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1/48 B-25 Group Build! All Invited to Join!

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  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Friday, August 12, 2011 4:27 PM

Hans von Hammer

 Melgyver:

Shot of a little detail on the top turrent of the B-25.  Made the shields for the gun slots in the turrent, shell link chutes, pulley for cocking cable, springs on bicycle seat.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/melgyver/B-26%20Marauder/B-25/100_2464.jpg

 

Dunno which ref to use...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Screenshots/Models/Monogram%20Mafia/B-25H%20and%20J%20Interiors%20and%20details/B-25H-turret.jpg

 

Sweet job, Mel..

FWIW if Mel's turret ain't enough, here's the side view of the PBJ-1H/J Bendix upper turret..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Screenshots/Models/Monogram%20Mafia/B-25H%20and%20J%20Interiors%20and%20details/T-125forPBJ-1H-J.jpg

This brings up a fascinating subject  (just before I get to masking the canopies on the top turret of the B-25J).  The following is from a "Modeling Madness" group build:

.

            One thing important to note with the turret: there is no metal framing!  You don’t need to paint anything!  What looks like “framing” is plexiglass strip that was glued over the seams of the individual parts in the production. Leave all that alone, the raised detail is perfect.  Just dip it in Future.  Then, once you have the turret attached, fill in the slots with white glue.  On the real thing, these are fabric zippers, that run up and down as the guns are elevated and depressed.  Once that is dry, paint it olive drab and you have the turret right.  99.9999% of modelers get this wrong because they have never seen the real turret, but we have several out at Chino, and that’s the way they really are.

I assume he is referring to the Bendix turret which has no framing, yet when you look at many of the B-25J model examples, the top turret has been masked.  Any thoughts?

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Lafayette, LA
Posted by Melgyver on Friday, August 12, 2011 5:51 PM

I had used the color picture of the Bendix turrent as my guide.  As you can see in the black and white picture of the later turret it does have clear "slides" to fill in the gun slots and keep out the 250 mph plus breeze that would come in facing forward.  I believe earlier turrents had sheet metal "slides" and the only one I am aware of that had the zippers were the lower nose turrents on the B-17.   Not at home to dig out my old Wings and Airpowers that had turrent details to comment with any authority but have been around a lot of musuems and Warbirds at  airshows and top turrent "zippers" I don't recall seeing.  I think some of the early turrents had some metal framing until they got the process refined of forming the plexglass to withstand more pressures.   There is some obvious "heavy" metal in the front of the bendix turrent I modeled.

Clear Left!

Mel

  • Member since
    April 2010
  • From: Green Bay, WI
Posted by redraider56 on Friday, August 12, 2011 6:35 PM

The early style turrets on the Bs and C/Ds were molded plexiglass panels glued together and did not have metal framing.  On Hs and Js it appears they did not have framing on the sides of the turret, but did have some framing by the gun slots and had either frames or plating on the backside

In this picture you can clearly see that the bottom aircraft has metal plating on the backside of the turret (NOTE: not all turrets had this plating)

 

This is a pic Hans used before and shows some framing

 

This one also shows framing and metal gun slots, not canvas

-Matt

On The Bench: 1/48 HK B-17G "Man-O-War II"

On Deck: 1/48 Tamiya P-38H, 1/48 Revell PV-1

 

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Friday, August 12, 2011 6:46 PM

Hans von Hammer

No siree, no dates..

The only "rule" is that it's a 1/48 scale GB... Oh.. And pics..

 Jump "when ready" on this one... That's why it's in here anyway, insteada the' GB Hooch...  I don't care if you start today or next year... Heck, the B-17 GB's been going on for 2 1/2 years...

Sweet! I'll be getting in on my Peanut Butter Jelly Mitchell sometime this fall or maybe early next year - nice to have a home for it when the time comes!

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

  • Member since
    July 2010
Posted by jbrady on Friday, August 12, 2011 7:08 PM

Hans, I want to get in o this one. I have two B25's on the bench, the Italeri repop and a Revelogram. I wouldn't mind doing a third. Gonna look around for the G conversion for the AM kit. It'll be a while before I get started. Got rammed on my handcycle at the end of JUne and I'm just a couple weeks out of the hospital. I want to get the two 25's I've got working done before I start another. With the concussion syndrome in full swing I don't think I can handle more than one at a time.

   

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Carmel, CA
Posted by bondoman on Saturday, August 13, 2011 1:16 AM

I'm in with 40-2247  "AVENGER"

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Saturday, August 13, 2011 6:59 AM

redraider56

The early style turrets on the Bs and C/Ds were molded plexiglass panels glued together and did not have metal framing.  On Hs and Js it appears they did not have framing on the sides of the turret, but did have some framing by the gun slots and had either frames or plating on the backside.

http://www.warbirdphotographs.com/AirExpo/B25-TopTurret-2.jpg

Been doing a little more leg-work here..

