B-25J Mitchell Okinawa
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Hasegawa’s crisp moulds. This reboxed build of their plastic and Eduard’s PE will be a comparable project to the Hobby 2000 B-26 one I did recently.
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I think this squadron were known as the Falcons, part of the Apache's BG. Searching the internet I can’t find a picture of the model, but looking at these you get an impression of weathered status.
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This nose is a straight conversion from its glazed state. Noting the dust on the tyres.
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can anyone on SM help?, those mid-ships windows look blanked out and without Brownings...was this common to 'Strafers'?...I'm think what did they add defensively?, plus they'd only add weight- not helpful surely when you're on a low-level mad dash to a target?...
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Primer baking in our UK scorching sun
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Using acrylics for interior and probably lacquers for exterior
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Courtesy of inch High Guy
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Hydraulic line added
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The detailing begins…from what I’ve seen on references: next up
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Following photos: Courtesy of “inch high guy”
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The kit does not supply the retraction strut for the undercarriage door. This will be scratch built
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Stuck some lead flashing into the Milliput behind the dash. May need some more in the nose too.
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Some seat belts to be added for the tail gunner- level of intricacies good for scale and of course most will be hidden
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I’ve done the 2 midships’ Brownings, but I’ll guess that they weren’t fitted as these bombers were on a low-level dash and at this time in the war probably didn’t need too much defensive support? I’ll overpaint the transparencies too.
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Ready to connect and lose some of those details
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Just a little scratch building for the retraction levers on the u/carriage doors.
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Rear office- complete with harness
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Warheads for IJN foreheads
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struggle as lack of macro lens, but the a/market details on the dorsal guns makes this piece 'pop' and should be seen under the crisp transparency
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Tamiya’s flawless lacquers cover. I used the Olive Drab 2 for the main coat and tried to pick out with Olive Drab 1 the leading edges of the wings to give that patched look. Floquil’s US neutral grey is used for the undersides, as it performed well on my B-26 project
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Still find it hard to emulate that leading edge patched look often seen on USAAF bombers. Can’t understand why they did it.
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Some details of the paint work. Next a coat of Mr Gauzy prior to decals
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Mr Gauzy underpins the decals
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Unusually I have added the antennae at this stage to aid the painting- need to have discipline in holding the model now
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Stencils- thousands of them- very thin and I lost some at the start to ‘over-folding’ - eventually you get the hang of the technique. I will decal first and stencil second in future as some stencils have disappeared under the markings.
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A good option is the use of faded star-and-bar or regular. As it’s Okinawa, the blazing sun would have faded them slightly, so I chose that option to go with the shading of the Olive Drab.
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Today I cracked on with the logical assembly. Added some extra weight to the nose, and added the tricky "Falcon Face" that bestowed this squadron.
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Very purposeful from the front. Eight 50-cal, plus two from the dorsal turret if needed- comin' at'cha!
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I have managed to improve the Uschi rigging technique by using a diabetic disposable syringe to administer the superglue in a sparing (and quicker drying) fashion.
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I went with the mid-ship guns being blanked out. I took the poetic licence that by this time in the war, very little defensive capacity was needed, but weight saving was, on those low-strafing runs.
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Just washes, smokes and dirt to add. I'll keep it light, as this ship had just arrived at le Shima...hence it doesn't have the white wing tips and Indian-apache head on the fins.
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rear three-quarters.
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taxiing at le Shima readied for a strafing raid July 1945
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those Brownings....comin' atcha!
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may need to re-settle the top turret...it looks oddly high and probably needs to face rearward.
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Eduard's additions include the PE details around the step ladder access and their decals are fantastic...once on and set, you can carefully remove the uppermost film to reveal an even thinner decal that conforms to the moulds.
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Kommentare
104 13 June 2023, 14:29
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Gentlemen, I will ensure all dietary requirements are met on this construction caper! I will equally need to familiarise myself with your neighbourhood plastic antics too!…
Thanks Nikita and Tyson for popping by…
13 June 2023, 22:00
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@Gary- thanks for saying hello
Villiers make yourself at home, watch the rabble that are on here, they may nick your drink.
14 June 2023, 07:54
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thanks Sukhoi 242.
