Popular Post spruecutter Posted July 26, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted July 26, 2021 Monogram's 1978 moulding of the handsome B-26B Marauder is a real labour of love. I made a tentative start over three years ago and picked it back up again in March this year. Despite its many challenges, I was determined to get it over the finish line. I chose to finish it as 'Valkyrie" which was an aircraft in the 344 BG. It is the perfect kit for anyone who enjoys extended sessions of filling, sanding, fettling, swearing and fiddling around (on a repeat cycle). I decided to rescribe the raised panel lines and rivet the airframe. I replaced the kit wheels and gun barrels with resin items from Quickboost. Apart from the nose art, the yellow serial code on the rudder and the propeller, all the other markings were sprayed on. For the first time I used a Montex Mask set for the national insignia and I cut the fuselage codes from Tamiya tape. These were easy to do as they did not have any curves. For the first time I tried a marbling technique rather than pre-shade the panel lines. I primed the model with black Stynylrez followed by a blotchy application of light grey. I then used 3 different shades of Olive Drab sprayed on in dabs rather than one smooth coat. The biggest ball-ache in the Monogram kit is the tail gunner area. The photo below shows the scope of the challenge. It's almost as if there were two pattern-makers corresponding over the phone - Mike working on the rudder and John doing the transparency! I ended up sawing off the over-extended horn (oo-er missus) and reshaped it with Milliput. I also cut out the rudder as it made it easier to work on the tail gunner area which also allowed me to offset it when gluing it back into position. Here is the photo of the first stage of the Milliput cycle. This is what I finally ended up with - not perfect but good enough. I didn't go mad with detailing the cockpit. I added some photoetch seatbelts and built a front bulkhead from plastic card. Strictly speaking, I think the floor should have been dark grey but I can live with the interior green... To finish off - one final photo converted to B&W plus a grain effect courtesy of Photoshop. Would I build another 1/48 Marauder? Definitely, as it is one of my favourite aircraft but only if ICM were to bring one out 😀 Cheers Richard C 79 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 That's a work of art! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Having seen this in the flesh, it is a beautiful model Richard. Superb execution, and I love the dusty tyres 😉 Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Well done for persistence. Excellent results. I'm very impressed with the modulated OD finish. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 1 hour ago, spruecutter said: Would I build another 1/48 Marauder? Definitely, as it is one of my favourite aircraft but only if ICM were to bring one out 😀 Cheers Richard C i like how you think. I can appreciate just how much work you had to go thorough in order to get here. I have a Monogram B-26 well along in construction, but it just sucked all of the energy out of me. Mainly with respect to the cowlings, carburettor intakes , and getting the assemblies to play nice with the nacelles. Then there's all of that re-scribing to be done. I thought about makimg a Navy JM out of it, but the deeper into the research phase i got, the more work i realized i was in for. Regards the tail i think i'm gonna saw off the vertical fin and incorporate some kind of spreader bar so the fuselage-stabilizer fillet intersection requires less cleanup work. At any rate, its a beautiful model. Well-rendered Monogram Marauders are a rare thing. -d- 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Looks wonderful! Great job on the old (Monogram) girl. Mine is from 2000 (here), and I didn't spend enough time on the cowlings. I admire what you've done there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilan Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Great work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 For all the hassles the kit gave you, the end result is just wonderful. Perhaps the Monogram B-26 Marauder and their P-61 Black Widow were designed by the same people? I'm working on the P-61 now and it's not proving to be fun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForestFan Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Fabulous job, your hard work certainly paid off! It’s a type I hope ICM will do in the near future..... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Absolutely superb! I have always loved the Marauder and that is just simply beautiful! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 That right there is one very well painted and weathered aircraft. Nice!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 A truly excellent result Richard. Having also had the pleasure of seeing this in the flesh I can honestly say it is the best 1/48 Marauder I have seen. All the hard work you put in (especially in the tail area) really has paid off as when you look at the model you can't see any areas that look like they have been worked on. You got the painting and weathering spot on and the painted on markings look great. Very well done mate and I will be right behind you in the queue for an ICM kit (or two) when they decide to release one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David H Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 I just hope that If ICM does a B-26, that they kick things off with an early, short-winged one. People kinda, sorta know about the B-26 at Midway, but its combat debut in the SWPA is virtually unknown here. -d- 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvanP Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Outstanding model! Congrats! Ivan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Totally excellent Marauder! I well revisit your pics to inspire me when I take on my Hasegawa 1/72 kit! The nose art on your build is especially cool. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 I have one of these, and periodically take it out of the box to looks at. And back it goes, I love the Marauder but can't face what looks like a long haul to get it built. You have achieved an outstanding result, I'm interested in your painting technique and might give it a go, the result is fabulous. Cheers John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SafetyDad Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Beautiful work and painting! SD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob K. Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Great build! Rgds 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod bettencourt Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 I like what you have done with this kit! Thanks for sharing. Rod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Stunning work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Superb job on that old kit, really nice work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Dyck Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 That’s really a piece of Art Sir. Riveting, rescribing, and all these lot of works! Fantastic. The Royal discipline in modeling. What a bird! Thx for sharing, This is really good motivation! Cheers Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spruecutter Posted August 1, 2021 Author Share Posted August 1, 2021 Thanks everyone for the positive feedback. The Monogram kit can be made into a decent model - but it does require a lot of work. On 7/26/2021 at 7:05 PM, Toryu said: Looks wonderful! Great job on the old (Monogram) girl. Mine is from 2000 (here), and I didn't spend enough time on the cowlings. I admire what you've done there. Michael, you made a lovely job of your Marauder. On 7/26/2021 at 7:23 PM, SAT69 said: For all the hassles the kit gave you, the end result is just wonderful. Perhaps the Monogram B-26 Marauder and their P-61 Black Widow were designed by the same people? I'm working on the P-61 now and it's not proving to be fun. SAT69 - I hope that you can stay the course! On 7/27/2021 at 8:17 AM, Viking said: I have one of these, and periodically take it out of the box to looks at. And back it goes, I love the Marauder but can't face what looks like a long haul to get it built. You have achieved an outstanding result, I'm interested in your painting technique and might give it a go, the result is fabulous. Cheers John It's definitely a long haul, Viking. I also used it as a test bed to try out new techniques. I am more ready to experiment on a cheap kit as opposed to risking a new approach on the latest Tamiya £100+ creation. On 7/26/2021 at 9:52 PM, modelling minion said: A truly excellent result Richard. Having also had the pleasure of seeing this in the flesh I can honestly say it is the best 1/48 Marauder I have seen. All the hard work you put in (especially in the tail area) really has paid off as when you look at the model you can't see any areas that look like they have been worked on. You got the painting and weathering spot on and the painted on markings look great. Very well done mate and I will be right behind you in the queue for an ICM kit (or two) when they decide to release one. Thanks Craig! And looking forward to your ESCI version joining mine on the display table when the model shows start up again. On 7/26/2021 at 6:08 PM, Red Dot said: Having seen this in the flesh, it is a beautiful model Richard. Superb execution, and I love the dusty tyres 😉 Andy Top tip, Andy! Eyes like a hawk. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicTroy23 Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 Congratulations, wonderful model! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2lefthands Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 Great looking model of a great looking aircraft! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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