The early models of the B-25, B-G, had the Bendix A-9 top turret installed...

 Most of the Mitchells that are flying today are using either fake turret-caps or are using turrets of the Martin variety (The B-26 Marauder type, which was also manufacturered on license by the "car-guy", Preston Tucker).  The only flying B-25 that sports an original (and functioning) top turret is the B-25J Miss Mitchell, which is owned and operated by the CAF's Southern Minnesota Wing, that Red posted up above... MAAM's B-25, Breifing Time, also sports an authentic turret, although the turret is cosmetic..

Miss Mitchell is also famous for it's nose-art, which was hand-painted by the original artist that painted the 1st Miss Mitchell of the 380th Bomb Group while he was a crewmember of her, Bombardier 1LT Phil Weiner.)

The turret's rear panel, plated in some photos, clear in others, well, it depends on what photo you're looking at.. Both are correct, since it was a crew modification.  Seems the some flight engineers (who doubled as the turret gunner in combat) would remove the clear panel and add an piece of 3/8th armor plate to the panel for head protection from flak (3/8ths won't stop bullets).

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Lafayette, LA
Posted by Melgyver on Saturday, August 13, 2011 7:09 AM

Great pic's Hans!

Thanks!  Will help me detail my turrent even more! 

It appears the early B-25 turrents had a lower profile resembling the later Martin Baker turrets and less framing.   You can see the cross bar that would support the ends of the shields for the gun slots.   Something I would have to add to mine,   Interesting fact about CE's adding the armour plate to the backside of their turrets as a field mod.  A lot like Huey CE's putting a piece under their seats and crews adding armour to thier early HUMV's. 

Clear Left!

Mel

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Saturday, August 13, 2011 7:32 AM

A lot like Huey CE's putting a piece under their seats and crews adding armour to thier early HUMV's. 

I used about 10 or 12 PASGT vests to line the cab rear, doors, and under the seat of my CUCV during the first Gulf War, and sandbags for the floor... Then, after we got new body armor in '04, most of the PASGT vests went to lining the Humvees too... 

 

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Ottawa,Ontario,Canada
Posted by modeler#1 on Sunday, August 14, 2011 4:40 PM

Thought this might help.

On the Bench: Nothing atm

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Sunday, August 14, 2011 5:09 PM

Here's a few more..

Little bigger pic of the gun-nose:

And, how about a rocket-armed J?

More B-25 stuff here:

http://www.maam.org/airshow/b25_cockpit.htm

 

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Sunday, August 14, 2011 5:21 PM

Hans von Hammer

Here's a few more..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Screenshots/Models/Monogram%20Mafia/B-25H%20and%20J%20Interiors%20and%20details/B-25H-Tailgunners3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Screenshots/Models/Monogram%20Mafia/B-25H%20and%20J%20Interiors%20and%20details/B-25H-Tailgunners2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Screenshots/Models/Monogram%20Mafia/B-25H%20and%20J%20Interiors%20and%20details/B-25H-WaistGuns.jpg

Little bigger pic of the gun-nose:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Screenshots/Models/Monogram%20Mafia/B-25H%20and%20J%20Interiors%20and%20details/B-25-8GunNose.jpg

And, how about a rocket-armed J?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Screenshots/Models/Monogram%20Mafia/B-25H%20and%20J%20Interiors%20and%20details/B-25JRocket-armedIeShima1945.jpg

I think one of my AM kits has the decals for that rocket armed "J".

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Sunday, August 14, 2011 5:24 PM

The "Bats Outta Hell" decal came with the Monogram gun-nose kit when it was first released, I think..  I remember doing it, but it was over 12 years ago...

  • Member since
    April 2010
  • From: Green Bay, WI
Posted by redraider56 on Monday, August 15, 2011 11:59 AM

AM doesnt make a J. Their first C/D release had decals for "Dirty Dora" which was a Bats Outta Hell Bird, those are probly the decals your AM kit has

-Matt

On The Bench: 1/48 HK B-17G "Man-O-War II"

On Deck: 1/48 Tamiya P-38H, 1/48 Revell PV-1

 

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2010
  • From: Green Bay, WI
Posted by redraider56 on Monday, August 15, 2011 12:02 PM

bondoman

I'm in with 40-2247  "AVENGER"

McElroy's Doolittle bird?

-Matt

On The Bench: 1/48 HK B-17G "Man-O-War II"

On Deck: 1/48 Tamiya P-38H, 1/48 Revell PV-1

 

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Monday, August 15, 2011 12:25 PM

Woo-Hoo!  First one in with a kit-part photo...

