Lockheed Ventura – snel, maar niet zonder risico
De Ventura kwam met belofte. Snel, krachtig en geschikt voor aanvallen op middelgrote afstand. Het leek een toestel dat precies paste bij wat nodig was. Maar de praktijk bleek weerbarstiger.
De eerste missies maakten dat snel duidelijk. Aanvallen overdag, vaak op lage of middelhoge hoogte, brachten het toestel recht in het zicht van de verdediging. De snelheid hielp, maar niet altijd genoeg.
De bemanning werkte zoals bij andere bommenwerpers, maar de ruimte was beperkter, de druk groter. Alles moest kloppen, en er was weinig marge voor fouten. Dat maakte elke vlucht intens.
Toch bleef de Ventura ingezet. Taken werden aangepast, tactieken veranderd. In sommige rollen kwam het toestel beter tot zijn recht, vooral waar snelheid en bereik belangrijk waren.
De aanvallen zelf waren kort en direct. In, richten, lossen en weg. Maar juist dat moment van naderen maakte het kwetsbaar. Dat was waar het verschil werd gemaakt – of verloren.
Later kreeg de Ventura een andere plek. Minder frontaal, meer ondersteunend. Niet omdat hij niets kon, maar omdat de oorlog vroeg om andere oplossingen.
De Ventura is een vliegtuig van verwachting en aanpassing. Van een idee dat moest worden bijgesteld, maar nooit helemaal verdween.
| Naam | Datum | RAF Station | Incident |
| Sergeant G C Blacket G C Blacket | 1942-11-07 | Methwold | Crashed off Vlissingen |
| Flying Officer D O Brown D O Brown | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | ? |
| Sergeant D E Clift D E Clift | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Shot down near Rilland Holland |
| Flying Officer N Cohen N Cohen | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed target area |
| Pilot Officer S Coshall S Coshall | 1942-11-13 | Feltwell | Crashed on landing |
| Sergeant R W Dickson R W Dickson | 1942-12-10 | Crashed at Methwold NFK | |
| Flight Lieutenant M I Dore M I Dore | 1942-11-04 | Feltwell | Crashed on return to base near Lakenheath SUFFOLK |
| Sergeant S Edwards S Edwards | 1942-11-07 | Methwold | Crashed off Vlissingen |
| Sergeant N A Gardner N A Gardner | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | Presumed lost off Dutch coast |
| Sergeant E Goddard E Goddard | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Ditched E of Bawdsey SUFFOLK |
| Sergeant J L Greening J L Greening | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed in target area |
| Sergeant W P Gregory W P Gregory | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Crashed in target area |
| Sergeant D H Harries D H Harries | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed in target area |
| Flight Lieutenant J E Harrison J E Harrison | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | ? |
| Sergeant B M Harvey B M Harvey | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed target area |
| Sergeant M L V Hass M L V Hass | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed target area |
| Sergeant G W Hatton G W Hatton | 1942-12-10 | Crashed at Methwold NFK | |
| Warrant Officer Class 2 V R Henry V R Henry | 1942-11-07 | Methwold | Crashed off Vlissingen |
| Flight Lieutenant C W Hunt C W Hunt | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | ? |
| Sergeant S J Isaac S J Isaac | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed off Walchern |
| Sergeant Jenkinson Jenkinson | 1942-11-18 | Crashed at Feltwell NFK | |
| Sergeant J R D Jones J R D Jones | 1942-12-10 | Crashed at Methwold NFK | |
| Sergeant J Kenny J Kenny | 1942-10-15 | Crashed Hilborough NORFOLK | |
| Sergeant F E King F E King | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed Woensdrecht Airfield |
| Flight Sergeant D J Kirkland D J Kirkland | 1942-10-15 | Crashed Hilborough NORFOLK | |
| Sergeant R C Lamerton R C Lamerton | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Shot down near Rilland Holland |
| Sergeant W R Legg W R Legg | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Ditched E of Bawdsey SUFFOLK |
| Sergeant F C Lindsay F C Lindsay | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed at Vrouwenpolder |
| Pilot Officer H J Luck H J Luck | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | ? |
| Flight Sergeant B Marrows B Marrows | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed target area |
| Warrant Officer T H Martin T H Martin | 1942-11-04 | Feltwell | Crashed on return to base near Lakenheath SUFFOLK |
| Flight Lieutenant W Martin W Martin | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Crashed in target area |
