North American PBJ-1H Mitchell

[JTninja]

My main entry for this event is something I've wanted to build for a while, the PBJ-1H. The North American B-25 is one of my favorite aircraft, a medium bomber that became incredibly versatile. Used in the Pacific, these US Marine operated bombers were used in low level attacks and anti-shipping. VMB-613 started operating 15 PBJ-1H in early 1944. 

 

I'll be using Hasegawa's 1/72 kit. I picked up the kit for a good price, but the decals are missing. I'll have to source some, but in the meantime, I've picked up some accessories as well.

 

 

 

[TonyOD]

Love a Mitchell. Great pick and welcome aboard with your two builds. 

[franky boy]

Nice choice

 

A PBJ is on my to build list too. 

 

James

[Bertie McBoatface]

A blue Mitchell will be something new to me. I can't wait to see it!

[JTninja]

A quick look at the slow progress from this past month.

 

 

VMB-613 removed the upper turrets once arriving in the Pacific, to help remove weight and increase range. Installed in its place were viewing domes (similar to earlier B-25s). 

 

Time to start painting the interior

 

[JTninja]

Green interior! Not sure if the bomb bay should be green or silver, but since it wont be open, not a big deal that its green. 

 

 

[TonyOD]

Good to see this one coming along.

[Alan P]

Great subject 👍 I built a 1/48 PBJ-1J from the Monogram B-25J kit a while back, looks like you've nailed the external differences 👍

[JTninja]

🤬

 

This is the 2nd Hasegawa kit I've ever built. And the decals are going on the exactly same as the first. 

 

Here's the instrument panel, originally a single piece, which immediately broke up as I started sliding it off the sheet. Every time I tried to adjust it, it continued to break into smaller pieces. I tried to salvage it the best I could. This is at least 20 pieces

 

 

Im going to try to source replacement decals from another brand for as much of the exterior as I can. 

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by JTninja

[Grey Beema]

Nice work so far on the Marine Mitchell.

 

I think for the IP I would just google a decent IP photo, scale it down to size, print on good quality photo paper.  Cut out and glue it to the kit IP (I have done this on a couple of models).  You can glaze the instruments with super glue.  A lot of the IP will be hidden by the thickness of the canopy and combing anyway..

[JTninja]

While I wait to do the final touches on the cockpit, I decided to get started on the starboard wing. At the start of operations for the Marine PBJs, the radar equipment was initially housed in what was the lower belly turret. This offered a great field of view for the radar, but the ocean waves did cause quite a bit of interference. They next managed to install the radar on the nose, known as the hose nose. Late '44 onwards saw the introduction of wing mounted radar, which was found on the PBJ-1H of VMB-613.

 

Brengun Models offers a resin wing tip, which I'll be using here. First thing was the remove the wing tip from the resin, and sand for mounting the nose piece. Then I cut into the starboard wing, removing the estimated material. Once superglued, the nose cone was attached and I filled in the gaps with putty

 

 

 

I next turned to the HVAR rocket mounting.

 

These became a favorite for PBJ crews, so I picked up a set from Eduard. Each rocket was held by 2 mounting points on a metal plate that was attached to the underside of the wing, as seen in the picture above. To estimate the size of the plate, I used the image above and placed tape to mark the outside points of the plate. I then placed the rockets side by side to confirm things would fit. 

 

 

Then I tried to replicate everything using cut out plastic card. 

 

 

Now to do the same to the other side. Cockpit and bomb bay are being mounted to the fuselage right now, 

[Col.]

You're making great progress on this one JT and it really is an excellent subject choice

[JTninja]

Quick update. Finished painting interior and joined the fuselage. I then added the nose (with added weight and putty) and elevator piece. Once I finish the viewing dome, we'll get the canopy attached and masked and get closer to priming. 

 

[JTninja]

Small update.

 

Viewing dome glued in place, lots of putty added, and now in the long process of sanding it down, trying to conform the filler to the shape of the fuselage. 

 

[Col.]

Pity the viewing dome wasn't a better fit  

[JTninja]

I've been working on and off filling this dome for several weeks, and Ive given up any chance of it looking great. Its good enough.

 

 

 

 

 

Its not pretty, but it'll work. Camo is now starting to go on the fuselage, though the wings had some rough orange peel, so thats getting redone. I think we're still on track to finish on time.

[Col.]

Good to see this one going into the painting stages and taking on its unusual plumage

[JTninja]

Dark Sea Blue was painted on the upper surface and protected with a light clear coat. Now the Intermediate Blue has gone down, also will a with protective coat. Tomorrow I hope to put down Insignia White on the bottom. Next I can fix the paint on the wings and improve the rocket mounts spacing (a bit too close right now).

[JTninja]

Insignia White down. HVAR mounts were corrected, but when primed, had some paint crackling nearby, most likely due to insufficient cleaning during prep. That will have to be redone tomorrow.

[JTninja]

Some wingy updates. Fixed the rocket mounting points, sanding the cracked paint, and reprimered. Once dry, I decided to put down the Intermediate Blue. Once protected, I masked it up to lay down Dark Sea Blue on the upper surfaces.

It was then clear coated.

And a quick mock up

 

Tomorrow the wings will be masked and ready for Insignia White. Once done, I'll get the engines and landing gear installed. Then final assembly touchups before decals go on. Not sure what decals I'll use, as the kit decals are not usable. I'll try to source some serial numbers for one of the frontline VMB-613 bombers. 

[stevehnz]

This is looking a bit smart too. These Navy colours so suit these aircraft. 👍

Steve.

[JTninja]

I had posted elsewhere, but the the rest of the Hasegawa decals were a write off.

I grab a random B-25 set from Kits-World in the UK to use the main insignias, which went down very easy.

Meanwhile, the HVAR rockets had been painted their base coat, with the rear portion drilled out with a 1.3mm drill bit.

Today the wings were installed, followed by the landing gear. 

Most importantly, the PBJ is sitting on its nose, and not its tail. Rudder and small bits still need to be added to the rear, but I dont think it will be enough to change the balance. 

 

Currently on schedule to finish up Saturday

[JTninja]

HVAR knuckles are now installed directly onto the pylons. I went this route as I felt it would be easier to place the rockets into these, compared to first attaching to the rockets, hope they're straight, and then attach to the pylons. 

Test mount of the HVARs to double check spacing

[Col.]

Glad to see you're making good progress despite the kit's decals being duds.

[JTninja]

Waist gun port shield installed, 50 cals and 75mm installed, propellers installed, rockets installed, front wheel installed, and clear coated.

Once dry, I added a little exhaust weathering. I have little to no experience to weathering or panel lines, but thats something to learn another time.

 

Once the flat coat is on and dry, we can remove the masks and shoot submission photos