Warbird Information Exchange

Ok, so by now everybody on this forum has become addicted to our own personal reality TV show of the incredible transformation of the B-24 formerly know as "Diamond Lil". Kudos to Gary for this incredible bit of history that we are all apart of now!

I figured by now its time for me to try to get in on the action. But since I can’t restore an original B-24 I guess ill have to do the next best thing.

Build one. (1/144th scale that is.)
I have already started it and haven’t been able to take some pics yet but ill be sure to soon and keep you guys posted about my little "project".

The Project:

I am starting with a Minicraft B-24 that i bought prebuilt from EBay along with a few other B-24's and a few Japanese Bombers. The only B-24 model in 1/144th scale, this B-24 is a J model so I needed to do some "tweaking". The aircraft came unpainted and with all the glass sections on the plane already. Cockpit, turrets, etc. Why somebody would build an unpainted model and then put the glass on is beyond me! But it was one little thing I had to overcome.

I cut the front nose off and took off the engines, top turret, ball turret, and tail turret. This left me with a blank slate to where i could start the down grade.

I cut the back tail section out and moved it in so the turret would end right under the rear stabilizer, as it is in the B-24A. I didn’t know how I was going to get that curve of the tail gunner’s nest, so I used what I had. I flipped the tail turret around and used the opposite side that would normally be inside the bomber. I then used half of the top turret to heighten the whole thing so it would meet the bottom of the rear stabilizer. Now it was a matter of a lot of super glue and sanding.

Next Issue:

The rear end of the bomber is starting to look like it ought to. Just a matter of how accurate I want it to be. Now I'm turning my attention to the cowlings and engines. I have an un-built 1/144th scale Pby that I am going to use as a template so I’m gonna try some vacuforming.

I have done countless cockpits before in the process of vacuforming and it is time consuming but it pays in the end. So I’m gonna have to make 4 new engines and 4 new cowlings.

I am gonna try and steal my sister's digital camera and get some shots of the work. Though i have no idea how to put up my own pictures. Any help?

Until then,

Chris

Sounds like a cool project!

The NMUSAF used to have a model display that included a 1/72 Academy B-24D backdated to an "A." Unfortunately, the display has been removed.

One mod you didn't mention..Gary could give you specifics, but I believe the B-24A/LB-30 had a shorter-span horizontal stab than later libs.


Cheers!

Steve

Thanks for the advice and info!

Excellent idea! I look forward to seeing the 1/144 Ole'927

I'll admit I have been eyeing the Revell 1/72 B-24D hanging from my ceiling thinking it would be fun to make my own version of 927. I'll have to pick up another kit one of these days...

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If you're gonna do it in 1/72, I'd start with the Academy/Minicraft B-24D (currently available with Strawberry B**ch decals.) It's light years beyond the Revell's old '60s vintage rivet farm.

I think the two biggest challenges in turning a B-24D into an A would be reshaping/narrowing the engine nacelles, and shortening the nose. A company called QuickBoost makes cast resin engines, cowls, and props intended for the Academy PBY, but that would get pretty expensive...

SN

I believe that a PBY has the same engines and cowlings as a B-24A, at least ole 927. But I'm probably wrong. Even still it is very close, so I'm gonna use them.

I should have some pics by Fri.

AM927 was re-engined with PBY units later in the war because parts were still widely available..but from the pics I've seen, the orginal engines were almost identical. Once again, Gary is the authority, but I think the main difference between the PBY and B-24A engines was in the exhaust configuration.

SN

Thats not a big problem. just a little cutting/sanding/ and probably a few choice words.

One thing i didnt mention before was that i also already covered up the ball turret. All i did was cut out the turret and covered it with a piece of plastic and sand it till there was a hole no more!

I'm still up at college this week, so i wont be able to work on my little project until Thur or Fri.

Wait......building models or going out and partying?

hmmmm descions, descions

Once the unveiling takes place, I can send you a jpg so you can make the nose art decals.

Django,

That would be most appreciative! That would help make my project that much better. Now I just have to figure out how to use the "make your own decal" sheets.

Anybody have any links to a good company that produces those sheets?

I have a friend who is a wiz at making decals with an Alps printer and would be glad to make them for me with some decent images handy.

I could have him crank them out in almost any scale needed.

What'cha think?

Jesse, that would be Great! Maybe some deal can be made?

And if that's the case i might need a few other decals.

I am also trying to replicate the 2 Tennessee Aviation Museum's P-47's, and Jacky's Revenge. I have already basically finished "No Guts, No Glory"

Pics will soon follow.

Chris

You'll definately need an Alps printer if you want to make nose art decals. I've used a standard laser printer to make letters and such, but it only works for dark colors on a light background. The problem with laser and inkjet printers is that the ink or toner is translucent (since they're designed to print on white paper.) I had a freind make some Japanese tail codes for me last year on his Alps. They're yellow, so I had him print them in white, and then I printed yellow ones on a color laser to go on top.

Here's the result...

SN

Well, first things first. Lets do the nose art and then see what else I can get done.

The Alps are no longer in production and my buddy is getting picky on what he does these day. The ink is no problem, its getting the printer fixed or replaced that has become almost impossible. He actually bought a second unit to use as parts!

So, when can I get some art?

I sincerely apologize for not updating this thread. It seemed enough people are interested for me to keep going, but it’s been at a stand still for the moment. And I know my B-24 project isn’t as epic as Gary’s and the CAF Squadron but, eh.

The B-24 is sitting on its gear with weight in the nose. I reshaped the old nose my dad shaped out of balsa wood for his Diamond Lil in 1/144th scale. Though this one wasn’t really exact. We didn’t bother with changing the engines and put a top turret on it so it was a cross over between a J, D, and A model.

The PBY Engine and Cowling I’m using as a template, I gave to another fellow modeler I met at the local hobby shop. He is casting new resin pieces for me, so I won’t have to try and vacuform them.

I will however vacuform the new glass nose “in house” and try and clean up any lines and get it ready to be painted. (once the goodies come in)

I have been debating with either drilling out where all the windows go or simply applying black decals instead. For those who know 1/144th scale, many models are thicker than they should be. I drilled out one of the waist gunners positions and it doesn’t look too bad, but the jury is still out with what I’m going to do. Any suggestions?

I am also working on various other 1/144th scale projects as I speak, so there’s only so much time I can devote to one project. I’m starting to get a little frantic since the model contest I enter is in October and I go back to school in September.

And I just started a Tree house project in the woods behind my house!

It’s gonna be a busy Summer!


Chris