Pavla Models

1/72 Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Upgrade Set For the Academy Kit

Stock Number: C72047

Reviewed By  Clare Wentzel, IPMS# 1096

MSRP: $41.33 Web Site: www.pavlamodels.cz Pavla models of the Czech Republic are primarily a manufacturer of short run aircraft kits. They provide a number of fairly simple injected plastic kits, which include some key resin parts to bring out the details of the model. In addition, based on their expertise with resin parts, they also produce a large amount of resin detail parts such as cockpit sets, ejection seats, and aircraft and armor accessories. The subject of this review brings together Pavla's expertise to provide a comprehensive upgrade set for the Academy kit of the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura. The Academy kit of the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura is a good basic kit of this important US Navy patrol bomber. The kit catches the shape of the Ventura well with finely recessed panel lines but the cockpit interior is very basic with some vaguely shaped seats. Also, the upper gun turret is simplified and no other interior details are provided. The bomb bay doors are provided as a separate part but can not be displayed in the open position because no bomb bay interior is provided. This upgrade set is expensive but it provides all of the additional detail parts that a modeler could wish for. This 46+-piece set is contained in a sturdy cardboard box with the components stored in two individual, resealable plastic bags - interior components and weapons-bay items. The set includes a detailed cockpit and crew station, additional fuselage interior components, a complete upper turret, more accurate machine guns and a detailed bomb bay with opened doors and either a single torpedo or six bombs. Photo 2 shows many of the flight deck components. Note that the various seats are slightly different as on the real airplane. For reference, the fuselage side of the Academy kit is shown along with their vague pilot seat. Photo 3 shows more of the fuselage interior components as well as the fuselage floor/weapons bay. While it would seem to be a shame to put so much detail inside a fuselage with only some very small side windows, Pavla are kind enough to also include a fuselage door with the set that can be displayed open. The modeler will have to carve the existing door out of the fuselage but this should not be a problem. Finally, Photo 4 shows many of the weapons and bomb bay doors. The true test of this set will be when the parts are installed in one fuselage half and the modeler has to glue the other half in place. I am planning on building my Ventura later this year and I imagine that I will be doing lots and lots of test fitting before I apply glue to either the parts or the second fuselage half. Some initial test fitting seems to indicate that the parts will go together easily. I am concerned about some of the smaller parts. The two bags are very full of parts along with some pieces of flash and some scraps. I hope that none of the smaller parts are broken. Readers will note that one of the two yokes is missing from the base but it is in the "dust" at the bottom of the bag. It could have been easily lost. I am very impressed with the content and quality of this update set. The directions also look to be fairly comprehensive although a lot of trial and error will be required. I believe that a full size side view drawing that could be measured would be helpful to ensure that the parts are installed correctly. The Pavla web site contains a great photo of this upgrade set installed in a fuselage half. I am sure that I will use this photo a lot. Well recommended to modelers with some experience with resin parts. A big thank you to Pavla for supplying this great set to IPMS/USA for review.

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.