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Taking the plunge. My Dad will be turning 80 this year. During the war, my grandfather, a ground crew mechanic, managed to get a plane named for my dad, Little Eddie. You can see a picture of Little Eddie at http://www.b24bestweb.com/littleeddie1.htm . LE was a Ford built Block 1, B-24L. Finished in late August 1944, it was selected to be converted to a patherfinder, and ultimately joined its unit, November 7, 1944. From then until April 20th, 1945, it was part of the 15th AF, 47th Bombardment Wing (The Pyramidiers), 376th Bombardment Group (Liberandos), and the 512th Bombardment Squadron. On April 20th, 1945 it was transferred to the 455th BG/741stBS. Although all B-24s were being finished in natural finished metal by this point, the 15th AF got permission to paint its pathfinders in neutral gray 43, although some people argue it was possibly an RAF blue grey paint. Either could be the case. I'm gonna go with NG43. The HB B-24 is modeled on a late Consolidated B-24J. As such, there are some slight differences that have to be made, most notably, the nose. Ford B-24s had larger bombardier windows, a different fairing for the front turret, a rather pronounced "S" curve on the forward panels, and a prominent bulge on the pilot and co-pilot side windows. In addition, it had larger, bubble "navigator" windows (although by this point, the navigator had been moved to the radio operator's position, and the RO behind the wing). As an L, it also has larger waist windows and an enclosed gun. Lastly, although only the first 41 Consolidated Ls came automatically with the "Stinger" tail, but many were mounted with this configuration in theater and there's no aftermarket for that. Grrr. But, every rear picture I can find of other B-24s from that block have the Stinger mount. The HB kit also makes some mistakes. The dorsal turret is a hybrid early and late Martin turret. The forward and rear turrets are inexplicably divided down the middle, rather than where they were in real life, the Davis wing is too thick and at the wrong angle, the trailing edges of the control surfaces are too thick, the tail has the rivets re the wrong side of the panel lines. Also, it's a pathfinder, which means a radar unit in place the Sperry turret. Contrary to popular opinion, the B-24L was built with Sperry turrets. Some units in the Pacific removed them and replaced them with a ring which mounted a pair of machine guns, and that somehow stuck as being the default in people's minds. I have five months to build it. And I want to install internal lighting. Wish me luck. I will add pictures once I find a place to store them. Here is a list of all the aftermarket I got: B-24 J Liberator Instrument Panel Yahu B-24J Liberator Propeller detail (resin) Quickboost B-24 Stencils decals Profi Modeller B-24J Liberator for HobbyBoss 83211 masking set Montex B-24 Liberator - Part I for HobbyBoss detail (pe) eduard B-24 Liberator - Part II for HobbyBoss detail (pe) eduard Belly Radar Dome for B-24 Liberator detail (resin) Profi Modeller B-24 Liberator Barrels set - 10 Browning M2 Aircraft .50 Caliber for Hobby Boss kits barrels Master Models US Consolidated B-24J Liberator Heavy Bomber kit Hobby Boss B-24 Liberator - Replacement Emerson/Consolidated Turrets for HobbyBoss detail (resin) Wilde Sau Resin B-24 Liberator - Internal undercarriage leg supports Aerocraft Models B-24. Wheel Bays detail (pe) Metallic Details B-24. Exterior detail (pe) Metallic Details B-24. Turbochargers detail (3D) Metallic Details B-24 Liberator wheels w/ weighted tyres type d (RA), 2 types nose wheels, 3D-printed mudguard & PE hubcaps detail (resin) Armory Models Group Pratt & Whitney R-1830 detail (3D) Metallic Details I also got a couple sets of flash suppressors for the B-17G, because the B-24 also had them, and a better version of the Norden bomb sight, but they aren't here yet.

New mask set is out today. Includes all the versions included in the decal sheet provided from Hobby Boss OOB. Available at www.dnmodels.com Be sure to share on Facebook and other sources that might be interested in the 32nd scale Liberator J. Enjoy!