Hi All

This is my first post here.

Here is one of the models that I’m working for several months on my work bench

It is a PV1 Ventura equipped as a night fighter, belonging to the VMF (N) 531 and based in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific during 1943-1944.

The model:

This is the Revell model - Pro-Modeler 1/48 released there is a few years ago.
I will use for this model, the conversion kit from Owl and the decal sheet from Owl for American nightfighters and machine guns in turned metal from Master Models.
























Here it is in pictures, the work done so far.



































































Adding channels to the conduct of the ammunition belts and ammunition belts.






Additions system footrest for the gunner placed on the front plate of the turret.







and then, adding a few boxes and electrical cabling on the back plate of the turret.








and finally two general views of all.






Cutting of all of the control surfaces of rudder and elevator.






Next step, cleaning, sanding and shaping of all these parts.



JiP

I replaced the engine cones with those of PAVLA.



I made ​​some modifications and I drilled cylinders and crown to add the wires later. In all, That got me 18 holes of 0.6 mm on the ring (X2) and 72 holes of 0.3 mm for cylinders (X2). Suffice to say that it takes time.





Then I painted cylinders in Tamiya matt aluminum and cone in neutral gray Life Color



Then I started to insert small cylinder pipes (and also tedious work long enough.

I use to this, the small wire of 0.3 mm in different colors and fine lead wire, I put in the form of a wooden toothpicks and I cut to size and I then inserted in small holes.





JiP

update with laying oil pipes on each cylinder (it was quite tedious, but I think it brings a plus). Then it will be the installation of induction wires and before it the weathering of cylinders.





JiP

Small update with the wiring of a motor, his painting and some weathering.

The wiring is made of copper fine vire. This is quite tedious, but after 2-3 cylinders, usually comes and it's a bit faster.

That's what it looks in the end and I'm happy. Also note that this is the first time I do the wiring of an engine on a model.





The final result after painting and some weathering. Various accessories are yet to be placed on the cone of the engine, as well as some "placards".



For the second engine, I first painted the little cable on each cylinder, as it is easier to do before than after, as I did on the first.




Here, the second engine should be finished soon now that I can practice.

By cons when it is placed in the engine compartment, we do not see still more thing but at last we know that it's there.

JiP

Very impressive detail work JP.

I was unaware that the Ventura was fitted out as a Nightfighter, I will add that one to my list for future reference as I love the heavy twin fighters. I have been reading about the use of B-25 Mitchell's as Nightfighters just before the P-61 was introduced in the Pacific theatre.

Keep the updates coming, great job so far.

Cheers, D

Jean-Paul,
1st of all, welcome to Aeroscale, you're really going to like it here.

Nothing like a spectacular 1st build to grab one's attention, and set the level of your building expertise, which certainly seems quite high. I personally will be following this build and any others that you share with us.

The Ventura for some strange reason has always been a personal favorite of mine, yet I've only built one 1/72 scale kit of it more then 30 years ago. Needless to say, that model is long gone.

Your decision to do the night fighter conversion just makes it that much more interesting.

Your fuselage detailing really looks quite convincing. plenty of extra details added for those that take a peek in, and most seem to be scratch built, and or detailed as needed. Very nice work on making that bulkhead. My only suggestion is what I've been told every time I paint a fire extinguisher Gloss Red, that they were gloss Green during WW11. I've never found any references one way or the other to verify that. So take it for what it's worth.

Your cockpit really turned out quite well. Great job on the IP. Those instruments look perfect. I'm sure that you added each one separately.

As for your twin engines. I've gone that route a few times with those details, so I know how laborious, and time consuming it is, but the end results are well worth the effort. Very nicely done.

Joel

Hello Joel

Thank you for the comments. They make me pleasure.
Indeed, for instruments panel, I cut out one by one on the decal sheet with the punch and die and I put them up one by one too. Hard work but is also gives a very good result.
For the color of the fire extinguisher, I'll do some research and if I have to paint it green, I would. Thank you for this information.
I've just finish to put the wiring on the second engine today.

