Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Completed GBs => Group and Themed Builds => W.W.III-Between the years of 1946-1955 GB => Topic started by: Acree on August 26, 2015, 10:29:04 AM

Title: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: Acree 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.
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: Frank3k on August 26, 2015, 11:21:40 AM
This is going to look good! Maybe the US response to the  Russian Sukhoi Su-10 (https://www.google.com/search?q=sukhoi+su+10&biw=1874&bih=998&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDw0MOlkeMtxm5BV7-uCcsdZFx0pqT1xhPMXJxBWfkl7vmlWSWVArtZuRigzLluPikuPRz9Q2MzLMLi_I0GKR4uJD4Ul2MQkpc0vrJ-Tk5qcklmfl5-omZRclFiWkl8bn5Kak5xaIxIdL2QlJcwshqkvJzk1KLikWl65nshfS5NLDqT8xLiUc3rG3tTzsr1uBSXUODIG79dH1DIyNzwyqLqtyDDCZ2SiwcDALMPFPuH2bY0mlW7lH4RPWF-KvaUAkzZwBq0jEw_gAAAA&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoA2oVChMImu2R2uTFxwIVhiuICh3gEgsh&dpr=1). They tried odd engine placements as well as three jet pods.
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: finsrin on August 26, 2015, 12:39:19 PM
Alright,,,  you have my attention.
Urgent jet upgrade of B-25 :)
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: Steve Blazo on August 26, 2015, 12:41:57 PM
Great concept - can't wait to see it take shape !!  :) :)
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: ysi_maniac on August 26, 2015, 07:16:18 PM
Really promising!!!!!
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: apophenia on August 28, 2015, 09:55:05 AM
Cool concept on your nacelle arrangement!  :)
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: Tophe 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) ;)
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: Acree 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. 
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: Tophe 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:
(http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/b-25ZJ.jpg)
 ;)
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: finsrin on September 05, 2015, 02:52:54 PM
Tophe --- Thatz a styrene worthy masterpiece :)
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: kitnut617 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
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: GTX_Admin 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 (https://youtu.be/W2thLF4WJac?t=1m37s)

(http://www.modelermagic.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/SuckerPunchB-25top-500x469.jpg)
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: Acree 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. 
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: Tophe 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!
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell - Finished
Post by: Acree 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. 



Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell - Finished
Post by: Tophe 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! :-* ;)
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: GTX_Admin on September 13, 2015, 11:34:19 AM
Looks good
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: Buzzbomb on September 13, 2015, 11:41:52 AM
really nice and an eye catching design.
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: taiidantomcat on September 15, 2015, 03:08:58 AM
Wow!  Love the black anti glare on the engines.
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: Steve Blazo on September 15, 2015, 03:44:49 AM
Nice job, looks really cool !!!  8) 8)
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: finsrin 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.
Title: Re: B-25R Mitchell
Post by: Brian da Basher 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