BACK IN THE SPOTIGHT--THE BOMBER GROUP BUILD (Medium and Heavy bombers from all eras)

Hey I am so sorry that I have been behind on the replies, I started work yesterday, and I dont have much time to talk, on Mondays, thrue Wednessday, but I can talk on my breaks at 12:30 central time. And the rest of the week.

Oh and Daryl Huhtala, I am sorry I havent put you down yet, I am doing it now.

B-29 pics should be up tomorrow (Wednesday) evening when I get my film back. Hopefully some B-17G progress pics too, although it's complete and hanging in my living room now. Still waiting for my B-17F to arrive.

Did we ever decide on a logo? I read all the posts, but couldn't find mention of one other thant VAs problem posting images....

QUOTE: Originally posted by knight667 B-29 pics should be up tomorrow (Wednesday) evening when I get my film back. Hopefully some B-17G progress pics too, although it's complete and hanging in my living room now. Still waiting for my B-17F to arrive. Did we ever decide on a logo? I read all the posts, but couldn't find mention of one other thant VAs problem posting images....

Great I cant wait to see them, I can find very few photos of compleated B-29s that are good, This is going to be quite a treat for the eyes, Im suspecting.

Yeah we really need a logo, if someone could make one, cuz I cant get mine up at all.

hey chaps i av a 1/48 b-26 an a b-17 if i pass me exams if iget the big un i ll do it but otherwise im doin revell B-26 an god elp mecos i ve got a 1/2 finished hawker hunter and a1/2 finshed F-14 !!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

QUOTE: Originally posted by Vintage Aircraft What should the A-20, and the A-26 be classifyed as, Attack aircraft, or Medium bombers.

The A-20 & A-26 were built under attack bomber programs; at the end of WW2 when attack bombers went away, the A-26 became the B-26 and was type classed as a light bomber.

V.A. & Folks

I'll stick with the B-25C/D, but I'm really not sure if it will be a PTO Strafer, CBI, ETO, or MTO and if US or (if ETO,MTO) British. Depends on what decal sets I can scrounge up -- right now I'm heavy on PTO stuff.

I have the following stuff for the build:
AM B25C/D (the original, not re-issue)
Verlinden B25B Detail
Verlinden B25 Control Surfaces
Eduard B25B Detail
Aires B25B Cockpit
Cutting Edge Corrected Cowls (early)
some other non-specific stuff
Knowing the AM kit is pretty good, lots of this PE & resin won't get used ....

I also have an AM B-25B -- if I do a straight medium bomber version, I may just convert the B to a C/D, so I can save the C/D kit for a Strafer. Yeah, the detail & stuff above says B25B but in most cases can be used for C/D also.

I've got more research & decision making to do. When I get closer, I'll put a section up on my website to show the kit/detail pieces, etc.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jeeves [Sorry if I am beating a dead horse-- but you haven't addressed the patrol bombers specifically-- are they in or out??

Jeeves:

See my Sunderland whines -- maybe we should break out & start a Maritime Aircraft Build ???

QUOTE: Originally posted by Vintage Aircraft Swanny RB-17G Daryl Huhtala 1/48 RB-17G Masu 1/48 B-26

Not that I'm trying to be a party pooper or anything but I am not building any medium or heavy bombers as part of a group build nor do I have anything going on with a B-17. I am building an SB-2 but not in connection with this group build - sorry guys but I don't know where this listing for me came from.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Swanny QUOTE: Originally posted by Vintage Aircraft Swanny RB-17G Daryl Huhtala 1/48 RB-17G Masu 1/48 B-26 Not that I'm trying to be a party pooper or anything but I am not building any medium or heavy bombers as part of a group build nor do I have anything going on with a B-17. I am building an SB-2 but not in connection with this group build - sorry guys but I don't know where this listing for me came from.

