1/48 B-24 Liberator - which model to start with?

I have noticed interesting thing in regard to B-24 interior painting. Majority of modellers just spray Zinc Chromate Green ( Interior green ) all over interior of the plane. And I was under same assumption until I got on the board of that Collings B-24. Right away I have noticed that 3 different colors are used - black dark green in cockpit / navigator area , zinc chromate green in rear and   gray in bomb bay. Can anyone comment on it or explain. I was told that those colors are authentic and go back to 1944 when airframe was manufactured.  

Here is a picture of the B-24 rear lower ball turret assembly.Take a look at the colors. 

And B-24 bomb bay area anather color 

And another from bomb bay area

Details of B-24  Pratt & Whittney R 1830 engine and prop

And another view of the engine

I wouldn't use the Collings J model as a reference for paint.  The best would be the USAF Museum's D model "Strawberry B" for the paint references as it is nearly all original except for the areas where they sprayed Interior Green "restoring" it.  The Museum has 360 degree interior views of it.  It has Chromate Yellow in the waist for paint.

Very insteresting!!  Thanks for posting this!  Will be watching!

Charlie_Echo_Oscar

Added thoughts: There is a significant time passage between the building of B-24 D and the B-24 J. The Tech orders could have changed as far as interior paints. I know that Collings is very concientious about historic preservation, as is the Air Force Museum.

Also keep in mind that "field" changes were made based upon availability of materials.

The Collings Liberator was USAAF, then RAF, then destroyed with construction equipment, then IAF until the late 60's and subject to whatever maintenance and modifications that organization performed, then disassembled and so on. It's maybe 75% original, as far back as it's IAF days.

I also think you have to wonder why it's done up as another aircraft. No knock on Collings; they are great. But any restoration is always kind of an open question.

Charlie Echo - the history of the aircraft you want to do is very fascinating and interesting indeed! Boring? Far from it. It's always nice to hear little known factoid about Polish Liberators. I am looking forward to seeing your build so get cracking. LOL!

Reminds me of the "Real Inglorious Basterds" documentary about Jews who fought against the Reich for the O.S.S.... It is a MUST WATCH!!! They were also dropped from similar planes to organize the resistance.  http://www.realinglorious.com/ These men were one of a kind. I beleive Fred Mayer is still alive at the age of 95-96 in West VA, chopping his own wood daily.

My grandfather was a tail-gunner on a B-24, and later a B-17.  He was in Europe Early on in 1943, Was on the Ploesti raid, and later participated in "Big Week". He survived the war, but Died in 1976, so I never knew him as I wasn't born until 1981.  The B-24 is near and dear to my heart because of this, and the fact that My great grandparents worked at The Ford Willow Run Bomber Plant. I am a member of the Yankee Air Museum there, which we were recently able to purchase the very last part of the plant from GM, where the Bombers were rolled out. This will be the location of the new museum, where we will keep our B-17, B-25, C-47, (all flyable) and all of our other aircraft indoors, including the B-52, F-4, F-86, etc.... I don't want to hijack your thread, but I wanted to show a picture of a Hat badge from the bomber plant I acquired, I have never seen another anywhere. I love it because it actually has a B-24 on it. Also a picture of the Sign from the plant.

I look forward to following on your build, and will be doing more research of my own!!!

Thank You, Rudy

Good idea to go through her carefully now. These are old kits and stuff might be missing.

Hallo GMorrison,

Good advice, I was planing to do so - inspect whole conntent and make a work plan ( what to replace and which parts need update ect. ) Can't wait for Big Ed kit from Eduard ( want to see what is provided and how much scratch building will be required.) I am quiet aware that this is not a Hasegawa or Tamiya kit. 

Regards,

C_E_O

CEO, there is an error in the D kit.  The nose gear doors on a D through H, and some J's, IIRC, open inward (upward) and not downward as depicted on the box.  You will have to change them to make them correct.

I built this kit approximately four months ago.  It was a very fun kit to assemble, I'll be following your build sir.  What a rich historical information you have!

Toshi

Outstanding research! We know the effort required to develop such detailed information. May we quote your material in an article honouring the Polish crews who flew these perilous missions? Our site is aircrewremembered.com Thanks in advance

aircrewremembered

Outstanding research! We know the effort required to develop such detailed information. May we quote your material in an article honouring the Polish crews who flew these perilous missions? Our site is aircrewremembered.com Thanks in advance 

Not sure if the original posters will see your question.  This thread has been dormant for 7 years.  Some of them might still be active here, but others might not be.