Converting a B-25J into some RCAF Trainer

[Kostucha]

No... looking at it this morning... still not happy. I'm going to use a very fine brush and some gray/tan to get more of the weathered look on those props.

[Prop Duster]

So, while waiting for decals I decided to take care of some of the other minor points. Props...

Here's a comparison of the finished prop with the original Mitchell (in the same alignment). Thoughts?

Cheers,

Mark.

yep, yours are smaller

2)

I agree, the gray base color needs to be a bit more prominent.

Do like the effect overall though

[Neo]

yep, yours are smaller

now what are we comparing here guys

i like the prop look all nice and old

[Prop Duster]

now what are we comparing here guys :huh:

i like the prop look all nice and old

Now, now, Neo, I "always' mean Props :( whatever else could you mean????:lol:

We now return you to the forum in progress.

[Kostucha]

Hahaha, thanks guys.

Work is on hold until I get the decals to finish 'er off and fully weather this Mitchell. I can't do anything with the base either until I get the landing gear finished so I can space out the metal mounts for it. After that, the base can be built.

So... work is focused on the Stuka...

Cheers!

Mark.

[martin_sam_2000]

Hey Mark,

This is coming along nicely. Can't wait to see it finished. The BMF is superb!

Sean

[Obant]

How cool is this? - great stuff and, as usual, can't wait for the next post ... keep it coming!

Cheers,

Obant

:wub:

[Kostucha]

Thank you very much!

Before my mid day mishap with my Stuka, I went out to the LHS, and picked up the last bits needed for the base. I was talking with my wife and just found it very ironic...

I need to heavily weather, stain, and add rust to the aircraft, as well as creat loose bricks, with weeds, and dried grass to the base, in order to make this look like the real monument. Sad isn't it?

I'm not sure if I can wait for the decals, as the show in September is coming up quick, so I'm tossing around ideas as to how to effectively get that lightning bolt done right. The stenciling I think I might do with a fine pick and just plain old red paint. The only thing left to do construction wise is the mounds for the landing gear onto the base, and aside from that... weather the heck out of the whole thing.

Can't do anything on the base until I get all three wheels mounted though, which shouldn't be much longer. It will be done for the show I'm sure...

but if anyone's got any ideas on how to effectively create the lightning bolt, I'm all ears!

Mark.

[Youngtiger1]

Mark, this is a cool project you have going. I want to do a similar thing. Back in the 50s USAF used B-25 to train it's Test Pilots at Edward AFB. From what I found they removed the bombs compartment and replaced with several seats to fly several students together.

Anyway, keep up the good work. I think you build is just the motivation I might need to start my project. Here's a link of what I'm talking about...

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/me...F-1234S-047.jpg

Mike

[Kostucha]

Mark, this is a cool project you have going. I want to do a similar thing. Back in the 50s USAF used B-25 to train it's Test Pilots at Edward AFB. From what I found they removed the bombs compartment and replaced with several seats to fly several students together.

Anyway, keep up the good work. I think you build is just the motivation I might need to start my project. Here's a link of what I'm talking about...

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/me...F-1234S-047.jpg

Mike

Thanks Mike, and I must say, THAT IS ONE COOL PAINT SCHEME!!! That Mitchell would just pop!

Good luck, and glad I could help a little,

Cheers,

Mark.

[Kostucha]

Progress continues quite well I must say. Got the display case I'll be using today, as well as the last bits needed for the display case. As for the kit itself, I'm working on getting the stencil cut for the fire extinguisher, as well as planning on how I'm going to paint n the lightning bolt on the fuselage

I'll have update pictures later on hopefully,

Cheers.

Mark.

[Kostucha]

Here's some pictures of what I'm going to use for the display.

For a base, I wanted something that'll make this one... honestly... as odd as it sounds... sit hire than the regular display case, but at the same time, didn't want to spend a fortune on a frame. So, down to Winners I went and picked up this:

The frame is 1 inch deep, which is PERFECT room to make the three mounts for the tires, and still leave a 1/4 inch lip on the edge. I will repaint the outside of the frame though and I'm thinking either a flat black or a dark flat brown (a good finish, but nothing that takes away from what's inside the frame).

Here's what I'll be using:

The green mat will be the grass, obviously. I wanted to use green turf, but in 1/48, no need to over do the grass. The pressure treated wood frame will be done using those pieces of balsa and the bottle of raw sienna acrylic paint. The bag of turf will be used to add weeds to the bricks... and the metal aluminum plate will be used to mount the three landing gear legs (suspended up about 2 mm).

As for the bricks, I was REALLY HAPPY to find a matching brick pattern. What do you all think? I'd say it's pretty close:

I'll be using sand paper to rough up the surface a little, as well as white & grey pastel chalks and dullcoat to match the colour. After using a black-wash to give the look of black lines between the bricks to give the look of seperation, I'll use very thin superglue to run in the openings, then lightly sprinkle the turf on. Once dry, run a little more sand paper in locations to cut back the turf until it matches as closely a possible with the actual weeds in the bricks. (The pictures on the first page of this thread show just how much weeds there is here).