| Pilot Officer Miles Miles | 1942-11-18 | Crashed at Feltwell NFK | |
| Sergeant A T Milton A T Milton | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Crashed in target area |
| Flying Officer M G Moor M G Moor | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed target area |
| Sergeant S C Moss S C Moss | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed at Vrouwenpolder |
| Sergeant E C Mowfroth E C Mowfroth | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed in target area |
| Pilot Officer W R Neill W R Neill | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | Presumed lost off Dutch coast |
| Sergeant H P Painting H P Painting | 1942-11-04 | Feltwell | Crashed on return to base near Lakenheath SUFFOLK |
| Flight Sergeant J F Palmer J F Palmer | 1942-11-04 | Feltwell | Crashed on return to base near Lakenheath SUFFOLK |
| Sergeant A G Paterson A G Paterson | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed off Walchern |
| Flying Officer A E K Perry A E K Perry | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | Presumed lost off Dutch coast |
| Flight Sergeant D J Reynolds D J Reynolds | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | ? |
| Pilot Officer H T Richard H T Richard | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Shot down near Rilland Holland |
| Sergeant T M Richings T M Richings | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed Woensdrecht Airfield |
| Sergeant A V Ricketts A V Ricketts | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Ditched E of Bawdsey SUFFOLK |
| Flight Sergeant B G Rowe B G Rowe | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | ? |
| Leading Aircraftman T Rutherford T Rutherford | 1942-12-10 | Crashed at Methwold NFK | |
| Pilot Officer A L Saunders A L Saunders | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Shot down near Rilland Holland |
| Wing Commander F C Seavill F C Seavill | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed Woensdrecht Airfield |
| Flight Sergeant B B Shipton B B Shipton | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | ? |
| Flight Lieutenant K S Smith K S Smith | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Crashed in target area |
| Pilot Officer L G O Smith L G O Smith | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | Presumed lost off Dutch coast |
| Sergeant P J Stokes P J Stokes | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed off Walchern |
| Sergeant Taylor Taylor | 1942-11-18 | Crashed at Feltwell NFK | |
| Sergeant S H Thomas S H Thomas | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed in target area |
| Sergeant R S Thompson R S Thompson | 1942-12-06 | Methwold | Ditched E of Bawdsey SUFFOLK |
| Sergeant C S Thomson C S Thomson | 1942-11-04 | Feltwell | Crashed on return to base near Lakenheath SUFFOLK |
| Flight Sergeant G H Turcotte G H Turcotte | 1942-12-10 | Crashed at Methwold NFK | |
| Pilot Officer S A Veneear S A Veneear | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed target area |
| Sergeant E J F Vick E J F Vick | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed off Walchern |
| Sergeant R A Wagner R A Wagner | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed at Vrouwenpolder |
| Sergeant J A Wallis J A Wallis | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed at Vrouwenpolder |
| Sergeant P Whelan P Whelan | 1942-11-07 | Methwold | Crashed off Vlissingen |
| Flight Sergeant R D Williams R D Williams | 1942-10-15 | Crashed Hilborough NORFOLK | |
| Flying Officer J A W Withers J A W Withers | 1942-12-06 | Feltwell | Crashed Woensdrecht Airfield |
| Sergeant H J Wittingham H J Wittingham | 1942-08-21 | Crashed at Bodney NFK | |
| Sergeant O W Woodhead O W Woodhead | 1942-12-10 | Crashed at Methwold NFK | |
| Sergeant G J Abrey G J Abrey | 1943-01-20 | Feltwell | crashed NW of Bury St Edmunds SFK |
| Sergeant J E Addison J E Addison | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed at Hemburg, Amsterdam |
| Sergeant Aldridge Aldridge | 1943-01-20 | Feltwell | crashed NW of Bury St Edmunds SFK |
| Sergeant E J Andrew E J Andrew | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Shot down off coast |
| Sergeant F J M Ashdown F J M Ashdown | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Flying Officer T J Baynton T J Baynton | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed near Amsterdam |
| Flight Sergeant J W Billing J W Billing | 1943-03-02 | Crashed near Lakenheath SFK | |
