I am now finishing my Trumpeter 1/72 Fairy Gannet (with lots of PE parts that I slowly figured out how to use). I’m thinking about maybe a 1/48 B-25 model as the next project. A few years ago I had the chance to fly in the cockpit of Panchito, a late WW II Mitchell bomber finished in polished aluminum. Any suggestions on what kit might be best for this job would be appreciated. If I build it, hopefully I’ll be able to find the right aftermarket decals for it.
Thanks to all.
Bob
Bob, I have a fleet of 1/48 B-25’s in my stash, plus a 1/72 reserved for a diorama.
If you want a good cheap 1/48 scale kit I would suggest the Revell B-25J. It is a fairly easy build with some crew. It goes for about $25, but you can get it at Michael’s with a 40, 50, and at times a 55 percent coupon. There is a gun nose version of the same kit, though I have never seen it at Michael’s!
In my opinion the best kit is the Accurate Miniatures kit(s). You can build this one as a B-25B through B-25G, with a little conversion work on some configuration. These kits are more detailed and more complicated. AM is out of business, but you can still get the on ebay for $40-$50.
The "don’t touch kit"would be the old out-of-production Revell B-25B/C. It has good engines, but the fuselage is the wrong shape (too high). And it seems that you can get a B-25H out of an AM G conversion kit and a Revell B-25J (the gun configuration might be a challenge).
The monogram 1/48 B25J is a fine kit. Markings for panchito as well, though they may not be that good. The kits can b found on eBay all the time
I love the Panchito. I rode in it in 2008, and that ride got me back into the hobby. So the first kit I bought was the Revell/Monoram 1/48 J model mentioned above (that is the only J model in that scale). I then bought an older release from ebay just so I could get the Panchito decals.
I decided to model the restored Panchito rather than the original (except for the internal modifications), but I noticed that there are a few differences between the two. The restored Panchito has square carburetor intakes rather than the crescent-shaped intakes that come with the kit. Also, the fairings behind the top turret have been removed; a few air scoops have been removed or altered as well. And of course, modern antennae were installed.
I seem to have bit off more than I can chew when I made my triumphant return to the hobby. Thus, the model is unfinished and sits on my shelf of doom. I am mostly weary of the polished aluminum finish. I chose a doozy for my first project, didn’t I! I hope you have better luck with yours, Bob!
First, thanks to you, shipwreck, and cbaltrin for your quick responses; I really appreciate it. It was good to see that hypertext got a ride in Panchito too! Now for my follow up question:
I’ve check the web on the Monogram Panchito kit and the Accurate Miniatures B-25 kit. I am leaning towards the Accurate Miniatures kit but am confused because I found more than one designation on the web. One is No. 3430 and the other is No. A533. I also saw the build review from Michael Benolkin on the Accurate Miniatures kit and found it interesting and thorough. I think this is the kit I want but I found only a few them sold by Japanese vendors on Amazon in the $125 region plus another $20 for expedited shipping–not cheap of course, but I’ll spend it if it’s the best of the lot. It seems like I can get a set of Panchito decals and some PE parts on the aftermarket. Can any of you clarify which kit to get, since the two kit numbers I mentioned above are selling in the $40 region and are probably not the same as the Japanese kits for substantially more money (or maybe they are?).
Thanks again for your help. This is a great forum to learn new things.
Bob
A good finish for this would be to use something like Alclad II Polished Aluminum or one of the other similar products out there. Granted they must be used with an airbrush, but the look is amazing. I have just recently started using Alclad products myself; for the longest time they scared the begesus out of me, mainly because of the cost of the product and all of the horror stories I had heard about applying it. I have found that it isnt as bad as I had thought, as long as you get a good base and dont have any flaws in the surface, the finish is amazing!
Bob, the AM kit no.'s 3430 and 3440 are both B-25B’s. My AM C/D kit has a different numbering system; it is 480030. AM kit 3432 is just the parts for the G gun nose conversion (it does not include the plane). I forgot to mention that Italeri and Academby have issued AM B-25’s under their logos. They run for about $80 new. The original AM kits on ebay will run between $40 and $80ish. If you want to build a particular aircraft, make sure that you get a kit that will match it, including the gun configurations (some versions had a cannon, some don’t). There is a lot more to it than just slapping on the correct decals!
Shipwreck,
Thanks for your quick response. I will check into all of them and make a decision. And for hypertext, thanks for your note. I’m aware of Alclad II and will get that too.
I appreciate your help.
Bob
Good luck Bob! Let us know how it all turns out. Would love to see some WIP pics if you can.
Will do–once I figure out what I’m doing.
Thanks,
Bob
Well…
I ordered the AM B-25D model from Japan after all. If i can’t make it into a J model for Panchito, I’ll build it as is. It looks like a good kit but I think I’ll need a glass nose and a few other parts–we’ll see. The Italieri model seemed to have some flaws after looking at a few Youtube videos from builders.
Thanks to all for your time.
And Merry Christmas, too.
Bob
Bob, the Italier kit is from the same molds as the AM kit; just a different box and the instructions are supose to be rewritten. And, it would take a lot of surgery to make a D into a J!
Shipwreck,
I know. I discovered this after I ordered the AM kit from Japan (at considerably more $). I also understand that I can’t make it into a J model so I will build it as is–and learn a good lesson not to be repeated. I never make the same mistake more than three times!
Thanks for your good advice.
Regards,
Bob