Author Topic: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina  (Read 8089 times)

Offline Acree

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FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« on: February 02, 2018, 03:35:35 AM »
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...

Offline Tophe

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2018, 01:37:32 PM »
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... :( ;)

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2018, 03:37:49 AM »
Inspiration for scheme:



Or perhaps if you want to be more adventurous:

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Offline Acree

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2018, 04:01:48 PM »
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?   

Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2018, 08:37:13 PM »
I can help.   Give me a few hours.   Do want me to post the image on BTS or send it to you directly?
Work in progress ::

I am giving up listing them. They all end up on the shelf of procrastination anyways.

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Offline Acree

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2018, 11:48:32 PM »
Whichever is easiest for you. And thank you very much!

Offline kitnut617

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2018, 12:15:12 AM »
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
« Last Edit: February 13, 2018, 12:21:37 AM by kitnut617 »

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2018, 02:28:11 AM »
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.
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Acree

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2018, 04:54:01 AM »
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!

Offline finsrin

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2018, 05:17:05 AM »
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:

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #10 on: February 16, 2018, 05:02:17 AM »
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

Offline Acree

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2018, 05:35:01 AM »
A couple of WIP update photos:
First, the raw materials:
B-43 by cacree, on Flickr
Next, a shot before and after cutting the new cockpit opening:
B-43 by cacree, on Flickr
The finished cockpit interior, also showing the hole cut for the twin-.50 turrent:
B-43 by cacree, 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...B-43 by cacree, on Flick, and after some PSR: B-43 by cacree, on Flickr
I've made some more progress since then, but no pics for now.  More later! 

Offline finsrin

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2018, 05:49:59 AM »
So interesting to see the pictures.  A fine concept. 

Offline apophenia

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2018, 08:19:29 AM »
Great start. Looking good  :smiley:
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2018, 01:11:09 AM »
Looking good so far
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #15 on: February 21, 2018, 08:37:05 AM »
That's some nice progress and you're certainly braver than I am for tackling a resin kit!

Brian da Basher

Offline Acree

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #16 on: February 21, 2018, 09:57:43 AM »
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. 

B-43b by cacree, on Flickr

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #17 on: February 21, 2018, 10:14:24 AM »
Looking good! :smiley:
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Offline finsrin

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #18 on: February 21, 2018, 01:56:48 PM »
Oh yeah.  Doing the right stuff.  Gunna be good.

Offline Robomog

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #19 on: February 22, 2018, 06:04:07 AM »
Woooo !  resin kit, respect. :icon_alabanza:
 Looking good too, like the Mitchell style gun packs

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Offline Frank3k

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #20 on: February 22, 2018, 07:25:20 AM »
That's some major resin surgery! I have the Victoria Products vacuform XB-43 prop/jet variants and it's daunting.

Offline Acree

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #21 on: February 23, 2018, 12:43:10 PM »
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. 

B-43 5 by cacree, on Flickr 

Offline finsrin

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #22 on: February 23, 2018, 03:40:12 PM »
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.

Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #23 on: February 23, 2018, 07:57:15 PM »
This is an awesome evolution Chuck!
Work in progress ::

I am giving up listing them. They all end up on the shelf of procrastination anyways.

User and abuser of Bothans...

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: FAB B-43B Mestre-Turbina
« Reply #24 on: February 23, 2018, 09:37:58 PM »
That's coming along great Chuck and the new canopy/rear turret really changes the look for the better!

Brian da Basher