Byron Boyd

I'm planning to do one in 1/72, too, so I think it's great to know that I'm not the only person to think that it's not sacrilegious to butcher such an iconic aircraft. Just look at the photos closely - the Martin turret with its .50s was somewhat heavier, so the turret was moved forward a few feet to compensate for CG issues....

BTW, if one happens to have the original Revell B-17F from the early '60s, one will notice that the wings are pretty much identical in cord, which I think is a bit 'odd'. I'm certainly waiting for the new Airfix kit to see whose kits are most correct. Also, the nose glass transparency is too thick and has a noticeable lip, just like the original -F. Makes me wonder, just a bit. And the shape of the -F-style tail gun position is too rounded on the top, although that can be easily fixed with a bit of sanding. And yes, the horizontal stabs do appear to be too thin, but I'm again waiting for the forthcoming Airfix kit for comparison. I think I can fix (or at least mitigate) that particular problem, but it will will involve a bit of bit of filler, adult language and adult beverages (in no particular order) to make it right.... Byron On the plus side, with all that being said, the built-up kit will never be mistaken for a Lancaster or a Halifax, or even an FW 200 Although who knows, maybe it might be mistaken for the Tamiya Spitfire. LOL

It's listed on the Kitsworld site in their future 1/72 releases, so I'm thinking yes. Honestly, I'm a lot more jazzed about the new 'black cat' Catalina releases just below the B-29 announcement... http://www.kitsworld.co.uk/index.php?CATEGORY=7&SUB=4 Byron

Unless it ends up like the B5N2 Kate, which only hits our shores about a couple dozen a time, and then are sold out for the next 3 months until the next couple dozen hit, etc.... But yes, if it arrives in the US in quantity, it should sell in quantity. Here's hoping. Byron

SBS makes resin replacement sets (both engine and cowling) for the new-generation Airfix Blenheims - you could get a set of those and either use them directlyin your current build, or else replace the new Airfix parts with the upgrade, and use the original Airfix parts for your current build.... Byron

Both Quickboost and Freightdog make resin replacements, both of which are likely to be more accurate than the Revell...

Well, for whatever reason, thank you for letting them see the light of day. I was beginning to despair of ever seeing them!!! Byron

Yes, the swastikas would have been present in all cases. The white bars were temporary/tactical markings not meant to replace the swastika, as the photos provided indicated. Late in the BoB, when the Germans were conducting primarily night raids on London and the surrounding civilian areas, Luftwaffe crews took to painting over the white areas on all of the national markings, to give AA crews and night fighter A/C a more difficult target to acquire and shoot down. Indeed, more than a few A/C completely painted over all their light blue RLM 65 surfaces with black for that precise purpose. One of the Hasegawa versions of the kit (a -P series) actually has overpainted decals to depict this. But if you live in a country that permits it, the swastikas should be there, even if overpainted. And as I have said many times, you are modeling a snapshot in history. Yesterday or tomorrow the A/C may have (and frequently did!) look completely different, and that's OK - you are simply modeling a different moment. Get a good picture, and have fun!!! HTH Byron

Why wait? It's out right now, Eduard.com has them in stock, and temporarily at 30% off, and you can pick up two different overtree options...

Just got mine yesterday, and I can say that it is truly a beautiful kit. My only issue is that the upper cowl part (B11) looks a bit odd, and I'm not certain is this is a difference between the B-1 and the B-2 series, or if this is something that will require personal attention. Other than that, simply gorgeous!!!! Byron

Another truly excellent reason to build in the One True Scale - 1/72 is way cheaper than 1/24!!!! Literally by an order of magnitude. And it lends a reason to listen to that old adage, "Pay with cash or do without". My wife also pays close attention to the credit card bills when they arrive, and she calculates to the penny what I spend, each and every month. Except, of course, for those things that I pay for with cash... Byron

Soooooo, I guess the upshot is that we are still waiting for Tamiya to downscale their 1/48 P-51B/C to 1/72 in order to have a relatively 'shake-n'-bake' version that is reasonably accurate. How disappointing, since at the rate that Tamiya actually downscales their 1/48 line, I'll probably be dead, or at least close enough to it that modeling will no longer be a viable option for me. Oh well....

