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Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RAAF A59 Lockheed B-34 & PV-1 Ventura

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Ventura "A59-67" at Point Cook



     
 

See also 459 & 464 Squadron Venturas

  
     
 

A59 Lockheed Ventura Image Gallery  459 Sqn Ventura Image Gallery  464 Sqn Ventura Image Gallery

 
     
RAAF Serial Type USN/USAAF Serial C/N RAF Serial Delivered Aircraft history
A59-1 RB-34A-VE 41-38051 137-4707 FD599 18/05/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-2 RB-34A-VE 41-38054 137-4710 FD602 18/05/43 Sold 08/04/52.
A59-3 RB-34A-VE 41-38059 137-4715 FD607 18/05/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 14/02/45.
A59-4 RB-34A-VE 41-38060 137-4716 FD608 18/05/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-5 RB-34A-VE 41-38067 137-4723 FD615 18/05/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-6 RB-34A-VE 41-38079 137-4735 FD627 18/05/43 18/05/43 Received 2AD, Richmond ex USA. Per MAC Air Case 200 Aus #11 Indent 2094A Delivery# 313 per USAAF MAC-Air Project # DA-153 for 20 x B-34s (Allocation Apr-May 143)
01/01/44 Received 13 Sqn. 
04/05/44 Rec 2AD   
25/08/44 Rec 2AP   
04/09/44 Used by 2 Aircraft Park, Ferry Flight (2AP FF), as Cat B
04/11/44 Rec 1AD  
18/11/44 Rec 2AP FF
29/12/44 Rec 2AD
18/07/45 Rec 1OTU
10/01/46 Rec 7AD          
08/04/52 Offered for disposal ex CMU, Tocumwal.                       
17/02/53 Sold to F.E. Hendy, Numurkah, Vic for 20 Pounds. The aircraft was broken up at Tocumwal and only components were transported to Numurkah.

Ventura A59-6 Photo Queensland Air Museum
A59-7 RB-34A-VE 41-38085 137-4741 FD633 18/05/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Components 02/11/48.
A59-8 RB-34A-VE 41-38086 137-4742 FD634 18/05/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Scrapped 08/08/49.
A59-9 RB-34A-VE 41-38108 137-4764 FD656 18/05/43 Served with 1 OTU.
Crashed 23/02/45 near East Sale VIC, all 6 crew killed.
Crew; SGT John Joseph Drake Bem. Leading Aircraftsman Kellems Richards Davey. W/O John James Lord. Leading Aircraftman Marcus Rosalky. SGT Alan Murray McKay. F/O William Charles Thomas Robinson.
A59-10 RB-34A-VE 41-38121 137-4777 FD669 18/05/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Components 06/09/49.
A59-11 RB-34A-VE 41-38057 137-4713 FD605 21/06/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 10/03/50.
A59-12 RB-34A-VE 41-38062 137-4718 FD610 21/06/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 02/09/49.

Lockheed Ventura A59-12 13 Squadron Bohle River Photo Eddie Geary Collection Via Geoff Ford
A59-13 RB-34A-VE 41-38064 137-4720 FD612 21/06/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
04/06/45 Ran off the runway at Jackson's Strip, Port Moresby when port tyre burst on take-off.
The port undercarriage collapsed but there were no injuries and the aircraft was repaired.
Sold 08/04/52.
A59-14 RB-34A-VE 41-38065 137-4721 FD613 21/06/43 23/10/44, Collided with radio mast at Mackay, Qld.
Sold 08/08/49.
A59-15 RB-34A-VE 41-38066 137-4722 FD614 21/06/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/07/49.
A59-16 RB-34A-VE 41-38069 137-4725 FD617 21/06/43 Served with 1 OTU.
Sold 04/04/53.
A59-17 RB-34A-VE 41-38091 137-4747 FD639 21/06/43 Served with Test Pilots Training Flight.
Broken up for spares 17/02/53.
A59-18 RB-34A-VE 41-38125 137-4781 FD673 19/08/43 Served with 2AD.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-19 RB-34A-VE 41-38130 137-4786 FD678 19/08/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-20 RB-34A-VE 41-38172 137-4828 FD720 19/08/43 Served with 2AD. S
old 06/09/49.
A59-50 PV-1 Bu.33321 237-5330 n/a 23/06/43 Served with 1 APU, 1AD T&F Sqn., 13ARD
Authorised for write off 19/11/46
 Passed to DAP 19/05/48 for scrapping/disposal,..completed 09/08/49
A59-51 PV-1 Bu.33316 237-5325 n/a 23/06/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
25/10/43 Port undercarriage collapsed at Bundaberg, Qld while taxying on soft surface.
22/02/45, Converted to Transport - callsign VH-RGM.
Served with 10CU.
Stored 08/05/46.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-52 PV-1 Bu.33369 237-5453 n/a 19/07/43 Served with 13 Sqn. 22/02/45,
Converted to Transport - callsign VH-RGN.
Served with 11 CU.
Stored 13/12/45.
Sold 06/09/49.

