Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Old Wombat on January 26, 2020, 06:50:55 PM

Title: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on January 26, 2020, 06:50:55 PM
OK, inspired by these photo-shopped images from taidantomcat, I have started my own version.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48916199857_6d883a3419_b.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48920066791_f99c411a4e_b.jpg)

Mine is based on the Airfix B-25C/D kit in the Devil's Scale (1/72). It will retain the upper turret (the further-back version), the swivel-mount nose .50-cal & the single fixed nose .50-cal

If it works out, I may buy another B-25 & do something closer to the image as a B-27G/H/J/?

Photo's will be forthcoming.



(Note: The real XB-27 was a Glenn L. Martin Company paper project that never made prototype.)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: LemonJello on January 27, 2020, 02:32:52 AM
Will be following this one intently.  I like the look of that first photo - could see this as an anti-shipping platform in the Pacific.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: apophenia on January 27, 2020, 05:59:06 AM
Looking forward to this  :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Brian da Basher on January 28, 2020, 04:04:10 AM
That's  killer concept!

I've go a 1/72 Ju-88 fuselage that'll get a B-25 bombardier nose someday. The cross-sections eerily match up.  :o

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on January 28, 2020, 11:10:50 AM
My apologies for the less than satisfactory photo's; it's not a strength, unfortunately:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-fmVwGFj/0/a8c1b638/XL/IMG_2286-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-9nJHbDD/0/5ddb8da2/XL/IMG_2289-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-PxQHghN/0/979e515c/XL/IMG_2290-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-jfvKt3D/0/bb0d62ff/XL/IMG_2291-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-b6ZjqNN/0/d5a68a79/X2/IMG_2292-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-nSHrcjQ/0/1c09d3a8/XL/DSCN7595-XL.jpg)

I'll give the cockpit a blast of dull-cote to drop the gloss a bit then start closing her up.

I've already learned a bit for the next version;

Lesson 1: Take your cuts further down & remove the plastic between the second set of panel lines on the sides forward of the wing & aft of the wing to about 2/3 of the way to the tail. It'll reduce the amount of PSR required.

Lesson 2: Although I've managed a work-around, remove the bombardier's station & move the whole cockpit forward of the nose wheel well.

As you can see, this version has just the one pilot & the poor ol' bombardier is isolated in the nose, unable to access the rest of the plane. I've created an access/escape hatch for him but it's not ideal & is one of the reasons to remove his position completely in the next build, in which I'll give the pilot &/or co-pilot access to a bomb sight. I'll also remove both nose blister guns (fixed & swivel-mounted), going with the 4 side-blister mounted .50cal's of the later models of B-25.

Thanks for watching! :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: ChernayaAkula on January 28, 2020, 12:34:50 PM
This is gonna be so cool!  :smiley: Taiidantomcat's chopped Mitchell has a really menacing look to it. Good to see it in plastic.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on January 28, 2020, 03:39:55 PM
Thanks, Moritz! :smiley:

Hopefully I can do it justice. :icon_meditation:



Highly unlikely to be in BMF, though, 'coz (a) I don't think I'll be able to smooth the PSR enough & (b) I ain't that good at it, anyway. ;)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: LemonJello on January 28, 2020, 09:51:50 PM
Looking like a good start and keep the lessons learned coming!  (And the photo updates)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on January 28, 2020, 10:46:24 PM
I'll try! :smiley: ;)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Dr. YoKai on January 30, 2020, 08:03:21 AM
Woah! That is neat! If you won't mind a bit of kibitzing, I think raising the height of the rudders  a touch might be appealing. Looking forward to seeing the progress of the build regardless!
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on January 30, 2020, 11:41:31 AM
Thanks, Doc! :smiley:


And: Nah, I'm trying to minimised the workload & keep her as close to a B-25 as possible. ;)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on January 30, 2020, 06:25:25 PM
Again, apologies for the crappy photography. :-[


Moving along:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-8L3Vj6b/0/b4c67c71/X2/IMG_2295-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-wP3zKdm/0/b3c62ef0/X2/IMG_2293-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-fNrGL6V/0/9a5e134d/X2/IMG_2294-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-qWkKWhS/0/65179a38/X2/IMG_2296-X2.jpg)


Cockpit glazing is on. Not as smooth as I'd hoped (but wasn't expecting), so I'll need to do a little bit of work to get it looking OK.

