1/48 Accurate Miniatures B-25B

Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

1/48 Accurate Miniatures B-25B

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Saturday, December 8, 2018 1:21 PM

Last night I was trying to decide the next build. With yesterday being December 7th, TCM was showing some of the old war movies. They were showing the classic “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo”. So I decided to build the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 B-25B “Doolittle Raiders”. This should be a nice build with lots of details being added. I will be doing the “Ruptured Duck” which was the aircraft followed in the film.
The “Ruptured Duck” was the 7th aircraft to take off of the USS Hornet. It was piloted by 1st Lt. Ted Lawson. He survived the raid and wrote the book on which the movie was based on. I will be adding the Eduard photo etch detail kit which details the complete interior. Starting on the cockpit now.

You can follow this build on my blog at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-b-25b-doolittle-raider/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

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Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Friday, December 14, 2018 12:22 PM

On the 1/48 Accurate Miniatures B-25B Doolittle Raider I have detailed and finished the cockpit. Started to paint and detail the bomb bay area. Waiting to assemble the bomb bay until I get to the fuselage so that everything lines up. The kit has a butt fit for the bulkheads so I want to make sure they fit correctly. On the Doolittle raiders aircraft to reduce weight the tail gun and side guns were replaced with broomsticks to reduce weight. However the upper turret still had the machine guns. I am replacing the plastic barrels with photo etch and wire and detailing the turret support.

Check out all the build photos on my blog at: https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-b-25b-doolittle-raider/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

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ChrisJH666

Member since
January 2004
From: Brisbane Australia

Posted by ChrisJH666 on Friday, December 14, 2018 3:13 PM

This is looking like a really great build. Didn't know that about the machine guns, but it is details like that that make all the difference

In the queue: 1/48 Beech Staggerwing (RAAF), P38 (RAAF), Vultee Vengeance (RAAF), Spitfire Vb (Malta), Spitfire VIII x2 (RAAF), P39 x2 (RAAF), Martin Baltimore (Malta?), Martin Maryland (Malta), Typhoon NF1b, Hellcat x2 (FAA)

Chris

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Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Friday, December 21, 2018 6:53 AM

For this week’s update on the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 B-25B Doolittle Raider, I am working on the interior. The rear upper turret is together and detailed. I added a piece of clear acetate for the safety glass on the turret. The cockpit and bomb bay bulkheads have been installed. I then finished the starboard side of the fuselage and added weights so the aircraft won’t sit on its tail when finished. Still lots more details to add and finish the port side.

You can see more build photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-b-25b-doolittle-raider/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

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Jay Jay

Member since
August 2013

Posted by Jay Jay on Friday, December 21, 2018 7:04 AM

WOW ! your interior is amazing. Weather it shows or not it's great fun to do and is the most fun part of the build for me as well.

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

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richs26

Member since
September 2005
From: North Pole, Alaska

Posted by richs26 on Friday, December 21, 2018 2:12 PM

One thing: US fire extinguishers located in aircraft during WW2 were natural bronze or brass in color since that was what they were made of. Extinguishers located on the ground were painted red. Postwar aircraft extinguishers were painted red.

WIP: Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 73rd BS B-26, 40-1408, torpedo bomber attempt on Ryujo

Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 22nd BG B-26, 7-Mile Drome, New Guinea

Minicraft 1/72 B-24D as LB-30, AL-613, "Tough Boy", 28th Composite Group

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lawdog114

Member since
February 2012
From: Olmsted Township, Ohio

Posted by lawdog114 on Saturday, December 22, 2018 3:14 AM

Very nice! We're building the same kit. One thing, in case your curious, the cockpit on the Doolittle planes should be dull dark green. I look forward to your progress.

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

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Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Monday, December 24, 2018 5:38 AM

A special update before the holidays on the 1/48 Accurate Miniatures B-25B. The Doolittle Raiders carried three 500lbs bombs and a 100lbs incendiary bomb for their load out. After some research the incendiary bomb was an OP-1664 spec bomb. It consisted of 32 individual bomblets. Each bomblet was packed with a thermite package in a steel tube and an aluminum hollow tail. The rods were strapped together with canvas straps and aluminum end caps. When released, the canvass straps were released allowing the rods to separate during the fall and spread out over the area. On impact the explosive charge ignited the thermite and dispersed it similar to a roman candle spreading burning thermite in a 50 foot radius.

The kit does not include this bomb. So I took 32 1mm styrene rods and cut the 1” long and arranged them in a section cut from a drinking straw. This was then glued to a styrene base. I removed the straw section and then added the rest of the rods to the bomb. I used a strip of styrene and some 32awg wire on the top and found some photo etch straps to wrap them. Finally I removed one of the rack mounts from one of the 1000lbs bombs in the kit and attached it to the top. I painted it the colors I could find for OP-1664’s that were used in the pacific. Steel nose where the thermite sits, steel center section where the explosive and trigger is and aluminum where the tail is. The incendiary bomb was then mounted in the # 4 position in the bomb bay.

