LB's FlightLine B-25J to B-25C "Desert Warrior" Build

[jetfool]

Elbee,
You are the 3-D WIZARD out there in Kansas.

[Elbee]

Rex, Thank you, we do what we can. LOL.

[Elbee]

f4u ausie

Those are 2 parts, the cowl ring and engine cover panels.

It could be printed in one part, the whole assembly could be printed as one part.

I like to break designs into parts, I get better results and it is faster to reprint a change to the design.

This project will be 3 parts, Cowl Flaps, Engine Cover Panels, and Cowl Ring.

The images are screen shots of the Isometric View in TinkerCAD and a photo of the printed assembly.

I have a couple ideas for mounting with simpler foam surgery versus the Corsair.

This is fun for me, Tamms thinks I should just assemble these models, mow the yard, and then go flying.

She may be right.

We did buy 4 Kayaks, don't ask, and all the Kayaking stuff "OUCH", so I'll have some other distractions this Fall.

Best, LB

[Elbee]

Hey Y'all,

Quick update.

I noticed that the Desert Warrior had the 'scalloped' line between the upper and lower colors.

I thought it was straight.

In any event, I counted the ups in a reference pic and cut a template using a circle template (the lid of the Yellow Frog Tape container) to height of 3/4 inch up to down, if that makes sense.

Looked pretty good, so I used it and I like the outcome.

Next, cutting the engine panel and cowl flaps from the wing section and adding the 3D Printed parts.

More when there is more...

Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

Making good progress steve

[davegee]

Hey Y'all,

Quick update.

I noticed that the Desert Warrior had the 'scalloped' line between the upper and lower colors.

I thought is was straight.

In any event, I counted the ups in a reference pic and cut a template using a circle template (the lid of the Yellow Frog Tape container) to height of 3/4 inch up to down, if that makes sense.

Looked pretty good, so I used it and I like the outcome.

Next, cutting the engine panel and cowl flaps from the wing section and adding the 3D Printed parts.

More when there is more...

Best, LB

Looking good, Steve. I don't know all that much about the B-25, with the exception that they were built in two factories, Inglewood, CA, and Kansas City Fairfax, Kansas. About 2/3 of B-25s came out of Kansas City. Where did the scallops come from? Not sure, but sometimes it was a different manufacturer or plant where they got orders to do the scallop design. For instance, my dad's first combat aircraft he flew out of England was an "H" model built at Willow Run, Detroit. The fuselage had Grey scallops along the bottom of the fuse, similar to your pic of the B-25. Howerver, camouflaged B-24s that came out of the Consolidated plant in San Diego, had just a straight line demarcation between OD and Grey.

The answer might possibly lay that some B-25s coming out of the KC plant might have had orders do painted scallops and those out of the Inglewood plant had orders for straight line demarcations, or vice versa. We may never know, but good catch on your part seeing the scallops on that period photo of your airplane.

Cheers

Davegee

[Elbee]

All,

Quick update, got all the cowl parts printed and glued.

Foam surgery completed on one side.

Designed a little alignment tool to keep the cowl on the thrust line.

I had reported earlier that there was 'no' down thrust built in and that is just plain wrong.

Quite a bit actually, but when looking at the nacelle, the cowl ring lined up square to the prop line, however, that has maybe 3 degrees of down.

In any event, I was wrong and had to design an alignment tool for gluing and do a little more foam surgery for fitment. (is that even a word?).

Next some clean up, then primer and paint for the cowl parts, maybe even a little weathering before gluing those on the nacelles.

Best, LB

[RRHandy]

Your B25 is looking the part.

[jetfool]

Coming along great. Fantastic!

[f4u ausie]

Steve ... i once said, scaleness( if thats a word),, u said if it was not, it is now, same applies, great job going along nicely,, and the attention to detail still boggels my mind was watchin willow run stuff after work... 1 an hour ,, boy ya slow lol,

[Elbee]

Scaleness is a great word which I would define as "relative accuracy combined with moderate compromise".

[Elbee]

f4u ausie RRHandy jetfool

I thank you, Gentlemen, I really appreciate the kind words.

It might look like I am slow, but I like to think I am being 'diligent'.

I am not the greatest designer, so some work takes 4-5 redesigns for correct 'fitment'.

I blame myself for that and the prints take 4 to 11+ hours at detail settings for the 3 parts.

"It is a hobby, after all, characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort."

That's my story and sticking to it.

Just between you and me, Craig, I will admit to occasional low level procrastination on my part.

Also, while I'm making up excuses, we bought some kayaks and we've been travelling to Kansas State Parks to kayak late in the week and weekends.

It's something Tamms & "the Daughter" enjoy and I think they've earned the time away.

Winter will be here soon enough, but I'd like to have this done in time to fly her before it snows.

Thinking by Halloween,but that's just a ballpark date.

Glad Spring is in the air for you, I am envious for certain as Winter and I do not get along well.

More when there is more.