| Sergeant H E Blundell H E Blundell | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Crashed near Ploudalmezeau |
| Flight Sergeant F J Bowles F J Bowles | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Ditched off Portreath Cornwall |
| Flight Sergeant F J Bowles F J Bowles | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Flight Sergeant J Bowling J Bowling | 1943-02-03 | Feltwell | ? |
| Sergeant B D Bridge B D Bridge | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed in English Channel |
| Sergeant B Caunt B Caunt | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crash landed near Manston airfield |
| Sergeant J Childs J Childs | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crash landed near Deal KENT |
| Flying Officer G B Chippendale G B Chippendale | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Flight Sergeant E W Cole E W Cole | 1943-04-04 | Feltwell | Shot down 60 km West of Den Hang |
| Flight Sergeant W W Collens W W Collens | 1943-04-04 | Feltwell | Shot down 60 km West of Den Hang |
| Sergeant G H G Collins G H G Collins | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crashed in sea |
| Sergeant G H G Collins G H G Collins | 1943-01-26 | Methwold | Crash landed at base on return |
| Flying Officer S Coshall S Coshall | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed near Bennebroek Holland |
| Sergeant A E Coutts A E Coutts | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Presumed lost over the sea |
| Sergeant E D L Critchett E D L Critchett | 1943-03-15 | Methwold | Ditched between Guernsey anf French Coast |
| Squadron Leader I G R Dale I G R Dale | 1943-02-26 | Feltwell | Crash landed at base |
| Flight Sergeant P H R B Davies P H R B Davies | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed near Amsterdam |
| Sergeant J A Denyer J A Denyer | 1943-03-15 | Methwold | Ditched between Guernsey anf French Coast |
| Sergeant A E Downs A E Downs | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Presumed lost over the sea |
| Sergeant A E Downs A E Downs | 1943-04-16 | Methwold | Damaged at base on return |
| Flying Officer F D Drake F D Drake | 1943-01-20 | Feltwell | crashed NW of Bury St Edmunds SFK |
| Sergeant T C Du Bose T C Du Bose | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Crashed near Ploudalmezeau |
| Flight Lieutenant A V Duffill A V Duffill | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Badly damaged returned to base |
| Sergeant J Dunne J Dunne | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed in English Channel |
| Sergeant H S Fidge H S Fidge | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed on return Isle of Wight |
| Pilot Officer G W Forman G W Forman | 1943-02-26 | Feltwell | Crash landed at base |
| Flying Officer E Foster E Foster | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Ditched off Dutch Coast |
| Sergeant D F Fulford D F Fulford | 1943-04-04 | Feltwell | Shot down 60 km West of Den Hang |
| Sergeant H Gibson H Gibson | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Believed crashed at Hoofddorp |
| Pilot Officer L G Girty L G Girty | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Shot down in target area |
| Sergeant W D L Goodfellow W D L Goodfellow | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Presumed lost over the sea |
| Sergeant G C Gradner G C Gradner | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Shot down off coast |
| Flying Officer A C M Griffin A C M Griffin | 1943-05-28 | Oulton | Collided with next at 5121N 0310E and crashed |
| Flight Sergeant J L H Heagerty J L H Heagerty | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crash landed near Manston airfield |
| Flying Officer G L Hicks G L Hicks | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Ditched off Portreath Cornwall |
| Flying Officer G L Hicks G L Hicks | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Flight Sergeant H Hudson H Hudson | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Pilot Officer J R Hutchinson J R Hutchinson | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crash landed near Deal KENT |
| Pilot Officer J N Jenkinson J N Jenkinson | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crash landed near Manston airfield |
| Flying Officer K W Johns K W Johns | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed in English Channel |
| Sergeant J N Kelsall J N Kelsall | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Sergeant J S Laidlaw J S Laidlaw | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Shot down off coast |
