1/48 Accurate Miniatures B-25 B "Doolittle Raid" (Finished)

Another of what I'm sure will be the excellent and informative kind of WIP that I MUST reference for the future build of my Academy "G".

Finally was able to log back in to say what a beautiful piece of craftsmanship this is, and what a beautiful piece keavdog had on the survivor and his story. I was watching the B-25 piece on "Plane Resurrection" the other day (wonderful show by the way) and was reminded of an aspect of the raid's aftermath we rarely hear about, hundreds (maybe thousands) of Chinese were executed by the Japanese in reprisals for helping the Doolittle raiders. Puts a sharper point on the bravery and sacrifice of the raid.

Shipwreck

Lawdog, thanks for the tutorial on the Mission Model paint. Has it worked out just as well for you? I figure it would have to be twice as good as Tamiya; it cost twice as much!

Your welcome, I ended up watching it again myself.  I like it so far, particularly their RLM colors.  It is expensive, but one bottle should last a long time.  I tend to go through Tamiya paint quickly.  Thanks for following. 

Hobbie

Also late to the party thanks to the log-in problem but taking a seat! Indeed, Academy rebranded the G and B (Doolittle) versions, Italeri got the C/D, all of them minus the nose weight. Recently, Italeri put out the G with a new set of decals.

Nice to have you aboard Hobbie.  I ended up robbing my CD kit for the nose weights as my B didn't come with any.  My Doolittle B must have been a later release when AM started to struggle.  

..........and thanks for the kind words about this turkey.

1943Mike

Another of what I'm sure will be the excellent and informative kind of WIP that I MUST reference for the future build of my Academy "G".

 

Thanks Mike...Glad to have ya.

WillysMB

Finally was able to log back in to say what a beautiful piece of craftsmanship this is, and what a beautiful piece keavdog had on the survivor and his story. I was watching the B-25 piece on "Plane Resurrection" the other day (wonderful show by the way) and was reminded of an aspect of the raid's aftermath we rarely hear about, hundreds (maybe thousands) of Chinese were executed by the Japanese in reprisals for helping the Doolittle raiders. Puts a sharper point on the bravery and sacrifice of the raid.

 

Nice to have you Willie.  I don't think alot of folks realize just how brutal the Japanese were during this time.    

mawright20

I have a pencil drawing of Gen Doolittle's airplane signed by Col. Hank Potter, the Navigator. This was done the day I graduated from USAF Navigator course when he was the guest speaker for the graduation. Still have the picture of him presenting me my wings soon afterwards.

 

Thanks for stopping by and for your service. Your lucky to have met one of these brave men.

I love the look of this kit in the display case but it took me a long time to get it together,  I remember fit issues with several places, the separate lower front fuselage part took some work to fair in, and I hated the nose gear, broke it off early on.  I used a Monogram B-25 bombardiers greenhouse, it has a better shape in my opinion.  I messed about with the cowls a bit, bought the DMold resin, tossed it and finally just opened up the inlet about a millimeter on the kit parts and that seemed to fix that. I did it as a B-25C called the "Nip Clipper".

http://www.yolo.net/%7Ejeaton/mymodels/b25/1b25/1b25.html

There are excerpts from a wartime B-25C/D maintenance manual on my website that I found useful during the build, Lawdog, but don't let all the detail there derail your build:

 http://www.yolo.net/%7Ejeaton/Propplanes/b25/b25.htm

jeaton01

I love the look of this kit in the display case but it took me a long time to get it together,  I remember fit issues with several places, the separate lower front fuselage part took some work to fair in, and I hated the nose gear, broke it off early on.  I used a Monogram B-25 bombardiers greenhouse, it has a better shape in my opinion.  I messed about with the cowls a bit, bought the DMold resin, tossed it and finally just opened up the inlet about a millimeter on the kit parts and that seemed to fix that. I did it as a B-25C called the "Nip Clipper".

http://www.yolo.net/%7Ejeaton/mymodels/b25/1b25/1b25.html

There are excerpts from a wartime B-25C/D maintenance manual on my website that I found useful during the build, Lawdog, but don't let all the detail there derail your build:

 http://www.yolo.net/%7Ejeaton/Propplanes/b25/b25.htm

 

Thanks for the reference pics John.  I generally don't sweat interior stuff on bombers as very little can be seen.  Yeah, I'm aware of the issues with this kit, as I researched it before I started.  I will add the landing gear at the end of the build..........and The Nip Clipper turned out great, thanks for sharing.   

