I picked of a 1/72 Ventura the otherday (one of my alltime favorite aircraft). Anyway I was looking at it awhile ago, and the thought came to me that I ought to swap out the engines for something from Quickboost or another company. The engines are Wright R2800GR’s, and look very similar to the ones I bought for a pair of B 24’s I plan on building this winter. Are they the samething? And if not who makes a pair?
Also just what is the difference between an early version and the later version? I want to build the British version if that matters much.
I’m working on the Fonderie Minatures PV-1. Replaced the Engines as well with a company called Engines and Things on Great Models web store. The quality isn’t as good as Quickboost but not bad for $6 in 1/48. They should have them in 1/72 I would think.
Quickboost makes very nice engines, but they are designed to be drop-in fits for a specific kit. If they don’t make an engine for the exact kit you’re building, you may still be able to easily modify one of their engines to fit… they make R-2800 engines in 1/72 for some P-47 kits.
BTW, The B-24 used the R-1830 engine, it had 14 cylinders instead of 18.
I didn’t really look at the Quickboost engines very closely, and what I know about Wright engines is virtually zero. The casting quality on the Quickboost engines looks to very nice. I think I’ll just shoot Quickboost an email to see if they do offer something.
I told you I know very little about aircraft engines, but if it’s got valves 90 degrees apart and used sixteen sparkplugs (as in Dodge) I might have a clue!! Anyway I can’t find anything for the Ventura in 1/72 scale, but seen several 2800 engines for other aircraft. But you say it’s closer to a 2600. That being the case I need to round up another pair of them for a P70 project that’s been in the works for years.
You can do a search for that company and see what they got. In 1/72 you can get pretty close if not exact. The 1st picture is of the actual engine that was in the PV-1 you can see they are pretty close in details.
You have my deepest condolences, sfcmac! [:(] I built that monstrosity last year! [yuck] To call any F.M. kit a challenge is being VERY kind, but I persevered and got her done. Learned a lot and became a better modelere, but NEVER again! [(-D]
For sure Brian it is a real bear as are most of their kits. I did the Halifax and it turned out very nice but was an incredible amount of work.
Just was trying to eye up the Ventura engines for you. Those were in stock and look as though they could pass for them with minimal work. As far as the fit? hard to say until you try. It’s always a gamble. There are so many versions of that P&W R-2800 engine and some look quite different. I enjoyed looking for you as that site has a listing of what Aircraft used what. Thought that was purdy neat.
I’ve been keeping a close eye on this thread. I picked up the Minicraft kit in 1/72, possibly to build up as the one on display at the first Dayton Air Show I made it to. I got some great pics and a good lump on my head getting them. I whacked it good coming down from the gun turret.
Believe it or not, but there’s one setting at the Mt. Comfort airport 24/7 (where they have the big air show). Looks like somekind of Naval version as it’s painted a light sea blue. For some odd reason I’ve always liked the way that plane looks, but when I do build the kit it will be in British markings (always been a fan of the early war years). Been slowly putting together a small stash of kits from that era, but still want a few more (as if I have a place to put them!!). Kinda like to do a B17C or a D in British markings (think it’s caled a Mark I), and maybe a second Ventura with all the radar masts. Lysanders; anybody?
Wow I wish I could get inside one. TheFM Kit has the Door that could be left open but zero interior detail. I bought the Squadron “In Action” book but no inside pics. [%-)]
from what I can gather that aircraft is open and on disply when they have their airshows. That was about a month ago. They have one in Dayton on display. There are a couple posters on here that seem to have access to the planes in there. Maybe they can help us out.
I can look for my pics. I think I know where those are, but those could for a different year than '06. I got a lot of of it, not sure it I got where you’re meaning. The guy with it was horribly amused by my photographic obsession.
I am kinda stuck on the insides where the door enters and the door itself. Just wondering what you see going in the door and if there are walls or you can see the turret. That kinda stuff. Also trying my hand on opening up the bomb bay. Not many pics of those doors open.
Don’t want to put you to any trouble but if you got some pics handy I surely bet the Ventura guys here would enjoy them. I know I could surely use the look. [(-D] This is about as close as I caqn get to one here in Texas. [tup]
I’m gonna give my old boss a call next week to see if he happens to know the owner. He flies into that airport all the time, and I bet he does. I might also have a couple pics of the one in Dayton Ohio, but they’re not real good as I took the wrong camera with me.
Is the plane in the photos a PV-1 or a PV-2? Where’s it at in Texas? Anyway I’ll be over in Dayton sometime in the next six weeks or so.
The pics are of a PV2-C. If I remember correctly, there were only about 35 of them built when the war ended and the contract was cancelled. The air tanker outfit I worked for years ago had one (with out the weapons of course). There’s an awsome amount of space when you drop the nose on one of those things (bottom half of the nose drops down about 6 feet and moves (actually rotates) forward about 3 feet)
This aircraft is at the Galveston Flight Museum. Right next to Schillerbahn Water park, Great place to visit while the family waterslides as I know I bore mine to death looking at these old birds. There are many Aircraft there and most are kept in Flying condition. The collection includes a B-17G, a PBY Catalina, Dauntless, Hellcat, Thunderbolt, Spitfire even a B-58 Hustler to name a couple. They have turrets and engines out to see along with period vehicles and motorbikes. Really cool place only about 30 minutes away from me. Great inside displays from the pilots as well.
It is no trouble for me to get better pics of the outside stuff. Maybe I should follow squeakie’s lead and try to befriend some of those fellows down there. Museums usually need volunteers and most people don’t mind taking a few pics.
Here are a couple of pics of the scartch built interior I di don my 1:48 PV-1 last year. I am not a rivet counter, I just kind of made up the detail to give some visual interestt.
I know it ain’t the greatest looking job, but when viewed through that little tiny door, it’s kina convincing. I have a Pavla 1:72 interior detail set for a Minicraft kit that served as a basisi for this…hope these are of help!
