B-25J Mitchell by GrandpaPhil - Revell 1/48 - Finished

[GrandpaPhil]

This is a Revell B-25J Mitchell and will be built as the Bomber “Panchito” of the 477th Bombardment Group.

 

It will be built in the same fashion as my Hustler and my Black Widow (flying on a stand).

 

Edited August 29, 2021 by GrandpaPhil

[GrandpaPhil]

Most sub assemblies are glued together and all interior parts will be ready for painting after the glue cures:

[Old Collingwood]

I'm in Phil,   that looks like quite a nicely detailed kit  - looking forward to seeing more.

 

OC.

[Canute]

I'm in Phil. I've been a fan of this medium bomber.

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome all!  Thank you very much for stopping by!

 

Currently working on deciding build order and painting order.

 

Most of the interior will not be visible, but enough will that I am taking care to get it as right as possible (I test fitted all major assemblies).

 

I learned to paint by wargaming many years ago.  So, I usually start by painting everything black to give the model depth, especially in interior sections.  Then I paint from the inside out, although there is much drybrushing as normal painting going on.

[GrandpaPhil]

The interior is base coated an olive drab:

The engines are painted with faux metallics and installed:

Time for the detail painting and highlighting!

 

Then it’ll be time to assemble most of the model!

[GrandpaPhil]

The interior is painted:

All major subassemblies are now in place:

[popeye the sailor]

hey there Phil.........this is pretty much the same kit I built my PBJ from.....I think they have at least 3 kits built from the same molds.  good that you didn't lose an engine........like I did   I still have a bunch of parts for this particular model...love to do another one.   I see your well on your way with her.......and looking really good at that!    your going with the closed nose.........quite a bit of firepower in that nose  

[Danstream]

It looks as quite an impressive model. 

Best regards,

Dan.

[GrandpaPhil]

Denis,

  I watched your builds.  They were incredible.

 

This is my second B-25.  The first was a Guillows kit.

 

Tonight, I trimmed up the mold lines and filled the gaps with putty.

[GrandpaPhil]

The bottom has been closed up (mostly).  

Most gaps are filled.  It’s a Revell kit, so there was plenty of fitting and plenty of gaps left over.

 

It looks really rough right now.  That will change once a temporary base is made and the model gets its first coat of paint.

Edited August 7, 2021 by GrandpaPhil

[GrandpaPhil]

I finished the assembly:

 

The base is temporary.  A buddy of mine is making the permanent base, but it will mount like it is now.

 

I’ve done this style base for two other models now, and it looks great when done.

 

The temporary base will get used with another flying model out of my stash (and I have too many to count).

 

 

[GrandpaPhil]

The model is still looking rough and will require more filling, sanding and shaping.

 

I don’t really build that many normal styrene models.

Most of my plastics are 28mm war gaming models, which use a different version of styrene, or a different type of plastic entirely.

Most of the rest of mine are either wood, metal, card or resin.

 

Is there any good way to fill gaps in the clear plastic?

 

Edited August 9, 2021 by GrandpaPhil

[GrandpaPhil]

I got creative with spackle for filling the gaps on the clear pieces.

 

The plane is now primed black:

 

 

Most of my models start out this way.  
 

I tend to treat all of my models like gigantic war gaming miniatures, including my ships.

 

By priming black, it helps create depth.  I always paint from the inside-out. 
 

I’m going to let it dry overnight and then I’ll paint it the same silver color I painted my B-58 Hustler.

 

Then on to detailing!

[Old Collingwood]

Good work Phil,  the seams on aircraft are always the fiddly bit getting them closed up and making the join invisible, can seem like a forever job just doing that, she is coming along nicely  the Black primer certainly shows off her shape.

 

OC.

[GrandpaPhil]

Thanks, OC!

[popeye the sailor]

Interesting........don't know how you painted it with the glass installed,  but it came out looking super    I do believe there was a squadron that flew planes that were painted black.......they did mostly night missions.   with plastic.......fit is everything........usually done before assembly.    you've done an awesome job on her so far.........I like the idea for your stand.    it's simple..........I tend to over complicate things 

[GrandpaPhil]

Thank you all for the comments and the likes!

 

Denis,

  I just painted really carefully.  Painting the canopies on WWII bombers is the hardest part for me.

 

My apologies to all for the lapse in updates! Life has been really busy and I have had time to steal a few minutes here and there to work on my model, but not to update the build log too.

 

The model only lacks a few more decals, one of which I need to remake.

The decals were really old on this model and one of the USAF logos did not survive installation so I’ll make another one the next time I work on the model.

 

I made the nose art from a picture of the Delaware Aviation Museum’s flying replica and got the tail number of the original from their website.

I cropped one of their photos and resized it in Word.

 

I need to install the tail number that I also printed off.

I still need to finish the props and install them.  The last step will be final detailing.  I broke the pitot tube off, so I need to make another one out of wire, but that will be one of the last steps.

Edited August 22, 2021 by GrandpaPhil

[Old Collingwood]

That is looking really nice Phil  - really stands out in the metal finish.

 

OC.

[GrandpaPhil]

Thank you very much, OC!

[mtdoramike]

Boy, she is looking beautiful and realistic as does that Victory behind her.

[GrandpaPhil]

Thank you very much, Mike!

[popeye the sailor]

yepper!  she does look great in bare aluminum    I get some of my graphics from the net too.......really cool stuff out there     very nice!

[GrandpaPhil]

Thank you very much, Denis!

[GrandpaPhil]

Thank you all for the comments, the likes and just for stopping by!

 

All decals are remade and installed.  Most touch ups and detailing is complete.  The pitot tube has been remade.  It is a straight pin.  It still needs painted.

 

All that remains is to paint the pitot tube, finalize the highlights and seal the model.

 

[GrandpaPhil]

Panchito is done!  I believe it turned out well!

 

The stand is only temporary.  A buddy of mine is making a nicer stand out of walnut.

 

Here are the final photos:

 

Thank you all for the comments, the likes, and just for stopping by!

[popeye the sailor]

awesome job!  has the look of burnished aluminum    looks good on the stand too!   got any others?

[GrandpaPhil]

Thank you very much!  
 

I have an A-10, an Apache (both 1/48 plastic) and two solid model kits, another P-61 and a P-38.  Those are 1/72, but I think they will be 1/48 out of basswood, since you carve them yourself anyway.

 

I also have a 1/28 B-17 that needs MAJOR repairs, a 1/28 Catalina Flying Boat that needs repaired and a 1/17 Taube that needs repaired.

[popeye the sailor]

I've seen those solid wood model kits........scared to pull the trigger   but then again,  I was daunted with wooden boats....and that was silly.  the person who I got the Nordkap from also gave me a PT boat kit by Marine Model Co.......solid wood hull.  I haven't started it yet,  but the hull is already precarved.

 

love to see the 1:28 B 17....bet she is a monster!   looking forward in seeing your next project...the A 10 sounds cool  

[Javlin]

Phil that came out alright really like how the silver is not all monochrome blotchy streaks here and there  looks the part Sir.