Hey my bad sorry, about that, though someone said you were, but you do have a B-24 I see. Ill take you

Oh and guys dont break off, remember I did say that I would allow some things in, if you can get me enought information on some of those aircraft you people want to build I will consider including them.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Vintage Aircraft QUOTE: Originally posted by Swanny QUOTE: Originally posted by Vintage Aircraft Swanny RB-17G Daryl Huhtala 1/48 RB-17G Masu 1/48 B-26 Not that I'm trying to be a party pooper or anything but I am not building any medium or heavy bombers as part of a group build nor do I have anything going on with a B-17. I am building an SB-2 but not in connection with this group build - sorry guys but I don't know where this listing for me came from. Hey my bad sorry, about that, though someone said you were, but you do have a B-24 I see. Ill take you

That's not a B-24, that is a PB4Y-1.

Hey since it was based of the B-24 its a B-24 Variant, the only difference is its armement, to its standard Army/Airforce counterpart and since it is in the Navy it was given the Navy designation. But otherwise you are correct. Sorry about that.

Holly cow that web site is yours swany, Ive been looking at that site for about a year now, and reading about the B-17 and other Bomber aircraft. What a small world we truly live in. Oh and I have to say I am quite impressed with your work.

Hey everyone I know I am getting off the subject of Bombers here, but I just compleated my first aircraft in over a month, it is a Monogram 1/48 Mig-15 Bis. I did the Russian version and used alcalad to represent to metel on the fighter, next up in my Korean collection is going to be the Academy 1/48 F-86F-30 Saber, aided by the Monogram 1/48 F4U-4 Corsair, from 1968 in Korean war markings. Oh and not much going on with the Bombers, havent had a chance to work on them since my last post on my progress.

Oh and I got the Tamiya Bubble Top Jug and it is a Must have.

HI all,

I've made some small progress on my bomber. I sanded the raised ejector pin marks off the bottom piece of the top wing, and corrected a couple molding flaws on the top piece. The two pieces are now glued together, and I'm going to work on puttying and sanding the seam between the two parts.

Then I need to do the same thing to the bottom wing.

Regards,

Hm, I started on the bombs for the B-2, and that's it.... I need to get a move on, but other kits and all... (Ah well, as is the life of a modeler )

One thing bugging me, though.... What color is the B-2, exactly? The paint the kit comes with, I'm thinking might not be enough to cover the whole kit.... (Could always buy more, if I can find it atleast... )

Anyone know at all?

I didn't fare so well last night with my Revellogram B-25. First, there was a slight gap, well about 3" in scale that I puttied between the bombadier canopy and the fuse, well, it cracked open again so I re-sealed it but for some reason, the paint doesn't match when I re-touched it. Second was that I use a piece of clear sprue to support the tail. So I go to drill my hole and found the drill bit was damaged. I discovered this after it tore a hole twice the size I needed and then the bottom if the fuse cracked in two. This fuse was warped really bad and I have been fighting it since day one. I had the same problems with my recent Revell Germany 1/32 Corsair. These kits are really a pain in the rear as far as fit.

Hope I can get the bottom retouched tonight after my repairs.
Scott

QUOTE: Originally posted by scottrc I didn't fare so well last night with my Revellogram B-25. First, there was a slight gap, well about 3" in scale that I puttied between the bombadier canopy and the fuse, well, it cracked open again so I re-sealed it but for some reason, the paint doesn't match when I re-touched it. Second was that I use a piece of clear sprue to support the tail. So I go to drill my hole and found the drill bit was damaged. I discovered this after it tore a hole twice the size I needed and then the bottom if the fuse cracked in two. This fuse was warped really bad and I have been fighting it since day one. I had the same problems with my recent Revell Germany 1/32 Corsair. These kits are really a pain in the rear as far as fit. Hope I can get the bottom retouched tonight after my repairs. Scott

Wow I have built three of those bombers, one being the Revell B-25B, and I have never had anything like that happen to me, I feel so sorry for you. But that is how it is, the life of a bomber builder, I guess youll encouter that everyother kit when its Monogram.

Oh and agian I am getting of the topic but I just finished my Tamiya 1/48 P-51B about five minents ago. Still no progress on my bomber kits. But last saturday when I asked what 1/72 Bomber kit I should buy, I ordered an Academy 1/72 B-17C/D, and a B-17E. and they came in today, now I just have to get to the hobbyshop to pic them up, thats an hour away.

Haven't posted in a while, but here's a progress report on the B-24D.

