#48 SkyPainter303's Testors B-25C

[SkyPainter303]

Here is my entry into this group build: Testors / Italeri 1/72 B-25C





The instructions are a bit old fashioned in layout. It reminds me of the old 60s kit with long winded written instructions. I am going to try to find a newer Italeri version of these instructions.









The original decals are in real good shape, but I am going to use an aftermarket sheet from Xtradecal. It is also neat to see an original, Testors brochure from 1985.





This kit comes from the days of raised panel lines, but this fact doesn't put me off. There are not that many parts in this model and I'm looking forward to building. Because it is in 1/72 scale, I don't imagine there is much interior detail.





The clear parts were packed in with the other trees. As a result, they've sustained a few scratches. The nose glass has the machine gun holes filled so that various versions of the Mitchell can be built. I'm not sure what version I will build, but I am leaning toward a late-war or even post war Mitchell. The tail gunner glass comes in two versions; one with a gun port, one without.






Here is the aftermarket decal set I ordered from Hannants.

[Stokesy44]

Yay! A Mitchell, great to see one in the SIG. Good luck with the build.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Absolutely, always great to see another bomber with important history
I welcome you to the sig and wish you the best of luck with your build. Hopefully you will have some fun along the way
Scott

[Kevthemodeller]

Looking forward to this one, good luck mate

[RossiM1]

LOve the B-25 good luck look forward to seeing your progress mate

[Les0012]

Hope all goes well for you in the build fella,

Good luck

Les

[SkyPainter303]

As I am wrapping up my 1/72 group build, I've finally started on my bomber.

This Testors / Italeri kit is quite simple. I've assembled the cockpit, added the bulkheads to one fuselage half, attached the nose gear, primed in gray Stynylrez and painted. I used Model Master Enamel Interior Green FS34151 as that is what I happened to have on hand. Normally I use acrylics. I painted the controls and center panel with Testors Flat Black enamel. I'll be painting the pilot figures tomorrow after I go to the hobby shop for a bottle of paint.

More to come soon.


P1020118 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1020122 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[SkyPainter303]

I painted my pilot figures today. I used Model Master enamels as called out in the Testors instructions (imagine that). I had forgotten out nice enamels are to brush paint. The figures themselves are quite simple and rather "rigid" in their pose. Luckily, one can't see into a 1/72 scale cockpit too well. The camera flash has overexposed the image somewhat.


P1020139 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr



The other thing I did today, was to mask and paint the dorsal turret. I used Tamiya tape cut into thin strips and artist frisket. The parts were primed in green Stynylrez and brush painted with Model Master and Testors enamels.


P1020138 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1020142 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr




The paints are sand, interior green, and gun metal.


P1020143 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[Les0012]

This ones coming along very well.

Les

[pourquoi61]

I do like to see the old kits come out and be built.
Great work so far.

[SkyPainter303]

Here is the painted and assembled turret. The masking tore at the edges of some of the painted areas. I'll need to touch that up later. I have a feeling I am going to have issues around this turret once I mask and paint the completed model.


P1020147 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr



I glued in the cockpit and upon further review, I've decided to gloss coat the figures and back wall so I can do a simple wash to give these guys a little more interest.


P1020150 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr




The instrument panel is simply a diagram cut from the instruction booklet. Ah, modeling in the 1980s.


P1020151 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr




I also glued in the fuselage windows using Testors Clear Parts Cement. Neatness is not a concern since one won't be able to see inside anyway. Rather, I just needed a strong bond to hold up the exterior window masks.


P1020152 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1020153 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[Tomcat64]

Nice progress - and another paper instrument panel like Scott's Stirling!

Regarding the pilots and giving them a wash, something that I've done at this scale is to use a dark clay wash over the figures and then cleaned it up like you would for weathering, that helps pick out the details without going too cross-eyed. Might be worth a try.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I too get caught up on the pathetic interiors and go overboard on trying to detail
You are doing fabulous
Door prize draw coming up this weekend

[SkyPainter303]

I got the fuselage together. Fit was really good, but I had to clean up the glue seam all around both top and bottom. On the bottom, after sanding, I had to rescribe the bomb bay door center join.


P1020156 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr



I also assembled the wing halves and the engine nacelle halves. The required seam clean up too. I've been using Testors Liquid Cement which melts the plastic more than the Tamiya Extra Thin Cement. The good thing about this is that it fills the would be seams requiring just some sanding to fix.


