Jan

The mitchell is monogram - model No 5500.

Lead melting!! - My brother in law casts his own lead weights for diving purposes - he has an old saucepan and heats it up with a plumbers blowtorch.

Be aware however that melting lead will release lead vapours into the atmosphere, and lead is very bad for you.

Andy

Hi guys

I've just popped into the garage to try something out.

I took a 1 1/2 ounce lead fishing weight and hit it with a hammer - quite a lot. Lead being malleable spreads out when you hit it - so you can make lead sheet just by pounding it and then cutting it into the size strips that you want.

And it's kinda fun hitting it as well - needed to take todays photoetch frustration out on something.

Hope this technique helps, and it's safer than melting.

Andy

Andy.

Here you go matey....
Monogram 1/48 B-25H Mitchell

North American B-25H Mitchell

They're both Monogram #5500 kits.
Can you flatten lead in another way?

:-) :-) OK, that would answer my question..... :-) :-)

Thanks for the links to the reviews - hope i win the auction.

Andy

So do I mate, fingers crossed!
I know that they have two engines too many, but I really like these pics...




:-)

Andy,

The P 61 has raised panel lines, good detail in both crew stations and engines, has a few fit problems between wings and booms to the tailplane, it is one of the few they classed as a 4 in building experience, {the 48 scale Cat is listed as 5}, other than that it's a good kit.

Eduard masks are a must for the class house, there are several AM decal sheets available for both PTO and ETO theatres, of either overall Black or the Olive drab over Neutral Grey.

As for the Mitchel, it is about a '70's kit, {same vintage as the P 61}, raised detail and very good interior detail throughout, including the bomb bay has options of either open/closed nose cone, good 75mm detail and fits together with very few vices.
Needs Eduard masks for the clear bits.

Hope your successfull in the bids.

Jan,

With lead apart from previously mentioned methods, roll the shot flat is the only option outside the above.
Nice pic of the Halifax and Lancaster, sadly their is no agent for Fondurie kits here, but would love to get hold of the 48 kit.
I converted the current Tamiya 48 scale Lancaster into a B I/III for the RAAF build by making up a resin Bomb Bay for it.

Andy,

Here are some pix of a couple of Mitchell models, {yet to build - from way back when}, the boxart of the B25d - well that's something from the Sci Fi era, the 'Walk Around' book has some good detail pix both inside and out. Oh and the Monogram Typhoon kit {the re-issued boxing}, not a second hand item.






Some pix of a made up Monogram Typhoon






The cockpit detail and resin seat of this model subject is from a damaged Typhoon Car Door kit and not the Monogram offering, the decals are hybrid AM as the mount of W.Cdr. Peter Beaumont, {from the Fenchurch Wing - or the Buzz Bomb chasers}, the cammo is Mr Color RAF Laquers.

Going over to the 'Twins' again both in the PTO or SEAC, with an odd RAAF bird - well we did inherit 6 from the NEIAF we flew them for 3 years anyway.

Back to the 'Guinea Pig' the beaching gear is attached to the fuselage, the side guns are installed {minus their protective plates at present and a few things that have been replicated to be more realistic {with pix and adiscription of how these have been made}.

The beaching gear is finished in Alcladd II Aluminium.





The DF Loop made from copper wire.
The kit parts for the Oil Coolers, with Aluminium Mesh attached front and rear





The before and after pix, the Aluminium mesh before a small piece was cut off, the cut piece after punching 4 pieces for the kit part replacement.
The Punch set I use - which strangly enough I found in a Fabric Store.



The beaching gear attached to the model subject.

Looking great Rob!

So this is where you gents spend your free time. Great thread...except for the nudididty...egads!

Nudity? where's the nudity.....nudity? *runs in circles* aaaarrrrrgghh!!!

Thats not nudity - i'm sure he's got his boots on!!! :-) :-) :-)

Aaaaand he got his headset on thank you very much..... :-)

I'll have a few more pix of this 'Cat' to post soon.

A little more progress on the 'Cat' mainly of the enhancements of the trailing antenias and other bits added:


The DF Loop and forward radio antenia mast.

