B-25J Mitchell by Tom E - Revell - 1:48 Scale

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Thought it might be a good time to give this project some wings!...….pun intended.....

 

This project will go beyond just the Mitchell bomber. I plan on using this to learn how to airbrush and use photo etch. 

Never have used PE or an airbrush before, this may be interesting. A "practice" model, yet I don't want to wreck it either.

We shall see what happens in the end. 

Originally, the kit was bought in an unplanned trip to Michaels and had a few dollars burning a hole in my wallet. 

These were bought to just put in the stash, and see what happens. 

 

Curiosity got the best of me and I had to pop open the Mitchell kit. 

Neatly packed kit in grey and clear sprues. 

Instruction are pretty straight forward. 

The decals look a lot better than the ones used when I was a kid. 

They give 2 versions of decals to use.

The "Jaunty-Jo" or "Finito Benito".  

I like the leggy gal "Jaunty-Jo".

Next came the air compressor.

When I moved into my new home, I laid out some monies for an airbrush set-up (compressor/brush/ventilation).

I have been researching these things for over a year now. I looked at the most expensive to the cheapest of compressors that are available. 

Many to choose from, many quality products, and many to avoid. 

 

In the end, I bought from a company that I was familiar with instead of Amazon.

90 day return policy helps.

 

This compressor works really well and is quieter than some fish tank filters I've had. 

Holding tank and adjustable pressure settings. Those were the two things I centered around the most. I didn't want one that runs continuously. 

Very happy with this purchase so far.

The compressor came with a basic hose and airbrush. 

All work well.

I test shot some water thru the airbrush this past weekend. I learned a lot just from doing that before shooting any paint, which I have not done yet.

I plan on learning on the airbrush below.

I'm going to excel with the Harder & Steenbeck Infinity Two in One. 

I just learned of this brand of airbrush no more than a month ago. 

For some reason I never saw these come up in an "airbrush" search while shopping. 

 

I was searching thru the "Painting" section here on MSW and finally saw this brand mentioned. 

And from the results I've seen from the people that recommended them, it's a worthwhile investment. 

I hold off using this one until I'm more confident in my abilities. 

It was a little bit of an investment. Not cheap.

The hose comes with it. 

There were some other trinkets that came with the airbrush.

I'll learn about these as we progress. 

Lets have some fun

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

[Old Collingwood]

What a Great subject  and set up  - welcome to the club.

 

OC.

[lmagna]

Your'e a braver man than I Tom E. When I took the same plunge a few months ago, all I thought I could justify buying at the beginning stage was a $30 gun/pump. The gun looks like the clone in your first picture, but the pump is a tiny thing that sits on the bench, or in my case the table.  So far it is doing everything asked of it But I am probably not experienced enough to strain it's probable limited abilities. I will be certain to hang out here and learn . 

[Canute]

Those are some top line airbrushes, Tom.  Congrats.

 

Here's an interesting website for airbrushing: https://modelpaintsol.com/

This has tutorials, maintenance issues. And this guy is in the Seattle area for personal instruction for folks in that area.

[popeye the sailor]

hey there Tom...welcome to the fold    I have the same B 25J kit........did 2 sets of decals come in yours?   both versions are on the sheet,  so if yours didn't,  then I got a boon!  also,  did your kit come with 2 clear sprues of clear parts?  oh.....never mind.......I just check it and saw that the nose glass is different.......ya,  for the two versions   it's a good looking kit......just the right scale too.  it's too bad I've slated another B 17 1:72 scale to be next.......I'd join you     almost finished with the Arizona {I'll look forward seeing what you do with her}.

 

great airbrushes!  I use siphon feed airbrushes.........just do a few tests...once you get the feel,  you'll be hooked      following along..enjoy!

[thibaultron]

Here is my standard recomendation to new airbrushers.

 

[Tom E]

Evening,

Thanks for the warm welcome folks, appreciate it!

 

Ron, 

I have seen that video many times. It really has helped me.

A must watch in my book!