In general to all mates on here: anyone know whether the mid-ships Brownings and their glazing may have been deleted on low-level strafing runs?, one picture (no.4) seems to suggest it.
15 June 2023, 09:16
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@Alberto: thanks for the look-over.
Bernd: glad to see you on the island
15 June 2023, 14:42
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First. Front row seat. And please no beer. I just don't drink beer.
Second. On my project from the same box, which is still waiting for its turn, I am uploading some interesting photos. I think I have exactly what you are looking for.
15 June 2023, 19:23
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Some good Bulgarian wine then?
Oh good, I would love to see the images and more importantly how you tackle it! Mini GB methinks?
@yamawasabi and others, thanks for the likes
15 June 2023, 19:29
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Brilliant, Ж!
Thanks for the references- in due course I'll look out for your build….
15 June 2023, 21:52
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Welcome Patryk. I have done some more work on this during a crazy-busy time in my life. Will post some more bits soon. Thanks for your patience!
3 July 2023, 09:43
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Thanks Alberto, a lot is down to Hasegawa's and Eduard's aftermarket, I've added very little to it.
11 July 2023, 15:56
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Thanks Marcin the beers are still chilled.
Cuajete, here's another 🍺 for you.
Thirsty work
Thanks for the likes too!!
12 July 2023, 07:25
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Pulling up a chair Andy.
This is one on my to do list, didn't know Eduard did this one, added it to the wishlist 👍🏻
12 July 2023, 14:39
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Thanks Jan for having a look, I think the Airfix one is good too, just fancied the guns on this one and the scheme.
Oleg: spasibo
12 July 2023, 16:02
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Andy, thanks so much for another beer. The unbearable heat has made me drink it fast, so this time I'm going to go for more cold beer. Do you want a few?
Good progress!
@Jan Peters, Eduard's B-25 is actually Hasegawa's tool with extras. Airfix also has a nice tool from the B-25 (the latest tool).
12 July 2023, 18:28
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I'm still following even though I don't drink beer! Congratulations on the good progress. I hope to buy the Arifix version soon as well. I would love for them to sit next to each other.
12 July 2023, 19:59
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Cuajete, the more we drink the more interesting the build becomes!
Zhivko, I guess we're not going to tempt you! I think both manufacturers were clever in their choices of Mitchell subjects- and not to go head-to-head as they could appeal- like you say- to modellers having 2 choices. I will only build one as my goal is to complete 36 of the most influential aircraft of WW2...B-29/PBY-5/He-111/Mosquito/Halifax and I'm done.
13 July 2023, 09:45
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Fantastic interior,
i can only imagine what the final result will be,
congrats and good beer!
13 July 2023, 12:48
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Amdy, Hobby 2000 makes it easy for us. 29 and Catalina has them up to date. For Halifax, I'll wait to see what you choose.
13 July 2023, 14:05
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Thanks Eric for your like, and Kyrylo for the comment.
Doubtingmango and Pietro: it's just has to be done! Even if it won't be seen!, good to see you in here Munkyslut, the cockpit helped by the aftermarket- although I wish they'd provided the yokes and wheels, plastic is out of scale in thickness.
Correct Zhivko! I am eyeing their Norwegian Cat, they are good value-like the B-26 previously done.
A Saxon in 16th is quite eclectic David, and worthy!
13 July 2023, 22:14
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Thanks Guy, some more eye candy from the 3 hours stencilling and decal'ing last night. That's 3 hours of life I won't get back!
18 July 2023, 07:26
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Andy, I don't understand. Are you complaining about those three hours or enjoying it?
18 July 2023, 09:26
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Zhivko: "it's later than you think"….I wonder how many hours are given over to tiny details that in the wider scheme of things may not be important. But they are to us modellers.
So, it's bitter-sweet!
18 July 2023, 10:15
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Just don't forget the close ups so we can enjoy your three hours of work!
18 July 2023, 20:15
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I don't want to waste anymore of my life taking photos of them.
I'm dreading Eduard's MiG-21 and Clear Prop's MiG-23 when I come to building them out of the stash …they have millions of them!
18 July 2023, 21:46
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Lovely build, Andy! 👌 I'll take a seat. Looking for the final result. 👀
19 July 2023, 07:11
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Thank-you Bernd, just starting on the finals now, approaching the outer marker......
