1/72 B-26B “Mild and Bitter” - Heavy Hitters II GB

[hub]

1/72 B-26B-20-MA "Mild and Bitter" - Heavy Hitters II GB

User Name: Hub
Name: Michael
Category: Intermediate
Kit: Airfix B-26B
Scale: 1/72nd.
Accessories: Quickboost Engines, propellers, exhausts and machine guns and maybe some others later.

Mild and Bitter was from the 452nd squadron of the 322nd bomb group of the 8th Air Force (later transfered to the 9th Air Force) flying out of Andrews Field (Great Saling) in Essex. She was the first B-26 to complete 100 missions.
I have had a couple of these in my stash for sometime, looks like now would be a good time to do at least one!

 

[T Bolt]

Good one Michael. Never had a close look at the Airfix B-26. Will be watching.

 

[meatloaf109]

Sweet!

 

[Wurger]

 

[tigerdriver]

Nice subject

 

[Airframes]

Good one. I remember when this kit was first released, probably over 40 years ago now, and it was a stunner for the time, in the way of detail. Even in 1/72nd scale, you'll need a lot of weight up front. Probably the only place to put it will be as far forward as possible in the radio compartment, and the engine naccelles, forward of the gear legs, if possible.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Good one Michael, lots of fiddly little bits on this one.

 

[Crimea_River]

Always liked the Marauder.

 

[destrozas]

that I have I want to catch a b-26, did you make revell time that was a very big disappointment.
luck with it

 

[Lucky13]

Never get tired of them old, classic Airfix boxart!

Great stuff mate!

 

[Wayne Little]

Look forward to this one...

 

[N4521U]

This will be a good one.
Big a$$ tail onnum tho......

 

[Vic Balshaw]

I've been searching for about a year now for info on an aircraft that crashed on take-off from RAF Khormaksar, Aden about 1064/5. Yesterday I discovered that it was a Marauder. There were two being ferried by a couple of Americans to some trouble torn African country and it was the first on take-off that crashed. Only injuries were in pride and the crew jumped out of the aircraft and made their way to the second Marauder, jumped in and flew off, leaving the crumpled wreckage of the first laying on the runway for we Brits to clean up.

Guess I'll just have to add one of these to my stash.

 

[Airframes]

Heck Vic, I hadn't realised you were that old! Did you get back to Blighty in time for the Norman invasion then ?

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Struth, yes mate, I shot the arrow!!

 

[N4521U]

Ah Vic, you can always count on the Yanks..... er, Muricuns!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Did a bit more homework on that story yesterday and though the photo I found of the wreck states it's a B-26, it is in fact on close examination an A-26. They were on route to the Congo, flown by CIA pilots.

So my apologies Michael, good tale but wrong aircraft.

 

[hub]

Damn frustrating when you google B-26 and you get all the A/B-26 Invaders popping up
Found some more goodies on line so I'll have to wait abit longer before I can start on the cockpit and fuselage.
Started working on the wings rescribing and sanding.
photos to follow

 

[T Bolt]

After the B-26 Marauder was retired from the Air Force inventory the A-26 was officially designated B-26 Invader. This happened some time shortly after the war so the Invaders used in Korea and Vietnam were B-26's. Confusing, I know.

 

[hub]

Scribed all the major panel lines and sanded the wings to remove any rough edges or stray raised lines.
Bomb bay is quite well detailed for 1/72nd scale