72modeler

Mk 1's were equipped with 2 .50's in the nose, 4 .303's in the wings, and the 37mm cannon was replaced by a 20mm

I just stumbled upon these- the 59 Squadron B-17E is beautiful! Some good photos I have not seen before, and I hope this link hasn't been posted before. Especially timely with the imminent release of the Airfix B-17G. Mike http://number59squadron.com/fortress.html

Give him this link to the Harrier SIG- if they can't answer your Harrier modeling questions, nobody can! Excellent modeling resource! http://www.harriersig.org.uk/ Mike

At the end of the war, the aircraft squadron and individual aircraft codes were painted under the left wing so that any low-level flying (buzz jobs) could be recorded and reported to the appropriate command. These were known as buzz numbers. You can see these in many photos of fighters and fighter-bombers taken after the war. At some point this system was replaced by a two-letter prefix for each aircraft type and the last three numerals of the aircraft's serial number. For example, the buzz number for the F-51 was FF-xxx and the F-86 was FU-xxx .For aircraft with duplicated last three numerals, an A,B, or C was added after the last numeral of the buzz number- for example FU-877A. If you do a Google search for USAAF-USAF buzz numbers, you will see a list for all aircraft types that would be a very good modeling reference. I found a couple of photos of G4-A I thought you might enjoy! http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/20907 Mike

Thanks so much for sharing these photos- I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that many of us have saved them for future reference. Mike

The turret swap I knew about- sorry for the misspelling on Hayes! (My fingers are a lot faster than my brain, sad to say!) I know at some point in production, the carbs were switched to Holleys, which is why the versions after the B had the larger intakes- maybe the Hayes mod included replacing the Holleys with fuel injection carburetors like the ones that went on the B-29's. Thanks for the reply, Steve! Mike

Steve N, Found this photo of a restored B-25J, Am I correct in assuming this example has both parts of the Hays modification? Looks it has the squared-off air intakes as well as the modified exhausts with some of the Clayton stacks combined and exiting through the single outlet? Figured it would be better to post this as a new topic rather than cluttering up the Airfix Mitchell discussion. Also has a good view of the bombardier's escape panel- looks like the two horizontal frames are internal- is that correct? Mike https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:B-25J_Bomber.jpg

I see what you mean, Steve. Hadn't really looked hard at my Hasegawa/Revell B-25's as they're not on my immediate 'build' list. I think I'll see how the italeri nose transparency compares, although, IIRC, there is an issue with the cross-section and shape of that one, too. Guess I will also pull out my Falcon/True Details transparencies and see well they stack up against the Hasegawa kit. Might be better to wait and see how well the one on the new Airfix kit will be and make a vacform copy for a glass-nosed Hasegawa J. I agree with your comments regarding silly mistakes- with the current scanning and measurement technology, numerous original or faithfully restored examples to study, and countless detail photos, there really isn't an excuse not to produce an accurate, well-engineered kit. Maybe the people involved are so far removed in age and/or experience that they've never been up close and personal with the real article, either static or in flight. There is a big difference between making a model compared to making a replica. Thanks for the time and trouble you went to in answering my question! Mike We have my friend and modeling mentor, Bob Angel, to thank for the new Airfix kit, as he has been working on a B-25C conversion using the Hasegawa J and the Italeri C/D for quite a while. The last time he did something like this, he took one of the old Frog Ventura test shots and built a beautiful PV-1...then Academy released one that while certainly not without its faults, was light years ahead of the Frog kit! I had been telling him to hurry up with his conversion so we can have a new release- he is NOT amused!

Missed that observation- have to pull one of my kits and see what the nose looks like. Off the top of your head, what were the nose issues as you saw them? ( Site adm,-Sorry if this is off-topic- start a new one?) Mike

Thanks, Steve; that makes sense, as a lot of the airworthy B-25's I have seen in photos or at airshows have that carb intake configuration. None of my references showed that intake on a WW2 B-25. 'Preciate the rapid reply! Mike

You 'da man, General! Just now saw this- incredibly clean modeling on the cockpit and the colors and weathering are spot-on! Where do you hangar the beast, though? Mike

Words fail me- what a magnificent build- the masking must have been fun, but it's perfect! Striking scheme, too! Mike

Don't give up now- you've gone this far; and besides, you've learned a lot, too! BTW, how did you mask and paint the yellow band on the spinner? It's fantastic! Mike