Highlight for Album: Ventura A59-52
A59-53 PV-1 Bu.33446 237-5455 n/a 19/07/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/07/49.
A59-54 PV-1 Bu.34652 237-5542 n/a 25/08/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Crashed 22/11/43, Archerfield QLD damaged beyond repair.
Only minor injuries to crew.
A59-55 PV-1 Bu.34651 237-5541 n/a 25/08/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Crashed 07/12/43, Gundaroo ACT.
Damaged beyond repair on Training flight from Canberra,
5 crew killed were; FLGOFF Ron Sinclair (Pilot), SGT Paterson, SGT Paul, SGT Tumily, SGT Wright.
Converted to components.
A59-56 PV-1 Bu.34754 237-5644 n/a 21/09/43 Served with 13 Sqn. 29/12/43,
Ran through a boundary fence landing at Camden after brake failure.
27/01/45, Crashed into sea off Bremer Island near Gove, N.T. while on a gunnery exercise.
Three crew were killed and three survived.
A59-57 PV-1 Bu.34755 237-5645 n/a 06/10/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Converted to Transport, allocated callsign VH-RGO.
Served with 6 CU, replacing A9-728.
Sold 08/04/52.
A59-58 PV-1 Bu.34858 237-5748 n/a 25/10/43 25/10/1943 Received 2 AD ex USA,
16/11/1943 Issued 13 Sqn ex 2 AD,
16/11/1943 Issued 13 Sqn ex 2 AD,
01/01/1944 over shot landing during showers of rain at night.
Port u/c collapsed through striking a cut down tree and a/c ground looped.
02/01/1944 Requested allotment for repair,
07/01/1944 A/C beyond field repairs, Eng officer recommends a/c be sent to AD,
11/01/1944 Awaiting spares from 3 AD before a/c can be placed in hand,
20/01/1944 Allotted 2 AD ex 13 Sqn for airframe repairs,
21/01/1944 Issued 14 RSU ex 13 Sqn,
23/01/1944 Above issue cancelled,
04/02/1944 Issued 2 AD ex 13 Sqn,
05/02/1944 Received 2 AD ex 13 Sqn,
21/08/1944 Allotted 2 CRD ex 2 AD for conversion,
31/08/1944 Issued 2 CRD ex 2 AD
12/09/44 Approval given for conversion to components.
A59-59 PV-1 Bu.34860 237-5750 n/a 25/10/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
21/01/44 Damaged beyond repair at an unknown location.
The aircraft over-ran the runway on landing, went through the boundary fence and collapsed the undercarriage.
12/09/44 to components.
A59-60 PV-1 Bu.34859 237-5749 n/a 25/10/43 Served with 13 Sqn as SF-P.
Sold 08/08/49.
A59-61 PV-1 Bu.34992 237-5882 n/a 22/12/43 Served with 13 Sqn. 24/09/45
Approval given to convert to components after accident,
However on 29/10/45 Converted to transport, call-sign VH-RGQ with 6 CU.
21/10/46 Stored.

Ventura A58-61
A59-62 PV-1 Bu.34994 237-5884 n/a 22/12/43 Served with 13 Sqn. Sold 24/06/48.
A59-63 PV-1 Bu.34995 237-5885 n/a 22/12/43 Served with 13 Sqn.
Converted to transport.
Allocated call-sign VH-RGR. 13/04/48,
Issued to DCA for training purposes.
15/10/48 Departed Laverton by road with A59-90.
10/11/48 Struck off.
A59-64 PV-1 Bu.48749 237-5985 n/a 14/01/44 No Sqn Service.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-65 PV-1 Bu.48748 237-5984 n/a 16/01/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.