Thank-you for the 'likes' too, Andre et al
19 July 2023, 11:03
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Great Job Andy and very nice plane. Love the interiors that you usually make with fine details. Great landing gear as well. Congrats!
19 July 2023, 13:35
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Micky, Cuajete I appreciate those remarks, and Micky...as you know we do these things because we must!! András, appreciate your visit!
23 July 2023, 19:35
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Impressive speed and craftsmanship Andy! Can't wait for the final result!
26 July 2023, 15:33
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@Patryk S, I'm pausing for a while whilst I clear the O-1 Bird Dog off the decks. Thanks for coming in on this!
31 July 2023, 07:53
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comes along nicely - and maybe I copy your idea with the syringe 👍
3 August 2023, 18:55
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Thanks Thomas, great to see you again- I'm reliably informed that a cocktail stick with a split at the tip works well too! Thanks too Ferenc for the visit!
3 August 2023, 22:29
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"One of the most famous and colourful units in the Pacific, the "Air Apaches", was constituted on Sept.3rd 1942 as 345th BG (medium) and after activation they trained immediately with B-25s. Originally to be deployed to the UK, Maj Gen George C Kennedy successfully pledged for more B-25s to come to his 5th AF. Thus in April 1943 the Group moved to the Pacific Theatre and after arrival in Australia their B-25Ds were field modified into strafers according to 'Pappy' Gunn's instructions as he was the technical officer of the 5th. The B-25Ds and the later B-25J's took part in 9 campaigns. All 4 squadrons had their own distinct markings and names. The 498th being known as the 'Falcons' with the stylised falcon head." My representation of Darlin' Donna is when the machine arrived on le Shima sometime after July 1945, she hasn't yet had her Indian head nor white wing tips applied, which no doubt were imminent. The faded Olive Drab no.2 was applied along with streaks of the darker olive drab no.1 on the leading edges of the wings and fins. Final photos to come shortly.
27 November 2023, 15:56
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Thanks Guy, I've had a few builds bubbling to the surface and I was determined to finish them all to create yet another single focus.."it's like waiting for a bus/then three arrive"....
Thanks to all those who've popped by and taken a look....many names I now can't remember (but you know who you are!!)
28 November 2023, 10:01
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Come on A, some of them you remember for sure 😄 Nicely done btw 👍
28 November 2023, 10:09
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I'm the lead medical certifier for our Company's Alzheimer's drug now....perhaps I'd better start taking it!!
(problem is Ł, as you know, once someone "likes" your build...the rest are lost to history...a functionality that I can't seem to find on here!?)
28 November 2023, 10:15
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Hello @Cuajete, thanks again for the comment and like....not seen you around recently!?
6 January, 23:21
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VdV again, your comments are warmly received!, et aussi bienvenue M.Curatorm
7 January, 13:17
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I'm sorry, Andy. I have moved cities and have not been able to be operational until now. I'm glad to know that your Alzheimer's isn't that bad when you remember me. You have a good selective memory 😛
7 January, 20:46
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Patryk S, James C, and Cuajete: thanks for popping by...it's a really cool kit...the quality of the moulds certainly helps this modeller...Cuajete hope you're settling into your new abode!
Jocaj, thanks too.
9 January, 10:02
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Thank you so much, Andy. For the moment all is well but I will haven't site for the man cave a long time. I'll be here temporarily and then I will can get back to plastic building. In the meantime I will learn a lot from your posts 🙂
9 January, 19:22
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Good luck in the new place...the cave will wait....
thanks Rudy and Co.....
9 January, 22:03
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Great work Andy, looks suitably excellent as usual! The kit too looks like a good buy? 👍
20 February, 21:27
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@Neil: I wouldn't know how it compares to Airfix's earlier marque, but it went flawlessly with just enough aftermarket to make it pop.
Great to see you around again!
And thanks!!
Appreciate the visit too couponnat
21 February, 08:00
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Man, I just got this kit, and am still divided on which scheme to do. You did this one so well that is making me follow the same route. Awesome job man!
24 February, 00:37
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Petar!, there are sone great alternatives! Go grab'em!! Thanks for having a look!!
25 February, 23:04
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@Mr James: thanks again for taking a look....great kit...ex-Hasegawa moulds still crisp and tight....
27 March, 12:32