Andre- you beat me to it; I found my Mitchell serial list, but you were too quick off the starting line! Wm- Guess we won't know for sure about a possible B-25B boxing until we get a chance to see the actual plastic to see how the kit is engineered. The B model intakes were more narrow than the C/D ones, so if they were going to make both variants possible, I would think Airfix would have to make the carb intakes as separate parts to be added to the nacelles, but again, we will have to see. Another issue is the exhaust configuration, as the B and I think early C's had a single stack on the outboard side of each nacelle, and one is longer than the other, if memory serves. There was also another style that was fitted between the single stack configuration and the final multiple stack 'Clayton' exhausts- it is described in the Wolf book, and had groups of exhausts siamesed together- it reminded me of one of the A-20 exhaust variations. IIRC. Easy to do if the kit is engineered for these options, and separate cowlings takes care of the multiple stack versions, or the stacks can be sanded off for the earlier variants, but I am going to keep my yap shut until I can lay my hands on the actual bits. (Bottom line- I'm not getting rid of my unbuilt Monogram snap tite B-25B just yet!) No matter what, Airfix is to be congratulated for an early Mitchell, no matter what other versions they might or might not release; I, for one, will be snagging at least two...betting the first batch gets sold out immediately! It would be smart of QB, I would think, if the Airfix moldings don't look like a B model is in the offing, to take their early version resin cowlings and R-2600 engines and add single exhausts and proper carb intakes to model a B. Mike

Well said, Sir!

Steve N, You are correct about the carburetor intakes; the B version intakes were shorter and more narrow; The C and subsequent versions used an intake that was noticeably wider and slightly curved to follow the upper contour of the cowling. (Might be associated with the switch to Holley carburetors and air filters.) There is also another version seen in photos that is much taller and boxy in shape, but I think they might be very late production or postwar mods, as I wasn't able to find any photos that showed them on a WW2 Mitchel or written reference - I could very well be wrong on that, though. Dalea, I was able to find some more written description of the armor plate fitted to B-25A/B/C/D versions. it's pretty wordy, but if you would like, you could send me a PM and I'll send you the text. Basically there was a change in the seat armor shape for the pilot/copilot as well as for the bombardier from the A to the D. Mike

DC and Dave, First off, the Mitchell II was basically a B-25C/D, depending upon where it was built- C's were made in California and D's in Kansas. Records show 167 B-25C and 371 B-25D Mitchell II's were supplied to the RAF, but I don't have the serials. Photos and written references for B-25's prior to the H/J that are wartime or original are hard to find, and as we all know, you can't go by restored airframes, no matter how well done- besides I would imagine armor plate would have been removed because it is no longer necessary and would reduce all-up weight- some restorations do use replica armor plate made from lighter materials, but very seldom. Looking at my B-25 references, including Detail in Scale, and B-25, An Intimate View, I couldn't find any photos that showed where the armor plate was attached in either the bombardier's, navigator's, or pilot's compartments. Best I could find was a written description that 145 lbs. of armor plate was installed at the back of the bombardier's and pilot's and co-pilot's seats, but no mention if this was attached to the bulkheads at the rear of the nose and cockpit, or attached to the seats. I seem to recall those two bulkheads having armor plate, but don't remember where I read that. There was also a written reference that external armor plate was installed in the LH side from the nose to the back of the pilot's side, but no mention of variant- I'm betting that was on the versions after the C/D. If I find better information, I will re-post. Sorry! (The Wolf B-25 book has incredible minute description/diagrams/photos of every aspect of the B-25, but very little coverage of the interior sections and the armor plating, with the exception of the dorsal and tail turrets.) Mike BTW, the single flexible .30cal nose gun was not replaced by one fixed and one flexible ,50cal until the B-25C-5 version. Just found some photos that clearly show armor plate attached to the backs of the pilot and co-pilot seats, covers the bottom 2/3 of each seatback, rectangular in shape. Armor plate in the bombardier's compartment would have to be attached to the bulkhead behind the seat, I would think, because the seat was a metal fixed bucket located to the RH side of the centerline, with a padded headrest attached to the bulkhead, so no other place for it to go, methinks. Best I can come up with at the present- sorry!

