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Douglas A-20G Havoc 668th BS 416th BG "la france libre", MPM 1/72


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Hi all,

here is my new 1/72 MPM Douglas A-20G Havoc "la france libre":

 

p1050029-1024s4emb.jpg

 

Construction:

MPM has created a superb kit in 1/72 for the Douglas Havoc / Boston variants. In 2008 i brought the D-Day Havocs kit variants with the solid gun nose. At first, I wanted to build OOB, but after a while, some details were added scratch:

 

Cockpit: Life raft and details
Nose: Brass MG barrels (accessory), fuselage reinforcement, MG ejectors
Fuselage: Rudimentary fuselage installation, rear exit
Turret: Entire tower structure, brass MG barrels (accessory)
Engines: Cables, valve lifters, exhaust pipes, slightly opened cooling flaps
Charger: Inlet details, open outlet
Gear: Brake lines, resin wheels (accessory)
 

With some creative breaks, I worked on the model for almost 6 months.

 

 

Original aircraft:

 

My model, the "la france libre" was the first Havoc in Europe with 100 successful mission missions and was called "Miss laid" for a long time. The plane was sent to Paris in the autumn of 1944 for the French liberation celebration as a part of an exhibition and renamed for this reason. Most of the Havocs were heavily weathered.

 

410th_Bomb_Group_A-20.jpg

 

Source: worldwarphotos.info

 

Finish:

I wanted to transfer the impression of the original photo above to my model. The paintjob was started as standard for me on an Alclad Airframe aluminum primer. After that preshading, three glazing layers per colour, painting scratches with a silver pin, masking and painting of the walk-ways, masking, painting and weathering of the invasion stripes, intermediate finish with future, decals, washing, painted exhaust gas traces, dust oil paints, chalks etc. etc.

 

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Walkaround:

 

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Bottom:

 

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Details:

 

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I hope you like my model. Criticism, notes, and comments are gladly welcome.

Kai

Edited by Mr. Hudson
  • Like 57
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I think the pre-shading IS overdone - I bet it didn't look as neat and 'regular' on the real aircraft.

 

But as a piece of modelling art it's quite superb!

 

 

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It has already all been said. So Congrats are definitely in order!

JR

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Very nicely done. I too like your weathering - a bit too much for my taste but the reference picture does show heavy weathering. Very nicely built and finished.

 

Cheers

 

Malcolm

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