History

Lockheed's Ventura was an improved Hudson, based upon the Model 18 Lodestar airliner rather than the Electra. It served well in the anti-submarine patrol role in the US Navy, RAF and RCAF.

First Impressions

This is a very thorough decal sheet, which supplies complete markings to do eleven different aircraft. The sheet is extremely thoroughly researched and accompanied by a thick instruction booklet. Aviaeology go to great lengths to avoid inferring marking details. Wherever possible, multiple photos of the given scheme are presented. There is a lot going on in these instructions. They absolutely must be studied very carefully in order not to miss important details. The notes on the finishing, especially spot refinishing are very thorough and often date specific where the markings are known to have been altered over time.


Options offered on the sheet:

• 1. Ventura GR.V 2177 of 8 BR in the Western Air Command "Saddleback" scheme;
  
• 2. Ventura GR.V 2185 of 8 and 149 BR in the Western Air Command "Saddleback" schemet;
  
• 3. Ventura GR.V 2189 of 8 BR in the Western Air Command "Saddleback" scheme;
  
• 4. Ventura GR.V 2192 of 8 BR in overall white;
  
• 5. Ventura GR.V 2194 of 8 and 149 BR in the Western Air Command "Saddleback" scheme;
  
• 6. Ventura GR.V 2227 of 115 BR in US Navy "Tricolour" scheme;
  
• 7. Ventura GR.V 2224 of 8 BR in US Navy "Tricolour" scheme;
  
• 8. Ventura GR.V 2265 in US Navy "Tricolour" scheme while in stored reserve during the filming of "Son of Lassie" at Patricia Bay Airport in the Summer of 1944;
  

This decal was produced to fit Revell's excellent Ventura B.II kit in 1/48 or Minicraft's 1/72 kit.

The Decal Sheet

All markings are printed on one sheet crammed with markings. All necessary individual markings, nose art and code letters for all 8 aircraft have been provided. All markings are in perfect register, with no blurring or smudging. The fine letters and numbers are crisply printed.

Instructions

The instructions as mentioned above are extremely thorough. Each subject gets half a page, with notes and details crammed around the profile drawings. There is also a page giving general details of the two different paint schemes the sheet's subjects wore. If this decal set has a downside, it is here. The printing is a little grainy, and the details and fine print are sometimes difficult to make out for those of us of a certain age. Magnification and close study are highly recommended. A very detailed PDF version of the instruction sheet is available through Aviaology's website after purchase.





This decal was kindly provided for review by Aviaeology.

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