B-25J Mitchell

[Dukie99]

Here is my entry to the Iron Rain GB: HKM B-25J Mitchell Ave Maria. I know it is another B-25, but this one has been in the stash for 2 years, I have slowly collected AM and now I feel the motivation to build her flowing. This is the first time I attempt such an ambitious project and my first HKM kit. With the Lancaster coming soon and getting me all excited, I want to see if I can handle a big kit and if I do a reasonable and enjoyable job, then the Lancaster will be next on the bench (hopefully this Summer).

Box shots, AM and reference material (sorry for the crappy pics)

Update soon.

 

Cheers,

 

David

[Out2gtcha]

Cool! Vety nice kit

[BloorwestSiR]

Now we've got all three versions of the kit in the GB!

 

Carl

[Bstarr3]

Nice! I've always liked Ave Maria. It's on the short list of planes to model when I get around to the HK Mitchell. Looks like you've got lots of AM goodies lined up - look forward to seeing it

[Guest]

Too bad I have stuff in the fire, I'd join you guys. Not gonna happen thou.I'll follow you David......Harv

[Martinnfb]

Sweet! You guys are teasing me with all the ambitious B-25 projects. I might end up stashing one for myself....one day

 

[Martinnfb]

[Dukie99]

Time for an update. I have to admit that this kit is quite overwhelming, the size the number of sub assemblies and all that pe I have inflicted on myself. So far I am started on several sub-assemblies but progress is slow. I have built the wings, flaps, tail and have yet to make a start on the fuselage and cockpit. Not entirely convinced by the Profimodeller PE. Just to give you an example, the exterior set gives you lots of pe to dress the wheel wells, but most of it cannot be seen once the landing gear is in place and the way the kit is constructed, you need to glue the landing gear and then install the engine/landing gear nacelle which requires some twisting around the landing gear before clicking into the wing which would then rip off all the carefully glued pe. If there is a way, I have not found it and I have glued only a couple of pieces of the pe you can actually see and left the rest off. Aside from that the fit of the kit for the wing construction is amazing. Here are some pictures

The instructions for the pe

The g-factor leg glued with epoxy and dressed with the kits plastic. It the leg protruding from the main gear which would rip off most of the pe when twisting the engine nacelle to fit in the wing.

A shot of one of the only two pieces of pe in the set which you can clearly see from the outside.

Otherwise some nice details to be found in the Profimodeller set

 

Hopefully more progress soon.

 

Cheers,

 

David

Edited February 17, 2018 by Dukie99

[BloorwestSiR]

Hi David,

 

Nice to see some progress on your B-25. I found the same thing as you did with the gear bays and have used and left the rest out as well.

 

The crawl space above the bomb bay is a samilar situation.

 

Carl

[Dukie99]

Time for an update. Finally one subassembly which is finished and ready to install in the fuselage: tail gunner position. OOB except for the HGW seatbelt (to be subsequently attached on the sides of the fuselage.

Made some progress on the gun turret, PE from Profimodeller.

And finally the engines, OOB

So far it is an enjoyable build, very good engineering and fit.

 

Cheers,

 

David

[Gigant]

Looking great David!

 

Here is another photo of her that might help you with the overall finish:

 

http://www.ww2incolor.com/us-air-force/B25J-AVE-MARIA.html

 

In addition to overall paint chipping/weathering, it kinda looks like the insignia (which looks kinda bleached-out) on the wing and the cowling ring might be the same color, as well as the ailerons appearing a shade lighter then the main wing.

 

Hth,

 

Tom

[Martinnfb]

Really nice work David, you make it look easy.

Cheers

Martin

[Dukie99]

Looking great David!

 

Here is another photo of her that might help you with the overall finish:

 

http://www.ww2incolor.com/us-air-force/B25J-AVE-MARIA.html

 

In addition to overall paint chipping/weathering, it kinda looks like the insignia (which looks kinda bleached-out) on the wing and the cowling ring might be the same color, as well as the ailerons appearing a shade lighter then the main wing.

 

Hth,

 

Tom

Thank you Tom. I had seen this picture before, very useful. That bleached star and bar gives me nightmare, way beyond my limited weathering skills. I have not decided whether I will give it a try or just go with regular color. I will use Maketar masks for the insignia and not the kit decals.

 

Cheers,

 

David

[Dukie99]

Really nice work David, you make it look easy.

Cheers

Martin

Thank you Martin. I make it look easy because I take the easy route, nothing like the wealth of details you're adding to your He-111:)

[Gigant]

Thank you Tom. I had seen this picture before, very useful. That bleached star and bar gives me nightmare, way beyond my limited weathering skills. I have not decided whether I will give it a try or just go with regular color. I will use Maketar masks for the insignia and not the kit decals.

 

Cheers,

 

David

 

In any case, I would perhaps mix a drop or two in a small amount of your OD paint for the ailerons.

 

As for the insignia, I would test an acrylic white mixed with a flat clear acrylic varnish (of the same paint mfr.), and see if I could make a "wash" or clear/milky color that might lighten up the typical insignia blue.

 

I have had fun experimenting with painting decals with acrylics, as they do not damage them.

Edited March 4, 2018 by Gigant