Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Completed GBs => Group and Themed Builds => Allies '46 GB => Topic started by: Acree on February 02, 2018, 03:35:35 AM
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When the North American B-45 Tornado finally began to enter service in numbers in early 1947, the B-43 Jetmasters were released for Lend-lease deliveries. The Força Aérea Brasileira received two squadrons of B-43Bs naming them "Mestre-Turbina" and using them to establish the 2º and 3º Grupo de Aviação de Ataque (2º and 3º GAVAT). These were deployed to support USAAF operations in Northern Italy and Yugoslavia.
I have ordered the Anigrand B-43 kit (the most expensive single kit I have ever bought, I think). Once it arrives, I will determine how much modification I will do to make it an operational "B-model." At a minimum, I hope to replace the bug-eye twin canopies with a normal bomber-style cabin. I hate to do this, since the bug-eyes are so unique and cool-looking, but I just don't think it would have gone into production with them. Of course, Brazilian markings... Anyway, we shall see...
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I have ordered the Anigrand B-43 kit (the most expensive single kit I have ever bought, I think).
If it is very expensive, I will not suggest to buy a second copy for building a Zwilling B-43Z... :( ;)
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Inspiration for scheme:
(http://img.wp.scn.ru/camms/ar/202/pics/26_4.jpg)
Or perhaps if you want to be more adventurous:
(http://img.wp.scn.ru/camms/ar/551/pics/26_1_b1.jpg)(http://www.sixtant.net/2011/img/editor/image/teste%20diretório/FAB/A20%20BOSTON.JPG.jpg)
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Kit arrived in the mail this weekend - I think I will be able to make a few mods. However, the included instruction sheet is for a Handley Page HP 115. I could do without the instruction sheet, except I can't cypher how to install the landing gear. Does anyone have the instructions for the B-43 or B-42 (same landing gear) that they can scan and send me?
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I can help. Give me a few hours. Do want me to post the image on BTS or send it to you directly?
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Whichever is easiest for you. And thank you very much!
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Yeah! nice subject to pick, going to watch this one. Got one of those in the stash too --- along with the XB-42.
If all else fails, you could contact the museum where it's at, it still exists apparently
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That's the Restoration Hangar at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Both the XB-42 and XB-43 are there awaiting restoration.
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I now have the instructions, though they are still pretty vague about how to mount the landing gear. I'm pretty confident I can work that out.
I think I can update the canopy - I'm going to try a few different options. My favored option for now is a Mosquito canopy, modified to butt up against a remote control twin-gun turret behind it. I'm awaiting the Mosquito canopies (vac-form) to see if I can make that work.
The fuselage halves are rather badly warped, and I am in the process of trying to straighten them. I have made some progress, but my experience with full resin kits is very limited - I have worked with resin conversions a few times, but I think this is my first full kit.
It's probably not period-realistic, but I think I'm going for the green/tan (sand & spinach?) giraffe pattern as on the A-20 GTX Admin posted. Should look pretty cool!
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Dang neat subject you got here. Best luck/skill/wishes getting past warped problem. From what I seen is not common with Anigrand. Hmmm....
Description of B-43B concept with canopy and turret sounds right on. :smiley:
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Dang neat subject you got here. Best luck/skill/wishes getting past warped problem. From what I seen is not common with Anigrand. Hmmm....
Description of B-43B concept with canopy and turret sounds right on. :smiley:
I couldn't agree more!
Absolutely inspired thinking!
Brian da Basher
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A couple of WIP update photos:
First, the raw materials:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4614/40321641512_bd28ea54fb_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24r5XeJ)B-43 (https://flic.kr/p/24r5XeJ) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr
Next, a shot before and after cutting the new cockpit opening:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4704/40321641402_2a7a43b59f_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24r5XcQ)B-43 (https://flic.kr/p/24r5XcQ) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr
The finished cockpit interior, also showing the hole cut for the twin-.50 turrent:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4696/40321641022_362392d2a5_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24r5X6h)B-43 (https://flic.kr/p/24r5X6h) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr
The vertical tail on the Anigrand XB-43 is WAAAYYYY short (I think it's the upper vertical from the XB-42 - in real life, the vertical tail of the XB-43 looks freakishly tall. So, I lengthened the vertical tail by adding a section from a B-26 Marauder. here it is raw...(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4723/38556721250_2d1e357147_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21K8gW3)B-43 (https://flic.kr/p/21K8gW3) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flick, and after some PSR: (https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4749/25495048347_98b412680a_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/EQUMD6)B-43 (https://flic.kr/p/EQUMD6) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr
I've made some more progress since then, but no pics for now. More later!