Very nice start. I will be following for sure. I've wanted to get my hands on one of these for a while, but have not been able to find one for the "right" price.

Great subject too. I had the honor of meeting Col. Richard Cole years ago.

My father was a USAF Pilot at Andrews AFB in 1968. His CO was Brig. General Richard Knobloch. "Knobby" was the co-pilot of crew 13 "The Avengers". I too have this kit in my stash. I hope to build it as it was for crew 13. Thanks for the great write-up.

Ole

Very nice start. I will be following for sure. I've wanted to get my hands on one of these for a while, but have not been able to find one for the "right" price.

Great subject too. I had the honor of meeting Col. Richard Cole years ago.

 

 

Thanks, and nice to have you Ole. They pop up from time to time on ebay.   

silentbob33

I'll be following along with this one, I love the B-25! I can't wait to see what you do with her

 

Thanks Bob

Blackpowder1956

My father was a USAF Pilot at Andrews AFB in 1968. His CO was Brig. General Richard Knobloch. "Knobby" was the co-pilot of crew 13 "The Avengers". I too have this kit in my stash. I hope to build it as it was for crew 13. Thanks for the great write-up.

 

 

Now that is awesome!  You can build any of the 16 planes with the original AM realease.  I'm not sure about the later Academy version though.  

I'm glad everyone got back in.  For some reason I wasn't affected, so I was getting lonely.....  Weird.  Anyways, I've been busy plugging away on this.  I left off at getting ready to close the fuselage.  First I added all the side windows and secured them with Tamiya Extra thin from inside.  I hope the bond will be strong enough to hold them in with all the handling.  I also added the front bombadier section. I read this was a problem area on this kit but I had no issues. I glued one side at a time. 

Doolittle planes had a blast plate on the top of the fuselage behind the fifties.  AM provides a diagram template for the correct size.  I added this with sheet styrene.

To backtrack a bit, the Norden bombsight was removed from Doolittle planes due to it's top secrecy nature and their ineffectiveness at the low level bombing, which was necessary for this mission.  They used a crude device nicknamed the "Mark Twain" bombsight.  I have no idea what Mark Twain had to do with strategic bombing, but here's what it looked like.

I made my own with sheet styrene.  I have no idea if it's in scale but I'm happy with it.  

The wings were glued together and test fitted.........not bad.  

A test fit of the tail.  We are gonna need putty to fill some gaps. 

The nacelles fit fairly well but needed putty to fill some gaps at the wings.  I started to sand the seams but fortunately I realized they are supposed to be there. I glued them together and ran a sewing needle chucked in my pin vice to define the line a little better.

Its almost together.  Here's a quick test fit with the cowls.  On a side note, AM molded the openings too small.  Instead of expensive resin, I grabbed the sandpaper and got busy opening them up. This looks about right.

Eventually I got here, to include a test fit of the glass.  The fit was good and I don't forsee any issues when I commit to glue.  The Eduard masks sure make the masking task quick and easy. 

I turned my attention to the mills. Like their Dauntless, AM made an attempt to mold the ignition wires.  They aren't bad but I think they are overscale and could be improved.  I chopped them off leaving just the leads then made my own.  Here's a turorial on how I do my radials:

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/149327.aspx

AM forgot to mold pushrods (which I discovered too late), but I'm pretty happy with them.....

A test fit in the cowls....

I hope to be painting soon.  I might try the black and white technique which I found interesting.  

.......and for those curious.  I ran out of Tamiya Extra Thin which in my opinion is a poor substitute for Tenax.  I recently stumbled upon this, which was advertised as the "Same Stuff" as Tenax.  Indeed it seems to be just as "hot".  I bought 5 bottles of it.  

