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

[f4u ausie]

Yep just getting up to a new year.. have a safe and fun evening.. happy new year guys 🎉 :partying_face:

[davegee]

Happy New Year, Elbee

Indeed! Happy New Year Elbee and All!

Cheers

davegee

[jetfool]

Happy New Year, Elbee

[Elbee]

Hey Y'all,

Just a kwik update.

There's not much new other than the Year....

But seriously folks, I am here all week...

Mounted the static pitots and I am certain these will disappear from time to time, made extras.

Also, designing some additional markings as waterslide decals.

Crew names, aircraft IDs, component part numbers, serial numbers etc.

It's gratifying work though, as these are rarely printed for RC aircraft.

Callie Graphics does a great job of supplying some nomenclature, but there's always some additions.

Truly, Happy New Year to everyone! :partying_face::partying_face::partying_face::part ying_face::partying_face:

I trust '26 will find us happy, healthy, wealthy, and wiser.

Best, LB & Tamms

[Elbee]

More like hang me from the top of the 'ye ald Tannenbaum' if I'd ordered something before Christmas. It seems I get a MRC Gift Card from time to time, so she must not mind too much. Merry Christmas, Rex.

[Elbee]

I am pleased you like it. I think sometimes, "What would Bob think of this or that?" I figured you'd chastise me over the rear fuselage plexi-bubble. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and my best to you and yours. Steve

[jetfool]

Elbee,
If the little Misses agrees this should hang on top of the Christmas tree for Santy to see. Might inspire him to leave more Planes.

HO! HO! HO! Rex

[borntoolate]

Hey All,

Major task (for me) almost completed.

Reattached the nose greenhouse with all the new additions inside.

A bit like building a boat in a bottle, I think.

Needed to attach a cartridge belt from ammo boxes which are glued to fuselage to the pivoting 50 cal which is attached to the greenhouse all the while gluing the greenhouse to the fuselage, too.

Might have been a better way to do it, but I didn't figure it out.

In any event, everything is glued to everything it should be and the 50 cal barrels are removable which was the plan.

Filling the gaps and touching up paint is next and the nose reconstruction is complete.

Probably add the markings, too, before moving back to the nacelles.

More when there is more...

Best, LB

As usual, excellent work, Steve!!!

[f4u ausie]

Simply. Stunning. Wow. Wish I could C it in life great work Steve

[jetfool]

Outstanding work. Researching for little details in a build is what brings the model subject to life for me.

Merry Christmas Everybody, Rex

[Elbee]

Bomber Bunch,

Christmas is upon us and I think I've been negligent with an update,

Applied more excellent fuselage markings by Callie Graphics .

Trouble being are those pesky compound curves and vinyl stickers larger than a couple square inches.

Cut up the most forward graphic on each side into horizontal strips and laid these down top to bottom and aft to forward where possible.

This area of the Mitchell is a fairly tight compound curve, but after a coat of clear, this will look fine.

The "Ribbon and Awards" marking did not have any names as per the actual Desert Warrior.

For the plastic model I used for some of my reference, those were simulated in 1/72 nd scale by black lines.

I could not and would not settle for that, so I made waterslide decals with all the names I could find that were correct or representative.

I researched for an actual picture or reference for the RH fuselage marking and only found 1 picture.

I tried every trick I knew to enlarge and sharpen it to get the actual names, but only could reference some of the names.

I don't feel too badly as every name listed was an awardee in the category listed above the name.

The names chosen by me were awarded their respective honor prior to 1945 which fits the time period of the Desert Warrior's homecoming.

Next will be an Azure Blue repaint of the Stars & Bars background; the printed marking is close, but just not quite right IMHO.

I have designed a new main gear outer wheel and once satisfied, I'll incorporate that with the Robart Inner Wheel and Hub I designed for my Corsair.

As you might recall those have ball bearings and wheel nuts. This should allow for a static inner and outer wheel hub like the Corsair...very smooth and quiet.

Also, designed and resin printed the 'double pitot' tubes for the LH side of the fuselage on the "C" Model.

Fairly prominent feature considering the Honors Plaque of Bombing Missions is split to go around those pitots.

More when there is more...:pop

[Elbee]

Mitchell Mob,

Installed the antenna masts and the radio directional antenna.

Ya gotta get these straight or I' ll have trouble sleeping at night

The mast bases glue into the fuse and masts are 3DP airfoil-shaped with carbon fiber rod as the leading edge which also extends further into the fuselage.

The masts are removable as is the "football", though I think upon completion, I'll glue in the football.

I modified it by adding a sculpted base which is more scale-like to me.

Next is a little touch up paint, fuselage markings and matte clear, then onto the nacelles.:tools:

More when there is more...:pop

Best, LB

[Elbee]

Hah, the sun wasn't up yet and the glare from the hanger lights was obscuring the detail, so I turned on the flash. Better to be lucky than good. Thanks, Craig.

[f4u ausie]

I think photography is one of your attributes too.. the black background works. Very nicely... Great job all-round

One more SMALL. STEP

[Elbee]

Elbee,
I believe you shrunk a real nose interior and just messing with us. Fantastic Job.
Best Regards, Rex

Rex.

Well, you caught me.

You have a great eye for that kind of thing...

Best, LB

[jetfool]

Elbee,
I believe you shrunk a real nose interior and just messing with us. Fantastic Job.
Best Regards, Rex

[Elbee]

Hey All,

Major task (for me) almost completed.

Reattached the nose greenhouse with all the new additions inside.

A bit like building a boat in a bottle, I think.

Needed to attach a cartridge belt from ammo boxes which are glued to fuselage to the pivoting 50 cal which is attached to the greenhouse all the while gluing the greenhouse to the fuselage, too.

Might have been a better way to do it, but I didn't figure it out.

In any event, everything is glued to everything it should be and the 50 cal barrels are removable which was the plan.

Filling the gaps and touching up paint is next and the nose reconstruction is complete.

Probably add the markings, too, before moving back to the nacelles.

More when there is more...

Best, LB

[davegee]

davegee

You'll want to experiment printing something simple like an open top box and pyramid shape to test how much infill to use and what wall thickness is strong enough for your part.

Also, getting the correct nozzle temperature so the filament actually foams is the key to light weight.

I'd start around 240 C nozzle temp 60 C for the print bed.

Slow the print speed down to around 50% to help with goobers and their cousins.

Check out the colorfabb website for more info..

Best, LB

https://colorfabb.us/blog/post/how-t...lorfabb-lw-pla

Thanks, Elbee. I will get to this soon, I hope. It has real potential for rc airplanes where weight is a limiting factor for adding on parts. Will post as I get to that point.

Cheers

davegee

[Elbee]

davegee

You'll want to experiment printing something simple like an open top box and pyramid shape to test how much infill to use and what wall thickness is strong enough for your part.

Also, getting the correct nozzle temperature so the filament actually foams is the key to light weight.

I'd start around 240 C nozzle temp 60 C for the print bed.

Slow the print speed down to around 50% to help with goobers and their cousins.

Check out the colorfabb website for more info..

Best, LB

https://colorfabb.us/blog/post/how-to-print-with-colorfabb-lw-pla

[davegee]

Coming along great, Elbee. Can't wait to see the finished airplane.

On another note, I received my ColorFABB order for the lightweight filament today. Tremendous service! Just a few days and it was here!

I look forward to experimenting with it for lightweinght parts like what Danger Dan and I are working on for a Cheyenne Turret repclaement for the HK B-17.

Cheers

davegee