Revell 1/48th Ventura GR.Mk.V

[tonyot]

Hiya Folks,

Well it is here at last and I for one am not disapointed. True the propeller blades are a bit narrow but I`ve got some replacements on order from Neomaga, whenever they decide to arrive! Another slight minus is that the interior consists of just the late configuration flight deck with dual controls, so to do something about this as most Commonwealth operated Ventura`s seem to have been single pilot aircraft the co pilots seat and controls were left out/removed and the foldable jump seat was used instead, whilst a new radio operators position was scratch built! A new table and bulkhead were made from plastic card and various spare parts were used to furnish the radios, seat, hydraulic tank, and ducting for wiring. As most of the cockpit area was coated with quilted material these surfaces were scribed with a criss cross pattern in an attempt at replicating this.The GR.Mk.5 also had a bomb aimers position in the nose compartment so a seat and frame were fitted here too along with the .5 Browning MG`sin the upper nose area. Anyway here are some progress pics;

The gun turret section has been built up and literally clipped into place on the fuselage half to show what it looks like, the fit is fantastic!

I`ll be building a few of these and intend to make Mediterranean based RAAF & SAAF aircraft as well as a RNZAF Kiwi bird and a home based RCAF, as seen in the film `Son of Lassie'!! You may scoff but this film has some of the best colour aircraft footage that I`ve ever seen, RCAF Bolingbrokes, Kittyhawks and of course Ventura`s,..mind blowing,...plus it is a very clever dog!

More soon,

All the best

Tony O

Edited April 13, 2012 by tonyot

[jimbuna]

This should be good.

[camper1]

Ian

Edited March 21, 2012 by camper1
Removing repeated photos

[Silver Fox]

Tony,

be careful to check your references when doing your RNZAF machine as they were all straight from USN stock, not RAF orders. they had minimum alterations, so were unlikely to have deleted the co-pilots position.

Great work so far, looks like Revell have produced a well fitting kit you can work your magic on. I'll be watching as mine has arrived and is working its way to the top of the to do pile.

Cheers

Andy

[tonyot]

Tony,

be careful to check your references when doing your RNZAF machine as they were all straight from USN stock, not RAF orders. they had minimum alterations, so were unlikely to have deleted the co-pilots position.

Great work so far, looks like Revell have produced a well fitting kit you can work your magic on. I'll be watching as mine has arrived and is working its way to the top of the to do pile.

Cheers

Andy

Hiya Andy,

Thanks for telling me that,I was wondering whether Kiwi Ventura`s were from RAF or US Navy orders and was trying to find out about them so you`ve saved me a job! As far as I can tell even earlier US Navy PV-1`s had only a single pilots position but I have found some later RCAF Ventura GR.V`s with the two seat flightdeck as per the kit, so was wondering whether the RNZAF aircraft were similar? For my Kiwi bird I will be using the excellent Zotz Decal Sheet, not the Xtradecal sheet because even though it has recently been amended the serial for the one that I would have chosen `Slippery Sam' of 3 (BR)Sqn is still incorrect, instead of being NZ4511 (as was thought for many years) it should in fact be NZ4512 plus the lettering of the nose art is said to be Yellow and White, not Red and White,...but I`m sure that you knew all of that already?

All the best Andy and cheers again,

Tony O

[Silver Fox]

Hiya Andy,

Thanks for telling me that,I was wondering whether Kiwi Ventura`s were from RAF or US Navy orders and was trying to find out about them so you`ve saved me a job! As far as I can tell even earlier US Navy PV-1`s had only a single pilots position but I have found some later RCAF Ventura GR.V`s with the two seat flightdeck as per the kit, so was wondering whether the RNZAF aircraft were similar? For my Kiwi bird I will be using the excellent Zotz Decal Sheet, not the Xtradecal sheet because even though it has recently been amended the serial for the one that I would have chosen `Slippery Sam' of 3 (BR)Sqn is still incorrect, instead of being NZ4511 (as was thought for many years) it should in fact be NZ4512 plus the lettering of the nose art is said to be Yellow and White, not Red and White,...but I`m sure that you knew all of that already?

All the best Andy and cheers again,

Tony O

I think the RB-34 Lexingtons that were delivered to New Zealand were from the RAF order so would have a single pilots seat. Pete Mossong has been involved in the 4511/12 saga so whatever comes out will be good, though I believe the credit for i/ding the serial should go to Dave Homewood who runs the Wings over New Zealand site. I like the Zotz decals so good choice. Mine will be NZ4509 the Zero killer.

I lost your e-mail so if you still want to be in the SIG pm me.

