Monogram B-26 with Lone Star short wing conversion.

[jeaton01]

Well, it's been a long haul but this one is finally in the display case.  Short wings, small tail, and early style tail gun set up.  The model was rescribed.  Eventually I will have to build a stock Monogram kit, but not today!  Overall OD is 34086 from Model Master, as close to OD 41 as I can see, with fading using Faded Olive Drab and 34087, also MM.  Matte finish is Alclad II.  Oils used for weathering and a silver pencil, Tamiya Smoke for the exhaust.  The torpedo installation and decals are from Lone Star.  It is a B-26 used in the battle of Midway, and flew down the deck of Nagumo's flagship carrier, strafing it.  Here is a link to a narrative of the attack by the B-26's.  2 of 4 returned to Midway, but Susie Q was scrapped due to the damage incurred.

 

https://www.pacificwar.org.au/Midway/USArmy_at_Midway.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 29, 2019 by jeaton01

[Andy Dyck]

Hi Jeaton,

respect Sir! I never ever saw this version. It looks fantastic. Nice weathering, nothing is overdone. It must be a lot of work to rescribe all these  Panels, but it was it worth

thx for sharing 

 

all the best 

Andy 

[RMCS]

Superb 

[RadMax8]

Excellent build, John. Seems you’ve built it in pre-mission condition! Weathering looks to be subtle but noticeable, very fine line but you walked it well. 

 

l’m not super well read on B-26’s, other than they were built in Baltimore and pilots thought they were junk until Jimmy Doolittle set them straight. Were the short wing and tail features of early models?

 

Thanks for sharing your build and the story. 

 

P.S. there’s an extra bracket behind the link you provided which threw me into internet purgatory. Quick editing in the address bar allowed me to get back on track. 

[Gary Brantley]

Beauty John!  That is so cool brother. 🍨   The paint is just great and so is the glasswork-that's some fine masking!  

[jeaton01]

1 hour ago, RadMax8 said:

Excellent build, John. Seems you’ve built it in pre-mission condition! Weathering looks to be subtle but noticeable, very fine line but you walked it well. 

 

l’m not super well read on B-26’s, other than they were built in Baltimore and pilots thought they were junk until Jimmy Doolittle set them straight. Were the short wing and tail features of early models?

 

Thanks for sharing your build and the story. 

 

P.S. there’s an extra bracket behind the link you provided which threw me into internet purgatory. Quick editing in the address bar allowed me to get back on track. 

Thanks for letting me know about the link.

 

The first B-26's until in B-26B production, not sure which serial the change was, had shorter wings and smaller tail surfaces.  The high wing loading was difficult for low time pilots to handle.  With the larger flight surfaces and better training the accident rate was less.  In combat the B-26 had the lowest loss rate of any USAAF bomber.

Edited August 29, 2019 by jeaton01

[jeaton01]

Thanks all for the nice comments.  The window masks were made with Autocad and a Silhouette Cameo cutter using Tamiya masking sheet stock.

[fubar57]

Well done. I wish I had that clear tail section when I did my U.S. Navy JM-2 (navy B-26 target tug) for more authenticity.

[Luiz]

Beautiful job, John!

 

Luiz.

[Gooney Fan]

Hello

 

May ! add my appreciation.

 

My father always named the 'short wing' Marauder as his least favourite aircraft, when he served with the RAF in the Middle East.

 

Well done

 

Gooney Fan

 

 

[Toryu]

That's a great conversion! The Monogram kit is a challenge regarding the fit of parts, and it must have been particularly difficult with the replacement parts. Very nice result.

 

Does anybody know what's going on at Lone Star Models? He is not taking orders currently for personal reasons.

[jeaton01]

Thanks, all.

 

Mike West is in the process of moving further North in Texas, he'll be back up soon.