dbsmith88 Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Ok kids, I guess I'll take a crack at this. I'm going with a 1/48th AM B-25C/D based USMC PBJ-1D stationed in the South West Pacific AO. Haven't decided on a squadron yet but I've got plenty of time to figure that one out. I'll give you a hint: it'll be one of the eight squadrons forward deployed during the war! Anywho, my game plan is to give you a brief history lesson on the Marine PBJ-1s as I build. It has been awesome learning about those brave Marines and the aircraft they carried into battle. Truly, it is a story that should be a must read for any aviation/military fan. To those Marines and all who have followed them, my hat's off to you guys! Well done, Marines! :salute: I had been planning on doing a PBJ-1 for a while now but this GB kinda moved up my timetable ever so slightly. No worries though. Here's where I am right now. Sorry about the craptastic cell phone Ipics. Da-Sprues!! PE goodies and masks (Thanks Gordan @ Sprue Brothers!) Lone Star Models PBJ-1 Hose Nose radar (Very Freakin Sweeeet!!!) More items to follow as they arrive and/or purchased. They will include after-market replacement M2 .50's, Dmolds corrected cowlings, maybe some SAC landing gear, True Details resin wheels and some Eduard Brassin HVARs. You've probably noticed that there are no decals other than the Aeromaster letter/number set. Simply put, I'm SOL for aftermarket decals as I'm not aware of any that have ever been made. So, I'll just have to piece them together from multiple sheets as I go. No biggie tho as the PBJ's were pretty barren in terms of markings. More on that when I get to the decaling. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbsmith88 Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 And, finally, where I'm headed. Well, it's going to be either S**t Hot or Epic Fail! Either way, it's going to be fun!! Regards B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rightwinger26 Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 That's looks like a pretty ambitious build, I'm looking forward to seeing more!!!!! I'm sure itll turn out great, looks like you have a pretty good plan Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderchief105 Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 A subject you don't see everyday on the forums. You got my attention sir. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xavi84 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I'm really looking forward to this one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbsmith88 Posted June 12, 2012 Author Share Posted June 12, 2012 (edited) Thanks for the kind words, guys. I'll try to get a short update later tonight. Haven't really been able to do that much paint-wise because it's been raining down here pretty much since Friday. My bench is in the garage so humidity and temp play havoc with my painting. I did get the PE seats pretty much done. They look tremendously better than the kit buckets. I forgot to add the seat adjustment handles so it looks like I'll have to do that and break out the paint again. BTW, anybody know if the B-25s had seat cushions in the cockpit or if the crew just used their chutes? On a brighter note, my Verlinden M2's came in yesterday. Not as many as I thought in the pack as some are .30 cal guns. Those will be used for a couple of other WW2 projects forthcoming (think Helldiver and Dauntless). The M2's will be used to scratch the dual .50 nose mount and the tailgun. I'll use the PE .50 heat shields for the other guns. Hope I've got 7 shields! :huh: Regards B Edited June 12, 2012 by dbsmith88 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbsmith88 Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) Ok gang, Time for a little PBJ History 101 before the update. The Marine PBJs were basically the same aircraft as the USAAF B-25s although they were modified once the Marines took possession of them. PBJ variants matched those of the B-25s (PBJ-1C = B-25C, PBJ-1D = B-25D, etc.). The designation PBJ translates P - Patrol, B - Bomber, J - North American (manufacturer of the Mitchells). The PBJs came into Marine service because of a lack of a forward-deployed, quick-reaction air support element with a longer range capability than the Wildcats and Dauntless dive bombers that the Marines had in the SW PAC island hopping campaign had. The Army's big bombers (B-17s & B-29s) had the range to support the campaign but their fields were far from the front lines which meant that they were unable to act as an on-call air support asset for the Marines. The big bombers were also unable to get down low for the close support the Marines desperately needed. Also, the Navy's carriers were sometimes engaged in other operations and unable to support the Marines due to distance factors. The Marines needed something with the legs and payload to get the close air support job, which was just starting at the time, accomplished in a very short time frame. It needed to be able to operate from forward airstrips. But, mainly, it needed to be something flown by Marines for Marines. Enter the PBJ-1C/D. In 1943, the Army, due to the US Strategy of "Europe First", knew that they would be unable to deploy a large force of aircraft to the S and SW Pac AO simply because of the massive number of aircraft needed in Europe. They offered the Navy the B-25, which the Navy promptly gave to the Marines. The Marines had the aircraft but no crews and no training program in place. So, the PBJs were sent to Cherry Point and the Corps began drawing crews from it's ranks. Officers and enlisted, the majority of them being reservists, were diverted in transit without knowing why or what they would be doing. As luck would have it, the USAAF, at that time, had