Consolidated B-24 Liberator - Minicraft 1/144
Discussion
This is a bit of an odd one. As my Wellington is on the home run (hopefully), I thought I'd continue with the World War 2 bomber theme although with a bit of a twist.
The kit is by Minicraft although over the decades it has appeared in a number of manufacturers' boxes. It was originally released by Japanese company Crown in 1975. It's actually quite a nicely moulded little model and the parts look like they will fit together OK.
The twist is that I want to complete it as an airliner variant. BOAC operated a small number of these during World War 2 and for a few years post war. They were technically Consolidated LB-30 Liberators which were the original production variant of the B-24. The LB-30s had been intended for the French AIr Force but France fell before they were delivered. Instead the small number built were transferred to the RAF who decided not to use them as bombers but as transports. These were eventually transferred to BOAC. The B-24 had excellent range and BOAC used these to ferry aircrew backwards and forwards across the Atlantic.
The kit is by Minicraft although over the decades it has appeared in a number of manufacturers' boxes. It was originally released by Japanese company Crown in 1975. It's actually quite a nicely moulded little model and the parts look like they will fit together OK.
The twist is that I want to complete it as an airliner variant. BOAC operated a small number of these during World War 2 and for a few years post war. They were technically Consolidated LB-30 Liberators which were the original production variant of the B-24. The LB-30s had been intended for the French AIr Force but France fell before they were delivered. Instead the small number built were transferred to the RAF who decided not to use them as bombers but as transports. These were eventually transferred to BOAC. The B-24 had excellent range and BOAC used these to ferry aircrew backwards and forwards across the Atlantic.
As this was a transport aircraft, the gun positions were removed and faired over. I've made a start on amending this on the kit. I'm doing it by building up the space left by the omitted glazing using a "sandwich" of plasticard inserts. These will be sanded roughly to match the contours of the nose and tail using photographs for reference and then smoothed out using filler.
Some progress on the Liberator. The nose and tail turret spaces have now been filled and smoothed to represent the faired-in nature of the real thing. Wings and tailplane have also been attached. Some filler was required around the wing roots and the tailplane but not much. Quite a neat little kit considering it dates from 1975.
I've given the airframe a coat of Gloss Black paint ahead of the application of the aluminium. I will probably use my Vallejo acrylic aluminium and then do some panels in various other metallic shades.
I've masked off the de-icing booth areas as these will remain black, although it will be matted down eventually. I'll also mask off the anti-glare panel area on the nose.
I've masked off the de-icing booth areas as these will remain black, although it will be matted down eventually. I'll also mask off the anti-glare panel area on the nose.
Edited by Eric Mc on Sunday 15th April 16:34
Finally found some time to finish this one off. The markings aren't 100% accurate as I had to make them up using spares and generic lettering. I look on it as a representative model of the subject.
I also made the airport hardstand base using some art card.
I also made the airport hardstand base using some art card.
Edited by Eric Mc on Sunday 8th July 12:26
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