| Flight Sergeant H C Lamacraft H C Lamacraft | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed near Amsterdam |
| Sergeant D H Lear D H Lear | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crash landed near Deal KENT |
| Sergeant L J Littlewood L J Littlewood | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crash landed NE of Vijfhuizen |
| Sergeant L S Lovatt L S Lovatt | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crashed in sea |
| Sergeant J W Lowe J W Lowe | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Presumed lost over the sea |
| Sergeant J W Lowe J W Lowe | 1943-04-16 | Methwold | Damaged at base on return |
| Sergeant A L Lush A L Lush | 1943-04-04 | Feltwell | Shot down 60 km West of Den Hang |
| Sergeant J C Lynass J C Lynass | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Presumed lost over the sea |
| Sergeant J C Lynass J C Lynass | 1943-04-16 | Methwold | Damaged at base on return |
| Sergeant W A Lyttle W A Lyttle | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Sergeant R W Mann R W Mann | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Ditched off Dutch Coast |
| Sergeant B H May B H May | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Shot down in target area |
| Sergeant J R McCormick J R McCormick | 1943-03-02 | Crashed near Lakenheath SFK | |
| Pilot Officer M A McDonald M A McDonald | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Shot down in target area |
| Flying Officer S McGowan S McGowan | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Shot down NW suburbs Amsterdam |
| Sergeant G B McKennie G B McKennie | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Shot down off coast |
| Pilot Officer P C Middleton P C Middleton | 1943-02-03 | Feltwell | ? |
| Sergeant F Miller F Miller | 1943-05-28 | Oulton | Collided with next at 5121N 0310E and crashed |
| Sergeant R C Milliken R C Milliken | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Shot down in target area |
| Sergeant E F Moakler E F Moakler | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crash landed near Manston airfield |
| Sergeant R P Moodey R P Moodey | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crashed in sea |
| Sergeant R P Moodey R P Moodey | 1943-01-26 | Methwold | Crash landed at base on return |
| Sergeant F A Morris F A Morris | 1943-05-28 | Oulton | Collided with next at 5121N 0310E and crashed |
| Sergeant L H Neill L H Neill | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Badly damaged returned to base |
| Sergeant S J Newton S J Newton | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed in English Channel |
| Sergeant P A Nodes P A Nodes | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed in English Channel |
| Sergeant E A Norman E A Norman | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Crashed near Ploudalmezeau |
| Flying Officer R A North R A North | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed near Bennebroek Holland |
| Sergeant S T O'Connor S T O'Connor | 1943-04-04 | Methwold | ? |
| Sergeant B J O'Donnell B J O'Donnell | 1943-03-02 | Crashed near Lakenheath SFK | |
| Flying Officer T A Penn T A Penn | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Ditched off Dutch Coast |
| Flying Officer S B Peryman S B Peryman | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed at Hembrug |
| Flying Officer S B Peryman S B Peryman | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed in English Channel |
| Flight Lieutenant V Phillips V Phillips | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed into Kometen Polder |
| Sergeant H Pilkington H Pilkington | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed on return Isle of Wight |
| Sergeant N E Powell N E Powell | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed in English Channel |
| Flying Officer D Pratt D Pratt | 1943-05-28 | Oulton | Collided with next at 5121N 0310E and crashed |
| Sergeant J T Price J T Price | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crash landed near Deal, Kent |
| Sergeant K E Price K E Price | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Crashed near Ploudalmezeau |
| Sergeant N A Price N A Price | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed near Amsterdam |
| Pilot Officer J M Quinlan J M Quinlan | 1943-02-26 | Feltwell | Crash landed at base |
| Sergeant Rees Rees | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Ditched off Portreath Cornwall |