Highlight for Album: Ventura A59-65
A59-66 PV-1 Bu.48750 237-5986 n/a 16/01/44 Served with 13 Sqn. 21/08/44,
Damaged beyond repair at Camden, NSW when undercarriage collapsed on landing.
24/10/44 to components.
A59-67 PV-1 Bu.48854 237-6090 n/a 06/02/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
Aircraft flown by Historic Flight was really USN Bu. 33329, ex RCAF 2221.
Displayed as SF-F, 13 Sqn.
Belly landed after double engine failure at RAAF Richmond, in storage Point cook waiting restoration.

Highlight for Album: Ventura A59-67
A59-68 PV-1 Bu.48855 237-6091 n/a 10/02/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-69 PV-1 Bu.48899 237-6135 n/a 17/02/44 Served with 13 Sqn. Sold 06/09/49.
A59-70 PV-1 Bu.48901 237-6137 n/a 22/02/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
15/01/45 Flown by F/O A.G. Goudie,
The aircraft was struck by gunfire during a low level attack on enemy shipping in Bima Harbour.
The starboard engine was shut down and guns and ammunition were jettisoned.
With careful fuel management, the aircraft returned safely to Gove.
The navigator was E.G. Whitlam, later Prime Minister of Australia.
09/04/46 Arrived at Koepang where the pilot became ill.
As it was considered uneconomical to return the aircraft to Australia, it was abandoned. 03/06/46
Approval given for destruction.
A59-71 PV-1 Bu.48898 237-6134 n/a 27/02/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
31/12/44, Flown by Wg Cdr Keenan, operated the first armed reconnaissance over Ambon by a Ventura.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-72 PV-1 Bu.48900 237-6136 n/a 29/02/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
25/11/45 During take-off at Balikpapan ran off the strip into a drain and damaged beyond repair.
No injuries.
18/12/45 convert to components.
A59-73 PV-1 ? 237-6142 ? ? Owned by the East Arnhem Historical Society
Under restoration at Darwin for display Gove NT.

Highlight for Album: Ventura A59-73
A59-74 PV-1 Bu.49382 237-6198 n/a 14/04/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Damaged and sold 06/09/49.
A59-75 PV-1 Bu.49383 237-6199 n/a 26/04/44 Served with 13 Sqn as SF-Q.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-76 PV-1 Bu.49384 237-6200 n/a 09/03/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
To Tokyo in 1945 to work with 1st Tactical Air Force.
10/11/45 Damaged beyond repair when aircraft swung on take-off at Labuan. No injuries.
A59-77 PV-1 Bu.49385 237-6201 n/a 13/03/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-78 PV-1 Bu.49428 237-6244 n/a 01/04/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-79 PV-1 Bu.49429 237-6245 n/a 07/04/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-80 PV-1 Bu.49430 237-6246 n/a 01/04/44 Served with 4 CU and 11 CU.
22/03/45 fitted with seats from A67-7 for personnel transport.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-81 PV-1 Bu.49431 237-6247 n/a 07/04/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
08/10/45 Slid off trestles during maintenance at Labuan.
Damaged beyond repair.
03/12/45 to components.
A59-82 PV-1 Bu.49432 237-6248 n/a 14/04/44 11/03/45 Converted to transport.
Allocated call-sign VH-RGT.
04/45 To 11 CU.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-83 PV-1 Bu.49433 237-6249 n/a 14/04/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
20/10/44, ditched en route Gove to Higgins after double engine failure.
Pilot George Rudge and crew survived.
They were picked up by PNG natives, and then rescued back to Gove by Catalina.
A59-84 PV-1 Bu.49434 237-6250 n/a 11/05/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
27/01/45, Crashed Gould Airstrip.
6 Crew Killed Pilot - S/No 22465 FLTLT George Alexander ANDERSON; Nav 'B' - S/No 425050 Flying Officer Bruce Lionel POOLE; W/OP Air E' - S/No 426311 Flying Officer Nurden Anderson CHOWNS; Fitter 'E' - S/No 46571 LAC James David PUGH; W/OP Air 'E' - S/No 423956 Flying Officer Charles George WATTS; and W/OP Air ' E' - S/No 403695 Warrant Officer John KAY. Their names are listed on the Northern Territory Memorial at Adelaide River, N.T. and at Panel 100 in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial..
Parts from this aircraft are on Display at the Darwin Aviation Museum.
A59-85 PV-1 Bu.49435 237-6251 n/a 01/05/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
27/11/45, tail wheel collapsed while taxiing.
Sold 06/07/49.