the responsibility of armed coastal patrol on the East Coast. The Marines cut a deal for training in an early version of a "ride along" program. The Army B-25s assigned to coastal patrol had a really nifty new toy on their Mitchells, a belly-mounted radar able to spot surface targets out to 100 NM. The Marines, being the resourceful bunch that they were, came up with a supply of said radar sets to equip several of their PBJs. This combination would prove both valuable and deadly in the hands of the PBJ crews. While the Marines were training on their new aircraft, it was decided that there might be a shortage of qualified support personnel to maintain the PBJs in the field. So, each six-man crew was cross-trained as maintenance crews for the bombers. They would not only fly their planes, they would maintain them on the ground. Talk about multi-tasking! :huh: Shortly thereafter, those Marines developed the first PBJ training program at Cherry Point and part of the original class deployed, along with their new rides, to the SW Pac AO. The Marine Mitchells were officially open for business! Edited June 14, 2012 by dbsmith88 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbsmith88 Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) Now the update. Not much so far, just throwing on some paint and working on the seats. I was able to find a copy of an Aug 1943 Erection and Maintenance Instructions manual for the B-25H. While a later model than my D-varient, I figure the basic things like color callouts and such were the same as the D because of the time frame. I may be wrong, but it's the most reliable resource I have. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. The EMI says that the cockpit area was to be painted bronze green, the bomb bay was aluminum and the rest of the interior was yellow-green (interior green/green zinc chromate). I came up with a home-brew Tamiya mix of bronze green. It may not be 100% accurate, but, what the heck. It's going to be worn-out with weathering anyway. The PE window slide rails have been installed along with the PE control quadrant on the floor hump. The control yokes have been base-coated and have some of the PE attached. And lastly, the seats. I originally painted them BG but found that the EMI called out aluminum for the seats. So, after a respray that looked a little less than crap, I realized that I forgot the vertical adjustment handles under the front of the seats. Took care of those and got a wild hair. In all the videos and pics of the B-25 cockpits that I saw, I noticed a couple of other easy things to add just for S & G. I added the telescoping tubular supports and the shoulder belt loops to the rear of the seats just to busy things up a little. I'll deal with the respray maybe tomorrow night. I'm planning on making milliput cushions so I'm not too worried about the way the inside of the buckets look. Stay tuned!! Edited June 14, 2012 by dbsmith88 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uscusn Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 What an excellent subject. I have one of the A/M B-25's put aside to build as a PBJ. So I will watch this build with extreme interest. And definitely will be taking notes. And also thanks for the history of the USMC Mitchell. Chuck Fly Navy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbsmith88 Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 (edited) Ok, kids, update time. Short one tonight but it took a few of hours of work to get from the last post to this one. More cockpit work but I'm still not done with it. 95% of the cockpit PE is done.....thank the Maker!! At one point, I thought my eyes were melting from working with the PE control levers. Anywho, roll the pics!! Finally, the source of me pulling what little hair I have left out. Oops, just saw the red spot I forgot to touch-up on the control yoke. Told you I wasn't done! More to follow later this weekend. Edited June 16, 2012 by dbsmith88 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 It's worth the hair loss. Great work. Have a couple of these in the stash myself and I'll be watching your progress here to learn the pitfalls. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Wow!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbsmith88 Posted June 25, 2012 Author Share Posted June 25, 2012 Sorry for the long span between updates. It's been a rather hectic week at Casa de Smith. I finally finished the seats earlier tonight. I tried a couple of different ways to simulate the seat cushions but none looked the part......until I found a couple of the cloth-type band-aids in the medicine cabinet while looking for something for the headache I was causing myself trying to get just the right look. A couple more tries and Bob's your uncle.....seat cushions!! After that crisis was averted, I got another lesson on the relationship between patience and crappy eyes. Each set of seat belts contain 7 individual parts. Turned out pretty good for a first try at PE belts. I assembled the rest of the pit after weathering. I'm not too worried about any hiccups here as things will be uber-cramped under the canopy and you won't be able to see a whole lot. Seats are just mocked in place, awaiting glue during the next bench session. More to follow....same bat time, same bat station! B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbsmith88 Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share Posted July 12, 2012 Just wanted to vent for a minute. No update as of yet for 2 reasons. First, just like everybody else, North Bama has been sucking dust from the 110 degree heat for the last three weeks or so. Secondly, the heat finally broke last Sunday.......and it's been raining ever since. <_< Heaven knows we need the rain but it makes for really crappy painting when your bench is in the un-air conditioned garage. Of course the same could be said for the heat. No lie, the paint was drying on the brush before I could get it on the model. For a day or two there, I thought I was living in some neighborhood in West Hell. Anywho, the weather guy says it's probably going to be raining until Monday so, hopefully, I'll have an update sometime next week. I will say, all the interior painting is done. I'm detailing when the humidity will let me. Regards B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rightwinger26 Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I partially feel your pain, I do my airbrushing in the garage, fortunately I have a room upstairs for all my other stuff. It was so bad in south east VA last week I could only paint for about 10 ,I mutes before I had sweat rolling down my face and got too frustrated to care. Luckily our heat broke somewhat four days ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I used to airbrush in the garage but now that I model full time now I moved everything into the basement. It's a nice 65-70 degrees down there all the time and has adequate windows for venting when painting. The only things my wife doesn't like are the primers they seem to get the smell everywhere. We could use some rain here in OH, We got two days of bad storms about a week ago but otherwise thats the only rain I've seen in 3 or 4 weeks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rightwinger26 Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 I would kill for a basement again, it's sucks living 30 above sea level. It poured the last two days, big time, my rain gauge holds 7 inches and it over flowed, we needed it so bad too! Sorry DB didn't mean to threadjack. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbsmith88 Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share Posted July 12, 2012 No worries, bro. With the attitude about the weather I've got right now, this thread may very well turn in to a "b!tchin post". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oortiz10 Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 db, I like the idea of using cloth band-aids for seat cushions. I'm gonna have to steal that one. The rest of the build's looking sweet too. Keep it up! -O Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbsmith88 Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share Posted July 12, 2012 (edited) db, I like the idea of using cloth band-aids for seat cushions. I'm gonna have to steal that one. -O Thanks much, man. Wish I could take credit for it but I stole it too. Picked it up from Phil Flory and one of his videos. Looked so good and fit the bill so well, I had to try it when my original ideas decided they wouldn't work for me. Shoulda just did it to begin with instead of wasting time. BTW, Smith-6 Actual has the mega-pixel setting turned way up on her camera which makes the fabric texture look odd and over done a little in the pics. In person, they look more like canvas. About the only good thing I can say about her camera settings is that it shows me what I've messed up. <_< Edited July 13, 2012 by dbsmith88 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbsmith88 Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 Holy thread revival, Batman!! I didn't realize my last post on this one was July. Well, it is a hobby, after all. I've had one savage playing football and the other marching in the band, so now my eyes have yard lines burnt into them. Should be gone by next season. I'll hopefully have an update posted early this next week. I've got to clean off the bench and round everything back up so I can finish the build. Maybe it'll be worth the wait! Stay tuned........ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
-Neu- Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 Looking forward to it. Great idea and your start was really promising. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbsmith88 Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 Ok, kids. As promised, a short update. Things have been somewhat disjointed around Casa de Smith for the last week or so. Hopefully, I'll be able to put some time in at the bench this week. The interior is pretty much a wrap with the exception of the dorsal turret interior structure. The office is done and awaiting installation into the fuselage. I may add some wiring to the wheel well just to busy it up a little. The rear gunners window has been cut down to replicate the PBJ rear gunner's station as closely as I can. I sanded the top of the glass to thin it out and try and shorten the overall height as much as possible as the PBJ glass is noticeably shorter than the B-25's. My nerves finally got the best of me and made me a little gun shy thinking I might just really screw it up if I kept going, so I left it alone while it was still in one piece. Still have some work to do on it but you get the idea. Finally, the items that came in since my last pic post. They include the Verlinden MG set, Brassin' HVARs and a set of Quickboost resin .50 cal barrels my buddy gave me. Also, I got the Dmolds corrected cowlings, True Details wheels and SAC gear. Hopefully, the next update won't take quite as long to post. Hang in there gang as things are just starting to get interesting. Later days, B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xavi84 Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Great work so far. I cant wait to see more Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WymanV Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Beauty. How much do you see once it's buttoned up? Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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