Shane, I found an interesting discussion on P-51B/C & D flaps/landing gear doors which would indicate that it might not be a completely a cut-and-dried affair: http://ww2aircraft.net/forum/other-mechanical-systems-tech-/51-flaps-wheel-doors-23636.html Additionally, I have heard that the flap and lg door arrangement on the A's were different than on the later variants, insomuch as they were always up, unless maintenance was being performed... Byron

I just saw this one on ebay.co.uk. Considering that you will pay around 30 pounds anyway, this might be a viable option, unless your Customs really socks it to you: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hasegawa-Aircraft-Model-1-72-F-7A-Liberator-20th-Combat-Squadron-02114-H2114-/252099080870?hash=item3ab246b2a6:g:wUkAAOSwMmBVslrH It's a 'buy it now', and contains all the parts you will need to build a standard -J. HTH Byron

Big Beautiful Doll is one my favorite P-51 schemes, and I really thought that your rendition over on Hyperscale was a real cracker, too!!! Great minds obviously think alike! Byron

Fuad, You would most certainly be correct vis-a-vis the antenna wire - most (if not all) WWII P-51Ds operated by the 8th Air force did not mount antenna wires, because they were not equipped with the type of radio which necessitated the wire. Here's an interesting discussion thread: http://ww2aircraft.net/forum/communication/p51-antenna-wire-18345.html However, in terms of the square-tipped, uncuffed Hamilton Standard propellers, it would seem unlikely that the original BB Doll would have been so equipped. This propeller started to be fitted to P-51Ds very late in production, and most likely would have had insufficient time to start reaching forward maintenance areas in sufficient quantity for widespread replacement use. They were, however, in widespread (if not universal) use by the time the Korean conflict began, and thus it is no surprise that the restored P-51D in your color photo would sport square-tip HS blades. Another interesting thread: http://www.mustangsmustangs.us/thehangar/index.php?PHPSESSID=2d4307fd6af4178eb6662733c614ecf0&topic=108.15 Still, anything is possible, and I do not mean to distract one iota from the fact that your BB Doll is stunningly beautiful, and a truly magnificent build!!!!! Byron

I have both the Revell -F and -G, and while they do have their faults, I will say that the interior detail is quite nice, and that ball turret is simply to die for. Ain't ever seen interior detail on a ball turret in any scale before, and this one has that, along with ammo belts to feed the ball turret. Plus, the Revell -G has unstaggered waist guns, and early (non-Cheyenne) tail guns, which allows you to model early -Gs, which the Airfix kit (as it stands right now) will not. Mind you, I got cold shivers up my spine when I read about the new Airfix -G, and and am just hoping that the good Lord will allow these eyes to see (and maybe even touch) this marvel when it arrives. But I'm not gonna ditch my Revell kits quite yet... Maybe they will give us a new B-24, too in the future! Byron

It fits! All the time I was working on the engine and frames, I was worrying that it might not fit - but it's a Tamiya, so of course it fits Don't be too sure - I've no doubt that with a little bit of effort, I could have easily made it so it would never fit!! Truly outstanding work! Byron

That is one advantage to building British aircraft - it is virtually impossible to put the roundels on upside down! Does that work the same as the American flag - upside down indicating extreme distress? LOL Byron

Yes! Looks very promising. But it is now time for Quickboost to come to the rescue with proper wartime props, for those of us that wish to model an actual wartime Halifax, as opposed to a modern museum version....

Oh, Yeah! If the new Eduard kits are anything like their excellent Bf 110 series, they will certainly be the ones to beat, and that's a fact. But time will tell. And I'm holding my breath. Starting to turn blue.... Byron

Indeed, that picture says volumes.... I've seen this look before (on Mrs. B.), and it clearly says, "It's time to stop talking, right this instant, unless you want to spend the next three months sleeping on the couch."

Really nice job, Simon!!!!!