Cheers

ANDY

[tonyot]

Gosh this kit goes together fast! Even adding the extra interior parts the main part of the airframe is together in no time, as seen here;

I`ve masked off the windows and turret to prevent them from being spoiled during the painting phase, although I`m still deciding which scheme to choose yet. After watching `Son of Lassie' it will probably be a White and Temperate Sea Schemed Canadian based RCAF aircraft, with RNZAF, SAAF and RAAF in the Med models to follow, if I can find/ get hold of the right decals as I`m especially in need of a Yellow code letter with a White outline to do my intended RAAF version (either an E, G, I or N and around 36in high),! I`m building the old Fonderie Miniatures kit alongside this new Revell kit which will also wear one of these schemes. The FM kit has some beautiful detail parts and excellent interior details but I`m still sticking individual cylinder heads onto the engine in the same time that it has taken to almost complete the Revell kit!

Anyway, here are a couple of photos of the Revell kits flightdeck before I put the canopy on;

You can also see some of the detail in the radio compartment through the open doorway and the fold down jump seat alongside the pilot which is provided with the kit but shown as a part not to use, obviously intended for the RAF Ventura Mk.II intended for later in the year.

I`ve got a couple of Vector resin replacement prop sets on order (at £9.50 each) from Parade Figures, the UK Neomega stockist.... but having ordered and paid for them over 2 weeks ago I`ve just chased the order up to be told that they are still waiting for stock to arrive in the country, so that will hold the build up somewhat!! At this rate the FM kit may be finished first after all!

All the best for now,

Tony

Edit; I meant to add that the seats have been done in Green as one of the veterans interviewed for the excellent book `Desert Scorpions' A History of 459 Sqn RAAF 1942-45' by Leon Kane-Macguire remarks that he was impressed by the nice green leather of the seats in their newly arrived Venturas!

Edited March 14, 2012 by tonyot

[Mike]

Quick work Tony

[Michaelvk]

That's looking quite nice! And nos small either!

[tonyot]

Having done a bit more digging regarding the layout of Venturas flown by the British Commonwealth, by viewing photos of the time I`ve found a few variations!

-The earlier Mk.I/II`s which had a glass nose had an interior very much like the earlier Hudson. First of all they did not have a bulkhead immediately behind the flightdeck and behind the pilots seat instead was a simple sheet of armour plating. To the pilots right hand side was a glorified seat cushion atop a a simple frame into which could be slotted a back support, which is provided in the Revell kit (but not for use on this PV-1 version), although I`ve fitted it to my model for the moment. Behind the pilots armour plating was a navigators position facing sideways towards the left hand side of the fuselage complete with a table underneath a cabin window and a curtain could be drawn around this position. Further back from the navigators position was a bulkhead with an open doorway let into it and behind this, also facing towards the left hand fuselage wall was a radio operators position complete with a larger table. I could have the nav and rad op positions mixed up however, it is hard to tell? In the nose was another seat mounted directly above the bomb aiming window with a table in front of it and this position is also provided within the kit parts, but not shown on the instructions, however I`ve included this too.

- I have found a single photo that is said to have been taken inside a later Ventura GR.V used in the Med (which the flight crews tropical dress would bear out) and the layout of this appears to comply exactly with the one above. However, just to add a Red Herring to the mix, there is a possibility that it might just be a Hudson because the unit involved had converted from this type onto the Ventura GR.V and another photo in the same series purporting to be a close up of a Ventura bomb bay has the wrong type of bomb doors for this and is undoubtedly a Hudson? Maybe a bit of confusion drifting in on the part of the ex aircrewman who took the photo, as it does occur quite a lot?

-Photos depicting the inside of RCAF & RNZAF Ventura GR.V/PV-1`s appear to indicate an identical flightdeck layout to the US Navy flown aircraft, as provided in the Revell kit. Mine differs at the moment by having a jump seat and a single set of flight controls rather than a proper co pilots seat and dual controls! Plus my model also has the radio ops position, which is THIS TIME correct for a PV-1.

When they left the Vega factory, all Ventura`s were fitted out with a single pilots position and the US Navy introduced a `field modification' which was actually applied at the service reception centre that added the second set of flight controls and a more permanent co pilots seat, but could this also have included a new bulkhead behind the flightdeck/pilot and co-pilot or was this added to all PV-1/ GR.V`s at the factory?

If anybody can please add to any of this info I would be very glad to hear from you,

All the best wishes

Tony O

Edited March 15, 2012 by tonyot

[Silver Fox]

Tony,

I've consulted the oracle( Pete Mossong) re RNZAF Venturas and I got it wrong. Operational machines were flown without the co--pilots position but those at home used in a training role did. Looks like the appropriate parts were added and removed as necessary.

Andy

[tonyot]

Tony,

I've consulted the oracle( Pete Mossong) re RNZAF Venturas and I got it wrong. Operational machines were flown without the co--pilots position but those at home used in a training role did. Looks like the appropriate parts were added and removed as necessary.

