Twenty A-29-LOs were diverted to the US Navy, where they redesignated PBO-1 and assigned BuNos 03841/03861. These were assigned to VP-82, an operational patrol squadron based at Argentia, Newfoundland and at NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island. The PBO-1s retained the standard Boulton Paul dorsal turret. VP-82 flew patrols over the Atlantic convoy routes. The PBO-1s of VP-82 scored the first U-boat kills achieved by American aircraft on March 1 and March 15, 1942.
Sources:
-
Lockheed's Made-Over Bomber, Freeman Westell, Wings, Vol 26, No. 6,
p. 46 (1996).
- Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913, Rene J. Francillon, Naval Institute Press, 1987
