B-25B Doolittle Raid

[Tom Harvey]

My current project is a computer model of the B-25B used on the Doolittle Raid in 1942. I'm trying to find out if the planes were painted light gray on the bottom. It's hard to tell from the photos on the Hornet, but some refence drawings show that they were. Does anybody have a clue?

 

[mjfur]

Yes. Would have looked like this.

 

[Wurger]

Yes these B-25s had the Light Grey colour at the bottom. But the demarcation line between the undersides colour and the top one wasn't wavy but a straight one.

the pic source: https://www.history.navy.mil/conten...tle-raid-on-japan/b-25b-mitchell-bombers.html

 

[Tom Harvey]

Thanks for the photos and link, mfur. They show a lot of other details aswell like the landing gear.

 

[Tom Harvey]

Thanks Wurge. Here's a WIP of the model:

 

[Wurger]

 

[SaparotRob]

Thanks Wurge. Here's a WIP of the model:
View attachment 821989

Looking good!

 

[CATCH 22]

Here's a WIP of the model:
View attachment 821989

Hi Tom!
Great idea - wanted to see at the end a good 3D model of an early "Mitchell". What drawings/plans/sections are you using to build it?
I see at a first glance a couple of inaccuracies - maybe they are unfinished yet:
1. Navigator's window (side) is wrong in form and size - should be rectangular with rounded corners. Bottom of window is at bottom of cockpit glazing.
2. B-25B and early B-25C (no block) had 2 elliptical windows on the left side, behind the trailing edge of the wing, not a single window.
2a. Right side is different: 1 elliptical window and 1 half-circular elongated escape hatch.
3. Position and size of photographer's windows are different - see photos (both sides are the same).
4. IMHO top turret must have a bigger diameter - check how the steel ring shows more (both sides) and cuts into the rounded area of the fuselage.
5. Oil radiator intakes and landing lights are missing but I guess this is still in progress.
Are you using some sections for the fuselage and nacelles? There are plenty of drawings to help you create the base form or the correct rounding of each single part (IMHO tops of fins are to flat in your model - must be more rounded). If you need any help, please ask.

P.S. I'm attaching a Stations diagram of a B-25B from an original manual. All numbers are in fact dimensions in inches, measured from the 0-point (nose, center-line of plane etc.). This is a scheme only so do not copy the drawing but it's very helpful to check all measures you already created resp. have been using so far.
Cheers!

 

[MIflyer]

The way the outer wings fit on a B-25 is interesting. Or at least a guy I knew who was making a 3D computer model of it thought so.

 

[Davecww1]

Was Neutral gray, not light gray. The Navy aircraft like the F4F Wildcat shown in one of the photos above had a light gray bottom, the neutral gray used on the B-25B with dark olive drab 41 in 1942 was a darker gray color.

 

[Tom Harvey]

Hi Tom!
Great idea - wanted to see at the end a good 3D model of an early "Mitchell". What drawings/plans/sections are you using to build it?
I see at a first glance a couple of inaccuracies - maybe they are unfinished yet:
1. Navigator's window (side) is wrong in form and size - should be rectangular with rounded corners. Bottom of window is at bottom of cockpit glazing.
2. B-25B and early B-25C (no block) had 2 elliptical windows on the left side, behind the trailing edge of the wing, not a single window.
2a. Right side is different: 1 elliptical window and 1 half-circular elongated escape hatch.
3. Position and size of photographer's windows are different - see photos (both sides are the same).
4. IMHO top turret must have a bigger diameter - check how the steel ring shows more (both sides) and cuts into the rounded area of the fuselage.
5. Oil radiator intakes and landing lights are missing but I guess this is still in progress.
Are you using some sections for the fuselage and nacelles? There are plenty of drawings to help you create the base form or the correct rounding of each single part (IMHO tops of fins are to flat in your model - must be more rounded). If you need any help, please ask.
View attachment 822272
View attachment 822292
View attachment 822306
P.S. I'm attaching a Stations diagram of a B-25B from an original manual. All numbers are in fact dimensions in inches, measured from the 0-point (nose, center-line of plane etc.). This is a scheme only so do not copy the drawing but it's very helpful to check all measures you already created resp. have been using so far.
Cheers!

Thanks for the help Catch 22. I haven't been able to find section drawings, but have been trying to get the shape from potos. Do you know ehere I can find high-resolution drawings that shoiw some sections?

 

[CATCH 22]

Thanks for the help Catch 22. I haven't been able to find section drawings, but have been trying to get the shape from potos. Do you know ehere I can find high-resolution drawings that shoiw some sections?