Tail planes & tail cone attached, as are the wing uppers. The tail cone is clear (for part of the optics for the remote ventral turret that I didn't fit) but will be painted over.

PSR has removed some of the detail, which I'll attempt to restore but not until after I've PSR'ed around the cockpit.



Thanks for watching! :icon_beer:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: ysi_maniac on January 30, 2020, 07:15:13 PM
Very good! :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on January 30, 2020, 08:32:46 PM
Thanks, ysi! :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: LemonJello on January 30, 2020, 09:42:01 PM
Inspiring!

If I run across a deal on a B-25, I may have to add this to the planned/future projects list (ever growing).
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: taiidantomcat on January 31, 2020, 01:32:49 AM
Dude!! This is soooo cool!!  I love the "glass" behind the regular nose glazing-- Thats even better than my design! never thought of that!

It looks like you handled "dropping" the fuselage top really well too. That was how I was planning on doing it.


(youre making this look far too easy. I'm suddenly thinking this can be done quickly and looking at my razor saws...)  :icon_vader:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: taiidantomcat on January 31, 2020, 01:34:46 AM
That's  killer concept!

I've go a 1/72 Ju-88 fuselage that'll get a B-25 bombardier nose someday. The cross-sections eerily match up.  :o

Brian da Basher

Now Thats interesting!!  8)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: ChernayaAkula on January 31, 2020, 02:41:10 AM
Progressing nicely!  :smiley:

If you were to install a fighter-style bubble hood (yeah, that's exactly not the point of this build.), you'd have a piston-engined Il-28 Beagle (mostly). Whifh would be kinda cool.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 31, 2020, 02:59:03 AM
Looking good
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: kitnut617 on January 31, 2020, 04:10:52 AM
Great stuff Guy   :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

what did the additional glazing come off ?
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: apophenia on January 31, 2020, 05:47:06 AM
That looks amazing  :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Brian da Basher on January 31, 2020, 06:27:12 AM
Funny the other day I verifies a 1/48 Black Widow nose fits on a Testors 1/72 B-25B. Gonna stick a bubble canopy on top for the pilot, not sure about the upper gun blister though.

What an outstanding concept and I eagerly await your next update.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on January 31, 2020, 10:04:28 AM
Thank you all, gentlemen! :smiley:


So far, it's been a relatively easy build but I have this strange feeling I failed to add sufficient nose weight. We'll see how that pans out.

The extra glazing came from the Airfix kit, which supplies two cockpit glazing options (the differences are forward of what I used). If I did it again, I'd cut along a few of the frame lines at the front of the glazing & wedge them apart slightly with some styrene, so they match where they join the other glazing sections. It's hard to see, just holding them up, but the main cockpit glazing narrows towards the front by about 1-1.5mm, which becomes obvious once glued into place.

I'll use the same method with the next (cockpit forward) version I build (if Hasegawa are nice enough to supply two canopies for their B-25J) but just PSR over them to get the right contours. The cockpit forward version will, also, allow for more nose weight, which I believe is a problem for most B-25 kits.