Port wing trailing antenia mounting, fine copper wire is used at both of these points, the kit wing post has been drilled out for the copper wire to be inserted.

The starboard side of the wing, focusing here on the wingtip navigation light.


These 2 pix focus on the rear mounting point {at the rudder} for the anchor point of the trailing antenias, note they are not fixed into the rudder section:- a small loop of copper wire is the anchor point CA glued after drilling a small hole in the rudder seam:
The trailing antenia from rudder to wing, has a couple of additional leads running back into the fuselage. NOTE the extra antenia post in the rudder made from a piece of brass wire.

The material used for these trailing antenias is a polyester 3 ply thread that I bourght from a fabric store, the Tamiya Extra Fine glue secures this without any problems and eliminates the need for heat shrinking or CA glues.
Sorry for the poor quality pic at the end.

Rob,

You just keep rubbing my nose in it will ya....just because I can't build right now.....soooo unfair and not very nice...! :-) :-) :-)
Awesome build, looking absolutely fantastic. I love the weathering, the whole weather beaten look is just great! Looking forward to see more from you works matey.

Jan,

I'll be sorry and sad to see this model go, as I don't build 72 scale for myself and I've offered this subject to my mate who has the Whitley model I helped in building and painting.
I may change to a 72 scale Catalina subject {in the future} if I can't track down any 48 kits.

Shortly I can restart on my Italeri / AMT 48 Boston in a Desert Scheme.

But I have to continue in the other poeples model builds that are in the progression so that I can clear some space to go back to my 48 C130j conversion over the Xmas New Year break.

I'll keep my eyes open for both of you, for any 1/48 Catalinas.... I'll let you know if I any...
Fellas, does it matter if it's a PBY-5 or a -5A? Just as long it's in 1/48?
Keep those pics coming.....I'm taking notes here.... :-) :-)

Jan

I'm taking notes too.

Personally so long as it's a 48 scale cat i'd be happy.

Andy

Jan,

Any 48 scale 'Cat' kit is ok with me.

Here is a couple of pix of another 'Twin' with a difference, this is the old Fujimi kit with Super Scale 'Hornese' decals, mixed with the older AeroMaster 48 set for 'Battle of Britian' Bf 110's.
This was built a few months back for a client as to their instructions.




I'll post some progress of the Boston later.

Fellas,

How many builds do you have in the air at the same time? Two, three, four or do you concentrate on just the one?? Was just thinking if it's a good idea to build more than one machine, to let things dry and so on...
Great looking Bf 110 young master Rob....

The 47 Venturas was from Nos 21, 464, and 487 Squadrons that took part along with Mosquitos and Bostons in the daylight low-level attack on December 6, 1942 against the Philips radio and vacuum tube factory in Eindhoven. The raid did not go well--nine of the Venturas were shot down and 37 were damaged.

I'll see if I can find out who flew the bostons....

Just found out that the 88th, 107th and possibly 226th squadrons could be the ones that flew Bostons in the raid of the Philips factory. They're the only ones still flying them at this point.

Jan,

Thanks for info on the 464 Sqn RAAF Venturas:- If only to find a 48 scale in Oz, I intend to do my 48 Boston as an RAF Sqn bird based in Nth African.

Do you really need a list of models on the go at the sametime ?

I'd have to go into the workshop an make up a list of those that are mine and those that are for Contracts other Clients and would take up a lot of space on the page.

Rob,

Not a problem matey. I enjoy doing research and all that, it's a great way to learn history I think personally. I was just thinking if I should build something else beside the Cat, to keep my hands off you know, so you're not there fingering the parts while the glue or paint is drying or getting bored while waiting.... :-) :-)
Got the idea to maybe get a Mosquito and/or a Beaufighter, some other twin to build at the same time.... any suggestions?

Also.....I found that Squadron have the FM Lockheed PV-1 Ventura in 1/48 for $62.96.
FM Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
FM Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Review
Here's one for sale on ebay.com.au
ebay.com.au FM Lockheed PV-1 Ventura




Hannat's has the same as well but it's sold out it seems. They wanted