Coming together nicely. By the way, I was browsing through some things I’ve missed over the pass few months and saw your new bench set up. Not a bad set up at all. I’m still sitting at the kitchen table for better lighting at the moment. Just got my work bench where I want it but don’t have a stool or the lights I need to model with. One day I’ll catch up to you guys.

lawdog114

I have no idea what Mark Twain had to do with strategic bombing, but here's what it looked like.

Old-fashioned reference.  The riverboats did thoe use a lead ("LEEd") line with a weight and rope maked in fathoms.  (A souning line has a weight, called a lead--"lehd"--after its material, bbut to sounding line leads--"leeds"--the ship away from shoal water.)

The riverboats used a shounding pole since river waters were shallower.  The pole was given paint stripes--"marks" along its length for depth.  The leadman--"LEEd mahn" would call out the depth as the pole was sounded on the bottom per the "marks."  So, "by the Mark, Twain" was to say that the pole showed the bottom at two fathoms, 12 feet (3.65m), which was generally safe water for riverboats, which drew (submerged hull depth) about 5-6 feet of water.

Depths between the marks was called in quarters and halves.  So, 1.5 fathoms was "Half One."  1.75 fathoms was "Quarter less Twain."  2.25 Fathoms would be "Quarter Twain" and so on.  Three was either "Trey" or "Tree," and four was typically "FOE-ah" for clarity.

The laster were less common, as 'safe' water was twelve feet, and you needed about a 24 foot long pole for that.  So, a line was more useful over 2 fathoms' depth.

So, a stick for measuring things might be called a "twain pole."

The heyday of riverboats would hae just finished as these pilots' lies were just beginning, so the terminology would be familiar to their forebears and themselves.  If incredibly remote to those of our era.  Particularly those who have no notion of the "why" of area codes, or "toll free" calling.

Shipwreck

Lawdog, I hope you remembered say goodby to all that fine interior work. Same Stuff works very well. I use both Tamiya and the Same Stuff.

 

Indeed shipwreck, that’s why I didn’t get crazy with it. I add the resin seats because I figured they might be seen.

I’m quite happy with the same stuff. I’m going to make it my new permanent glue. Truthfully, I can’t tell the difference between it and Tenax. I’ve never been crazy about Tamiya extra thin. It’s not hot enough for that instant bond I like. 

bvallot

Coming together nicely. By the way, I was browsing through some things I’ve missed over the pass few months and saw your new bench set up. Not a bad set up at all. I’m still sitting at the kitchen table for better lighting at the moment. Just got my work bench where I want it but don’t have a stool or the lights I need to model with. One day I’ll catch up to you guys.

 

Thanks Britt. From the work I’ve seen from you I would’ve thought you had a professional studio… LOL.

It’s still a work in progress, the movers broke my bench, so I had to borrow a collapsible table for now. I’m not crazy about it but it works. I have been checking all the secondhand stores for a new desk. No luck yet.

CapnMac82

 

 

lawdog114

I have no idea what Mark Twain had to do with strategic bombing, but here's what it looked like.

 

 

Old-fashioned reference.  The riverboats did thoe use a lead ("LEEd") line with a weight and rope maked in fathoms.  (A souning line has a weight, called a lead--"lehd"--after its material, bbut to sounding line leads--"leeds"--the ship away from shoal water.)

The riverboats used a shounding pole since river waters were shallower.  The pole was given paint stripes--"marks" along its length for depth.  The leadman--"LEEd mahn" would call out the depth as the pole was sounded on the bottom per the "marks."  So, "by the Mark, Twain" was to say that the pole showed the bottom at two fathoms, 12 feet (3.65m), which was generally safe water for riverboats, which drew (submerged hull depth) about 5-6 feet of water.

Depths between the marks was called in quarters and halves.  So, 1.5 fathoms was "Half One."  1.75 fathoms was "Quarter less Twain."  2.25 Fathoms would be "Quarter Twain" and so on.  Three was either "Trey" or "Tree," and four was typically "FOE-ah" for clarity.

