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1:48 Scale Doolittle Raid B-25B Diorama COMPLETE!

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  • Member since
    June 2014
1:48 Scale Doolittle Raid B-25B Diorama COMPLETE!
Posted by USAFASME7 on Monday, April 18, 2016 8:21 AM

Today is the 74th Anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. I finished the diorama last night to add to the glass model showcase at the USAF Tech Training School. I have a feeling I know what today's USAF History lesson will be...Big Smile

 

The kit is the Accurate Miniatures B-25B.

The figures are from my stash.

The rope lashings are made from twisted copper wire

The carrier deck and wheel chocks were purchased (unpainted).

The fuel cans are Tamiya.

The tool box, vise, etc. are CMK Resin.

The work bench is scratch-built.

The tarp over the upper gun turret is scratch-built from heat-shrunk ziploc bag and lead tape for the "strap".

Overall, I have about 150 hours into it. Yes, there should be more rope lashings holding the plane down, but it gets very aggrivating working at this scale so I added rolled-up ropes on the deck; as if they hadn't quite finished tying her down yet...I think it paints a pretty good picture of the preparation of these aircraft for this unprecedented historic mission. I'm pretty pleased with it!

It is still UNBELIEVABLE that the Raiders pulled this off... ENJOY!

 

 

--Rob

Glue Sniffer since 1977

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, April 18, 2016 8:38 AM

Wow, that's pretty darn neat! Looks good and I really like the tarp over the dorsal gun, nice detail you worked in there. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Monday, April 18, 2016 8:53 AM

A very clever and convincing dio there. I love your use of non-model material for the ropes and tarp etc. Also the carrier base looks great.

WELL DONE Mate ! Yes Beer

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Monday, April 18, 2016 9:06 AM

Awesome work. One of my favorite subjects. That is simply a fantastic dio, great work all around.

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Monday, April 18, 2016 9:51 AM

This is a fantastic diorama depicting a historical event!  Great job.

Toshi

 

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Monday, April 18, 2016 9:52 AM

Great job on the model, base and figures. That was one heck of a mission for those guys. I think there is only one Raider still with us.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • From: the redlands Fl
Posted by crown r n7 on Monday, April 18, 2016 11:25 AM

All bases covered. Well done (thirty seconds over tokyo)

 

 

 Nick.

  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted by Buckeye on Monday, April 18, 2016 11:40 AM

Very well done!  My grandmother's cousin was on the Hornet when the raid was launched and when she was sunk.

Mike

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Monday, April 18, 2016 12:19 PM

crown r n7

All bases covered. Well done (thirty seconds over tokyo)

 

Thirty Seconds Over Tokio, great movie! 

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    August 2014
Posted by Timdude on Monday, April 18, 2016 12:38 PM

plasticjunkie

 

 
crown r n7

All bases covered. Well done (thirty seconds over tokyo)

 

As usual, the book is even better. Definitely one movie I hope the modern Hollywood dopes don't try to remake.

 

Thirty Seconds Over Tokio, great movie! 

 

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Chapin, South Carolina
Posted by Shipwreck on Monday, April 18, 2016 12:38 PM

Rob, that is a very fine job you did on the Doolittle raider. The raid is one of my favorite topics. That means I plan on doing something similar to what you did, only without the diorama detail. I do need a CV-8 flight deck. Yours looks good; can you tell me where you got it? Thanks!

On the Bench:

Revell 1/96 USS Constitution - rigging

Revell 1/48 B-1B Lancer Prep and research

Trumpeter 1/350 USS Hornet CV-8 Prep and research

 

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2014
Posted by Timdude on Monday, April 18, 2016 12:42 PM
Just a thought, but a Group Build were all 16 aircraft were built in 1/48th scale and the boat guys could jump in and build the deck (in modules probably) and then the whole thing could be donated to museum. Again just a thought.
  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by USAFASME7 on Monday, April 18, 2016 12:44 PM

Thanks for the compliments, guys!

 

The base was was an older production of a 1:48 scale wooden carrier deck made of a hard cast foam. It came with cast metal wheel chocks that I also used, and photo-etched brass tie-down strips that I glued-in with super glue. I paid a vendor $10.00 for it at the IPMS S.E. Regionals last month--I'll have to look for the instructions to give you the manufacturer's info. I believe they are OOP.

--Rob

Glue Sniffer since 1977

cnq
  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by cnq on Monday, April 18, 2016 2:17 PM

Beautiful diorama. I love it.

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Salem, Oregon
Posted by 1943Mike on Monday, April 18, 2016 6:13 PM

Very impressive diorama. Love the detail work you've done on it.

Mike

 

Mike

"Le temps est un grand maître, mais malheureusement, il tue tous ses élèves."

Hector Berlioz

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Monday, April 18, 2016 10:12 PM
Outstanding! I have the same kit in my stash and intend to do Doolittle's plane eventually. My problem is room for display. Thanks for sharing.

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by seastallion53 on Monday, April 18, 2016 11:25 PM

Very nice.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Cavite, Philippines
Posted by allan on Monday, April 18, 2016 11:27 PM

Very nicely done dio! Did you attach broomstick gun barrels? :)

No bucks, no Buck Rogers

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by USAFASME7 on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 7:24 AM

The Accurate Miniatures kit comes with the option of rear guns or brooksticks; with both parts included. Yes, it is equipped with broomsticks.

 

Before I changed my mind about whether or not to put Nose Art on the model, I was originally doing Doolittle's plane which had none. So, one of the 500 lb bombs has a tiny Japanese friendship medal attached to it. Now that I modeled the "Ruptured Duck" it is no longer 100% historically accurate, but looks neat anyway (but hard to see).

--Rob

Glue Sniffer since 1977

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by BrandonD on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 12:16 PM

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing. A relative of mine was on the raid and din't make it, so I have been slowly building this kit, and your display is inspiring. Thanks again for sharing.

-BD-

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