B-24 Liberator

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hi,
I’m new to this part of the forums as i mainly build Modern Armor & Helos.
But for a change i want to build someting different like a B-24 Liberator…
What scale and what kit would be suitable. The bigger the scale the better.
I mainly build 1/35 stuff.
Thanks
Robert

2

I think you’re going to have to stick to 1/72nd scale. I would love to see a 1/32nd Lib! you could really fill up a room with that baby.

3

Revell-Germany does have a 1/48th Scale Lib - it is a huge kit. I have it but havent started building it yet.

4

Have looked at the Revell Liberator. How big and how many parts dose it have actually?
I was hoping there was a B-24 in 1/48!!, and there it poped up on Ebay.
Another thing does anybody know of some good reference sites about B-24’s?
Thanks again
Robert

5

The Revell 1/48th Liberator is a BIG kit - About 2 foot wingspan, and over a foot long, but it is an old kit, and requires lots of work to make a good job. If you’re happy with that, it can be built into a cracking model, and you can see evidence of that in Swanny’s signature pic.

There are a relatively small number of updates for it, principal of which is from Flightpath. I’ve also got the Koster vac-formed glazing, Squadron canopies, and Aires .50 cals for mine. You’ll also have to either put up with the raised panel lines, which everyone tells me are more realistic, or be prepared to scribe the whole kit like I’m going to, as it just “looks” better to my eyes.

If you’re prepared to put in the work, it’ll reward you with a show stopper of a kit. [;)]

6

As stated above, the Revell Germany 1/48 B-24D (the glass nosed B-24) is a re-do and is available in hobby stores and on-line now. The Revell-O-Gram 1/48 B-24J (the turret nosed B-24) is available online on E-Bay or various hobby re-sale/trading sites. Both are fairly old kits. Fit problems abound – around the engine nacelles, ball turret, etc. Be prepared for some sanding and filling. The tail turret (and nose turret on the “J”) has a seam right in the middle of the clear part which is a real challenge to make disappear.

As stated above, the Flightpath photo-etched package is extensive. Koster and Squadron offer vac canopies, turrets and other glazings. Aires and Kayara offer .50 cal machine guns.

Here are some reference sites:

http://www.navylib.com/B24Recco3chg.htm

http://users.rlc.net/catfish/liberatorcrew/06_B-24_Turrets.htm

http://www.b24.mach3ww.com/index.htm

http://www.b24.mach3ww.com/index.htm

http://gra.midco.net/mlgould/Early%20Bombers/Early%20Bombers.html#B24

http://biomicro.sdstate.edu/pederses/modelaircraft.html

http://www.navylib.com/

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/rsrch.htm

http://swannysmodels.com/

  • lots of good info + PBY-1 and Ford nose turret conversions.

http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html

  • Serial numbers, lots of info.

Also, look at the site in my signature.

Be sure to find as many photos as you can if you plan on building a specific aircraft. There were a lot of variations among the various B-24 models and assembly plants.

Good luck!

7

Thanks Guys
So its a pretty big kit hey!!!
And heaps of work well thats right up my ally…
Thanks for all the links there Jim… They will come in handy when i start on this build…
Thanks Again
Robert

8

Robert,
There is a B24 being restored not far from Melbourne. Click the link below:

http://www.users.bigpond.com/paulmcc/b24/b24.htm

Cheers , Pete.

9

Pete, That last pic is a good one of the rear turret. That’s reminded me of one of the subjects I just don’t seem to be able to find pics of. The interior of the turrets. I’d like to detail mine with at least some semblance of the hardware in there, but finding any info is proving difficult… anyone got any tips or resources?

Robert - yeah, a big imposing kit & LOTS of work needed. I always seem to pic those, and where there IS a good kit, I just have to go out & buy all the PE & resin for it, to complicate my life still further!

10

Hey Robert. Which B.24? The D or J? They both need extra attention!! Have you tried this site?
http://www.b24bestweb.com/Default.htm

11

here’s an idea… got this out of a magazine that was making the b-25 look good. hope it helps!

12

I’ve got the -D & the -J kits, so I need TWO sets of reference! As usual, biting off more than I can chew [;)]