Highlight for Album: Ventura A59-85
A59-86 PV-1 Bu.49436 237-6252 n/a 15/05/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Converted to Transport, allocated callsign VH-RGU with 4 CU.
Sold 01/04/46.
A59-87 PV-1 Bu.49437 237-6253 n/a 01/04/44 Served with 1APU. 21/06/45,
Following engine failure the aircraft was landed wheels up at Kangaroo Valley, NSW while en route Laverton-Nowra-Williamtown.
No injuries.
09/08/5 to components.
A59-88 PV-1 Bu.49438 237-6254 n/a 01/04/44 Fitted with seats ex Lodestar for personnel transport.
09/03/45 Converted to transport.
Allocated call-sign VH-RGV.
To 11 CU and then 4 CU.
Used in Japan in late 1945 by AOC Scherger.
Returned to Australia by 11/45.
A59-89 PV-1 Bu.49439 237-6255 n/a 18/04/44 Served with CFS,
Served with 13 Sqn, coded 'V'.
Sold 06/09/49.

Highlight for Album: Ventura A59-89
A59-90 PV-1 Bu.49440 237-6256 n/a 12/04/44 30/04/45,
Undercarriage collapsed on take-off at Laverton.
13/04/48 Issued to DCA for training purposes.
No squadron service.
15/10/48, Departed Laverton by road with A59-63.
A59-90 was taken to Monegeetta Army Camp (approx 40 miles north of Melbourne),
Used in experiments to extract aircrew from crashed aircraft.
A large, truck-mounted hole saw was used to cut circular holes in the fuselage.
These holes were approximately the same diameter as the fuselage roundel.
10/11/48, Struck off.

lockheed PV-1 Ventura A59-90 Aircrew extraction trials at Monegeetta John Hopton via Ron Cuskelly
A59-91 PV-1 Bu.49441 237-6257 n/a 15/04/44 No squadron service.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-92 PV-1 Bu.49442 237-6258 n/a 16/04/44 No squadron service.
Sold 25/03/49.
A59-93 PV-1 Bu.49545 237-6361 n/a 31/04/44 No squadron service.
Sold 25/03/49.
A59-94 PV-1 Bu.49546 237-6362 n/a 02/06/44 No squadron service.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-95 PV-1 Bu.49552 237-6368 n/a 02/06/44 Served 13 Sqn.
11/03/46, Unserviceable at Kallang, Singapore.
09/04/46, Approved for destruction as not practicable to repair and return to Australia.
16/04/46 Destroyed by RAF at Kallang.
A59-96 PV-1 Bu.49555 237-6371 n/a ? Was on display Chewing Gum field QLD.
Now at Queensland Air Museum, Coloundra QLD.
 
Highlight for Album: Ventura A59-96
A59-97 PV-1 Bu.49554 237-6370 n/a 04/06/44 No squadron service.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-98 PV-1 Bu.49556 237-6372 n/a 04/06/44 No squadron service.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-99 PV-1 Bu.49548 237-6364 n/a 02/07/44 06/06/44,
Crashed on take off. Balikpapan all crew and 7 passengers escaped without injury.
07/11/45 to components.
A59-100 PV-1 Bu.49550 237-6366 n/a 21/06/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-101 PV-1 Bu.49447 237-6363 n/a 21/06/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
A59-102 PV-1 Bu.49553 237-6369 n/a 21/06/44 29/11/44 Converted to transport.
Allocated call-sign VH-RGW.
To 4 CU. 14/01/46
To 1 CU. 31/07/46
To be transferred to DCA at Essendon, Vic.
17/12/46 Written off.

PV-1 Ventura A59-102 4 Comm. Unit, Iwo Jima, July, 1945. via Mike Mirkovic.
A59-103 PV-1 Bu.49549 237-6365 n/a 02/07/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.

PV-1 Ventura A59-103/SF-A 13 Squadron Truscott, W.A. April, 1945. via Mike Mirkovic.
A59-104   Bu.49551 237-6367 n/a 02/07/44 Served with 13 Sqn.
Sold 06/09/49.
     

