B-25D2 Waist and tail gun conversion.

[Jay Gee]

Hello everyone.

 

I've been eyeing off the Airfix B-25 for a while now and I would like to build a RAAF D model as these were more numerous and therefore more schemes are available. However most of these were the B-25D2 model with the waist and tail gun postions added which are a different shape and location to the J model.

 

Does anybody know if there is a 1/72 scale conversion set for these gun positions? Or is it possible to kit bash? Has anyone done this before and if so which kits? (although I don't fancy my skills in plastic butchery) 

 

Thanks.

[72modeler]

Jay Gee,

There was a BM’er who was doing the very same build, using the Airfix  kit a while back, and a couple of us posted photos and details of both installations. He had to graft on the waist gun  blisters from an Italeri kit I sent him, but that wasn’t all that diifficult; modifying the B-25J tail gun position was the hardest part of the buiild.  You could do a search for the topic, as it had a lot of detail period photos and text. You will also have to alter the shape of the top of the waist  gun blisters, as they were not the same as the ones on the H and  J, but the info in the discussion will show this. I have no success using the BM search engine, but I bet one  of our regulars will be able to pull it up- good luck  on your project!

 

Mike

 

[Jay Gee]

Thanks Mike, I knew I had seen a build like this somewhere. I've found plenty of discussion and photos about the D2 gun positions and more importantly the shape of them, but not much luck on finding an easy conversion or better still a conversion set. The waist guns look fairly straight forward to graft in but the tail gun doesn't look like a straight swap as it had a single gun and a completely different shape to the J. 

 

Hopefully a late 2022 Airfix release?🤞

[Ed Russell]

The shapes are different from the B-25J waist and tail guns. For a one-off build it would be possible to modify them, depending on your requirement for accuracy. There are a few other differences.

[Mycapt65]

I'd find or make markings for a plane without the D2 features. I'm sure there were some regular Ds there. Way to much work for a non specific subject. If you had a specific plane in mind because it had some significance to you then I'd say scratch build away. To me the juice isn't worth the squeeze. 

[Jay Gee]

G'day Britmodellers,

 

Just revisiting this after almost 3 years.

 

Does anyone know of any schematics, plans or measurements of the B-25D2 tail gun turret mod? I've managed to find a rough side and top profile, but was wondering if there's something a bit more accurate.

 

After seeing some of the things that can be produced with 3D printing, I've given myself the task of learing 3D CAD over the next 12 months then moving into the  printing side of things after that. So far I've quite enjoyed learning a new skill and I think I'll get some use out of this with other projects too. 

 

Any information or advice on how to go about this would be great.

 

Thanks.

 

JG. 

 

 

[Shep65]

G’day JG,

 

I haven’t been able to find a specific B-25D2 stations diagram or other schematic.

 

I’m sure you’re familiar with the following articles in Steve Mackenzies “In Miniature” from IPMS(NSW):
Volume 37-4, 18(NEI)SQN,

https://ipmsnsw.com/magazine/37-4/shepherdson/garry.pdf

 

and volume 38-1, 2SQN,

https://ipmsnsw.com/magazine/38-1/shepherdson/garry.pdf

 

They have a few photos that you might be able to use.

I couldn’t build a model to save myself, so I accept that I might am talking out of my bottom my rear end but, might it be suitable, since we’re talking about usual scale model sizes, to “guestimate”?  If you have the cash, perhaps get yourself a 1/48 B-25D kit and roughly modify it to until it looks about right, then take measurements?

 

I have seen an Academy 1/48 B-25D.  The tail gun position is grotesque.  At best it could be described as a caricature of the real thing.  But, since it is so large, it might be a suitable object to aggressively file down to something approximating what you can see in available images.

 

The waist gun positions might be a bit easier ... ?

 

Sorry, it’s the usual, “I can’t answer your question but … “.  It’s just that I’m pretty well practiced at that style of response.

 

[Mrs Shep65, “What do you call this?  I was worried sick [bleet, bleet, bleet] (etc)”.

In response, Mr Shep65, “Hello, whilst I can’t answer your question directly, it is interesting to note that {blah, blah, blah, blah] AND I did think about getting you that loaf of bread you wanted last week.  Hope this helps 😊“]

 

HTH ???

 

 

[Jay Gee]

G'day Shep,

 

I am familiar with those 2 fantastic IPSM NSW articles and have them saved. I think I'll be able to size up the waist guns with pictures from them. 

As for the tail gun, I think it'll come down to eye balling from available photos and maybe using the .50 cal gun barrel as a ruler to help size things. 

 

My chosen scale is 1/72 due to size so I was planning on butchering an Airfix kit. But first I have to tame 3D CAD, then 3D Printing, then vacforming..... so plenty of time yet. 

 

Thanks for you help.