Once more: Thanks for watching & commenting! Very much appreciated! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: kitnut617 on January 31, 2020, 10:21:20 AM
Guy, can you get Scale Aircraft Conversions stuff in your part of the world, they do these for the B-25.

http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?FROM=search&KIT=754 (http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?FROM=search&KIT=754)

http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?FROM=search&KIT=167 (http://www.scaleaircraftconversions.com/moreinfo.cfm?FROM=search&KIT=167)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on January 31, 2020, 12:37:04 PM
Already ordered one for my next Airfix B-25C/D build, which will be Real World British, if I can find photo's. ;)

Given how much nose weight these things seem to need, they should be doing everything forward of the prop's in white metal. ;D

Thanks, anyway, mate! :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: kitnut617 on January 31, 2020, 10:55:34 PM
Some years ago I got a very large sheet of lead from the local scrap metal dealer, the sort that was used to be put along the gutter edges and in the grooves where the roofs changed direction. I got it to use for nose weight in the models.
I've also used some of it a couple of times to replace the cockpit floor in a kit, Canberras and Meteors.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Kerick on January 31, 2020, 11:15:02 PM
I have some buckshot for nose weight that is soft enough I can squeeze it with pliers into different shapes to fill tight spots.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: kitnut617 on January 31, 2020, 11:45:35 PM
Long time ago, the old big houses in England had these counter weights for the windows IIRC. It was mostly bird-shot which was put in neat little ceramic pots which had a loop cast into the top end for the rope to tie to. I used to use that bird shot a lot in my builds way back then (60's, 70's)

Like these.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Robomog on February 01, 2020, 02:22:59 AM
This is a cool piece of plastic surgery, like it a lot

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Frank3k on February 01, 2020, 05:45:25 AM
This is awesome, Guy! I've been trying to do the same on a Trumpeter 1/200 B-25 and haven't been able to wrap my brain around the cuts needed.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 01, 2020, 03:27:41 PM
Thanks, gents! :icon_alabanza:

I don't even want to think about building a kitbash in 1/200! :o
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 01, 2020, 09:37:32 PM
Small progress;

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-RNB9Bpq/0/3c1a5dc3/X2/IMG_2297-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-3WVxWR2/0/a45ac7e5/X2/IMG_2298-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-VTLS5nR/0/d5532ba7/X2/IMG_2299-X2.jpg)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: The Big Gimper on February 01, 2020, 10:23:46 PM
You nailed this one, Guy!
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 01, 2020, 11:24:28 PM
Not yet, Carl, I'm still working on it! :o
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: The Big Gimper on February 02, 2020, 12:30:35 AM
Nah! Given what you have down to date I'm spotting you a solid on this build Guy!  :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: GTX_Admin on February 02, 2020, 03:36:29 AM
Looking at this image:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-3WVxWR2/0/a45ac7e5/X2/IMG_2298-X2.jpg)

I am tempted to say, do it as a 4 engine version with two nacelles with engines in a push-pull arrangement somewhat similar to this:

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a2/cb/1c/a2cb1c727356c7e3aea1887704df07cb.png)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Vint36hXXqNVFHvSYo7uSQlLtZiQiH-CB7zETCm6Hb47_OR_iWNjrgSmXOZZT8_CxsHsJ3FrkLO1cYw9MY8xk0sCZoWhd_WoN-gI7oVPIXaQu7V5hp5-l8-qBlLI29SUakPV_vVaEcXtgeBbzA)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Camthalion on February 02, 2020, 05:13:46 AM
thats coming along really well.  Looks good
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Frank3k on February 02, 2020, 06:11:02 AM
Wow! -  the canopies look like they were meant to be in this configuration! Is this the new molds Airfix B-25? The lack of rivets say yes, but the cockpit reminds me of the old kit.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: FAAMAN on February 02, 2020, 08:36:10 AM
Well, well well Wombat, how very Luft'46 of you  ;)
Very very cool dude, as usual wonderful work.  8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: finsrin on February 02, 2020, 10:02:09 AM
Ditto on prior posts.  Amazed how canopies appear OOB fit.   Interior sure squared away.  Drag and weight reduction has gotta  help performance.  Concept and your build are cool  8)  8)  8)

What putty are you using ?