P1020158 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr




I glossed the pilots and rear cockpit bulkhead with Vallejo gloss varnish. Once that was dry I put on a Testors CreateFX black enamel stain thinned with turpentine. The mix started to eat thru the paint so I didn't mess with the wash too much. We'll see how it looks with a matte coat.

I work second shift so my build time is in the early AM hours EST. I work a little each day hopefully making something I'll be happy with.

[SkyPainter303]

Yesterday I made a little more progress. I glued the two engine cylinder banks together. I then airbrushed them with Model Master Steel Non-Buffing Metalizer. After the paint dried, I brushed on Testors CreateFX Acrylic Wash Black.


P1020159 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1020163 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr



I also glued the engine nacelles to the wings. They required a little filler in the corners. Here I used Tamiya White Putty. I still need to sand these areas.


P1020160 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1020161 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[SkyPainter303]

Today was my day off, so I got in lots of bench time.

First off, I got the tail surfaces glued on.


P1020168 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr



I glued the engines in.


P1020164 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr




I primed the propellers in white Stynylerz and then prayed the tips with Testors Flat Yellow enamel.


P1020165 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr




I then sprayed the props with flat black enamel. In preparation for attaching the glass nose, I painted the bombardier's floor interior green and the machine gun in gun metal


P1020166 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr




Most of my bench time was spent masking the glass. Next time, I am going to order some pre-cut masks.


P1020167 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[digger303]

Only used the pre cut masks once and I had a devil of a time getting them placed right.
Nice work though

[Skullfish]

Great work mate. If you love masking canopies then your just plain weird in my book. Definitely where possible grab a mask set.
Following along.

Jase.

[Les0012]

You're doing a great job, she looks so good

Les

[SkyPainter303]

More progress today. I got the canopies installed and some exterior doodads. I lost the pitot tubes, so I replaced them with wire. I also got the engines and wings installed. Sadly, this Italeri kit's wings have an exaggerated gull-wing shape.

Here is a really poor image - apologies.


P1020183 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1020184 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1020185 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr




I am nearing the primer stage.

[alextheblue]

Real nice, that's coming on a treat!

Excellent job with the masking, especially as they arent pre-cut!

[pourquoi61]

Man I can feel the love going down on this baby.
Lovely work.

[SkyPainter303]

I have just a minor update today because I haven't had much bench time.

I primed the model in gray Stynylrez and did an orgranic pre-shade. I don't go for that graph paper pre-shaded look. I'll combine this with a post-shade after the base colors are sprayed on.


P1020191 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1020192 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[Stokesy44]

Nice work. What a good looking bird the B25 is.

[SkyPainter303]

Another small updated today. I sprayed two coats of Model Master Enamel Azure Blue because the first coat when on with a rough texture I had to sand off. I sprayed a slightly heavier, smoother coat on afterward.


P1020194 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr



Today, for masking, I used some "Tacky" (available from Hobby Lobby here in the States) and Tamiya tape in preparation for airbrushing the sand color.


P1050085 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1050084 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[pourquoi61]

Lovely execution so far and the paint work is nice.

[SkyPainter303]

Just a small updated. I got the upper surfaces painted in Model Master Enamel Sand. I am not so sure about the color match, but I have yet to clear coat, decal, then do some post-shading/weathering. BTW, in the process I broke off the antennas. I should have known better than to attach them as the instructions states. I'll reattach and make some new ones.


P1050100 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1050101 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr



I also have some little touch ups to do. I get to use my new airbrush which arrives tomorrow. Besides the antennas I need to finish the landing gear and gear doors.

[Les0012]

Love the colour scheme, some lovely building aswell

Les

[SkyPainter303]

I almost forgot about painting on the deicing boots. Masking these was time consuming and I have a little touch up to do.


P1050114 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1050115 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1050117 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr



I'll soldier on with this build, but I'll need to come up with some new and improved antennas. Gloss coating and decaling may be a an issue because the paint is the smoothest coat I've done before. We shall see.

[SkyPainter303]

I finally have another build update. It hasn't been a lot of progress, but I did decal and matte coat the B-25. I used Model Master Acryl Matt Clear.


P1050123 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr


P1050124 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[digger303]

Very clean lines...I like it.

[Tomcat64]

Nice work - looks very clean and tidy

[Les0012]

Love it

Les

[gaz45]

Very nice clean work there mate

[Twokidsnosleep]

Last month for the bomber sig
viewtopic.php?f=660&t=25285

Post up at least four good pics into a Final Reveal thread here
viewforum.php?f=662