Zotz Decals

1/48 and 1/72 Ocean RaidersPV-1 Ventura At War decal sheet

Product # ZTZ48009 & ZTZ72009 for US$16.00 & US$13.00

Product Article by Steve Bamford on May 18 2005

 

 

 

This latest sheet from Zotz Decals features 6 different blue PV-1 Venturas.  For the 1/48 kit that is the focus of this review you'd use either the 1/48 Koster kit or the 1/48 Fonderie Miniatures Ventura kit.  Each one sports artwork of some sort.....and most of the artwork is quite funny or playful.  One of these aircraft features a big light green Octopus on the top side of the fuselage with the lags draping down the sides of the fuselage. 

Aircraft on this sheet are all in similar blue paint schemes and include the following aircraft....

  • PV-1 Ventura NZ4613 as delivered with US insignias, Whenuapai, April 1944 and has artwork on the left rear fuselage of 2 young ladies in bathing suits talking to 2 young soldiers on a tropical beach with the text below it that reads "I feel we should pay a cover charge!"
  • PV-1 Ventura NZ4525 in New Zealand markings of (BR) Sqd Ohahea AB in September 1943 and has artwork on the left rear fuselage of a stunned Donald Duck in the sitting position with the text below it that reads "Why can't I get along with the Gremlins".
  • Ventura BuNo 34741in US markings flown by Lt. Bill Scarborough of VB-144 out of Tarawa and Roi-Namur during Jan-Sept 1944 and has artwork on the left front fuselage of a Bug Bunny head with the text above it that reads "Shoot - You're faded".  This aircraft also has quite a few white mission markings that include bombs and ships.
  • PV-1 Ventura NZ4540 in New Zealand markings of (BR) Sqd Guadacanal in March 1944 and has artwork on the left rear fuselage of a swiftly flying Donald Duck with the black text beside it that reads WE FIRE FROM BOTH ENDS!".
  • Ventura "HEEWEGO" in US markings out of Tinian VPB-150 of "The Devilish PViators" and has artwork on the left rear fuselage of two young soldiers running after a naked lady with the white text above it that reads "HEEWEGO".  On the top side of the central fuselage and draping down the sides is  a big green Octopus.
  • Ventura BuNo 48891 in US markings with VB-135 flown by Lt. "Butch" Mason, Attu 1944 and has of two female in military uniforms talking with the text below it that reads "It's from that Sailor I knitted a sweater for last Spring....!".  This aircraft has 8 Japanese flag Kill markings paint on the tail.

The variety of artwork is quite good and there is sure to be something here for everyone. 

The decals were flawlessly printed including the tiniest text on 2 decal sheets and in perfect registration.  The graphics on the artwork is beautifully done.....you will not be disappointed.  There is also a variety of national insignia included for the US and New Zealand.

 

The instructions are clear and include side view drawings of each aircraft including painting directions and instructions to assist with decal placement .  This is yet another sheet from Zotz that is sure to sell out fast.

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

I would like to thank Zotz Decals for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford