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

[jetfool]

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

[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

[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]

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.

[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]

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

[jetfool]

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

Merry Christmas Everybody, Rex

[f4u ausie]

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

[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!!!

[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

[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]

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

[jetfool]

Happy New Year, Elbee

[davegee]

Happy New Year, Elbee

Indeed! Happy New Year Elbee and All!

Cheers

davegee

[f4u ausie]

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

[borntoolate]

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

Steve, I would never chastise you for your work! I remember how difficult the rear bubble was on my FMS B-25! After many attemps, I finally settled. I was not happy with the result but I had done my best.

All your work on your B-25 has outclassed anything I have ever done. Your dedication to detail and craftmanship is un-paralled! I sincerely mean that.


Keep up the excellent work. Someday. I hope I can see your B-25 in person.


Bob

[Elbee]

Bob, I am humbled. Thank you, Sir. Happy New Year, Brother. Steve

[vrosi1963]

You would think by now flightline would offer a silver Version ? i never wanted a green one so $80 later with tamiya TS-17 it was done as of last year, and a 3d designed 8 gun nose PLA 3d printed and designed by my friend Mark Chambers of 3Daeroworks , I had him design a nose for the old FMS b25 and i just rescaled it to fit this airframe after several attempts i am happy ,,

[Elbee]

You would think by now flightline would offer a silver Version ? i never wanted a green one so $80 later with tamiya TS-17 it was done as of last year, and a 3d designed 8 gun nose PLA 3d printed and designed by my friend Mark Chambers of 3Daeroworks , I had him design a nose for the old FMS b25 and i just rescaled it to fit this airframe after several attempts i am happy ,,

VR,

My second livery choice was a polished aluminum and Olive Drab B-25J.

Your Mitchell is exceptional.

Best, LB

[Elbee]

Bomber Brethren,

Weather here has been exceptional for Winter, so we've taken advantage and been doing outdoor work around the homestead.

But the last couple days I've been concentrating on the nacelles as these have so many seams and parts and need some paintwork.

If I ever need to replace an ESC or Motor, I believe I am in for a world of hurt., but worth the aesthetic value to me anyway.

More when there is more...

Best, LB

[jetfool]

Elbee,
Your nacelle work looks great. Those added 3d scoops and other items really set it apart from the OEM version. If, hopefully never, you need eng. work you will make it look as good as ever. Sounds like great weather in your aera. We are in the teens, windy and cold. Looking forward to next update.
Best Regards, Rex

[RRHandy]

Elbee,

By the time you're done with this, It's going to be a piece of art and you won't want to fly it.

[Elbee]

Elbee,

By the time you're done with this, It's going to be a piece of art and you won't want to fly it.

Hah,

That's what 'they' said about my FlightLine Corsair, but she flew, albeit only once so far.

I appreciate the compliment; "flying worx-o-art" is not a bad thing at all.

She'll fly for certain, I fly 'em all at least once.:smirk:

I do receive a certain joy from the modifications and the rebuilding, I must admit.

It's about the 'what if I did this' or added that bit, all part of the hobby for me.

Thanks again for the kind words, Brother.

Best, LB