Lockheed Venturas were not the toughest planes in the sky during WWII. They couldn’t fly the furthest or carry the most bombs, but when the RAF needed a reliable plane for recon and light bombing, the Ventura was there. Brave aircrews flew them low and fast into enemy territory brimming with fighters and bristling with AA guns. Many never made it home, but many more struck at the heart of the Third Reich and won us the war. Kit features open or closed bomb bay and separate wing tanks.
- Skill Level: 3
- Scale: 1/48
- Length: 13-1/16″
- Wingspan: 16-3/8″
- Height: 3-3/16″
- Parts: 142
- Kit Number 85-5533
- Features open or closed bomb bay and separate wing tanks
- SSP – Selected Subjects Program – Limited Production – One-time offering.
- MSRP $39.99 USD
A couple of years ago, Revell announced a brand spanking new PV-1 Ventura in a quarter scale. Plenty of model kit builders were eager to lay their hands, plastic cement and paint on one of these. The marking options weren’t that exciting. I admit that this alone as silly as it may seem, kept me from getting one built. In an emergency like fashion, some after market decals started to show up pronto after the release of the PV-1 Ventura to leave in the oblivion that ugly octopus out of the top gunner turret. Now Revell provides with two marking options for this Mk. II Ventura:
- Ventura Mk. II RAF, No. 454 Squadron, AE939
- Ventura MK. II AJ209, Pilot Sq. Leader L.H. Trent, No. 487 Squadron Royal Newzealand Air Force, Methwold, Great Britain, 1943.
Now with slight changes Revell brings a 1/48 Ventura Mk. II RAF. This Ventura is as nicely molded as the original PV-1 Ventura kit. The sprues are well protected in very clear poly bags. Clear parts are as clear as they get and kudos to Revell for adding a comprehensive set of masks with the proper instructions for the clear parts. This will save the time and money. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to model kit building, I have the attention span of a 6 years old in a candy store. If I have to order something extra to build a model I look thru my stash meanwhile and that model looses priority.
I am nit picking here so bear with me. I would have loved to see the tires on this kit (and other for this matter) being molded depicting some weight. This is a big and heavy aircraft so full tires don’t look real on them. This is a nice addition to any Lockheed Ventura and British aircraft fan. Highly recommended. Thanks again Revell for the masking set. The new Revell Ventura Mk. II RAF is available at you local hobby shop or your favorite on-line store.
