Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed in Burbank, CA. Model 237-27-01. Constructors Number 6209. Delivered to the U. S. Navy (USN) as PV-1 Ventura bureau number 49393. Disassembled and shipped to Hawaii and re-assembled on Oahu then shipped overseas to New Zealand as part of lend-lease.

Wartime History
On February 29, 1944 Assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Ventura NZ4578 . Reassembled by Unit 19 at Whenuapai Airfield. During late 1944, assigned to 2 Squadron on Guadalcanal. During January 1945 transfered to 8 Squadron. Later assigned to 4 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On May 28, 1945 took off from Guadalcanal on a mission. While flying in bad weather, this Ventura crashed into a hillside on Malaita and exploded on impact, killing the entire crew.

Memorials
The entire crew was officially declared dead the day of the mission. All are memorialized at Bourail Cemetery on the Bourail Memorial. Graham on panel 4. Marshall on panel 6. Priest and Read panel 8.

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - PV-1 Ventura 49393
"49393 (MSN 237-6209) to New Zealand Feb 29, 1944 as NZ4578. Crashed at Malaita on May 28, 1945. The aircraft flew into a hill in bad weather and exploded."
ADF Serials Ventura NZ4578
CWGC - Keith Maxwell Graham
CWGC - Melville Pascoe Lawrence Moxsom
CWGC - Leo Parkes Marshall
CWGC - Eric George Priest
CWGC - Douglas David Read

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Last Updated
May 17, 2018