Luft '46 drawing new to me and cool/inspiring  8)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: elmayerle on February 02, 2020, 01:11:14 PM
Looking at this image:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-3WVxWR2/0/a45ac7e5/X2/IMG_2298-X2.jpg)

I am tempted to say, do it as a 4 engine version with two nacelles with engines in a push-pull arrangement somewhat similar to this:

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a2/cb/1c/a2cb1c727356c7e3aea1887704df07cb.png)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Vint36hXXqNVFHvSYo7uSQlLtZiQiH-CB7zETCm6Hb47_OR_iWNjrgSmXOZZT8_CxsHsJ3FrkLO1cYw9MY8xk0sCZoWhd_WoN-gI7oVPIXaQu7V5hp5-l8-qBlLI29SUakPV_vVaEcXtgeBbzA)
So, what were you thinking for the push-pull arrangement?  Air-cooled radial - air-cooled radial, air-cooled radial - liquid-cooled inline, liquid-cooled inline - air-cooled radial, or liquid-cooled inline - liquid-cooled inline?  If you have an air-cooled engine at the back of the nacelle, the cooling set up gets rather more "interesting".
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 02, 2020, 02:11:58 PM
I think I'll just stick with the cut-down B-25 concept, guys.


Frank; Yes, the new mould Airfix B-25C/D.


I have had some fit issues, mostly due to my ... surgery ... but there are a few others, especially in relation to the wing/landing-light glazing; the parts seem slightly short, & shallow at the rear, but nothing a bit of putty & a shim or two can't fix.

The glazing of the canopy has, in fact, dragged this down from a competition level build to a display only build; which is fine by me, as private display is its primary purpose.


Thanks for the comments & for watching, gents! :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Brian da Basher on February 02, 2020, 08:59:11 PM
Outstanding, Mr Wombat!

I like the look of that long glazed nose.

The framing is very well done and I'm impressed by your patience and steady hand!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: LemonJello on February 03, 2020, 02:24:12 AM
Good progress report/update.  I'll just echo what everyone else has said. This is looking so good.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: GTX_Admin on February 03, 2020, 02:37:39 AM
I think I'll just stick with the cut-down B-25 concept, guys.

Fair enough.  It’s your build after all.

Evan - I was thinking either air-cooled in front and liquid cooled in rear or just all liquid cooled.  Would probably have used Allison V-1710s.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: elmayerle on February 03, 2020, 11:05:39 AM
I think I'll just stick with the cut-down B-25 concept, guys.

Fair enough.  It’s your build after all.

Evan - I was thinking either air-cooled in front and liquid cooled in rear or just all liquid cooled.  Would probably have used Allison V-1710s.
Agreed, fair enough.  I think those two would be the easiest to do concepts.  The next step from there would be a scaled up B-29 equivalent with W3420s (AFAIK, the only coupled engine concept that was really made to work reliably, and then it was not needed).
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 04, 2020, 09:32:08 AM
Nacelles & undercarriage fitted last night ... she's a tail-sitter, all right!

I, earlier, managed to pack the front wheel well with fishing weight lead & a small amount of PVA & she seemed to be slightly tail heavy but I had a cunning plan to but more fishing weight lead in behind the engines.

This will not work, now she's up on her legs. I fitted the weights in the front of the nacelles, put her down, & "clunk" back on her arse. The engines & prop's, when fitted, will only counter balance the turret, which isn't yet fitted.

Looks like I'll need to make a base & pin her to it.


Photo update in this post, shortly done.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-NF6dGmJ/0/38ee32b2/X2/IMG_2300-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-ZQXfLFF/0/963e5f9a/X2/IMG_2301-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-KgnqFjN/0/15415860/X2/IMG_2302-X2.jpg)

As you can see, a tail sitter. The shiny bits in the nacelles are the weights I was going to use (OK, they're one weight cut in two) & anything more is going to seriously compromise the ability of the undercarriage to hold her up.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: elmayerle on February 04, 2020, 10:27:13 AM
Perhaps make metal castings of the engines and propellers?  Too bad you can't easily find some of the old Aeroclub bits.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 04, 2020, 10:52:48 AM
Unfortunately, beyond my skill set. :(
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Kerick on February 04, 2020, 11:50:15 AM
B-25s had a rear access hatch with a built in ladder. It doesn't go all the way to the ground but you could fake that in and use it for a prop. Its Whiff world after all. Or scratch a step ladder sticking up into the fuselage. Its an old trick but still good.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/4306/35975345271_a83ceb03d9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WP23MD)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: finsrin on February 04, 2020, 12:27:11 PM
Perhaps gold or uranium be heavier in nose !
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 04, 2020, 10:08:46 PM
OK, I have 2 more of the same type of weight that I used cut in half.