Nearly finished with the interior except for the "glass" parts and parts of the turrets. So I guess I'm not so nearly done afterall. And now after visiting a review site and seeing that the interior of a B24D might not be painted Zinc Chromate green throughout, I guess I really don't know just how far back I am. Hmmmmmm......

After considering a superdetailing of the four engines I was quickly reminded of the words of the great philosopher Clint Eastwood..... "A man's got to know his limitations"

Major scaleback time for the Bossman - So I says to myself.... "Self"... I says..."This thing is about 5 times the model that you are used to building - get a grip on yourself man !" I did what I consider a good job of painting the engines "as is" Outtadabox. I even looked at reference photo's of those big 'ol P&W's and found out where the little company logo thingy went, and where the little "data-plate" (or whatever they call) it went. No ignition harness, no exhaust, no PE, no resin. Then I heard this voice in my head saying "Horror of Horrors ! - The plane will be practically bare neggid !". I just told the voice to shut up and I assembled the wing halves around the facades that are my model's engines. Get real - this thing ain't goin' in a museum, and it will still impress the socks off of my two sons whose room it will be displayed in.

So on I plod - with a renewed sense of enjoyment and a weight lifted off my shoulders.

Now for the REAL shocker !
I am actually tossing around the thought of using the KIT decals for this one ! (The version that I have is for the Jolly Roger's plane called "Moby Dick" (you can see it all the time on e-bay) When I first purchased this kit I had no intention of using them. I was thinking of doing a Ploesti Raider version in the desert scheme. I couldn't imagine taking an already rather homely looking plane and applyiing these decals to transform it into something BUTT UGLY ! But alas - it's growing on me. I have a soft spot in my heart for ugly airplanes. The only problem with some of the other schemes I have seen for the B-24D is that they are just boring. Moby has the two-tone green on the wings. Skull and cross-bombs and a red flash on the vertical stabs (I think they also call them "barn doors") All in all, a pretty colorful scheme. And to top it all off - I've never seen anyone complete this kit in this scheme ! Go figure !

Wish me luck - I'm jumpin with both feet into the Outtadabox ocean.

Chris

Funny story Chris. Sometimes a guy's gotta go back to his roots and build it out of da box.
Scott

QUOTE: Originally posted by Vintage Aircraft QUOTE: Originally posted by scottrc I didn't fare so well last night with my Revellogram B-25. First, there was a slight gap, well about 3" in scale that I puttied between the bombadier canopy and the fuse, well, it cracked open again so I re-sealed it but for some reason, the paint doesn't match when I re-touched it. Second was that I use a piece of clear sprue to support the tail. So I go to drill my hole and found the drill bit was damaged. I discovered this after it tore a hole twice the size I needed and then the bottom if the fuse cracked in two. This fuse was warped really bad and I have been fighting it since day one. I had the same problems with my recent Revell Germany 1/32 Corsair. These kits are really a pain in the rear as far as fit. Hope I can get the bottom retouched tonight after my repairs. Scott Wow I have built three of those bombers, one being the Revell B-25B, and I have never had anything like that happen to me, I feel so sorry for you. But that is how it is, the life of a bomber builder, I guess youll encouter that everyother kit when its Monogram. Oh and agian I am getting of the topic but I just finished my Tamiya 1/48 P-51B about five minents ago. Still no progress on my bomber kits. But last saturday when I asked what 1/72 Bomber kit I should buy, I ordered an Academy 1/72 B-17C/D, and a B-17E. and they came in today, now I just have to get to the hobbyshop to pic them up, thats an hour away.

This B-25 is my third. I never had any problems with my last two, both I built over 20 years ago. I have my PBJ (Navy version) still with me and I would compare mold details between it and my new kit. Overall, the kit was far nicer in quality as far as the plastic and mold detail went, but the fit was really bad. I had a 1/8 gap between the engine narcels and the wing. The horizontal stabs needed a lot of rework to get them to fit without gaps, one fuse side looked like a taco shell, and none of the clear parts fit. I ended up vacuforming side windows and landing lights. But still, in todays pricing, I paid $11.99 new for this kit so I guess its fair. And, I got to actually "build" this one, not just put it together.

Scott

Great stuff! I really like reading about everyone's progress.

