea rescue patrols, and photographic reconnaissance missions. In an apparently bizarre case of taking Lockheed's marketing slogan of The Fighter-Bomber too literally, even briefly, Venturas conducted fighter sweeps.
RNZAF machines often clashed with Japanese fighters, notably during an air-sea rescue patrol on Christmas Eve 1943. NZ4509 was attacked by nine Japanese single-engined fighters over St. George's Channel. It shot down three, later confirmed, and claimed two others as probables, although it suffered heavy damage in the action. The pilot, Flying Officer D. Ayson and navigator, Warrant Officer W. Williams, were awarded the DFC. The dorsal turret gunner Flight Sergeant G. Hannah was awarded the DFM.
By late 1944 the Ventura began to be phased out of front line action as the RNZAF backed away from the Patrol Bomber concept, orders for PV-2 Harpoons were canceled after a handful of aircraft had been delivered. At VJ Day only 30 PV-1 aircraft remained on the front-line with No. 3 Squadron at Jacquinot Bay.
Planned re-equipment with de Havilland Mosquitos did not take place until after the cessation of hostilities. The last Ventura unit was No. 2 Squadron, which continued to operate PV-1 and PV-2 aircraft on meteorological duty until 1948
Photo Credit: Air Force Museum of New Zealand
3/4 front view of Ventura NZ4541 'C', believed to be from No. 1 Operational Training Unit, RNZAF Station Ohakea.
The New Zealand Governor General, Sir Cyril Newall, with No. 1 Squadron personnel. Believed to be at Munda, New Georgia.
NZ4503 and NZ4509 among line-up of Venturas in the background.
No. 10 Servicing Unit PV-1 Venturas at Piva, Bougainville. NZ4518 (near) and NZ4503 (far). Dodge weapons carrier in foreground is MT1977.
No. 1 Squadron Venturas in their dispersal area on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.
Aircraft on charge to No. 10 Servicing Unit.
NZ4521 in foreground.
Joins with PR2242 to form a panorama.
No. 10 Servicing Unit personnel overhaul Pratt and Whitney (Ventura) engines. Piva, Bougainville.
Ventura NZ4515 in the background.
No. 10 Servicing Unit personnel manoeuvre a Pratt and Whitney (Ventura) engine on a gantry. Piva, Bougainville.
Groundcrew load equipment into a No. 10 Servicing Unit Ventura. Emirau.
Air to air view of No. 2 Squadron Ventura NZ4638 over Buka Passage, North Bougainville.
Aircraft flying from Green Island.
NZ4638 on charge to 14 Servicing Unit.
Air to air view of No. 2 Squadron Ventura NZ4638 circling a ship in Green Island lagoon.
Aircraft on charge to No. 14 Servicing Unit.
Air to air view of No. 2 Squadron Ventura NZ4638 over Buka Passage, North Bougainville. Aircraft flying from Green Island.
Aircraft on charge to No. 14 Servicing Unit.
Air to air of Lockheed PV-1 Venturas dropping bombs over Rabaul. Aircraft flying from Green Island.
Air to air view of a USAF B-25 Mitchell leading two RNZAF Venturas over Rabaul. Aircraft flying from Green Island.
Air to air view of a formation of RNZAF Venturas and USAF B-25 Mitchells on a mission to bomb Rabaul. Aircraft flying from Green Island.
Air to air view of RNZAF Ventura NZ4616.
Air to air view of four No. 1 Squadron [?] Venturas in formation. Presumed to be flying from RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
NZ4513 (front) and NZ4503 (second)
Air to air view of No. 1 Squadron Ventura NZ4608 over Simpson Harbour, Rabaul.
Air to air view of No. 4 Squadron Ventura NZ4558. Emirau.
Air to air view of two Venturas in formation dropping bombs on Rabaul.