| Flying Officer L E Richbell L E Richbell | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Presumed lost over the sea |
| Flight Sergeant A W Richmond A W Richmond | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Pilot Officer P R Roberts P R Roberts | 1943-02-03 | Feltwell | ? |
| Sergeant D C Robinson D C Robinson | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Presumed lost over the sea |
| Flying Officer H Robson H Robson | 1943-02-26 | Feltwell | Crash landed at base |
| Sergeant D L Rowland D L Rowland | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Believed crashed at Hoofddorp |
| Sergeant S Scott S Scott | 1943-02-03 | Methwold | Crashed in sea |
| Sergeant S Scott S Scott | 1943-01-26 | Methwold | Crash landed at base on return |
| Pilot Officer M B Shapiro M B Shapiro | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crash landed NE of Vijfhuizen |
| Sergeant J D Sharp J D Sharp | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Believed crashed at Hoofddorp |
| Sergeant G W Sivell G W Sivell | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed on return Isle of Wight |
| Sergeant C R Smith C R Smith | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Shot down NW suburbs Amsterdam |
| Sergeant G H Southam G H Southam | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed at Hembrug |
| Sergeant G H Sparkes G H Sparkes | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed near Bennebroek Holland |
| Sergeant W Stannard W Stannard | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed near Bennebroek Holland |
| Flying Officer F J Starkie F J Starkie | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Badly damaged returned to base |
| Sergeant R Steadman R Steadman | 1943-04-04 | Methwold | ? |
| Sergeant A Stevens A Stevens | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Believed crashed at Hoofddorp |
| Sergeant G A Targett G A Targett | 1943-03-15 | Methwold | Ditched between Guernsey anf French Coast |
| Sergeant G T Tattam G T Tattam | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crash landed NE of Vijfhuizen |
| Sergeant F Taylor F Taylor | 1943-04-05 | Portreath | Ditched off Portreath Cornwall |
| Sergeant F Taylor F Taylor | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Pilot Officer T L B Taylor T L B Taylor | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crash landed NE of Vijfhuizen |
| Sergeant K J Teague K J Teague | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed in English Channel |
| Flying Officer R D C Thomas R D C Thomas | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed into Kometen Polder |
| Sergeant P S Thompson P S Thompson | 1943-01-26 | Methwold | Crash landed at base on return |
| Flying Officer E G Thornber E G Thornber | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Shot down NW suburbs Amsterdam |
| Sergeant H W Toombs H W Toombs | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Presumed lost over the sea |
| Sergeant H W Toombs H W Toombs | 1943-04-16 | Methwold | Damaged at base on return |
| Sergeant G W Trenery G W Trenery | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed into Kometen Polder |
| Squadron Leader L H Trent L H Trent | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed into Kometen Polder |
| Sergeant A Turnbull A Turnbull | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Badly damaged returned to base |
| Sergeant I F Urlich I F Urlich | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Shot down NW suburbs Amsterdam |
| Sergeant D J K Wallace D J K Wallace | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Sergeant T W J Warner T W J Warner | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Ditched off Dutch Coast |
| Sergeant R Watson R Watson | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Sergeant S E Weaver S E Weaver | 1943-04-04 | Methwold | ? |
| Sergeant J F Webb J F Webb | 1943-02-03 | Feltwell | ? |
| Sergeant R H Wells R H Wells | 1943-04-21 | Oulton | Crashed target area |
| Pilot Officer E T Williams E T Williams | 1943-05-03 | Methwold | Crashed at Hembrug |
| Sergeant J A Williamson J A Williamson | 1943-04-04 | Methwold | ? |
| Sergeant S W Wood S W Wood | 1943-01-22 | Feltwell | Crashed on return Isle of Wight |
| Sergeant D H Yorke D H Yorke | 1943-03-15 | Methwold | Ditched between Guernsey anf French Coast |
| 1943-05-28 | Collided with last but returned safe | ||
| Sergeant W J Atkinson W J Atkinson | 1942-11-06 | Methwold | ? |