I was so proud of myself yesterday. Cleaning up the wings on my kit has been a somewhat long process. The plastic is really hard, and it resists sanding. A lot of elbow grease has been necessary, and I haven't even started puttying and sanding the seams yet.

So anyway, I was admiring my work when I noticed that I had glued the wrong pieces together!

Luckily, I was quickly able to separate the pieces using a sharp #11 X-acto blade. I reglued the wings last night, this time each part was glued to its correct corresponding part.

I'm thinking of picking up some sanding sticks to make it easier to clean up the parts. I'm currently using Testors sanding films, which are good, but sometimes hard to work with.

Regards,

Boy, all the times I have glued two bottoms together can be counted on both hands.

I ready now! Im done that Stormavik.
My nue projek< is gonna be that 1/48 ProModeler Ju 88A-4.
Ive got 3 decals sets..Im not sure..Ill wait. And I got that Aires cockpit set.

I'm glad I used liquid glue rather than super glue. I don't think it had fully cured yet when I cut the pieces apart, thereby making the whole, sad, exercise a lot easier.

Regards,

Ok, some more work... a tiny bit painted as well, and one wing half on the body after some fighting to get it on... I ended up seperateing the front and back of the wing, and useing my dreaded enemy: Super Gule... So now it's together, just giving it the night to cure and stuff, then working more on it

Here's a pic (The wing I'm talking about is the one on the left, the right side has no glue on it... yet ):

With the B-24D wings assembled - its time to attack the seams with my four grit sanding stick.

Yes - I mustered up my courage a few months back and went into the cosmetics aisle of the local drugstore, picked up one of these babies and proceeded to the checkout. The sales clerk probably wondered why I was buying it since my fingernails obviously have never been manicured. At least I didn't buy any nail polish on this visit (although I have found that my daughter has two shades that are very good for the red and green wingtip lights). Such is the life of a modelling hack like myself. Just swallow my pride and do what needs to be done.

For the most part, the sanding went well. The only really tricky part is this funky step in the seam on each side of each engine nacelle (8 places). Sand, fill, sand too much, fill too much , sand again. I'm losing more of the raised detail around this area with each iteration.

Later,
Chris

Vintage:
Thanks to a great trip to Hobby Lobby I got myself a 1/48 Accurate Miniatures B-25 C/D I am gonna build this instead of the 1/72 Hasegawa B-17G. I hope to get started within a week.

As I mentioned before, I'm still plodding through the interior of the B-24D. I have the B-24 in Action book - which is great about describing alot of the variations in the B-24 types. Unfortunately it is a little thin on interior detail. I quickly paged through the "B-24: Production Line to Front Line" book and didn't find any photos that dealt with this either.

I have seen kits that show the bomb bays of B-17's and B-24's in bare aluminum, cockpits in ZnCr Green, and the rest of the interior and wheel wells in raw ZnCr Yellow. My monogram instructions call for ZnCr Green for all these surfaces. Can anyone shed any light on this ? Was there any consistency to the interior painting method ? I remember hearing somewhere that the ZnCr Yellow was mixed with blue to make Green for the cockpits because the ZnCr Yellow used to make the crew sick. I don't know if that was just an old wives tale or if it was true.

Any input on interior colors would be appreciated.

Thanks guys and gals,
Chris

QUOTE: Originally posted by Akuma Hm, I started on the bombs for the B-2, and that's it.... I need to get a move on, but other kits and all... (Ah well, as is the life of a modeler ) One thing bugging me, though.... What color is the B-2, exactly? The paint the kit comes with, I'm thinking might not be enough to cover the whole kit.... (Could always buy more, if I can find it atleast... ) Anyone know at all?

I have the Testors 1/72 B-2 as well. From the research I did as well as one or two comments I pulled off the board, I believe it's Gunship Grey. It's definately not a flat black like the F-117, but it's a dark grey and everything I've read indicates that gunship grey is a good match.

In any respect, good luck with your B-2! I'm sure not having too much with mine. Everything seems to be going wrong with the build..... the parts didn't fit too well together, overspray because of bad masking, people stepping on the plane, etc.

I would be interested in joining the group build but my question is this, would a 1/32 Testors F-117 Nighthawk qualify? It's not in the bomber class of aircraft but it's still certified to carry nuclear warheads. Thanks...