Ventura at Higgins field, Jacky Jacky, Cape York, 1945. Note USAAF star showing through RAAF roundel under wing.  Lockheed PV-1 Ventura 13 Sqn SF-R Via Brendan Cowan  Lockheed PV-1 Ventura 13 Sqn SF-R Via Brendan Cowan  Aircrew and servicing personnel who travelled on the Lockheed Ventura of No. 37 Sqn which escorted the Supermarine Spitfire aircraft of No. 452 Sqn during the move from Sattler airfield, near Darwin, NT, to Morotai AWM via Brendan Cowan  Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Air Ambulance Mock Up Laverton Via Brendan Cowan  Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Air Ambulance Mock Up Laverton Via Brendan Cowan
     
 

RAAF Museum

  
     
RAAF Serial Type USN/USAAF Serial C/N RAF Serial Delivered Aircraft history
"A59-67" PV-1 Bu.33379 237-5378 n/a   17/07/1943 Brought on charge by Royal Canadian Air Force as 2221.
Served with No 115 (BR) Sqn until late 1944.
11/08/1950 Struck off charge by RCAF.
1953  Disposed ex RCAF Vulcan ALTA.
01/12/1953  To Universal Trading Corp, New York, NY as N1590V.
0412/1953  To Spartan Aircraft Co, Tulsa, OK for conversion to executive configuration.
09/03/1954 To Trade-Ayer Inc, Linden, NJ.
10 /08/1955  First flight after executive conversion.
01/07/1958  To Spartan Aircraft Co, Tulsa, OK.
??/11/1961  Re-registered N159V to Spartan Aircraft Co.
24/08/1964  Re-registered N159U to Spartan Aircraft Co.
25/02/1969  To Clark's Aerial Service, Brownfield, TX who modified the aircraft for aerial seeding.
07/10/1977  To Brownfield Aerial Inc, Brownfield, TX.
15/12/1977  To Aristera Co, Lubbock, TX.
02/10/1978  To Juan D. Perez, Tampa, FL.
26/09/1983  To Hill Air Co Inc, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
02/07/1985  To Jim Ricketts of Aero Nostalgia Inc, Stockton, CA.
Aircraft had been stored in the open at Fort Lauderdale from 1980 to 1986.
26/09/1986  Ferried from Fort Lauderdale to Stockton by John Crocker and Bob Love
For restoration to military configuration for RAAF Museum in exchange for Canberra A84-229.
11/11/1987  First post-restoration test flight crewed by Rob Poynton, Blaine Gardner and Peter Anderson.
11/06/1988  Departed Oakland CA for Hawaii on delivery to Australia.
Crewed by Rob Poynton, Jim Czerwinski and Peter Anderson.
Turned back with navigation aid and fuel transfer problems.
28/06/1988  Departed Oakland for Hawaii crewed by Rob Poynton, Dave Spinelli and Peter Anderson.
Mid upper turret had been removed since first attempt.
02/07/1988  Departed Honolulu for Majuro crewed by Rob Poynton, Graham Syphers and Peter Anderson.
05/07/1988  Departed for Tarawa but returned to Majuro after cockpit escape hatch separated in flight.
10/07/1988  Departed Majuro for Tarawa. After refueling, the aircraft departed for Honiara.
11/07/1988  Departed Honiara for Brisbane.
12/07/1988  Departed Brisbane for Point Cook.
13/07/1988  Registered VH-SFF to RAAF Museum, Point Cook, VIC.
Operated in 13 Sqn markings with assumed serial A59-67, coded SF-F and named "Wiff-Oh".
It is believed that the original "Wiff-Oh" was actually A59-81 SF-D.
19/11/1996  Belly landed in a field after double engine failure during an air show at RAAF Richmond, NSW.
The aircraft was subsequently trucked back to Point Cook for static restoration.
18/06/2002  Struck off register as withdrawn from use.

Highlight for Album: Ventura A59-67
     

The Authors of this page are Darren Crick, Brendan Cowan and The Phantom.

Source: National Archives, RAAF Status Card, RAAF Museum Website, The Lockheed Files by Ron Cuskelly , www.joebaugher.com , www.qam.com.au ,

Emails: Anthony Jarvis, Dean Norman, Gordon Birkett, Byron Deveson, Robert Boyd, Mark Clayton, The Phantom, Johan Visschedijk, Victor Smith

Updated 21st October 2019



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