WIP, Sorry! Don't know why, but I keep forgetting about checking that section of the forum- I apologize for the redundancy! Thanks for pointing this out; I promise to try to do better in the future. Mike

JBZ, From written references and photos, the P-40 landing light was located under the port (left) wing for all versions from the P-40B to the P-40N. However, the landing light was removed or not fitted, depending upon the user. I would say try to find a photo of the one you want to model. Mike

Have you all seen this announcement? Be still, my beating heart! If the kit is anything like the CAD illustrations, it's going to be a BIG seller! Positionable flaps and bomb bay! The possibilities for a B-25B are there- just need different cowlings/exhausts/guns...can you say Doolittle Raider? Can't wait for this one! Thumbs up, Airfix! http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=24079 Mike If it's any consolation, I was hoping for a Beaufort, Hornet, or Whirlwind!

Not my scale, but I will venture a guess until the aficionados log on! IIRC, the main changes associated with the R-8 was external armor plates added on either side of the cockpit, exrta aromored glass panels on the sliding part of the hood, Mk108 30mm cannon in the outer bays with blisters on the wings to accommodate the ammo feed, and some aircraft had the cowling guns removed and their blast troughs and blisters removed or replaced by plates. I think the profipak version of your kit (If that is the boxing you have) comes with two sets of fuselage halves- one set with and one without the fuselage armor plates, as well as wings that can be fitted with or without the Mk108 cannon and blisters, as well as upper cowling panels with or without guns and blisters. Since all of the other parts needed to make an Fw-190A-8 are included in the kit, you can build other sub variants of the A8. If you have the week end edition boxing of the R-8, I'm not sure if it has both fuselages- if not, you can sand off the external fuselage armor panels and fair in the upper gun troughs and blisters if both sets of cowling panels arent't included. All boxings come with canopies for every version, so just use the one without the extra armor glass panels. Not being an Fw-190 expert, I have probably missed some items, but somebody will arrive shortly to set us both straight. I have attached a link to details on all Fw-190A variants prepared by IPMS Stockholm, which should be helpful. Good luck- enjoy your freebie! http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2004/11/stuff_eng_fw190_01.htm Mike

Not sure if this helps, but none of the color 3-views or photos in the Model Alliance On Target publication on Recon Spitfires shows them; none of the wartime photos I could find on the 'net showed them on any versions except the PRXI's and XIX's. Doesn't appear like there was much, if any stenciling visible, either. Somebody must know more on this subject. Will have a look through my other references to see if I can find more info. Mike

Troy, Have just ordered an AZ Mk V from H (If it's a pig, I'm swimming across the pond and looking for you!) Looks like from the links you supplied that the wheel bay is going to need reworking just like the Hasegawa one. I do have resin wheel bay sets, so will use one for a pattern and scratchbuild/modify the kit bays- I have too many Hurri's Id like to model to be able to afford that many sets! Sure glad Airfix seems to be able to get wheel bays right, as a lot of the other kitmakers don't. All the more reason for Airfix to do IIc/IId/IV/V variants, as it would take very little engineering to do all four, not to mention the appropriate Sea Hurricanes! Cheers! Mike

Troy and Junchan, Thanks for the posts! I guess I will have to compare the shape of my various 4-blade Rotol Spitfire props to the Mk V photos to see what to do to make an accurate prop for a Mk V. Troy, I have the Hasegawa Mk 1b, late Mk 1b, IIC, and IID boxings, as well as two different forum discussions on the Hasegawa Mk1 and Mk II kits which I have saved. I know the wheel bays, fuselage stringers, and the one LH access panel, IIRC, need correcting, but they're nice kits until something better comes along. I was aware of the AZ Hurri's, but was hoping to see sprue shots or a review before buying, as their releases are up and down, so far as quality is concerned. I do order from the Big H every month, so I guess I will snag one of the AZ Mk V's and compare it to my Hasegawa kits. Junchan- thanks for your input- that's quite a photo collection you have on your site! As soon as I get time to figure out how, I hope to be able to post photos...I'm getting back to building something, as it's been over 20 years since I have finished a model- a Matchbox Siskin IIIa! (Why is it I always seem to get fired up to do an airplane that there is no kit/markings for?) It's a sickness, I tell ya! Mike

Just got a reply from Eduard regarding the tropical dust filters; the person replying said that they were considering doing them as a part of the Brassin line, but that no decision had been made; no comment regarding the possibility that they would be included in one of the upcoming Fw-190 releases. (I'm thinking Brassin as the other possibility would require tooling a new cowling with the dust filters- like the Hasegawa A-5 boosted boxing, you would just need to sand off the existing cowling bulge to attach the new filter.) Will re-post if I hear anything else. Mike