With both of them nested into the front of the nacelles she sits correctly.

I'll just have to figure out a way of bashing them into discs without increasing their diameter too much. ::)



Interesting little optics observation: When I look at her on the bench she looks a little sway-backed but I built her using a straight steel ruler to align the parts &, rechecking, her spine is still straight. ???
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: kitnut617 on February 04, 2020, 11:34:53 PM
If you for go the propellers turning Guy, you could drill out the rear of the engine and put as many fishing weights in it.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: apophenia on February 05, 2020, 09:47:46 AM
... When I look at her on the bench she looks a little sway-backed but I built her using a straight steel ruler to align the parts &, rechecking, her spine is still straight. ???

Yep, classic optical illusion. On the Parthenon, the architects made the columns slightly wider in the centre to counter the illusion. Seems like your B-27A fuselage is, optically, a Greek column on its side  ;D
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 05, 2020, 09:49:59 AM
Painted in primer, she almost looks like one! ;)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 07, 2020, 10:36:38 PM
Ready for final paint! Hopefully I'll get started on that over the weekend. :smiley: :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 09, 2020, 06:34:32 PM
Painting done. Just needs some touch-ups & fix-ups done, & the edges of the windows trimmed, & she'll be ready for gloss & decals.

Here are some photo's, to prove I've done something;

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-9tXnwdj/0/dc4ebc5f/X2/IMG_2303-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-HGWShHc/0/377ab134/X2/IMG_2307-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-nw3tgB9/0/5508387f/X2/IMG_2306-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-bHjMSGX/0/42d4a9e4/X2/IMG_2305-X2.jpg)

The camo is my spin on a semi-Anglo-American type North Africa/Mediterranean scheme using Tamiya paints; XF-52 (Flat Earth) & XF-59 (Desert Yellow) over XF-19 (Sky Grey).

Flaps, wheels, wheel-well doors, upper turret, prop's & radio wires yet to be fitted.

She'll be wearing British markings. ;)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on February 09, 2020, 07:44:32 PM
Looking good Guy!  The MTO/North Africa scheme is an excellent choice. 
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: ChernayaAkula on February 09, 2020, 07:59:38 PM
Looking really good!  :-* Cool aircraft and cool camouflage!  8)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Brian da Basher on February 09, 2020, 11:24:08 PM
Oh yes! My this is splendid!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Kerick on February 09, 2020, 11:35:53 PM
This looks so real I bet it will make some “experts” blink and look twice. Excellent work!
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: LemonJello on February 10, 2020, 01:19:42 AM
So very cool.  Inspiring, really.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 10, 2020, 02:58:05 AM
Thank you very much, gentlemen! :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: ed s on February 10, 2020, 03:49:17 AM
Best whiffed B-25.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: FAAMAN on February 10, 2020, 04:40:56 AM
Excellent Wombat, geat camo  8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 10, 2020, 02:06:05 PM
Thanks, Ed & Neil! :smiley: :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: finsrin on February 10, 2020, 02:59:09 PM
Amazing how well B-27A is coming together.  It all looks so right.  :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 10, 2020, 03:31:31 PM
Thanks, Bill! :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: kitnut617 on February 10, 2020, 11:51:46 PM
That's a fantastic bit of kit bashing Guy, very impressive ---   :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Frank3k on February 11, 2020, 12:56:29 AM
This is looking just awesome! The canopy and nose fit look perfect.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: elmayerle on February 11, 2020, 01:12:15 AM
Damn, that looks gorgeous!!
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 11, 2020, 02:37:55 PM
Thanks heaps, gentlemen! :icon_alabanza:

The canopy and nose fit look perfect.