 

Ken, 

That website is awesome! Already signed up for the news letter. I'll be exploring that one fully.

 

Denis, Lou, OC, welcome! Glad to have you all on board . 

 

In my yearning to do something with this model while waiting for new supplies, I did some painting.  

I used a bottle of Testors flat black and hand painted the storage locker and radio. 

These might be some of my first pieces to try some airbrushing.  

Besides today being Friday, It was an easy day to go to work because I knew I had a package coming from UPS. 

I have heard of a website mentioned called scalehobbyist.com. Wonderful website with great products!

Bonus, they are in Nashua NH, me being in Lebanon NH, means basic shipping is essentially next day for me. 

My first ever set of PE, with new paints and other fun stuff!

The photo etch itself is funky.

Strong yet weak and very light. 

There's some small fiddly bits in these things!

I bought the below gun barrels just for a little fun. 

It'll be cool to incorporate these in.

I decided to start with a few colors from Mr Color. Never used this paint before but have seen wonderful results with it in other builds.

So any paints I'll buy will most likely be Mr Color and Tamiya.  I started basic with flat white, black, olive drab, and an earth green.

More colors will be brought in with a future order. 

I bought some Panel Line Accent color as well, never used this before. But it looks like it adds a great dimension to any model.

I'll experiment with this on some scrap pieces first. 

There was some progress done on the fuselage.

First things first....both halves got a warm soapy bath and will dry overnight.

Stay warm

 

Tom E 

 

 

[popeye the sailor]

nice!  this log will be a good 'go to'  when I start to build mine  

[yvesvidal]

22 hours ago, Tom E said:

Tom,

 

It looks like you have been spending some serious money recently. I call that an investment.

 

Yves

[CDW]

Tom

 

Excellent choices to start. I hope all the best for your endeavor. Looking forward to following your progress.

[Javlin]

Looks like a nice PE selection I like how they provided the rear walkway I will keep an eye on the build have a couple smaller 25's in the stash to build. Kevin

[Tom E]

Afternoon, 

Admittedly, I have been dogging this build for a bit of spare time. 

I dipped my hand "into the cookie jar" called internet shopping and bought a few more "Needful Things"!

 

Supplies...…I tell myself.....colors I will eventually need.....appropriate thinner....supplies...….yeah....supplies!  

I bought some more paint, that I will eventually need, but heavy on the Tamiya this time with a few more Mr Color paints. 

I bought the below guns just because.

They looked cool!

Don't know if there historically correct, looking into that one, but lets see If I can "work em in" some where. 

If not, save em for another build. 

When I bought the compressor, the spray booth was on sale as well. 

We'll see about this, seems pretty straight forward.

It fits my place. 

I have the compressor at my feet so I can watch the pressure gauge. 

What's a good pressure to work at?

Instead of diving right in and shooting paint, I went with water instead. 

I put up the below paper towels in preparation of a cone of water to come spraying out. 

When I finally did it, I got it.  It atomizes the liquid, I get it now. 

I had to spray it on my hand to feel anything coming out. Didn't need the hanging paper towels!

Well, I went a head and started screwing around with the PE. 

I decided I wanted to start installing interior items that will want painted when I do finally paint the interior an olive drab from Mr Color. 

 

I made a box.

My very first piece of PE.

I chose this piece because its a simple box, cant be too hard.....right?

Lesson number one......don't bend too many times.

Snapped at 3 different places. Bend once and only once!!!!!

I hacked it in, I'm hoping paint will cover a heck of a lot of sin. 

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

 

[Old Collingwood]

Yep,   PE  bendy boxes  - I remember them form my HMS Warpy kit at 1/350 scale  hard enough to see them let alone bend them  - and yes you are right  - its a "one time only go at bending the walls in to make boxes  - what I found useful  was  bending one face at a time against something flat of square then gently do the remaining faces - then if there is an opening  dab some CA on a fine stick or fuse wire  inside the box to glue the edges.

 

OC.

