GB-52 1:48 Martin B-26 - Heavy Hitters IV

[Donivanp]

Username : donivanp
First name : Don
Category : intermediate
Scale : 1/48
Manufacturer / Model : Monogram B-26
Extras : Decals ministry of small Aircraft Production Martin B-26, Masters metal gun barrels, Eduard "Big Ed" B-26.

 

[Donivanp]

I was thinking of doing an early B-26-MA as I picked up the Lone Star Models conversion. Then I decided I would do a basic build first and maybe try the conversion on say the Pacifc war build. Figure I'd see how the model works on it's own the first go around. Still awaiting the big Ed set from model hobby.

 

[Donivanp]

Baltimore Whore, Widow Maker, One a day in Tampa Bay, just some of the names and things said of the B-26 Marauder. In the hands of a good pilot, she was a dream and turned in as the safest plane in USAAF combat, but in training, she was a killer. It was found that poor training and poor maintenance were were to blame, but not before calls to eliminate the type and cancel production. The first combat deployments of the aircraft were to the Pacific where the B-26-MA (original productions) received their baptism of fire flying out of Australia. Interestingly the B-26 from early on was seen as a torpedo carrying system and was modified to be able to carry a Mk 13 under it weapons bay. The first time this was done in combat was at Midway when four B-26's were held over to do just that. Four torpedo armed B-26's left Midway after the ill fated Avengers of Torpedo Eight left. Two of the planes were shot down and two returned, never to fly again.

As the plane that never had a prototype, kept going changes were made as with all planes of WWII. The B-26 grew in wing span over time and the weight went up. It never out grew the "Hot ship" name due to it's speed. it landed fast and stall was around 150.

Ill be doing the second plane in the decals B-26B-50-MA 42-95867.

http://www.391bombgroup.org.uk/aircraft_list.php?sn=42-95867

Aircraft history for serial number: 42-95867 (kindly provided by Paul Clouting).

Built at the Glenn L Martin factory at Baltimore, Maryland as a B-26B-50-MA. Accepted by the Army Air Force on 17/11/43. Next listed at Morris Field, Charlotte, North Carolina (ATC) from 15/12/43. Then went to the 3rd AF staging area at Hunter Field, Savannah, Georgia (from 16/12/43). Flown overseas to the UK via the Southern Ferry Route (Listed as Carribean Wing), departing the USA on 25/12/43. The aircraft record card then lists, SOXO A (Europe - 8th AF) on 23/12/43, and SOXO R (Europe - 8th AF) from 30/1/44. Entered service with the 1st Pathfinder Squadron from 27/3/44, and coded IH-F. Damaged on 5/1/45 after flying 63 missions, and sent to the service squadron for repairs. Returned to the squadron on 9/3/45 and was recoded IH-A1. Flew another 10 missions and survived the war. The aircraft had sharks mouth artwork applied on the nose, but had no nose name. Photographed at Y-29, Asche in April 1945. Condemned for salvage on 15/10/45. The final entry on the aircraft record card lists, GLUE CON SAL FEA on 15/10/45.

 

[Donivanp]

Lone Star Models conversion.

 

[Greg Boeser]

Where did you find the lonestar decals? That was the biggest thing holding up my conversion. That and a giant heap of inertia.

 

[Donivanp]

Where did you find the lonestar decals? That was the biggest thing holding up my conversion. That and a giant heap of inertia.

Came with the kit Greg.

 

[Greg Boeser]

I see.

 

[fubar57]

Good stuff. "Video is unavailable". If I had my druthers, my choice would be 4T✪S. Its been eons since I've seen a sheet from MSAP

 

[Crimea_River]

Nice one Don. I wish someone would make a new-tool of this bird.

 

[Wayne Little]

Nice Don.

 

[Donivanp]

Think I've changed my mind on the aircraft intended. The third one down in NM is B-26C-45-MO 42-107783 'Thumper' B/N 23 flown by Lt Chris Steir of the 441st BS 37. Though I did not want to do a NM finish I think I'll have to go with that.

Photo curtesy 441st Bomb Squadron | American Air Museum in Britain

This is an inverted photo, we're looking at the Port side from a Starboard view.

https://markstyling.com/b26s.04_320th.htm

 

[Wurger]

So here you are the reverted one ...

 

[Donivanp]

So here you are the reverted one ...

View attachment 646940

Much more better

 

[Donivanp]

Arrived today. Everything you ever wanted to know about the Marauder but were afraid to ask!!!

 

[Greg Boeser]

Well, not quite.

 

[Dash119]

So here you are the reverted one ...

View attachment 646940

And here is one with a bit of color correction...

 

[fubar57]

Always good to have Greg in your corner with regards to the B-26. I was going to ask if you needed anything but I will defer this to him

 

[Donivanp]

Always good to have Greg in your corner with regards to the B-26. I was going to ask if you needed anything but I will defer this to him

Yeah I started deferring to Greg before I decided on this build. Subject experts are nice to have around.

 

[Greg Boeser]

I am not an expert. I'm just a bit monomaniacal. I have barely scratched the surface of all things Marauder. My focus is pretty narrow, chiefly pursuing the exploits of the early Marauders that fought the Japanese. My budget does not permit me, (or is it my Big Mac addiction) to acquire all the tomes that I desire to sate my quest for encyclopeadic knowledge of all units that flew this magnificent machine.

 

[Donivanp]

I am not an expert. I'm just a bit monomaniacal. I have barely scratched the surface of all things Marauder. My focus is pretty narrow, chiefly pursuing the exploits of the early Marauders that fought the Japanese. My budget does not permit me, (or is it my Big Mac addiction) to acquire all the tomes that I desire to sate my quest for encyclopeadic knowledge of all units that flew this magnificent machine.

Understand. Just finished Midway Bravery about Jim Muri in particular as the author, a fellow Montana native, wrote about him and to some extent the crews of the other four torpedo armed bombers at Midway. Also reading B-26 Goes to War which I have in digital (Kindle) format. The B-26-MA conversion (well really covers all short wing types) is supposed to come with the torpedo but mine was missing it. I'm looking to do this pretty much as intended out of the box as a late model C-45-MO. Get the feel for the kit before I hack it to shreds in another build. Already noted that it's going to take about 100 grams of weight inthe radio compartment to bring the nose down.