USN PV-1 Solomon Islands Theater 1:48 Academy 12347

Plastic model airplane to assemble: USN PV-1 Solomon Islands Theatre 1:48 Academy 12347

The plastic model USN PV-1 Solomon Islands Theatre in 1:48 scale from Academy is an excellent choice for aviation and modeling enthusiasts who want to recreate one of the key aircraft used by the US Navy during World War II. 

Model features:

• The model includes a precisely detailed cockpit.
• Well-defined panel lines add authenticity to the model and make painting easier.
• Option to build the model with open or closed bomb bay doors.
• The set includes decals with three different US Navy markings.

Marking options:

1. PV-1 "Blonde Blitz": Aircraft of an unknown unit stationed at the Russell Islands, Solomon, in mid-1943.
2. PV-1 "Scooters Dream": Another aircraft from an unknown unit at the Russell Islands, Solomon, in mid-1943.
3. PV-1 "641": Aircraft from unit VB-148, which conducted a successful raid on Japanese ships over Truk Lagoon in July 1944.

Historical background:

The Lockheed Ventura, known as PV-1 in the US Navy, was a twin-engine medium-range bomber and patrol bomber used during World War II. This aircraft was developed based on the Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar transport model as a replacement for the Lockheed Hudson bombers used by the Royal Air Force. The Ventura first entered combat in Europe as a RAF bomber in late 1942, and in 1943 it began combat operations in the Pacific under the US Navy.

The PV-1 Ventura was produced by Vega Aircraft Company, a division of Lockheed, and was adapted for patrol and bombing roles with special equipment, including the ASD-1 search radar. Early PV-1 models had a bombardier position in the nose, which was later replaced with a package of three .50 caliber machine guns under the nose. These aircraft could also carry eight 5-inch HVAR rockets on wing-mounted launchers.

The PV-1 began to be delivered in December 1942 and entered service in February 1943. The first combat unit was VP-135, which was deployed to the Aleutian Islands in April 1943. These aircraft were used by three other squadrons in this theater of operations. From the Aleutians, they conducted attacks on bases in Paramushiro and Shimushu, Japanese islands in the Kuril chain. Often, the PV-1 led formations of B-24 bombers, as they were equipped with radar. By the end of 1943, some PV-1s were deployed to the Solomon Islands as night fighters in the VMF(N)-531 squadron, a Marine Corps fighter unit.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. Assembly requires separately sold modeling tools (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.