Aircraft: PV-1 ‘34', Bureau number 3334, of VB13, belly-landed at Agattu Island after becoming lost in bad weather while returning from a reconnaissance mission from Attu (all crew survived), December 30, 1943, pilot V. C. Austin.

References: the above photo.

Kit: Revell #85-5531 1/48.

Accessories/modifications: Semicircular section of inner flap cut out for clearance of bomb-bay doors (correction). Added small radio direction finding antenna below nose. Ultracast covered resin wheels and tires (48233), Ultracast corrected resin exhausts (48234), Vector corrected resin propellors (VDS48-055), Vector resin corrected cowlings (VDS48-056), DMold corrected fuselage (DM48028). Eduard seatbelts (48365). Starboard fuselage window repositioned below national mark (see reference photo above). Kit tailwheel (very weak) reinforced with brass rod. Forgot to remove the masks from the underwing landing lights, the 3 formation lights and the bombardiers's window under the nose before taking these photos.

Paint: Tamiya acrylic, Alclad Aluminum II, weathering by oil wash and silver Prismacolor pencil, Testor's Dullcoat from spray can.

Decals: kit decals except AeroMaster black 45º numbers (48802), starboard fuselage Donald Duck cartoon (Zotz ZTZ48009), fuselage national marks (Yellow Wings YW48048 - US National insignia PT-3 May 1942-June 1943 modified with paint to update to 1944 style) and painted over 'ghost' markings (Yellow Wings YW48048).

Issues: Otherwise excellent kit has some serious shape issues (lower forward fuselage and propellors that require replacement after-market parts - expensive!).

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