Hi Tom!
I do have a higher resolution drawing (it's a tif but still can be used as a starting point), showing fuselage sections of a B-25C, but they are the same for B as well. Those drawings include views of a very early C, basically with the same shape as a B, as described in my previous post.
Years ago I started converting jpg-drawings into CAD but had no success and stopped soon after.
I'll PM you with what I can find.
Cheers!

 

[Tom Harvey]

Hi Tom!
I do have a higher resolution drawing (it's a tif but still can be used as a starting point), showing fuselage sections of a B-25C, but they are the same for B as well. Those drawings include views of a very early C, basically with the same shape as a B, as described in my previous post.
Years ago I started converting jpg-drawings into CAD but had no success and stopped soon after.
I'll PM you with what I can find.
Cheers!

Hi catch 22, Thanks. I can either use tif in Belnder or convert it to png using GIMP.

 

[CATCH 22]

Hi catch 22, Thanks. I can either use tif in Belnder or convert it to png using GIMP.

The platform of this forum does not allow tifs to be attached - I sent you a PM with a download link for your convenience.
Check what can be useful for you.
Cheers!

 

[Tom Harvey]

The platform of this forum does not allow tifs to be attached - I sent you a PM with a download link for your convenience.
Check what can be useful for you.
Cheers!

Wow! those are just I was looking for. I'll re-do th fuselage with the new sections. And The second drawing has some great views of the landing gear. Thanks again. BTW, I've now got PNG versions of both drawings if you ever need them.

 

[CATCH 22]

Wow! those are just I was looking for. I'll re-do th fuselage with the new sections. And The second drawing has some great views of the landing gear. Thanks again. BTW, I've now got PNG versions of both drawings if you ever need them.

Good luck! One day, when you're ready you might do some minor additions and convert/revise the B-model into a very early B-25 with the straight wing and tail gunner. I've collected some information and drawings about this variant. Haven't seen anybody to build it as a 3D - model yet (I know of only one real, plastic model in 1:48, converted from a B-25C).
BTW what exactly is your"3D-model" : a virtual 3D one can see/move in a virtual space (e.g. flight simulator) or a model for 3D printing?
You can upload the pngs with the same service I used and send me the link for download if you want. Thanks!
Regards!
Yves

 

[Tom Harvey]

Good luck! One day, when you're ready you might do some minor additions and convert/revise the B-model into a very early B-25 with the straight wing and tail gunner. I've collected some information and drawings about this variant. Haven't seen anybody to build it as a 3D - model yet (I know of only one real, plastic model in 1:48, converted from a B-25C).
BTW what exactly is your"3D-model" : a virtual 3D one can see/move in a virtual space (e.g. flight simulator) or a model for 3D printing?
You can upload the pngs with the same service I used and send me the link for download if you want. Thanks!
Regards!
Yves

The models are mostly static, i.e.. I just move the virtual camer around or zoom in and out to view differen aspects of the model. A few of them are annimated and there is one that was done for 3-D printing. All of my models are on my BLOG: Tom's Blender Models or some of them have been posted on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008176964551 . Later today, I'll try to send your the png files.
Here's the one made for 3-Dprinting:

 

[CATCH 22]

The models are mostly static, i.e.. I just move the virtual camer around or zoom in and out to view differen aspects of the model. A few of them are annimated and there is one that was done for 3-D printing. All of my models are on my BLOG: Tom's Blender Models or some of them have been posted on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008176964551 . Later today, I'll try to send your the png files.
Here's the one made for 3-Dprinting:

Hi Tom! Thank you for sharing the link to your works! A lot of great designs/3D-models there! Believe it or not, years ago I might have visited your site: my son was studying Industrial Design and he was looking for inspirational 3D-works in the internet. I was helping from time to time and I believe I've seen that Maybach-tricycle. Could be something else but I'm pretty sure it was your site, because of its look and appearance.
If you think anybody can help you with something, feel free to ask. Plenty of knowledgeable gentlemen here, who can speak about anything possible concerning WWII aviation.
Regards!
Yves

 

[MIflyer]

One day, when you're ready you might do some minor additions and convert/revise the B-model into a very early B-25 with the straight wing and tail gunner.

And there is still one flying.

 

[CATCH 22]

And there is still one flying.

View attachment 823043

Theoretically yes, this is the oldest existing frame but only God knows how many parts are from the original a/c. The engines+carburetors, the tail and the nose configurations are from late models. Don't know about the innards but AFAIK the passenger's cabin used by gen. Arnold is not the same anymore. Still, it's better so than scrapped for metal!