**** DONE: 1/48 B-25C 41-12971 345th BG 499th BS "Dirty Dora" , Heavy Hitters GB

Thanks guys, just about done.

Some background info in this post before I make an update. I have a short history on the aircraft which I found on pacificwrecks.com, and an article in PDF titled "Raid on Rabual" in which Dirty Dora Features. This article appeared in the Flight Journal dated August 2004. Enjoy.

Cheers

Peter



Aircraft History
Assigned to the 38th Bombardment Group in September 1942 with the 405th Bombardment Squadron and nicknmaed "Dirty Dora". Servied from September 1942 - April 1943. Next 71st Bombardment Squadron from April 1943 - July 1943, and flew during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.

Sent to Townsville on July 17, 1943 for modification as a strafer, and returned to New Guinea serving with the 345th Bombardment Group, 499th Bombardment Squadron. Assigned to 1st Lt. Victor Tatelman and crew chief TSgt Perry W. Scott. Missions flow included October 12, 1943 Rabaul mission. October 16 Wewak mission (claiming a Ki-43 Oscar). February 3, 1944 Dagua mission and February 15, 1944 Kavieng mission.

In December 1943 the nose was painted with a blue bat insignia. This B-25 suffered nose gear damage on February 17, 1944 and was repaired at the 376th Service Squadron at Nadzab Airfield. Afterwards, it was assigned to to Lt. Graham. When this B-25 was declared war weary on August 30, 1944 it had flown 175 combat missions.

Tatelman named another bomber in honor of this bomber, B-25D "Dirty Dora II" 41-30276.

References
Warpath Across the Pacific pages 62-63, 194, 218, 387, 422-423

Okay an update.

Pic 1 The tail cone is added. As per AM instructions the bottom half of the perspex is cut off. My guess is to allow a gun installation, but Dora did not have tail guns here apparently.

Pic 2 Rear formation lights. The B-25C/D had seven night formation lights in the shape of a "T' on the rear. These were coloured blue as per M E manual.

Pic 3 Attached aerials, ADF loop (painted zinc chromate) and the observer bubble over the forward hatch.

Pic 4 Dora made several trips to Australia, hence the name, so I have added some good old Aussie "bulldust" to the sides and bottom as a souvenir!

Pic 5 Here's the bottom. Bulldust was added the the nacelles, tail skid, front panel. Exhausts received a mist of light gray staining.

Pic 6 Added recognition lights and running lights. Green to starboard and red to port. Underside was given a very "dirty" wash. What else?

Pic 7 Added pre completed props, painted guns, aerials and pitot, removed masks and tried desperately not to break things like pitot tubes, aerials and guns.

Pic 8 Hmmm. What else?

Pic 9 Front view of progress. A little Tamiya smoke around the guns.

Pic 10 Okay. I think I can call it now. Done! Better put the props back on!

End of update!

Very very nice work Peter...

Thanks Dan.

Cool.