The fuselage was then put together. This required minor putty on some of the seams. I added some weights to the nose behind the dash and installed the detailed nose bulkhead. I am now working on the nose section. For the Doolittle raiders the Norton Bombsights were removed so the design would not fall into enemy hands and a basic bombsight was made. This bombsight was nicknamed the “Mark Twian” bombsight. Using photos of the actual bombsight, I scratch built mine using a piece of styrene and a strip of photo etch for the guide. Still working on detailing the side of the nose.

You can see all the photos on my build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-b-25b-doolittle-raider/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

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TheMongoose

Member since
January 2015

Posted by TheMongoose on Monday, December 24, 2018 10:46 AM

Nice custom addition with the thermite bomb. Looks the part :-) Have you thought about a way to show off all that clean detail work you are doing inside? Would be a shame to hide it.

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

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richs26

Member since
September 2005
From: North Pole, Alaska

Posted by richs26 on Monday, December 24, 2018 3:27 PM

The GP M-43 bombs used were yellow as shown in the photos of Doolittle attaching Japanese medals to the bombs. The bomb carts were light gray. As you are using OP-1664 as a reference, the color was changed on March 11, 1942. The Hornet was full of yellow bombs as the munitions warehouses were full of yellow bombs due to the start of war production ramping up in 1941. In the Aleutians, the US was dropping yellow bombs into 1943.

WIP: Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 73rd BS B-26, 40-1408, torpedo bomber attempt on Ryujo

Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 22nd BG B-26, 7-Mile Drome, New Guinea

Minicraft 1/72 B-24D as LB-30, AL-613, "Tough Boy", 28th Composite Group

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Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Friday, December 28, 2018 6:48 AM

Continuing the buildup of the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 B-25B “Doolittle Raider” now that the fuselage is together, I worked on the engines and some more details. I assembled the bombardier section to the front. I added a “Field Upgrade” they did to the B-25. This added an armor plate to the top of the fuselage just aft of the upper turret. The kit engine cowls have too small of an opening for the B-25B. I used a round dowel and some 400 grit sandpaper to open them up by .05”. The engines did not have the pushrods molded on them (and no parts in the kit to add them) so I used some 32 awg wire and made my own. Once the cylinders were cleaned up, painted and weathered I added the photo etch wire harness and installed the front engine cover. Next I will be working on the wings.

See my build log for all the photos of this build at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-b-25b-doolittle-raider/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

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Tojo72

Member since
March 2003
From: Western North Carolina

Posted by Tojo72 on Friday, December 28, 2018 7:14 AM

I'm liking this,very impressive build.

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Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Tuesday, January 1, 2019 7:21 AM

Starting to look like a B-25B! The tails and wings are on. The fit was pretty good. Some very minor filling of small gaps was required. I then turned to the bomb bay doors. The photo etch parts completely replace the kit parts. Each door consists of five pieces. I used an aluminum handle of an Xacto knife to place and shape the curve of the door to match the fuselage. The inside of the doors were painted bright aluminum then weathered slightly with black pastel chalk. I am now working on the landing gear. The photo etch details have been added to the struts.

You can see more photos and follow the build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-b-25b-doolittle-raider/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

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RadMax8

Member since
February 2005
From: Cleveland, OH

Posted by RadMax8 on Tuesday, January 1, 2019 10:57 AM

You’re moving right along. Nice touch with the extra details on the engines. I’m also impressed with the scratch built bomb. While it’s not easy to see in the plane, it certainly looks good in your pictures!

Thanks for sharing!

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1943Mike

Member since
December 2010
From: Salem, Oregon

Posted by 1943Mike on Tuesday, January 1, 2019 6:32 PM

Impressive build so far.

I really like your Vindicator and Wildcat as well - very clean builds.

Mike

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

Hector Berlioz

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ChrisJH666

Member since
January 2004
From: Brisbane Australia

Posted by ChrisJH666 on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 2:57 PM

Very impressive. It's coming along really nicely. Wish I had the same kind of info resources you do for this for my Lancer! It's that detailed knowledge that can add that extra edge to a model.

In the queue: 1/48 Beech Staggerwing (RAAF), P38 (RAAF), Vultee Vengeance (RAAF), Spitfire Vb (Malta), Spitfire VIII x2 (RAAF), P39 x2 (RAAF), Martin Baltimore (Malta?), Martin Maryland (Malta), Typhoon NF1b, Hellcat x2 (FAA)

Chris

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Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Friday, January 4, 2019 6:58 PM

Continuing forward the bomb bay doors have been now installed. The landing gear has been detailed and installed. I added the crew hatches and other details to the bottom. The bottom has been base coated with neutral grey and the top base coated with OD green. Need to tape off for the boot black areas and add some details to the top then move on to the decals.

