The Chambermaid - pics - FineScale Modeler - Essential magazine for scale model builders, model kit reviews, how-to scale modeling, and scale modeling products

oldhooker

Member since
July 2003
From: Piedmont Triad, NC (USA)

Posted by oldhooker on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 8:35 AM

Fantastic accomplishment, Jim! Thanks!!

Frank

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jridge

Member since
April 2003
From: West Des Moines, IA USA

Posted by jridge on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 8:27 AM

Thanks for all the kind words.

This has been almost a three year effort from starting the research until now --- and trying to rekindle any modeling skills I might have had after a 45 year lay-off. Boy, the eyes and nerves aren’t what they used to be! Plus, there wasn’t such a thing as an airbrush back then.....

Several of the crew were wounded by flak and the fighters, but all survived the crash and their wounds. The hydraulics were shot out. The starboard main gear wouldn't crank down. They tied parachutes to the waist .50 cal. mounts and the tail turret to try to slow it down. But, they still took quite a ride!

Thanks again for all the kind words and all the coaching and advise I've receive from this forum.

Jim The fate of the Chambermaid http://30thbg.1hwy.com/38thBS.html

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 8:08 AM

Nice job, jridge ! Just moving the wings & fuselage around when building this model can be a challenge. Nice subtle changes on the OD. With such a large canvas, it needs weathering, and you've done a great job with it. Well done !

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 11:58 PM

Great model! As has been stated, the personal history really adds something special. Love all the "fiddly bits".

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nmayhew

Member since
July 2003
From: Kent, England

Posted by nmayhew on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 11:50 PM

awesome job!! Cool [8D]

and as has already been said, made that little bit more poignant because of the personal history involved.
can i ask re the pic supplied: did the crew survive that crash, or did they all bail out? looked a nasty one!
thanks for sharing.
regards,
nick

Kind regards, Nicholas

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 8:28 PM

Jim, I think you do your uncle proud...just be ready for the tears to flow!!! Things like that can be emotional, especially when they look so real!!!

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Melgyver

Member since
March 2003
From: Lafayette, LA

Posted by Melgyver on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 8:28 PM

Good looking B-24! All the personal history makes it that more special.

Clear Left!

Mel

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 8:22 PM

Nicely done, Jim. I'm still searching my sources for the photos you're seeking. I'll keep looking. Regards, Ed

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 3:41 PM

Great looking bomber... it is really great that you built an a/c with that much personal history. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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JohnReid

Member since
February 2004
From: Montreal/Canada

Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 3:05 PM

not the kind of chambermaid I was expecting but beautiful anyway! Cheers John.

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 11:26 AM

Very nice pics and thanks for the background info it definatly add to a job well done.

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fightnjoe

Member since
September 2011

Posted by fightnjoe on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 11:26 AM

really looks good.

joe

Veterans,

Thank You For Your Sacrifices,

Never To Be Forgotten

Where you can find me:

Workbench on FaceBook Google Plus YouTube

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jridge

Member since
April 2003
From: West Des Moines, IA USA

The Chambermaid - pics

Posted by jridge on Tuesday, February 24, 2004 11:23 AM

Following are my efforts to reproduce my uncle’s B-24J, The Chambermaid, 42-100227, 7th AF, 30 BG, 38 BS. My uncle, Mel Harms, was the bombardier. They were hit by flak and shot up by Zeros over Iwo Jima, but were able to limp back to Saipan. Although several crew members were wounded, all survived.

References: “One Damned Island After Another”, chapter 22, “The Log of the Liberator”, pg 289-295, B-24 Nose Art Name Directory, National Archive.

Decals and stencils by Mike Grant (http://mikegrantdesign.com/decals/). Additional detailing with Karaya .50 cal. barrels (http://www.karaya.ceti.pl/eng/browning.htm) and Aeroclub .30 cal. machine guns in the bombardier position.

Paint & weathering: Tamiya Acrylics – faded, undercoated with flat aluminum, chipped with scotch tape, washed with Grumbacher acrylics, staining with pastel chalks.