Author Topic: B-25R Mitchell  (Read 10497 times)

Offline Acree

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B-25R Mitchell
« on: August 26, 2015, 10:29:04 AM »
By the end of World War II, the B-25 Mitchell was still an extremely useful platform, but with higher-performing A-26s in service and B-42s on the horizon, large numbers of B-25s were headed for storage and disposal.  When new hostilities in Europe suddenly heated up, the decision was made to bring the B-25s out of storage and reverse the process.  To make them more effective on the battlefield, North American designed a four-jet engine installation (using Allison J-35s), replacing the Mitchell's two R-2600 radial engines.  Few other changes were made in order to keep the modification and testing program as quick as possible.  The first B-25R flew in June, 1946, and B-25Rs began to enter squadron service in November of that year. 

I got the 1/72 Airfix Mitchell as a prize from a previous GB (thanks, Bill!).  Since I believe in building what I have on hand, I chose that as my starting point.  The Smer Me 262 kits were the cheapest way I could get four jet nacelles.  I am slowly working my way through the design of the engine mount.  I chose to mount the engines in such a way as to preserve the original main landing gear installation, and they needed to project well forward to maintain CG.  I still have a long way to go to make it look reasonable.

Offline Frank3k

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2015, 11:21:40 AM »
This is going to look good! Maybe the US response to the  Russian Sukhoi Su-10. They tried odd engine placements as well as three jet pods.

Offline finsrin

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2015, 12:39:19 PM »
Alright,,,  you have my attention.
Urgent jet upgrade of B-25 :)

Offline Steve Blazo

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2015, 12:41:57 PM »
Great concept - can't wait to see it take shape !!  :) :)
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Offline ysi_maniac

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2015, 07:16:18 PM »
Really promising!!!!!

Offline apophenia

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2015, 09:55:05 AM »
Cool concept on your nacelle arrangement!  :)
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Offline Tophe

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2015, 02:39:36 PM »
There is no guarantee but I guess this 4-jet B-25 idea is probably a new winner... :-*
Congratulations (no matter the final result) ;)

Offline Acree

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2015, 10:15:52 AM »
Still working on the nacelles - lots of PSR.  Quick photo below shows where I am with that.  In the meantime, I have begun the interior and fuselage assembly.  Bought an airbrush today (my second one ever, and my first in twenty years - I had a very cheap Testor's one in the 90s).  Got it home, hooked it up - could not get it to spray color (or even water).  Can't figure out what's wrong.  It's a Paasche, but the cheapest one they make.  I'm returning it and I'll think about getting a better one.  In the meantime, I guess I'll press on with brush paint and rattlecans for now. 

Offline Tophe

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2015, 01:41:09 PM »
I have been inspired by your idea of a Jet-Mitchell, thanks!
The F-00 (aka B-25ZJ) was a secret fast reco plane, different from your bomber, as being a Twin-Jet-Mitchell, not Jet-Mitchell only:

 ;)

Offline finsrin

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2015, 02:52:54 PM »
Tophe --- Thatz a styrene worthy masterpiece :)

Offline kitnut617

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2015, 09:15:03 PM »
Tophe --- Thatz a styrene worthy masterpiece :)

I second that ---  :)

Now what would you do with the main u/c, I think I would go with something like what an XB-42/43 has, just a bit larger though

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2015, 05:21:02 AM »
I always thought Tophe had something to do with the B-25 in SuckerPunch:

https://youtu.be/W2thLF4WJac?t=1m37s

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Offline Acree

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2015, 06:22:08 AM »
Tophe --- Thatz a styrene worthy masterpiece :)

I second that ---  :)

Now what would you do with the main u/c, I think I would go with something like what an XB-42/43 has, just a bit larger though

This was like my original plan.  The problem of main landing gear was the reason I changed to an underslung B-45 nacelle type of arrangement. 

Offline Tophe

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #13 on: September 06, 2015, 02:00:59 PM »
And B-25/B-45 both came from North American factory, yes? Your model is very possible, so interesting "could have been" thanks! Go on!

Offline Acree

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Re: B-25R Mitchell - Finished
« Reply #14 on: September 13, 2015, 10:48:45 AM »
Well, it didn't come out quite as nice as I hoped, but I hope y'all like it nevertheless. 

Several version of the B-25 were converted into R-models, including glass-nosed B-25Js, "solid" gun-nosed B-25Js, and even a few 75mm howitzer-armed B-25Hs.  Different versions were given different block numbers.  Shown below is a B-25R-10, converted from a gun-nosed J.  All R-models left the factory in a bare-metal finish, having been stripped of paint at the conversion centers. 




Offline Tophe

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Re: B-25R Mitchell - Finished
« Reply #15 on: September 13, 2015, 11:27:36 AM »
Wow! :-*

Well, it didn't come out quite as nice as I hoped, but I hope y'all like it nevertheless.
Sorry, I DO NOT "like" it: I love it! :-* ;)

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #16 on: September 13, 2015, 11:34:19 AM »
Looks good
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #17 on: September 13, 2015, 11:41:52 AM »
really nice and an eye catching design.

Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #18 on: September 15, 2015, 03:08:58 AM »
Wow!  Love the black anti glare on the engines.
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Offline Steve Blazo

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #19 on: September 15, 2015, 03:44:49 AM »
Nice job, looks really cool !!!  8) 8)
As I walk through the valley of death,
I have no fear, because I am the meanest mother*ucker in the whole valley.
- Gen. George S. Patton

Offline finsrin

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #20 on: September 15, 2015, 04:55:06 PM »
Good job at capturing B-25R in styrene :)
With no kits of the conversions available, you done us all a service by building this one.

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: B-25R Mitchell
« Reply #21 on: October 01, 2015, 05:18:16 AM »
Oh yes! I like this one a lot! Those engines give it a nice, predatory look and those nose guns sure would pack a punch!

Well done, Acree! It's nice to see you caught B-25 fever!

Brian da Basher