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So interesting to see the pictures. A fine concept.
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Great start. Looking good :smiley:
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Looking good so far
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That's some nice progress and you're certainly braver than I am for tackling a resin kit!
Brian da Basher
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Progress update: This picture gives a good idea of where I am now on this build. The interiors are done, the transparencies are masked and mounted (including a gun for the bombardier), and I have added package guns to the cheeks. Next is mounting the tail surfaces and and getting ready for paint. I have decided that masking and painting will be much easier without the landing gear and wings installed - that will probably mean more touch up work, but still easier in the long-run.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4745/39680381644_9677f8aa40_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/23sqk27)B-43b (https://flic.kr/p/23sqk27) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr
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Looking good! :smiley:
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Oh yeah. Doing the right stuff. Gunna be good.
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Woooo ! resin kit, respect. :icon_alabanza:
Looking good too, like the Mitchell style gun packs
Mog
>^-.-^<
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That's some major resin surgery! I have the Victoria Products vacuform XB-43 prop/jet variants and it's daunting.
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Working with resin has been interesting. The warpage has been a nightmare - practically EVERYTHING is crooked in one way or another, and I am just hoping the end result will not show it too much. Here is a teaser photo for where I am tonight. I decided to put the wings on before paint after all. The underwing tanks are not glued on, so they will come off again before paint. Likewise, the turret is just resting in place for now. But this gives a pretty good overall impression.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4605/38621418630_27bc7f560f_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21QQSd7)B-43 5 (https://flic.kr/p/21QQSd7) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr
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Wise canopy choice - it works. Pictures look like you conquered noticeable warping. :smiley:
What was used to cut turret hole ?
Snapped up some Anigrand kits relatively cheap at swap meets. Not noticed warping, but not built them.
Like their non-mainstream interesting subjects.
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This is an awesome evolution Chuck!
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That's coming along great Chuck and the new canopy/rear turret really changes the look for the better!
Brian da Basher
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Looking good
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Ok, first the complaining: the Anigrand kit's warpage and lack of detail was astounding. The fuselage halves were impossible to get properly lined up, even after repeated soaking in boiling water. The landing gear was just a vague representation with a "just stick it on there somewhere" attitude. The gear doors of the B-43 were apparently almost 1 foot thick if the scale representation is to be believed. The main wheels were out-of-round and blobby. The wings have an odd, slightly crescent-shaped curve that the real thing did not have. And the tail is about an inch too short. All that being said, if you want a B-43, it;s about the only game in town. So, I finally finished, having done the best I can. I replaced the bug-eyed canopies of the XB-43 with a modified, vac-formed one from a Mosquito, butted up against a turret from a Hasegawa B-26 Marauder (modified to look like a remote-controlled turret). I lengthened the vertical tail, and replaced the wheels with aftermarket resin wheels from an A-26. I added package guns from the Marauder, as well as the bombardier's seat and nose gun from the same source. The underwing fuel tanks are from a Hobbyboss F-84G. Decals were a mix from the FCM sheets for Brazilian P-47s and (A)B-26s. The markings represent a B-43B operational in 1947 in Northern Italy with the 2/5GAv.
Despite all the whining above, I enjoyed it and I'm pretty happy with how it came out. I would certainly do a few things differently if I were to do it again, but I AM DONE! Enjoy!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4751/25696326337_2a0bb12a82_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/F9Gozg)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/F9Gozg) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4624/40524289142_542e0d9fe0_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24JZzjo)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/24JZzjo) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4799/40524286452_26eeab34a0_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24JZyw1)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/24JZyw1) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4743/26695430478_ac718a87b8_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GEZ4qJ)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/GEZ4qJ) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4766/38756553890_c11480e157_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/223Mtdo)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/223Mtdo) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4719/25696312947_33025ef73e_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/F9GjAp)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/F9GjAp) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4753/25696307487_e9eb8f9f5f_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/F9GhYg)B43 (https://flic.kr/p/F9GhYg) by cacree (https://www.flickr.com/photos/144515244@N05/), on Flickr
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Excellent dealing with and hiding all those kit flaws. Got concept right, added parts right and tail fix right. Cool camo scheme I would like to mimic. 8)
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That is definitely a job well done! :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
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Given all the problems you had this has come out really well. I'm impressed!
Mog
>^-.-^<
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Very nice! Very nice indeed! :smiley: :smiley:
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Wow, that came out great! The camo is outstanding.
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That looks outstanding. :smiley:
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Wow nice twist at the end with that awesome camo and cool FAB markings!
Brian da Basher
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Beautifique!!
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Thank you all for your kind comments!