JiP

Hi all

Little update, with the end of the 2 engines. I added all the pieces from the VECTOR kit and painted the "Placards" on the engine. I even made the wire that connects the large central casing to a cylinder.

The engines are painted and weathered.








I'm happy with the final result for my first detailed engines.

Soon for the suit.

JiP

Jean-Paul,
Both engines turned out incredibly well. Plenty of added details, and your weathering just added that much more realism to them.
Joel

Very nice indeed, lovely work.

Thanks guys. It is gratifying.

JiP

Hi all

Small update today..

I added some details to the wells of main landing gear in plasticard, basing myself on the notices Kits Eduard photoetched, uploaded on their site and for piping, I made with fine lead wire on base photos. I've also made some rivets lines.








Hopefully tomorrow painting pits train and weathering

JiP

Hi all

Small update with painting and weathering the main gear wells.





Ended for today.

JiP

Hi all

Today, a big update with the assembly of wings, engine cowlings and fuselage.

Before gluing the half wings together, I glued the two wing lights and to simulate the lightbulb who is located in the light, I cut to the punch and die, a round in a bare metal foil and I stuck this round aluminum in the middle of the lighthouse using gloss varnish and on the other half wing, I glued white sheet styrene to give clarity in the background.



I then assembled the wings.

Before installing the engine cowlings on the wheel well, I glued small pieces of plasticard to facilitate the establishment of these directly to the proper location.



Engine cowlings were assembled together there are a while by positioning them on the wheel well and gluing only the upper parts. So doing, they fall directly into place without any problems.



Yesterday I installed all the components inside the fuselage on the left side of it. I let it all dry overnight by repositioning the second part of the fuselage, with tape so that it dries in place before gluing definitively the second half fuselage.




Today I assembled the fuselage, but it was not without problems, because there was a lot of constraint because it takes to tighten up the fuselage to restore its good circumference "in fact, good oval. "If we do not give the right shape during collage, the piece that includes the dorsal turret does not fit very good. I had to use clamps and several steps. First I stick to Tamyia cement and then reinforce everything with superglue to ensure a "powerful" collage that will not risk to give way. It will take now to be sanded all to have a good finish.





The bravura piece will be following with the installation of the doors of the bomb bay in the closed position, which in my opinion will not be easy given the first test blanks. Why not made a single piece for those who wanted to to present closed.



I then glued the engines cowlings on wheel well and it was done without any problems (Finally).





Small detail I added the entries below the engine cowlings, a grid.



That is what it looks with the part positioned above.



That's what the day's work.

Ah yes I have received today my order from OWL, with the new decal sheet for PV1 Ventura night fighter. 2 decorations scheduled: first for the No. 51 Coral Princess will be the one I will and second for the n°52 "Gertie The Goon."






More soon.

JiP

JP man,

you are too good!

Your build is really coming along exceedingly well. The overall interior detailing in the 1/2 fuselage pictures, really shows the amount of detail and effort you've put into it.

Joel

Thanks JClapp and Joel.

I'm a fan of the Ventura, I built one about a year ago, but I had no idea they were used as nightfighters. I'm intrigued by this, and congrats on a great build so far.

Jean-Paul,

Superior work! I can almost see the engines leaking oil!

Super work Jean-Paul,
I treated myself to one of these over the Christmas holidays. Little present for myself. So I'm watching your build with interest to get some inspiration. I'm thinking of doing mine in RNZAF colours.
I love the extra detail you have added to the interior. I'm curious as to what the barrel shaped object is above the bomb bay?
Looking forward to seeing the finished result.

Hi,

Really Excelent...!!!

Congrats & BTW...

Diego

Looks great. Really impressive details added. The engines are just beautiful!

Looking forward to see more.

Hi Jean-Paul

Wonderful work! I especially like the mid-fuselage interior - I searched high and low when the kit came out, but couldn't find any references.

All the best

Rowan

Man, your detail work is very high level! Look forward to seeing this one completed.