Carey, Alan C. PV Ventura/Harpoon Units of World War 2 - Professional Reading

Naval Aviation News, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Peter B. Mersky

Carey, Alan C. PV Ventura/Harpoon Units of World War 2. Osprey Publishing, Elms Court, Chapel Way, Botley, Oxford OX2 9LP, UK. 2002.96 pp. Ill. $18.95.

The Lockheed Ventura and PV Harpoon medium bombers were a somewhat shadowy family of combat aircraft derived from a prewar airliner that first saw fame as a record-breaker flown by millionaire industrialist Howard Hughes. Originally sent to the British as the A-29 Hudson, the design was then modified with more powerful engines and different armament suites, arriving in the UK as the Ventura I. The type's service with allied air forces was disappointing, and although it flew with some 30 U.S. Navy squadrons and one Marine Corps unit, the aircraft has been relegated to no more than occasional footnote mention in overall histories.

This latest addition to Osprey's Combat Aircraft series is welcome. The reader will find encapsulated histories of Navy and allied squadrons, as well as an expanded description of the PV's night-fighter service with the Marines during which its crews scored 12 kills in the Pacific during an eight-month tour.

Harpoon aircrews saw a surprising amount of action against the Japanese from the Aleutians to the Philippines, and more than a few men were lost or wounded flying Lockheed's ponderous, yet well-proportioned twin-engine bomber. PV crews also accounted for several kills against German submarines.

The book follows the series' established format, and includes a folio of 30 color profiles as well as general arrangement line drawings. The profiles are supplemented by descriptive paragraphs detailing the individual aircraft's record and special action seen by its crew. Taking advantage of several alumni groups and personal photo collections, the author has also assembled a fine selection of photographs.

By Cdr. Peter B. Mersky, USNR (Ret.)