The Aleutians
The Lands of 50 mph Fog
PV-1 “Ventura”
A Navy PV-1 de-icing on Attu, Circa 1945. Robert R.
Larson, a PV-1 Patrol Plane Commander (PPC) flying
out of Attu from 1943-1945 identified this aircraft as
probably belonging to the "Hedron" (headquarters
squadron), who used it for miscellaneous duties.
Patrol squadron airplanes did not have an "X" in front
of their number. Robert also adds that both the wing
and the vertical fins were changed to make the PV-2.
Robert R. Larson relates that Attu was used as a base
for bombing the Kurile Islands, and that it was a long
haul! His was the first Ventura squadron to operate
from the bomber field. VPB-135, VPB-131, and VPB-
139 also operated PV-1's there.
These photos courtesy of George Villasenor, a WWII Combat Photographer flying the Aleutian Islands…mostly Attu.
Current Update: 09 Dec 2021 12:02
Last Update: 04 Jan 2013 12:02