Here is the latest building update.
I added some exhaust streaks using a cotton bud Q-tip, some ground up chalk dust and a Tamiya weathering deck. Since the underside was a Flat White color, it was very easy to do. It would also be easy to over do it here.
I also mixed up some turpentine and added in some Lamp Black, Payne's Gray, and Burnt Sienna to make a slurry that represented used engine oil. I slopped it on, applying it inside the wheel wells and bomb bay areas. It was applied on the engine oil coolers that are located under each engine.
Then I carefully blew it backwards using a blow nozzle and compressed air, following the direction of airflow as if the plane was in flight. I was concerned I might accidentally blow off the decals if too much air pressure was used. If you do this, use caution because too much air can damage the model.
I used a Q-tip to remove the excess oil residue. This made it look as if the ground crews had wiped down the airframe a few times with shop rags.
The reason why I did this now, instead of later, was it would have been much harder to do later after the drop tanks were added. This is another reason to wait installing the wings until the very end. On my next one I will add the wings last.
Speaking of the drop tanks, they were installed next. They look great I think.
The propeller were assembled and simply pressed on. They spin nicely too !
This is how the Ventura looked at this point.
I still had to add the radio antenna cables. This is done now too, and I tried something new (for me at least) here as well.
Some small antennae tensioning springs for the radio antenna cables were fabricated using some very thin wire. I also painted on the wing tip navigation lights, and the signaling lights under the fuselage.
Now I can call this PV-1 Ventura done. I have been writing the article, and the model has been photographed.
Please look for it to show up in the headlines section in a few days on July 29th.
This 1/48 scale Revell PV-1 is one of the best fitting models I have built to date. I'm definitely getting one or two more of these !
It was an absolute joy to build.
If you have one of them in your stash, treat yourself and build it. Knock the dust off the box and get to work on it ! You will be glad you did.
Thank you all for following along. You helped to make this one extra special.
As always, comments are encouraged.