[CDW]

Regarding your air pressure, between 15 lbs to 25 lbs is generally where you'll want to be depending on the particular application, how much you've thinned the paint, and how fine a line/pattern you're trying to achieve. The more highly reduced, fine line requirements are low pressure applications (15 lbs).

[mtaylor]

You might try annealing the brass.... risky but it might work to soften it and make it less brittle.    I've done it with thicker brass but never with anything as tiny or then as PE.

[Tom E]

Evening, 

 

CDW,

Thanks for the advice. I have my compressor set at 20lbs. Being new to airbrushing I was going to adapt a 1:1 paint/thinner ratio and learn from there. 

I figure thin enough to not clog the airbrush, but thick enough to cover.

 

This past weekend was a perfect one. Three days long and only left the house once.

Did the basic chores and did a fair amount of building on this project and my Niagara. 

Didn't think the coffee and creamer was gonna hold out!

 

Continued placing parts that will be eventually be painted the same as the interior. 

I figure once the interior PE is placed I'll try airbrushing the interior. A large area where I can see how the paint lays down.

All parts that straddle the interior where placed, and glued, with the two fuselage halves taped together. But only glued on one side.

Should insure a fair alignment...…..mostly. 

Time to make another box from the PE!

The dreaded box!

Bend once!.....and glue.

Came out a bit better!

Started playing with the rear deck.

Not glued on yet.

I must say, being new to PE and which manufacturer is better, but the Eduard PE seems to fit really well. 

I can see some Panel Line accent on this once it's painted.

Stay warm

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

[Javlin]

Looking good Tom as to the mix a great painter on another forum the consistency of "whole milk" Kevin

[Javlin]

21 hours ago, mtaylor said:

You might try annealing the brass.

I did it on the Chikuma on the firehose reels when I needed to role them not long and not the hottest part of the flame "trust me" Kevin

 

but the Eduard PE seems to fit really well. 

 

They have been doing it for quite awhile that's who I am using on my build

Edited March 3, 2020 by Javlin

[Tom E]

Evening, 

 

"The consistency of Whole Milk"....I can see that, great tip Javlin. Thanks!

 

Still working on the interior. 

The rear deck and compartment dividers are all in. 

These were all placed and glued with both halves of the fuselage taped together.

There are some gaps in the compartment dividers. 

I tried these things every which way and below was the best I could get. According to the PE instructions the smaller end has to be on the bottom. 

So I was a limited a bit by that.

 

Future builds, I may try using Styrene to fill that in. I don't have any right now, and don't see me buying any in the near future. 

There was a lid on the PE box in the below pic. 

It snapped off. If I truly need it I'll attach it later. 

If I didn't break it now, I most assuredly would later in the build. 

Everything seems to be lining up well. 

The front piece of PE will eventually lay flat to the other side of the fuselage, its a little wonky in the below pic. 

Started brining together the cockpit area. 

There are some PE I want to attach before painting. 

Tom E

 

 

 

 

 

[Javlin]

4 hours ago, Tom E said:

t snapped off. If I truly need it I'll attach it later. 

Been there and done that and then some PE is a "WTH" for Kevin

[ASAT]

Hi Tom, any more progress on this? Sent you a PM....

Lou

[Tom E]

Hi Lou, 

Sent you a PM.

 

Sorry for the lack of updates, there are plenty!

With what's going on in the world, my mind has been elsewhere. I work in healthcare, and it has been absolutely insane!!!!!!!! 

I was furloughed by my workplace and now have 4-6+ weeks off.

So I got the house in order, stocked the pantry and the like, and now settled into my "bunker" for next few weeks.

 

And I still have the next 4-6 weeks off...…..that's a lot of building!

 

Should have an update for both my Niagara and B-25 build shortly.....dinner is almost ready!!!!  

 

Tom E 

[Tom E]

Evening, 

 

This build needs an update!!!!

 

Continuing with the internal PE, the rear gunner position was next.

There's still a gunners seat and seatbelts that will be eventually installed. 

