USN PBJ-1D

[NAVY870]

Ship mates

Whilst having a few bevvies in the man cave the evening past I had the foolish idea of converting my Accurate Miniatures

B-25 into a USN PBJ-1D.

I have a pile of left overs from the Italeri version of this kit that gives me the later style cowls (I know the holes too small but its an easy fix)

and rear gunners position. I'd prefer to build it with a load of depth charges as opposed to the hideous torpedo mount.

Recommendations, references or abuse greatfully accepted.

[Graham Boak]

Were they used for anti-submarine work?  With what ASV?  I suspect bombs were more likely - although I also suspect they will have been cleared for depth charges.  Not like NA to miss a trick.

[Troy Smith]

28 minutes ago, NAVY870 said:

my Accurate Miniatures

B-25 into a USN PBJ-1D.

as in the B-25B or the B-25C/D kit?

I don't think there is much to do as AFAIK the PBJ-1D is a B-25D, maybe with a few bits of naval kit.  , though IIRC they were mostly used by the Marines? 

a load of pics here

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/hyperscale/i-searched-here-and-on-arc-with-no-joy-maybe-it-s--t176638.html

the link at the end is gone,  but if you find marine bombing squadron pages they often have photos.

eg

http://www.vmb433.com/pbj.htm

photo album

http://www.vmb433.com/photographs.htm

 

later a lot of the PBJ-1D;s got the nose radr pod

 

Lone Star Resins make or made a conversion.

 

there are a couple of books

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leatherneck-Bombers-Marine-Mitchell-Squadrons/dp/0764315013

 

https://ospreypublishing.com/pbj-mitchell-units-of-the-pacific-war-pb

 

this might give you some more pointers

https://theamericanwarrior.com/2015/04/03/marine-mitchells/

Quote

Though the exploits of the USAAF’s medium bomb groups in the Pacific are well-documented, much less has been written about the U.S. Marine aviators who flew the Mitchell in combat out there alongside the 5th and 13th Air Force B-25 units.  The Marines deployed seven PBJ Mitchell squadrons to the Pacific during the war, where they arrived first in the Solomon Islands in early 1944. 

 

HTH? 

T

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

I do believe they were cleared for depth charges ? They were used by the USAAF along the east and gulf coasts early in the war on Anti Submarine patrol ? Not sure but they might actually have a sonking or two as well ?  Airfix’s new B-25 even comes with the markings for one.

     The PBJ-1D served till the end of the war with VMB-413 among others. Heres a link to there page.

 

http://www.vmb413.com/officers_and_men.htm

 

There are other VMB Units as well, google them to get there #’s and they all have similar websites. I have a dedicated book if i need i can dig it out? 

 

Dennis

Edited January 13, 2019 by Corsairfoxfouruncle

[rob Lyttle]

9 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

. I have a deficated book i

 

Spell checkers.... Eh!.?

Where would we be without 'em?

 @Corsairfoxfouruncle

[Troy Smith]

 

I noticed after I had posted that this PBJ-1D must be based on the B-25D-30 block, as it has the waist positions added in this production block.   These are not the same as the ones in the later B-25H/J and models, have a higher top fairing in comparison.

 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

1 hour ago, rob Lyttle said:

 

Spell checkers.... Eh!.?

Where would we be without 'em?

 @Corsairfoxfouruncle

Whoops there go my big fat sausage fingers again ! 

[NAVY870]

Thanks for the assist Gents

and @Troy Smith excellent as always.