For any who have missed it, Aviaeology out of Canada produces decals specific to many Canadian themed subjects. The first thing that hits you when you purchase one of their sets is the detail provided to replicate specific aircraft. The research going into these decals is second to none. This set includes markings for nine different aircraft in a variety of schemes. Here’s a quick list:

• Ventura GR.V (serial not presently known) with Ubat marking, most probably of 113 (BR) Squadron in 1944-45.
• Ventura GR.V (early nose) 2141 as aircraft "C" of 145 (BR) Squadron, as photographed at Scoudouc, New Brunswick, June 1945.
• Ventura GR.V (early nose) 2146 as aircraft "M" of 145 (BR) Squadron, Torbay, Newfoundland, August 1943.
• Ventura GR.V (early nose) 2152 as aircraft "K" of 145 (BR) Squadron, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, summer 1945.
• Ventura GR.V (early nose) 2156 as aircraft "U" of 113 (BR) Squadron, Torbay, Newfoundland, August 1944.
• Ventura GR.V (late nose) 2159 as aircraft "P" of 145 (BR) Squadron, Torbay, Newfoundland, summer 1943.
• Ventura GR.V (late nose) 2160 as aircraft "M" of 145 (BR) Squadron, , Torbay, Newfoundland, September 1943.
• Ventura GR.V (late nose) 2207 as aircraft "M" of 145 (BR) Squadron, as photographed at Summerside, Prince Edward Island, 17 September 1945.
• Ventura GR.V (late nose) 2248 as aircraft "B" of 113 (BR) Squadron circa 1944 at Torbay, and later as "48" of the Eastern Air Command Operational Training Squadron, Pennfield Ridge, in 1945.

Each one of these has a half page description and details about the antennae arrangements, paint differences and any other oddities along with, where possible, pictures of the real aircraft. There are six pages of instructions alone. A separate sheet details the application of the decals. The decals sheets are beautifully printed with superb opacity and all the markings for making all the variants.

All this is superb but is only a start. Aviaeology goes well beyond and here’s why. . At the time of this review the Aviaeology website is under renovation, so please go to their eBay store at https://www.ebay.ca/str/aviaeology. Once a purchase is made, an email will appear in your inbox. Attached to that email will be the documentation portion that accompanies the decal set in PDF format. For those who purchase their Aviaeology products from a third-party vendor (such as your local hobby shop), there is a “chit” within the product packaging that directs the purchaser to register their purchase/ownership with Aviaeology via email. The PDF documentation will soon follow via a return email. The most recently produced documentation allows for the viewer to “zoom in” on-screen, up to 800 to 1600%! No more guessing about placement as you can zoom in and check. This is a significant aid to the modeler in making sure that the orientation of the decal is correct when applied to the model. The pdf documentation represents a considerable amount of research by Aviaeology and is protected under various copyright laws, so a sample of this documentation is not included in this review.

These decals would make a superb addition to the Academy PV-1 (early and late). So to summarize, great decals, superb research and a zoom able PDF with tons of great schemes…go buy it now! Seriously, these decals are amongst the best in the entire modeling world and are highly recommended.

My thanks to the fine folks at Aviaeology for the chance to review them. Visit their E-bay store to get a set.