Best as always,
LB

[F106DeltaDart]

Fantastic work LB! It's looking great. You are reminding me that one of these days I need to get back to finishing another LX version as a replacement for my last one.

[Elbee]

I thank you kind Sir. If you're like me, starting and finishing is always the plan, but not always the result. I have quite intentionally NOT opened the box of newer purchases to avoid the bright and shiney distraction. She whose authority exceeds my rank has allowed me limited work space and I believe she is prophetic. Best, LB

[Elbee]

Mitchell Maniacs,

Spent a couple of afternoons with primer, sandpaper, and Desert Sand.

Tickled Pink about the outcome.

A day or so to cure and onto some detail paints.

More wh......well you know.....

Best, LB

[f4u ausie]

The final product in the color (scheme) is going to look awsome... and u look suitably at home in the water.. all u need is afishing rod now.... and 1 of hughs off topic we had snoopdog for pre game entertainment , yesterday ,at our afl grand final.. not my normal style of music,, but the 100000 plus crowd loved it... awsome job b safe

[Elbee]

f4u ausie,

Thanks Craig, I don't fish much, but I love to eat 'em.

I used to water ski and was a Summer Life Guard during most of my college years; I do like the water.

The ANA 616 Desert Sand color is growing on me more and more.

Referencing the actual model I saw many plastic model builds and not all of those builders used the correct color.

Most used Tamiya's XF-59 Desert Yellow color and I thought that was accurate, but it's not.

I had to readjust the 'image in my head'.

Best, LB

[davegee]

f4u ausie,

Thanks Craig, I don't fish much, but I love to eat 'em.

I used to water ski and was a Summer Life Guard during most of my college years; I do like the water.

The ANA 616 Desert Sand color is growing on me more and more.

Referencing the actual model I saw many plastic model builds and not all of those builders used the correct color.

Most used Tamiya's XF-59 Desert Yellow color and I thought that was accurate, but it's not.

I had to readjust the 'image in my head'.

Best, LB

I like that Desert Sand color, although I have never had a project yet that uses it. An RC gas model of a P-47D bubbletop that I donated to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo many years ago has a P-40N hanging in the atrium at the museum. This was flown by a lady who did competition air shows with this airplane for many years. It has that "pink" tan, not sure if it is accurate to yours, which I consider the "gold standard" for this color, but she helped get the museum up and running many years ago. It might have a bit of "pink" mixed in to the desert sand color, I really couldn't tell if it had been altered from any pics I could find of it.

Here is a link to that website showing the P-40N in whatever desert camouglage paint scheme they came up with. https://www.airzoo.org/wwii/airplanes-3/p40warhawk

Great work, Steve!

cheers

davegee

[f4u ausie]

It is very pinkish

[Elbee]

f4u ausie davegee

The color looks different in different light, but there is no doubt that it resembles my Mom's Aunt Greta's make-up more than an average Allied bomber.

Camo must have worked since she came home with lots of tallies and no loss of life.

I have chosen well, I think, and the end result should be spectacular.

Again, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I found a reference to a USSAF Color-Sand 49, but not one for Sand 26.

Looks much like ANA 616, but it is just a picture from the manufacturer.



Best, LB

[davegee]

It is very pinkish

Yes, that photo looks a bit "pink." Could be just the photo, hard to say without looking at the real thing in the sun. I didn't know the lady who flew that airplane, I think she was very well-to-do financially and was a great help to the museum getting up and running. It wouldn't surprise me if she had the painters add a bit of "pink" into the paint formula, I don't know. I remember seeing this airplane when I was working with the museum about 20 years ago, now. It "seemed" to me that looking at it hanging in all its glory in the atrium of the museum, it did look a little "pink."

Cheers

Davergee

[borntoolate]

f4u ausie davegee

The color looks different in different light, but there is no doubt that it resembles my Mom's Aunt Greta's make-up more than an average Allied bomber.

Camo must have worked since she came home with lots of tallies and no loss of life.

I have chosen well, I think, and the end result should be spectacular.

Again, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I found a reference to a USSAF Color-Sand 49, but not one for Sand 26.

Looks much like ANA 616, but it is just a picture from the manufacturer.



Best, LB

Steve, your B-25 is coming along very nicely! I so much would love to start mine, but I am not happy with the function in my left hand and arm. I do not want to mess up this beautiful kit from Motion.

The house is in disarray lately due to new kitchen and new flooring being installed. Hopefully I can set up my table in the garage and maybe, maybe start on this beautiful bomber. I do have too many planes ( I know - blasphemy!) I will need to find new homes for many. The stroke has taken a heavy toll on my hobby!

Bob

[Elbee]

Bob,

You have my prayers.

Cannot be an easy thing.

You know I wish you the very best.

Do what you can do, Brother, and then a bit more.

I'm here for ya and don't hesitate to ask if you believe I can be of service.

“The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.” ~Patrick Henry~

Love ya, Man.
LB