Feedback needed for my current project...please

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Feedback needed for my current project...please

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 6:20 PM

I'm building a diorama centered around Accurate Miniatures B-25B Doolittle Raider. The aircraft I'm featuring is the some what obscure #6 40-2298. Only one crew member from this aircraft survived. The rest were either executed by the Japanese or drowned after ditching.

My basic plan is too show this aircraft during modification at Eglin field in FEB/MAR of 1942. I plan on having most of the cowlings of both engines removed. The lower turret being removed. The upper turret blister and guns removed. Installing the three additional fuel tanks. Removal of non essential items too numerous to list here. I also plan too have ladders, oil drums, tool carts and other pieces of ground equipment around. Thats what I know so far.

Heres where I need some help. Should I show the aircraft in a hanger or out on the ramp? Also what paint scheme should I use. I'm thinking of showing the aircraft before repainting in 17th Bombardment group markings or bare aluminum after being stripped. Though I'm not sure if they stripped it or just painted over the old paint. Or I could show the completed Doolittle scheme or something in between.

The last thing is the title. I'm thinking "Destination Tokyo", does that sound too corny? Any ideas or suggestions would be very helpful.

Thanks
Darren

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upnorth

Member since
December 2002
From: Canada / Czech Republic

Posted by upnorth on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 6:26 PM

Sounds like an interesting idea.

I would put the diorama in a hangar, such a project as that would certainly have been concealed from prying eyes.

What to call it?: "Preparing to Not Do Little" (I know, that's reeeeal bad, but I had it bouncing around in the skull trying to get out) :-)

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 7:02 PM

I too would vote for the hangar because of the secrecy.
Enjoy!
Bruce

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72cuda

Member since
July 2003
From: USA

Posted by 72cuda on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 7:24 PM

Hey Darrenbb;
Well talking from experience of doing modifacations of Military aircraft most of the mods are done inside hangers, not just for prying eye's but to keep the parts and interiors of the A/C some what clean and it's easier for the maintenance crews to keep a close inventory of the removed equipment, kind of think of doing an engine change of your car, would you do it in you back yard with the wind blowing dirt in your face or inside your garage where it's well lit and no harsh weather could blow any bad stuff in your work area, so I'd advise you to do a hanger scheme, and for your name think of something like It's "A Long Road To Destination Tokyo", for what the planes had to go through for their up coming mission

84 of 795 1/72 Aircraft Competed for Lackland's Airman Heritage Museum

Was a Hawg Jet Fixer, now I'm a FRED Fixer

'Cuda

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rjkplasticmod

Member since
February 2003
From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State

Posted by rjkplasticmod on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 7:26 PM

Sounds very ambitious and very tasty. I agree on the hanger setting. If I recall my Doolittle history, the aircraft were freshly painted shortly before mission departure but I doubt they were stripped to bare metal first.

Rick

RICK

At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 7:45 PM

I think that this is a great idea. I think your idea of the paint being half done is a good idea, although I don't know if that is historically accurate. For a name how about "Rebuilding the Raiders"? Ok that was lame! Tongue [:P]

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stinger

Member since
January 2003
From: Everywhere

Posted by stinger on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 8:02 PM

I personally like your original title of "Destination Tokyo", but also like the "Rebuilding" theme. I know this is really bad, and maybe too complicated, but maybe something along the lines of "Destination Tokyo : so much to DO, so LITTLE time"

Maybe you could show a couple of crewmen spraying it (did they do that in the field?) or brushing on the new colors.

Anyway, good luck. And can't wait to see it!

stinger

May an Angel be your wingman, and the Sun be always at your six

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 8:54 PM

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Judging by the replies the indoor/outdoor question was silly. In my own defense, I'm an aircraft mechanic and you'd be surprised what we can do on the ramp. Also, all of my references show the aircraft being maintained outdoors. I can't find a picture of a hangered bird.

So I think I'll build a partial hanger, two walls forming a corner and the floor. One problem solved.

Thinking about how I would do the modification if it were me, I would do all the mods first, then paint it last. So I guess I'm leaning towards 17thBG markings.

So far I like stingers suggestion of a play on the word Doolittle. Now too just find the right combination for a real snappy title.

Thanks
Darren

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qmiester

Member since
May 2003
From: Central USA

Posted by qmiester on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 9:04 PM

By all means put it in the hanger. But I do question the removal of the mid upper turret. All references to the raid indicate that all the B-25Bs that participated retained the upper turret but had the retracting lower turret removed and replaced by a fuel tank which increased overall capacity to 1141 gals and reducing empty weight by 600 lbs. Doolittles aircraft also had two broom sticks painted black stuck in the plexiglass tailcone to represent 50 cal mgs.

Also I would bet even money that the aircract were not stripped and repainted (a rather time consuming activity), but only those areas that were replaced (such as the skin installed over the hole resulting from the removal of the belly turret) were painted to match the surrounding skin. From what I've read most of the preparation time was spent tuning the engines to lower the fuel consumption at cruise.

Quincy

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 9:20 PM

qmiester,

The Doolittle aircraft did have the top turret as will mine. My research shows that they had many problems with the guns in the turrets jamming. All aircraft had their guns removed during modification for rework. It was also at this time that the gunners were trained in proper maintenance of the weapons. Don't forget, this diorama is of work in progress. So I would like to show the turret in a state of disassembly to reflect this.

Anybody out there know how the lower turret was removed?...might have to fake this one a little.

I would agree with you about stripping of the aircraft. But as for the paint, I believe they were completely repainted.

Thanks
Darren

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 11:12 AM

Paint = weight. It would be reasonable to assume they would recognize the saving of a couple hunderd pounds by stripping the a/c to the primer before repainting.
Bruce

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 10, 2004 5:31 AM

A twist on the idea of an intermediate stage in the paint job. Why not paint the aircraft in its original colours and "mask" the national markings ready for the repaint. Paint the decals to represent paper and tape and apply them as usual. Just an idea and I've never seen it done but it appeals to me.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 10, 2004 6:46 AM

I'm a newbie here but as for a title to your dio, how about:

"The Road to Shangri-la"

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 10, 2004 7:51 AM

snibble has a great idea for the masked insignia! And how about "Destination Tokyo;Road to Revenge" yeah this is even more lame than the first one I posted.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 10, 2004 3:41 PM

your title is perfect. i would keep any repainting stuff to a minimum. i thought these aircraft were factory fresh or nearly so before re-fit.

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