Andy

Thanks very much Andy, I received your e mail and it was very informative indeed, my thanks to Peter for his help too,

Cheers

Tony O

[tonyot]

Hiya Folks,

What a great kit this is! The latest update is that the main airframe has since gone together and it was masked for painting;

Then it was time to add some paint and although I have at least four of these planned in different Commonwealth air force colours the colour footage in the film Son of Lassie got my creative juices flowing and the RCAF Ventura GR.V jumped to the top of the list! The film footage was shot at RCAF Patricia Bay and here is the aircraft that I decided upon;

This aircraft is 2185/M based at Pat Bay in 1944 and it wears the Temperate Sea Scheme of Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey with White undersides and sides.

As I hate brush painting colours like white and yellow I took the cowards way out and sprayed the model using Tamiya Gloss White from a rattle can and it took quite a few coats to attain a decent covering;

Now the brush painting can begin and the Temperate Sea Scheme will be applied free hand using a number of internet photos and stills from the colour film gained by taking photos of the TV screen! I`m enjoying this kit so much that I have started a second to build as a RNZAF example and hopefully the Vector resin propeller blades that I pre ordered before the kit was even released will have eventually arrived! I`ve also ordered their fantastic looking resin nacelles with opened cooling gills and hope these arrive in time to be used on my Kiwi Bird?

Another update will follow soon,

All the best for now,

Tony O

PS Has anybody any idea what colour the dark looking wing tips were? They appear to match the Blue of the roundel but it seems rather strange on this ASW scheme?

Edited March 22, 2012 by tonyot

[Colin @ Freightdog Models]

Very smart so far Tony, if only someone did some more nice decals for it.......

[Silver Fox]

great progress, looking for ward to seeing this finished. Re the photo, is it just shadow from the up sweep of the tip?

[woody37]

Great progress tony, are you going to weather it ? The top looks quite bleached and stained on the real one.

[jimbuna]

Coming along nicely.

[tonyot]

Hiya Folks,

Well it is coming along now, the base coat for the upper surfaces is on. I did apply a few coats of Polly Scale Acrylic Dark Slate Grey but it was far too dark for the weathered aircraft that I`m attempting to replicate so a coat of Humbrol 224 Dark Slate Grey enamel was tried instead and it was better, but maybe still a bit too darkl;

I may try another coat with some white in it tommorow but I don`t want to add many more coats as the paint will become too thick when brush painting. For the disruptive pattern I might use Ocean Grey rather than Extra Dark Sea Grey to aid the faded weathered look? The colours that I would love to use are the old Aeromaster acrylic EDSG/DSG but they are long gone and very sadly missed as these acrylics were the best I`ve ever used.

Thats all for now and thanks for the kind remarks,

All the best

Tony O

[OzH]

Fist time I've stumbled across this thread Tony....

Great work, looks good...

[MikeR]

Coming along rather nicely!

Mike.

[jimbuna]

Great work.

[swbailey]

PS Has anybody any idea what colour the dark looking wing tips were? They appear to match the Blue of the roundel but it seems rather strange on this ASW scheme?

My best friend's father flew Vents with 8 BR Squadron, RCAF and 2185/M was one of their aircraft. He said that they painted the underside of the wing tips in red. I'm doing this same Ventura and plan to do the red tips just to add a little color to the bird!

Stewart

[tbell]

Has anybody any idea what colour the dark looking wing tips were? They appear to match the Blue of the roundel but it seems rather strange on this ASW scheme?

Hi Tony,

Nice work so far! Seems this is going to be a popular scheme, as I'm planning to do it as well as Stewart and yourself!

My sources (the May 1971 issue of IPMS Canada's RT magazine) corroborate Stewart's answer that the undersides of the wingtips were red. Here's the profile from that issue of RT:

From the article's notes, "8(BR) Sqn. 'M'. Dark sea grey (36118--darker shade on drawing and Slate gray (34127), over white (37875). Sharp demarcation line lines [sic] between colors. Note: Wingtip undersurfaces red. Wing tank bear USN tricolor scheme. Roundel 36" diameter. Fin flashes 24" by 20". '2185' (rounded numerals) black 8" high. 'M' black, 24" high. It appears behind the roundel on both sides of the aircraft. Prop hub black; wheel discs white. (photo: PAC - PBG5018A)"

IMHO (based primarily on the "Son of Lassie" footage) the fuselage demarcation line in the profile is incorrect. I think you've got it right on your model.

Cheers,

(another) Tony

[Lazy Builder]

I've just found this thread and until now I wasn't interested in Venturas, I remember reading a comic article about the disasterous raid on the Phillips works and as a child I didn't like unsuccessful planes. Your build has made me want to find out more, I didn't realise they were used so extensively. Looking forward to seeing the finished item. Cheers, Ian

[tonyot]

My best friend's father flew Vents with 8 BR Squadron, RCAF and 2185/M was one of their aircraft. He said that they painted the underside of the wing tips in red. I'm doing this same Ventura and plan to do the red tips just to add a little color to the bird!

Stewart

Hiya Stewart,

Thank you so much for that, I`ve just got to this stage and was pondering what to do,........brilliant timing!! Good luck with your model too,

All the best

Tony O