You ain't looking close enough! ;)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 17, 2020, 02:07:30 PM
Halfway through putting on the second gloss coat, to protect the transfers/decals.

When that's dry I'll post a few pic's & move on to fading the paintwork, before another gloss coat followed by dirtying her up a bit, after which comes the final dull coat.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 17, 2020, 08:18:50 PM
Roight! Photo's of the beast with her transfers/decals on & glossed.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-W9k5L92/0/568e092e/X2/IMG_2312-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-tg7td9c/0/8514090b/X2/IMG_2313-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-fTZVRnw/0/5921c904/X2/IMG_2314-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-zmNqgRg/0/608769f9/X2/IMG_2316-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-BRFw57w/0/b850a954/X2/IMG_2317-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-MTW4D3W/0/5c6ec9dc/X2/IMG_2322-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-WGLQmx4/0/5402e674/X2/IMG_2324-X2.jpg)

So far, so good (but far from perfect).

Still a lot to do, as I stated in the previous post, but I'm going to leave her alone for a day or two to dry properly before I give her a panel wash & start "fading" her.

These images will probably be the last until she's finished, as I'll be masking over the glazing (again) to protect it from the ravages of time, dirt & dull coat.


Again, thanks for watching! :icon_alabanza:


PS: The mouth was a nasty female dog to get on, as it came from a P-51 Mustang kit & tore as I was trying to fit it, so bits were cut away to get it looking like this, which isn't quite as good as I'd hoped but, still, not too bad.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: LemonJello on February 17, 2020, 09:34:39 PM
All glossy like that, I can almost smell that "new airplane smell" like she just rolled off the assembly line...

Nicely done!
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: GTX_Admin on February 18, 2020, 02:22:18 AM
Wicked! :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Brian da Basher on February 18, 2020, 06:18:53 AM
The shark's mouth is the cherry on top for me.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: finsrin on February 18, 2020, 06:53:37 AM
Oh Yes,,,  B-27A right on in that scheme.  Like how camo curves down and back from top of cowlings - nice touch.  :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 18, 2020, 07:36:54 AM
Thank you all, gentlemen! :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: elmayerle on February 18, 2020, 11:49:57 AM
Damn, that looks nice!!
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Frank3k on February 18, 2020, 01:17:46 PM
This should have been real! It's a great conversion.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 18, 2020, 05:48:45 PM
Thanks, guys! Appreciated! :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber - Finished pic's pg.6
Post by: Old Wombat on February 21, 2020, 02:19:36 PM
Finally done (with the exception of a few touch-ups, which can wait).

Here she is, far from perfect but good enough for me:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-tjzPnp2/0/66dbf968/X2/IMG_2327-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-WHJPG4b/0/71c3e8c8/X2/IMG_2329-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-vt8jBj5/0/037cb833/X2/IMG_2331-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-TCkNrwT/0/292ecbc3/X2/IMG_2330-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-n8x8dzn/0/d464389e/X2/IMG_2334-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-T82WrzG/0/e9c08c1a/X2/IMG_2336-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-dzmKL7q/0/4dcebff5/X2/IMG_2333-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-JDVLsKn/0/4d7ff59f/X2/IMG_2332-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-94whPFT/0/d19fdabc/X2/IMG_2339-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-9MBc4M3/0/45d2ebda/X2/IMG_2338-X2.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-dph723B/0/5382b200/X2/IMG_2337-X2.jpg)

Had trouble getting any depth to the focus on my photo's which, as you can see, I didn't overcome. Excuse the mess on the desk but this is the best focussed shot of the day:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/NA-B-27A/i-wWffLN9/0/0d31185b/X2/IMG_2326-X2.jpg)


Thanks everybody, for following along & your words of support. I hope "Jana" brings a smile to your faces & triggers ideas in your minds.