More photos in the build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-b-25b-doolittle-raider/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

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Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Friday, January 11, 2019 12:19 PM

This has been a difficult week on the B-25B. Calling this the good, the bad , and the ugly week. The good is paint and decals done. The aircraft is nearly done with the exception of some minor details. I will be mounting it onto a resin base that looks like the deck of the USS Hornet. It will be tied down just like it was on its journey across the Pacific. The base is the Eureka XXL USN Aircraft Carrier Wooden Deck Base. It comes with a resin insert, wooden frame, and steel arresting cables. It is very nice and very detailed. I used a teak colored primer then top coated it with deck blue. I weathered it using some sandpaper and pastel chalk. The fit of the kit has been very good with minimal gaps.

The bad is the decals. The kit decals are poor. They are slightly off register and very thick. I had a rough time getting them to adhere to the model.

And finally for the ugly part. The Ruptured Duck logo aside from being difficult to adhere also was not very accurate and the coloring is wrong. It actually came off while I was painting the recognition and formation lights. After some internet searching I found the logo that closely resembles the original (as described in the book “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo”) and was used on the aircraft from the movie. I had to make my own decal for this. It looks a lot better than the kit decal.

Stay tuned as I near completion of this kit representing a historic aircraft.

You can see all the build photos at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-b-25b-doolittle-raider/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

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bvallot

Member since
June 2013

Posted by bvallot on Saturday, January 12, 2019 3:20 PM

This has been fun to watch David. Thanks for sharing. =] There's lots of fun things going on here. It'll be a big help when I get around to my Doolittle B-25.

Looking forward to the finish line.

On the bench:

Tamiya F4U-1 Kenneth Walsh

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Wolfman_63

Member since
April 2015

Posted by Wolfman_63 on Sunday, January 13, 2019 4:57 PM

The Accurate Miniatures 1/48 B-25B representing the “Ruptured Duck” is now complete! It has been mounted to the deck and tied down. I used Berkley 50lbs test braided fishing line to simulate the ropes. Then I used two tweezers to make the knots. Finally they were then painted with Tamiya Buff (XF57). Once it was mounted I used EZ-Line to rig the antenna lines. Aside from the issue with the decals I really liked this build. The kit is well detailed and the fit was very good. It now sits on the display shelf while I decide what the next build will be.

Build log with all the photos from start to finish; https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-b-25b-doolittle-raider/

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

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jeaton01

Member since
December 2002
From: Northern California

Posted by jeaton01 on Sunday, January 13, 2019 6:48 PM

Well done! Nice base and photos.

John

To see build logs for my models: http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

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tempestjohnny

Member since
November 2003
From: Naples, FL

Posted by tempestjohnny on Sunday, January 13, 2019 7:19 PM

jeaton01

Well done! Nice base and photos.

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bvallot

Member since
June 2013

Posted by bvallot on Sunday, January 13, 2019 7:44 PM

Very nice David. I also had a mind to do some tie downs. Now I know what to expect to use. Very nicely tied together. =] (bad dad joke)

On the bench:

Tamiya F4U-1 Kenneth Walsh

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Jay Jay

Member since
August 2013

Posted by Jay Jay on Monday, January 14, 2019 11:48 AM

WOW one fabulous B-25. all your hard work paid off with this great presentation.

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

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Shipwreck

Member since
May 2006
From: Chapin, South Carolina

Posted by Shipwreck on Monday, January 14, 2019 5:56 PM

Wolfman, that is a real fine Doolittle bomber. There are several of us just waiting to start our attempts of one. Both you and Lawdog have certainly showed us how! Thanks for sharing.

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

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keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Sunday, January 20, 2019 4:32 AM

Really nice build. I buillt this kit a while ago for a friend of mine whose grandfather was a copilot one of the planes - Griffith Williams, copilot on TNT. Well done.

Thanks,

John

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Rambo

Member since
August 2012
From: Parker City, IN.

Posted by Rambo on Sunday, January 20, 2019 5:37 AM

Wow great job with the build and the base thank you for sharing what you used for the tie downs.

Clint

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ChrisJH666

Member since
January 2004
From: Brisbane Australia

Posted by ChrisJH666 on Sunday, January 20, 2019 6:21 AM

Very nice build!

In the queue: 1/48 Beech Staggerwing (RAAF), P38 (RAAF), Vultee Vengeance (RAAF), Spitfire Vb (Malta), Spitfire VIII x2 (RAAF), P39 x2 (RAAF), Martin Baltimore (Malta?), Martin Maryland (Malta), Typhoon NF1b, Hellcat x2 (FAA)

Chris