The nose so far...

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Monday, August 15, 2011 12:31 PM

Hans von Hammer

The "Bats Outta Hell" decal came with the Monogram gun-nose kit when it was first released, I think..  I remember doing it, but it was over 12 years ago...

I've got those decals, I thought from a Revell version. I remember thinking they were very cool - but was completely intimidated by the compound curves! I've still got them, wondering if I want to give them a shot or go with the new decals oob. Hmm I'm leaning towards the olive drab over gray look right now, assuming I don't go nuts on the blue PBY version...

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Hancock, Me USA
Posted by p38jl on Monday, August 15, 2011 12:32 PM

YesLooking good Mr Gizmologist..!

[Photobucket]

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Monday, August 15, 2011 12:34 PM

Even with decal solvent, you'll stil have to have fresh knife-blade for that decal... And the blue paint to finish it.. IIRC, the nose needs painted where the bat's "face" goes, but the FS Number is on the instruction sheet and it matched the blue decal really well..

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Monday, August 15, 2011 12:37 PM

Oh I don't doubt that there would be some paint required afterwards! And let's be honest, I doubt the 1:1 version was airbrushed on fine setting with appropriate thinner & a cool dry room to cure in. I'd be tempted to paint all I could, then snip out just the teeth, eyes etc, place them over the paint. I also saw some saw-tooth type strips of blue, I'm assuming they are for the cowlings? (Instruction sheet is long gone, but I bet I can find a review online somewhere anyway)

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Monday, August 15, 2011 12:38 PM

p38jl

YesLooking good Mr Gizmologist..!

Tankee... I'm opening the nose escape hatch, so it has to be done... Saw a B-25 on an episode of The Twilight Zone a couple days ago that had the nose egress-hatch open, and I like the way it looked...

If any of you are wondering, the Bombardier's egress-hatch is the glass panel just forward of the fuselage on the lower left side.. It's hinged to open forward..

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Monday, August 15, 2011 1:35 PM

redraider56

AM doesnt make a J. Their first C/D release had decals for "Dirty Dora" which was a Bats Outta Hell Bird, those are probly the decals your AM kit has

I know AM doesn`t make a "J" kit, just saying I saw that bat decal in one of the AM kits I own, apparently I saw it in the C/D kit box.

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Monday, August 15, 2011 2:24 PM

VanceCrozier

 Hans von Hammer:

The "Bats Outta Hell" decal came with the Monogram gun-nose kit when it was first released, I think..  I remember doing it, but it was over 12 years ago...

 

I've got those decals, I thought from a Revell version. I remember thinking they were very cool - but was completely intimidated by the compound curves! I've still got them, wondering if I want to give them a shot or go with the new decals oob. Hmm I'm leaning towards the olive drab over gray look right now, assuming I don't go nuts on the blue PBY version...

Those decals came with the Monogram Promodeler kit # 5927, a " J " .

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Monday, August 15, 2011 2:29 PM

I'll B building a J, so that's A-OK with me... Stick out tongue

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Frisco, TX
Posted by B17Pilot on Monday, August 15, 2011 3:01 PM

Going to have to remember about this when I get around to my AM -G

Tags: B-25

  

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 7:13 AM

I was fighting off a headache last night so I didn't want to do anything too intensive on my other WiPs, so I cracked open the B25 box to check her out. Trimmed/cleaned the wings, tail assembly & fuselage halves just so I could see what I'll be getting into...

Yep, this one is going to have to sit on a shelf at the office! I'll also have to refresh my stocks of olive drab & interior green... Everything looks well-molded though.

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Carmel, CA
Posted by bondoman on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 7:28 PM

Flub Dub, a squadron hack assigned to the 414 NFS in late 1944 at Pontedero Italy. She also was used for proficiency exams for new pilots. The standard ride was the P-61.

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 11:30 PM

Damn this bird is taking a LONG time to build.  I forgot to take a pic before the fuselage halves went together (what a shame, I was looking forward to showing off my fishing weight art) but should have some wip photos soon.

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Thursday, August 18, 2011 7:25 AM

Fishing weight art - you may have a sideline business in the local art gallery! Yes, I'll want lots of pictures of the inside just to prove I did something in there. Next time I get that box out to look I'll have to decide if I want to slice her open to expose some of that detail...

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by knox on Thursday, August 18, 2011 12:05 PM

   I bought a Revell J at LHS so I could join fun.  When I opened the box there were two complete sets of clear parts given.  Karma must  know my history with clear parts.  Anyway,  I have an extra set if someone ever needs them.

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