Cheers! :icon_beer:


Guy
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: finsrin on February 21, 2020, 03:40:15 PM
Plenty perfect by me.  Splendid B-27A.  More you look more you believe you seen B-27A in service pictures.  Is great, excellent fuselage top chop and finish.   8)   :-*
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 21, 2020, 06:03:03 PM
Thanks, Bill! :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: LemonJello on February 21, 2020, 09:23:31 PM
That is a winner.

(https://media2.giphy.com/media/4wycNsucv3ofC/giphy.gif)

Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: kitnut617 on February 21, 2020, 11:12:49 PM
What a cracker Guy   :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Robomog on February 22, 2020, 12:28:20 AM
Impressive bit o' whiffery, looks so believable,  congratulations sir. <animated round of applause here> , :smiley: :smiley:

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Kerick on February 22, 2020, 01:38:49 AM
Well done all around! This would fool anyone!
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: GTX_Admin on February 22, 2020, 02:26:45 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: elmayerle on February 22, 2020, 02:54:12 AM
Beautifique'!!
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Brian da Basher on February 22, 2020, 07:08:36 AM
One of your best yet, Mr Wombat! A real magnificent Mitchell and then some!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 22, 2020, 02:14:56 PM
Woh! :icon_surprised:

Thank you all very much, gentlemen! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: FAAMAN on February 22, 2020, 02:36:04 PM
Excellent work my man  8) 8) 8)
Now what about a "high speed" B-24 spinoff? ;)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 22, 2020, 07:37:49 PM
Thanks, Neil! :icon_alabanza:


Um ... No. ::)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 22, 2020, 07:39:32 PM
I thought I'd throw together a short backstory for this, so here it is:


The B-27A

With the United States’ entry into WW2 they came into close contact with the concept of the unarmed high-speed bomber in the form of the de Havilland Mosquito. Impressed by this aircraft & the concept, the US Army Ordnance Branch (USAOB) put out feelers for feedback from the US aircraft industry.
North American Aviation (NAA) were the first to respond, with a sketch of a plane which was, basically, an unarmed variant of their new B-25C medium bomber. Never fully convinced by the “unarmed” part of the concept, USAOB requested that NAA restore some fire-power to the plane & gave them the XB-27 designation. NAA gave the XB-27 designation to the original sketch & worked on lightening the aircraft to account for the extra weapons. This involved removing all of the fuselage above the nose profile, moving the pilot in next to the nose wheel well (losing the co-pilot in the process), refitting the dorsal twin .50 call machine-gun turret, the flexible bombardier’s .50 cal machine-gun & the fixed forward firing .50 cal machine-gun. A hatch was also added to the lower port-side nose, as the bombardier had lost any access back to the rest of the aircraft. This aircraft they called the XB-27A.
The USAOB put in an order for 600 of these aircraft which were, as much of the tooling was that of the B-25, produced in sufficiently quick times that sufficient were able to be sent to the North African theatre for use by the RAF before Operation Torch.
The first squadron supplied with these aircraft was No. 3141 Squadron RAF (allocated the squadron code V5), a Czech manned squadron operating in North Africa. Using the high speed & agility of the B-27A 314Sqn carried out numerous successfully harassing raids against German & Italian airfields, supply depots & transport convoys (both on land & at sea).
V5-X (RB281R) "Jana" was flown by Flight Lieutenant Tomáš R. Diviš (the aircraft was named after the wife he left behind in Czechoslovakia) with the regular crew of Flying Officer Lukáš Dvořáček (bomb-aimer), Pilot Officer Marek Hruška (navigator), Flight Sergeant Jaroslav Přibyl (radio operator) & Flight Sergeant Alois Trnka (turret gunner/engineer). This aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire whilst attacking a transport convoy off the Tunisian coast on the 16th of March 1943, crashing into the sea whilst returning home. The crew survived relatively unscathed & were rescued by the destroyer HMS Jervis.

