Rear end of a Boston

[Mark Harmsworth]

Hello all

I am continuing to make (very) slow progress on my MPM 1:72 Boston Mk IV.  Days of work have just gone into figuring out the engine nacelles and undercarriage legs and I think I'm there with that now. 

 

Planning a little bit ahead I've realised that the rear end is going to benefit from some work. MPM provides a transparent dome to fit over a solid rear and I have a cut-away image from FlyPast magazine which indicates that the dome covers navigation lights but so far I haven't been able to find any detail. The pics of the rear never seem to show what's inside - like this:

 

 

I've found an image of a Dakota's navigation lights so I'm assuming this would be about right?

 

 

Any help appreciated

thanks

Mark

 

[gingerbob]

http://www.avialogs.com/viewer/avialogs-documentviewer.php?id=3151

 

p.68 shows the removed tailcone (drawing) and says "Running lights and Formation Signal light electrical cable".  I didn't immediately see an illustration showing the "back end" itself, and unfortunately this particular manual doesn't have the table of contents or index.  Well worth some perusal, though!

 

bob

[Mark Harmsworth]

Thanks gingerbob - that's very helpful. I shall peruse!

Mark

[brewerjerry]

Hi

    just checked my manuals etc,  

 

any excuse 😀

 

unfortunately very little

 

only a reference to ....

 

formation, navigation and bombing light tail cone

 

so my assumption three lights in there at least 

 

the bombing light was apparently blue in colour 

 

 

   cheers

      jerry

 

ps 

 

   link to lights on a b-17 might be similar 

 

 

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.tapatalk.com/groups/hyperscale/viewtopic.php%3Ft%3D226334%26amp%3D1

 

Edited January 8, 2019 by brewerjerry
typo

[72modeler]

Mark,

 

I'm looking through my reference library and the 'net to see if I can find details of the tail cone/lights. In the meantime. I have attached a link to  websites that chronicle the history, restoration, and operation of Rod Lewis' A-20G that is based here in San Antonio where I live, as well as a video walk around. I know it's not the same version as the one you are wanting to build, but I thought maybe you or other A-20 fans might find it interesting. I have seen this one up close and personal, and she is a very impressive airplane. I didn't get a chance to take detail photos, but the next time I see her, I will do a serious walk around and post it. The last link shows three photos of A-20 tail cones- the 1st is the same as the one you posted, but the other two are of an earlier version of the A-20. I'm just guessing here, but it appears to me that the earlier dedicated ground attack versions, like the A-20B/C and equivalent Bostons, had the single tail light; the later versions like the A-20G/J/K and equivalent Havocs  that included the glass-nosed medium bomber versions, had two lights in the tail cone- one clear position light and a blue or red light that illuminated when the bombs were dropped so the other airplanes in the formation could drop on the lead airplane's release. That's as far as my thinking takes me- hopefully somebody with better references/knowledge/photos can  confirm or  elaborate upon this subject.

Mike

 

http://www.warbirds-eaa.org/featured/2018-2019/Feature_February2018.pdf

 

http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=48795

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIMhaLC89BU

 

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/hyperscale/a-20-havoc-boston-tail-light-t225879.html

 

 

 

 

[72modeler]

A-20K walkaround:

http://www.ratomodeling.com/references/A-20K_sn6085/

 

A-20G walkaround

https://www.net-maquettes.com/pictures/a-20-havoc/

 

https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/pics-of-glass-nose-a-20j-havoc.50105/

 

Some good photos of both styles of tail cone as well as some very good modeling detail exterior and interior photos. Hope these will be useful to you and others.

Mike

 

[Scott Hemsley]

Mark. a bit of advice here, if you haven't noticed already.  The clear lens in the kit is molded to the curvature of the kit/airframe.  So a little TLC and it'll fit beautifully.

 

Scott