Revell 1/48 B-24D Liberator

JohnnyK

The only problem was that I was inable to pack enough weight in the nose to prevent it from being a tail-sitter. The kit includes a ladder for the  crew rear access door. I used that to solve the tail-sitting problem.

I'm working on Hasegawa's 1/72 B-24D.  It has the same problem.  The instructions call for 90 grams of weight in the nose/nose wheel well.  I measured out 90 grams of lead sinkers, and there just isn't enough room.  I'm putting weight anywhere I can find a hidden cavity forward of the main wheels.  I have weight in the nose wheel well, infront of the wing spar, and I'll have to put some in the engine cowlings.  I'm thinking the thing may not need a full 90 grams (3.2 ounces).  

Richs26: thanks for pointing that out to me. I doubt that I would have caught that. I've never really done a lot of research on the B-24. Most of my bomber experience is B-17 in nature. 

Fermis: I cut my big aircraft teeth on the Revell B-17. I've mentioned it many times on the forums already, but it's what my grandpa served in. His service is the reason I got interested in WWII and, in turn, the reason I became infatuated with the aviation side of the war. Anyway, don't feel too bad. Bombers were still around $15 when I bought my first one. Almost all the models I did before I was an adult were less than $10, and I'm not old...yet. 

Very cool...looking forward to this one!

This kit was the first big bomber I ever bought/built. My brother came home from the PX (we're Army brats) with the B-17, and said they had more of them. We went back, and as much as I wanted the B-17, much prettier aircraft, I didn't want the same model he had, so I got the 24....for, get this...5 bucks! That was about 30 years ago though.

*sigh*...30 years. All of a sudden, I feel old.

A thought on the D.  Monogram screwed up with the nose gear doors using the J as a  model.  The gear doors fold upward, not downward.  For info and an actual almost conserved reference, take a look at the interior of the USAF Museum's B-24D on their website. 

The B-24 is a really fun model to build. And yes, it is really big! I built one last year, and it goes together really well. The only problem was that I was inable to pack enough weight in the nose to prevent it from being a tail-sitter. The kit includes a ladder for the  crew rear access door. I used that to solve the tail-sitting problem.

I look forward to watching your build. Have fun!

John

WannabeFarmboy

 

 

Toshi

 

 

 

Hello WannaBeFarmBoy!  I like the reference to the Tuskegee Airman build.  Especially in that the fact that you live an hour and a half from there. That is so cool.  Are you going to start with the B-24 first?  I've built that kit twice in one year.  It's a really cool kit!  I'm excited for you and am looking forward to your build(s)!  As always, I'll be following your build(s).  Good Luck!

 

Toshi

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Toshi! Yeah, as soon as I read the instruction books and saw that it was one of the Tuskegee Airmen, I knew that was the one I wanted to do. I didn't know it at the time, but, after they started flying escort, they flew escort on a few of the bombing missions my grandpa was part of. 

I think that I'm going to try to finish my Tempest and start on the B-24. I'm beyond excited to build this big plane. It's the biggest model I've ever had. Think that I'll do the tractor that came with the kit to start. Like I said before, I'm nervous about the instrument panel on the P-51. That's all that's holding that one back from assembly. Hoping that I'll work up the confidence to knock it out soon. 

I'm like a kid with a new toy with the B-24. I LOVE big models, and ever since I opened the box it's the only model in my stash that I can think about. 

 

Toshi

Shipwreck

Wannabefarmboy, I just finished a B-29 with a 36" wing span and started a tiny B-26 with a 17" inch wing span; so your 27" B-24 might be considered small! I have the D and J versions in my stash, so I am watching closely. Good luck with youe build. And, let's not talk about 32 scale for awhile!

 

Lol. I know that it's technically still on the smaller end of the bomber spectrum, but it's still the biggest model I've done...for now *insert maniacal laug here*. I'd be glad to stay off of 1/32 for a while since the P-51 is my first ever in that scale and the 1/32 Beaufighter in my stash will have to wait since I couldn't even go 8 hours after saying I was doing well resisting the urge to break open and start the B-24 before giving in and starting the model. Lol. 

Wannabefarmboy, I just finished a B-29 with a 36" wing span and started a tiny B-26 with a 17" inch wing span; so your 27" B-24 might be considered small! I have the D and J versions in my stash, so I am watching closely. Good luck with youe build. And, let's not talk about 32 scale for awhile!

Toshi

 

 

 

Hello WannaBeFarmBoy!  I like the reference to the Tuskegee Airman build.  Especially in that the fact that you live an hour and a half from there. That is so cool.  Are you going to start with the B-24 first?  I've built that kit twice in one year.  It's a really cool kit!  I'm excited for you and am looking forward to your build(s)!  As always, I'll be following your build(s).  Good Luck!

 

Toshi

 

Thanks, Toshi! Yeah, as soon as I read the instruction books and saw that it was one of the Tuskegee Airmen, I knew that was the one I wanted to do. I didn't know it at the time, but, after they started flying escort, they flew escort on a few of the bombing missions my grandpa was part of. 

I think that I'm going to try to finish my Tempest and start on the B-24. I'm beyond excited to build this big plane. It's the biggest model I've ever had. Think that I'll do the tractor that came with the kit to start. Like I said before, I'm nervous about the instrument panel on the P-51. That's all that's holding that one back from assembly. Hoping that I'll work up the confidence to knock it out soon. 

I'm like a kid with a new toy with the B-24. I LOVE big models, and ever since I opened the box it's the only model in my stash that I can think about. 

WannabeFarmboy

Lol. I'll get back to the Tempest. I'm getting tired of seeing it unfinished and I don't have a ton of body work left on it now.

The P-51 is the Hobbycraft 1/32 P-51 Operation Torch kit. It's been interesting. The fuselage has a little twist, but there don't seem to be any other fit issues. The main problem I'm facing is the intimidation factor of painting my first half way decently detailed instrument panel. I need that done to button up the cockpit, assemble the plane, and paint it. Everything else I can do before assembly is done.

The P-40 is the 1/48 AMtech P-40F/L kit. It comes with 4 sets of markings, but I've settled on the "Ace of Pearls". It was flown by one of the Tuskegee airmen, and I live about an hour and a half from Tuskegee, so it seems fitting. I'm holding off on the P-40 though because this one will be number 7 or 8 that I've built. Lots of cool aircraft I've never built in line ahead of it. Including the B-24. 

 

Toshi

Lol. I'll get back to the Tempest. I'm getting tired of seeing it unfinished and I don't have a ton of body work left on it now.

The P-51 is the Hobbycraft 1/32 P-51 Operation Torch kit. It's been interesting. The fuselage has a little twist, but there don't seem to be any other fit issues. The main problem I'm facing is the intimidation factor of painting my first half way decently detailed instrument panel. I need that done to button up the cockpit, assemble the plane, and paint it. Everything else I can do before assembly is done.

The P-40 is the 1/48 AMtech P-40F/L kit. It comes with 4 sets of markings, but I've settled on the "Ace of Pearls". It was flown by one of the Tuskegee airmen, and I live about an hour and a half from Tuskegee, so it seems fitting. I'm holding off on the P-40 though because this one will be number 7 or 8 that I've built. Lots of cool aircraft I've never built in line ahead of it. Including the B-24. 

I was wondering where you'd gone to. I've been patiently waiting for some progress on your Tiffy. Lol

Now it seems I've got to wait for a P-51, P-40, and a B-24 as well!

Which P-40 and which P-51??!

:D