Hey, i want to get a B-25 but i dont know if the version that i want is available in 1/48. Let me explain, i saw a pic of a B-25 with a solid “short” nose, the top turret was moved to the rear position, almost over the waist gunners, and also had a cristal dome almost over the cockpit and two masts from near the cristal dome to near the upper turret, i dont know if this is understandable, and one more thing, where can i get good reference here on the web regarding the B-25 and its different versions and modifications? [^]
That plane is available in 1/48 as well as 1/72 scale, so you’re in luck. As far as the 1/1 scale bird goes, wing clearance is a small issue in my garage [:D][:D][;)][8D]
Probably a “D” model. Antennas sound a lot like a PATHFINDER a/c but probably not. You might like a look at the “Walkaround” series on the plane, though. Made by Squadron publishers, so its probably for sale at their website.
Thanks a lot!, i found my bird on the Accurate Miniatures web site, and you were right EAGLE334, that is the one i was looking for, thanks a lot for your help, i may get the B/C also, they all seem to be very nice models, thanks for your help fellas!
hey mandrake;
I think your talking about the B-25G, it has the nose of the B-25H and the fuselage of the older B-25B’s through D’s, and Accurate Minitures has a kit out but I thnk you need to buy the B-25D and buy the B-25G conversion kit to make that version, I maybe wrong and they have just the B-25G Kit but check out your LHS for more info
Thanks a lot Mr. Myers, i have ordered mine… but you know i was wondering, i visited the Swanny´s web site and i read the review regarding the B-25C (http://www.swannysmodels.com/B25C.html) and i got confused and a question comes to mi mind, does the B-25C/D had the nose made out of painted glass or was made out of framed steel??
From what I’ve seen over the years indicates that most of the early gun nose B-25s (Bs, Cs & Ds) simply had the plexiglass painted over. Squadron’s B-25 in action even has a picture of a J model on Okinawa with a 6 gun nose and the plexiglass painted over.
I could be wrong here, but I think that the reason some of the gunships simply had painted over glass noses rather than proper solid ones was that a number were converted “in theatre” and the resources were not always available to do a more thorough job
Mandrake, those noses were painted over. The addition of the four .50 cal machine guns, ammo cans, etc rendered the nose section uninhabitable, so they just painted over the plexi. See Larry Hickey’s book “Warpath Across the Pacific,” about the 345th BG if you want more info. It’s certanily one of the best WWII aviation books available. He’ll be relesing a similar tome on the 38th BG later this year (I hope). Or, you can pick up our B-25C/D kit (3431, shameless plug, forgive me FSM).
Interesting factoid: by the time North American Aviation was producing specific strafers from their J model, the planes carried as many as 14 forward-firing .50 cal machine guns: 8 in the nose, 4 side pack guns and 2 in the upper turret. I can’t imagine anything putting the fear of God into you faster than a group if these Mitchells coming down to about 50 feet, big radials at full throttle and all guns blazing, pointed at YOU! The sound, alone, would turn brains to mush.