The laster were less common, as 'safe' water was twelve feet, and you needed about a 24 foot long pole for that.  So, a line was more useful over 2 fathoms' depth.

So, a stick for measuring things might be called a "twain pole."

The heyday of riverboats would hae just finished as these pilots' lies were just beginning, so the terminology would be familiar to their forebears and themselves.  If incredibly remote to those of our era.  Particularly those who have no notion of the "why" of area codes, or "toll free" calling.

 

Thanks for dropping in and the explanation.  I must confess I have no idea what any of that means, so I clearly was not a riverboat captain in a past life…LOL.  Again, thanks for stopping in and taking the time to explain how it got its name.

Hey lawdog,

Glad to see you making good progress on this bird. I’m looking forward to seeing it finished! If you get a chance, you should read Doolittle’s biography. That guy had quite the aviation career!

I started the D model as Dirty Dora back before I graduated college. It ended up on my shelf of doom due to time. If I ever get some more bench time (not bloody likely), I’d love to finish it. Maybe I’ll beat the decade mark, lol!

lawdog114

I must confess I have no idea what any of that means, so I clearly was not a riverboat captain in a past life…LOL

24 years USN, 3rd gemneration, the obvious to me is not always so for others.

Simple and short.  You are sailing a boat about and you'd rather not hit the bottom.  But, you can't see it.  What to do.  You take a rope with a weight on it and mark it up are precises lenghts.  A leather thong at 6'; two at 12'; a bit of rag at 18' and so on to a standard pattern.  (As much as 60' worth.)  Guy at front of boat drops line in water and yells back the depth.

Riverboat has a similar problem, but, they use a stick.  Imagine here a broom handle 18'-20' long or so.  Stick has a leather thong at 6'; two at 12' with black paint also put on.  Dude stands at the front and pokes the stick in the water until it hits bottom.  And yells back how deep (using riverboat-specific lingo)

. Again, thanks for stopping in and taking the time to explain how it got its name.

Well, it's a good thread.  On a topic much covered at Surface Warefare SChool.  And, I'm just happy to be able to log in again.  All good.

Well I’m a sucker for a nice engine, and those are nice engines!  Also, I’m loving the rivet detail on the fuselage. I’m really thinking I need one of these!

A good reason to mark the line with different physical objects is because one couldn't see the mark at night, during which it was entirely probable that one would be making port during dark hours.

That bomb sight reminds me of the converging light system kluged up for the Dam Busters in Operation Chastise. It turned the parameters of aircraft speed and altitude into an angle at which the bomb would be released. Also, the Norden was not an effective low level sight.

RadMax8

Hey lawdog,

Glad to see you making good progress on this bird. I’m looking forward to seeing it finished! If you get a chance, you should read Doolittle’s biography. That guy had quite the aviation career!

I started the D model as Dirty Dora back before I graduated college. It ended up on my shelf of doom due to time. If I ever get some more bench time (not bloody likely), I’d love to finish it. Maybe I’ll beat the decade mark, lol!

 

Nice to have you Max.  I wish I had time to read.  I barely have time to sleep anymore.  No time like now to drag that D back out.  Merry Christmas bud!   

CapnMac82

24 years USN, 3rd gemneration, the obvious to me is not always so for others.

That's ok.....thanks for putting it into layman's terms for me.  It made much more sense.  Again, thanks for following and Merry Christmas! 

......and thank you for your service..

GMorrison

A good reason to mark the line with different physical objects is because one couldn't see the mark at night, during which it was entirely probable that one would be making port during dark hours.

That bomb sight reminds me of the converging light system kluged up for the Dam Busters in Operation Chastise. It turned the parameters of aircraft speed and altitude into an angle at which the bomb would be released. Also, the Norden was not an effective low level sight.

 

Indeed...it was designed for high level bombing. It was apparently quite the work of art in it's day.  I read that the Norden costed thousands and the Twain cost pennies.  I though that was sort of funny.  

Merry Christmas G!