I hope to use the aftermarket gun barrels I have in this area. But that's looking ahead. 

With the rear section finished, that finishes the big pieces of internal PE and the interior of the fuselage is ready for paint.

I taped up a few areas where I wanted to contain the spray of paint. 

Being completely new to airbrush painting and masking, It was mostly guess work. 

I was so nervous by the time I went ahead and got the airbrush up and primed. 

I had three of everything on "stand-by"!!!!

Reminded me of my old days working in Operating rooms. 

In the end, it wasn't too bad. Most of the worry was in my head. 

As you can see below, It is a bit splotchy, but I think I can chock that up to my paint/thinner ratio.

I'm still learning that aspect!

I didn't worry too much about another coat as most of this will be covered when the fuselage halves are glued together. 

I can see why airbrushing is so popular.

All the little details really jump out.  I was always a hand painter, still am on my Niagara build, but for plastic it looks fantastic!

Using Mr. Color Olive Drab for the interior. For the exterior I plan on using an Earth Green from Mr. Color as well. 

The interior still has some pieces install.

There are foot lockers, seats, and ammo boxes yet to be installed. These will be done later, there being painted black.

Stay safe!

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

[Javlin]

I would not worry about the splotchy inside the fuse it will give a more natural look in the long run.In the future most AAC aircraft were four basic colors inside Green Chromate(interior exceptions) ,Yellow Chromate(engine ,wheel wells),Republic Green (P47's pit) and Silver you are good have fun! Kevin

[Edwardkenway]

Good job, looking forward to more updates 👍😉

[Tom E]

Mornin,

Beautiful crisp early spring day in New Hampshire. Sun is rising, birds are chirping and the coffee is hot.

I see a lot of building getting done today.

 

Before I head to the table, another update.

 

With the interior of the fuselage coming along nicely, I needed to make some head way on the cockpit area.

There are some small PE parts for the core of this area, easily placed. 

I did check where the brass strips should lay in front of the seats so not to block/foul up any future parts in this area.

Kept reminding myself there's still a control stick and console to install. 

The seats had some PE parts. They look like map boxes.

They'll be a bit buried in this area once all is installed, but I like them and went forward with it. 

Had to make sure I had the clearance for the map boxes.

Glad I checked and checked again where these will finally sit!

This area is essentially ready for paint.

The seats will have some PE seatbelts but those will be after I spray these a Mr Color flat black. 

Off to paint we went.

I'm getting more confident with the airbrush.

With that being said, I did change over to the Harder & Steenbeck Infinity airbrush sooner than I would have liked. 

A very basic no name airbrush came with the compressor I bought. 

It kind of "fell apart" while cleaning it. 

There are some small PE pieces for the control panel and flight controls. 

All in good time. 

 

The deck area was painted olive drab. Same as the rest of the interior. 

 

 

Stay safe, 

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

[popeye the sailor]

look'in good Tom  

[Old Collingwood]

As denis said  - very nice work  - I love the shading in the fuselage.

 

OC.

[ASAT]

Yep, the PE really makes things pop and your airbrush work looks great Tom!

[Tom E]

Morning,

 

Thanks for the kind words Gents!

Progress continues......

 

Staying in the cockpit area, the flight controls and control panel are next. 

There is some PE for the flight controls. I got about half of it on. Some of the pieces were incredibly small and wont be missed. 

The control panel was a "sandwich" type construction. 

The silver piece is painted PE. Under that is a "film" glued underneath for the displays.

This is all glued to the front of the panel. 

Looks like my aim was off a little bit!

The dials don't line up perfectly with the holes in the silver piece....oh well. 

Also, in the bottom right of the pic, the seatbelts have been painted. 

I really like the look of the seatbelts.

There are two smaller PE pieces that are lap belts.

I stuck with just the over-the-shoulder belts as the bottom half rest where the lap belts would go. 

I've also started paining some PE pieces for the cockpit area. 

I'm hoping to have these installed by the end of today. 

Be good!

 

Tom E