Thoughts? Advice?

Cheers,

Mark.

[Neo]

Thoughts? Advice?

Thoughts = Looks good mark !

Advice= dont drop it :)

Cant wait to see some progress

Cheers

Neo

[Kostucha]

Thanks Neo!

Tomorrow morning I plan on starting the first bit of the lightning bolt. It's easy enough to do with the red/white/red, its that danged pencil thin black outline on the top and bottom of the bolt that are concerning me.

Mind you, the decals that are being made up for me are NOT a waste.. I'll be using them shortly after to make my own B-25 Mitchell into a Canadian Mitchell, with a twist (of course). But for the sake of making the show in September here in Winnipeg in time, I can't wait anymore. I can't wait to use my new airbrushes and compressor to test them out and make the bolt (and the fire extinguisher stencil). As for the dotted red line around the waist gunner windows, those will be made using left over hobbydecal stencils.

All that being said, tomorrow work continues with paint, and landing gear. It's a new approach, but the plan being is to get the kit ready to be mounted, test fit it, see what can and can't be seen, and weather accordingly.

Cheers!

Mark.

[Kostucha]

Got quite a few red decals on to simulate the red stencils. Not 100% accurate, but they're red, and impossible to read, thus, I say good enough (I hate having to say it, but, such is life in this case).

I'll have some pictures on later tonight.

Cheers,

Mark.

[Kostucha]

Here's some shots of the decals on the kit:

So with that done, literally the only markins left are the lightning bolt, and "Training Command" on the nose. Soon... soon it'll be done.

As for work left... not much. Little details like the antenna... the weathering (including fading (or dulling) the sliding plexiglass window, the windshield wipers (one up, one down... really! I'm not kidding you! Look at the ref. pics!), and other small things.

Thanks for looking,

Cheers,

Mark.

[Kostucha]

Well, turns out there's only about 5 square inches of grass, the rest is all brick... nuts! Oh well. Progress is going to conitnue today finishing the deicer boots, and I'm hoping to get the lightning bolt painted on today. At least part of it.

Cheers,

Mark.

[chukw]

That's a really beautiful- and unique B-25, Mark- cheers! Pretty daring, but it's looking right professional. Pretty crazy to find that brick pattern- Looks like a little sanding will calm down their "inflated" look. Go Canada!

chuk

[Prop Duster]

Stunning (not a word I use lightly-'cause I can't spell it)

The little red words look "just right"

While I don't envy you the lighting bolt; your work to date proves, you'll do fine.

[Kostucha]

Thank you very much guys. The deicer boots are all done and drying. Now it's getting all the paper, and tape, and getting ready to paint.

Meg (Lawn Dart) gave me a great idea with what to use for the actual black outline. I'll be looking for a fine tip marker, and using a ruler to get that line done. Aside from that, it'll be painting a roughly 1/4 inch stripe of white, then when dry, masking off the middle with a strip of tape, and airbrushing the red...

Wish me luck!

Mark.

[Kostucha]

Just a couple quick shots of the boots:

The side shots show the verticle stabs. I wanted to replicate the metal strips seen in the reference shots, so I used that ever favorite high heat metal tape of mine, and cut thin strips, and wrapped them around. Sounds easy... I'd rather never have to do that again:

More to come later I hope.

Cheers!

Mark.

[Eastern]

Fast but, as always, nice!

Sure, those guys from the School will be happy to have her displayed at...er, maybe the School Museum?

Cheers and happy modeling!

Alexander.

[Kostucha]

Thanks Easern.

After the first step, the white. It's on a little thick as you can see around the edges. I'm going to let it sit for a couple days, harden, and then sand it down until it's smooth, then mask it again, put the stripe of masking down the center and shoot the red.

It is a bit too far back at the canopy though... but at this point, as it's not as simple as moving a decal, I'll have to leave it be, and either mismatch it by placing it right on the other side, or intentionally pushing it further back on the port side too. I'm going to go with the second option... wrong, but matching wrong.

Anywho, here's the shot of it right now. So, it'll sit,and harden a little bit, and like I said, I'll deal with it on Monday.

Cheers!

Mark.

Edited September 5, 2010 by Kostucha

[martin_sam_2000]

thats looking good mark. I have tried to paint those flashed twice on two seperate models and ruined them both. hopefuly you can pull it off without any major fub ups!!!

Sean

[Kostucha]

Sean,

Thanks, it's going to be risky, but worth it.

Progress, is, well... coming along well. I'm working on the diorama base. Started last night, bricks layed down, sanded them down, added some wash and gray pastel chalk to it, and now I'm in the process of waiting for the weeds to dry, flatten them down a little bit, and then lay the grass down. I'll have some pictures up shortly.

After the base is done, I'll have no choice but to roll the dice and try to get that lightning bolt finished and painted on the one side (just to go and do it all over again on the other side. My wife was laughing at me saying that in no time I'll be screaming "FML" from the basement... I hope to prove her wrong, unfortunately as I've learned in my relationship, I am rarely the 'right' one in the house...