B-25J Mitchell "the Strafer" - HK Models 1/32

[Azgaron]

This will be my 2nd and probably last build in this gb. I just had to have something 25 as well!

 

 

I've already cleared shelf space for the finished build, now I just need to clear my work space from the orcs currently occupying it!

 

I'll go away this coming weekend to meet up with some model building friends, just to sit and chat, build, eat and sleep!

Hopefully I'll remember to take pics on my progress. I'll show what I've done after the weekend.

 

Håkan

 

[Shoggz]

Great choice for this group build!

[Azgaron]

Thank you Richard!

 

Håkan

 

[Phantom2]

Thats an lovley airplane and a great kit! 

 

I forgot to ask you, which markings are you gonna do?

 

I´ll be following this tread! 

 

 

Stefan 

[Azgaron]

Thank you Stefan!

 

I'm going to use the kit decals! 

 

I started building at the weekend build meeting we had last weekend.

 

As usual it starts with the cockpit and interior.

 

 

 

 

The instructions feels a bit unclear at times as are the location points.

 

 

I started painting the interior parts, but had a bit of a mishap, and have to redo parts of it.

At that point it was time to break up the meeing and travel home.

 

PE isn't my forte and I'm still struggling with the seat belts, trying to make them fit.

 

New update soon I hope!

 

Håkan

 

[Phantom2]

Nice start, Håkan!

 

Try HGW seat belts, fabric belts and etched fittings.

 

They may be very fiddly to assemble, but they really looks the part! 

 

Stefan 

[Azgaron]

Thank you Stefan!

 

I'll check them out!

Otherwise Quintas might be an options.

 

I painted the bombs in dark green.

 

 

Then the interior was painted and even a few details.

 

 

Here's how the seats look like right now.

 

 

I'm not happy with how it looks. I would like to have the waist belts sit further back into the seat.

Maybe I should just focus on making them look ok on the front side and not bother about the backside.

 

Håkan

 

[blackbetty]

nice start! i aquired H kit, mine will be a Marine PBJ

Edited August 14, 2024 by blackbetty

[Azgaron]

Thank you!

 

That's nice! Love to see the build whenever you decide to start it!

 

I've got a bit of progress. 

I've sorted the backsides of the bomb bay "box", painted the intrument panel and ammo lanes.

 

 

One strange is that the 1/48 scale version have a premade weight that fits under the cockpit and is part of the wheel well.

This kit has none, but it sure looks like it was supposed to have one.

I measured 80g of bullets and put as many of them I could in the nose.

 

 

Then I "baked" the rest of them into some blue tack and put it under the cockpit.

 

 

As can be seen I've also repainted the cockpit area.

 

The bombs was added to the side walls.

 

 

And then I assembled the bomb bay.

 

 

Lastly I added the ammo lanes to the rear guns.

 

 

I still need to sort a few details and do some more painting, but closing the fuselage is getting closer.

 

Håkan

 

[LSP_Kevin]

Nice progress, Håkan!

 

Kev

[Azgaron]

Thank you Kev!

 

Håkan

 

[Azgaron]

I ordered a set of metal legs and weight.

Meanwhile there are other things to do, like building the wings.

 

 

Even if the fit is good, be sure to check that every parts sits where they're supposed to. Some parts are supposed to fit very snyggly under the wing surface.

Also don't forget to put the lights in the wing tip in place.

 

Then I started with the engines. All parts for the first one was cleaned up and test fitted.

 

 

I remember reading something about the push rods and after checking I realised that HK have made twice the needed amount.

I removed the other engine parts and will use 2 cleaned up push rod rings on each engine and the other will have their rods removed.

 

 

It got a bit late, so I'll continue tomorrow (hopefully).

 

Håkan

 

[Azgaron]

The instrument decal was cut out and put in place, and then the whole IP was glued to the cockpit floor.

 

 

A bunch of cut off push rods.

 

 

The engine parts was painted.

 

 

 

The first part of engine assembly was fairly easy.

 

 

Then I used Tamiyas panel wash on the cylinders. Here compared to one without.

 

 

Adding fuel (or whatever) lines took some time and patience.

 

 

Adding the second row of exhaust pipes was even worse and even required some cursing!

 

After that I needed to paint some parts with interior green.

 

 

Lastly I dry fitted one of the engines.

 

 

Looks alright to me, so now I'll do some touching up before gluing the engines in place and the more exhaust pipes.

 

Hopefully my landing gears will have arrived before the next update.

 

Håkan

 

[BGB]

Hello Håkan!!

 

Splendid work as usual😀!

 

Cheers

Boris

[Phantom2]

Nice engines, mate! 

 

Stefan