B-27A
General characteristics
•   Crew: 5 (pilot, navigator, bombardier, turret gunner/engineer, radio operator)
•   Length: 52 ft 11 in (16.13 m)
•   Wingspan: 67 ft 7 in (20.60 m)
•   Wing area: 618 sq ft (57.4 m2)
•   Empty weight: 18,870 lb (8559kg)
•   Max takeoff weight: 35,000 lb (15,876 kg)
•   Powerplant: 2 × Wright R-2600-13 Twin Cyclone 14-cylinder two-row air-cooled radial piston engines
Performance
•   Maximum speed: 354 mph (570 km/h, 308 kn) at 13,000 ft (4,000 m)
•   Range: 1,550 mi (2,495 km, 1,347 nmi)
•   Service ceiling: 24,200 ft (7,400 m)
Armament
•   Guns: 4 × .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns
•   Hardpoints: 2,000 lb (900 kg) ventral shackles to hold one external Mark 13 torpedo
•   Bombs: 3,000 lb (1,360 kg) bombs




1: Although allocated the squadron code UY during April to September 1939, No.314 was not an active RAF squadron at this time. The 314 number was then given to No. 314 Technical Services Unit before that designation was changed & the Czech squadron being formed as No. 314 Squadron in late 1941, flying Blenheim IVs.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Volkodav on February 22, 2020, 08:50:55 PM
Very nice
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: ysi_maniac on February 23, 2020, 03:44:46 AM
Beautiful indeed. :smiley: :-* :-* :-* :icon_alabanza:

One day I will build a single tail version of Mitchell  8) or not... ???
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: GTX_Admin on February 23, 2020, 04:01:25 AM
One day I will build a single tail version of Mitchell  8) or not... ???

Something like this perhaps:

(https://oldmachinepress.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/naa-super-strafer.jpg)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: FAAMAN on February 23, 2020, 06:46:56 AM
Oh Wow :P That is cool GTX  8) 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: GTX_Admin on February 23, 2020, 07:03:08 AM
Its actually the North American Aviation NA-98X Super Strafer.  See here:  https://oldmachinepress.com/2012/09/02/na-98x-super-strafer/
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: GTX_Admin on February 23, 2020, 07:05:01 AM
There's also this oddity:

(http://www.daveswarbirds.com/tora/pics/aircraft/B-25.jpg)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: FAAMAN on February 23, 2020, 04:09:23 PM
Single vertical tail vibration test rig maybe using a B-25B airframe? ;)
I can feel a WHIFF folder coming on  ;)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: GTX_Admin on February 24, 2020, 02:16:05 AM
It's actually from the movie Tora! Tora! Tora! where it was modified to look like a Douglas A-20.
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: ysi_maniac on February 24, 2020, 08:41:59 AM
^^^^^ An idea to choose donor model. ;)
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Buzzbomb on February 24, 2020, 09:48:00 AM
Yeah baby !!!!..

That turned out just wonderful
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 24, 2020, 09:36:01 PM
Thanks, BT! :icon_alabanza:

Good to see you're still popping your head in, from time to time. :smiley:
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: ChernayaAkula on February 25, 2020, 08:18:04 AM
This is so cool!  :smiley: The overall design, the camouflage scheme, the shark-mouth.....  :-*

Looks fast just sitting on the painting stand.  :icon_beer:
With the gear tucked in, it would look even faster, though.  >:D But that might just be my predilection for in-flight builds speaking....
Title: Re: NA B-27A High Speed Medium Bomber
Post by: Old Wombat on February 25, 2020, 08:58:41 AM
Thanks heaps, Moritz! :icon_alabanza:


I tend to build wheels-down to give me something to stand the builds on. However, I agree with you about how fast she looks.

So, the B-27K I have planned, which I think should look even faster, may get the flaps-up, wheels-up look (depends on how the Hasegawa B-25J behaves).

I'm not sure if I want to do the bomb-bay open or not, depends on whether the Hasegawa kit is up to the standard of the Airfix kit in that regard (Airfix's bomb-bay looks good straight OoB but I, also, have two Eduard upgrade sets for it (one for the next Airfix B-25C/D I get)).