Hello all!
I am having a very hard time finding an Accurate Miniatures B-25B Mitchell in 1/48 scale. It is the kit I want because I want to build a Doolittle raider, and it is one of the only (and supposedly the best) B-25B kits out.
I was on evilbay, and LOST after bidding $50.00 for an opened kit. Does anyone have a line on one of these kits? A vendor I may be overlooking, etc?
Thanks so much!
Chris
$50!!! Holy Moly, maybe I shouldn’t have built mine ($15 at a vendor table a few yrs ago).
My google-fu is not THAT weak! Click any of the 3 sellers it lists as having one, they’re all showing ‘out of stock.’ So is Accurate miniatures home page. Ebay or somebody sitting on one they don’t intend to build is going to be my best bet.
Thanks though! So how did your build go? Is it a good kit?
Chris
It will fight you along the way!!! I did a lot of cursing, especially after all the great reviews. The main issue is the fit of the engines and nacelles around the engines. I had to grind down the bottom of the engine and nacelles for things to fit. It also needs a couple shims where the tailplane meets the fuse. The back portion of the nose greenhouse doesn’t fit exactly, but a bit of sanding will take care of that. Nothing really that any modeler with a bit of experience can’t handle. All in all though, it ends up a beautiful plane!
AM’s site lists the -B’s price as $54.99; it’s not labeled as their recommended standard retail price, but it’s probably a benchmark for the kit, when it was on the shelves. In light of that, the auction bid doesn’t sound too bad, but I imagine that the auction may have gone higher before it ended. If the kit is out of stock and may not be re-issued, that will drive demand up, of course.
Having said that, I’d keep trying eBay, as well as any shows you can get to, and then maybe looking in the bricks-and-mortar stores, to see if anyone has one. eBay’s probably going to be the best bet, but I’ve often found that picking up a kit on eBay is a lot like fishing. I have to stake out a quiet spot, and keep casting for the next auction that comes along, and if I get beat, I tell myself that I’ll have to try again. Good luck with your quest!
Fermis, that is a nice looking build. What’s thr story on the tarp-looking thing over the top turret?
Barron- I have already tried all the hobby shops in my area. Now it’s time to start calling/emailing those not close by.
Thanks!
Chris
Chris- Last time I was at my local Hobby Lobby, they had a couple on the shelf. I can go and look this week to see if they still have one there.
Oh man! If you could, I’d be grateful! I can paypal funds to you for the kit + shipping and a little something for your trouble as well!
Let me know!
Thanks!
Chris
You got it! I’ll stop by on Monday and if they have one, I’ll pick it up for you. Just let me know if you do buy one before then so I don’t end up getting a duplicate.
Please do! I won’t buy one until I hear from you (assuming I could find another one anyway!) I really appreciate this!
Chris
Chris,
I went to my local Hobby Lobby today, and they did not have any on the shelves. I also tried both local hobby stores to see if they had one, but neither did. Sorry I couldn’t find one for you! I do hope you are able to get your hands on one soon.
I’ve built two of the -Bs, and the only trouble I had was the fill piece for the bottom turret on both. I got a -G in the stash, so hoefully it won’t give me a fuss.
No worries! I’ll keep looking. Thanks so much for trying for me!
Chris
Ok, nothing on ebay, and no online retailers I can find have it in stock either. Anyone else have a line on one of these? Perhaps an extra in your stash we could negotiate for?
Chris
There is one sitting right there on my shelf!! I’ve got a signed metal print by Cole that is going to be the base for it when I get 'round to building the beast.
Nice…I’m jealous, but nice!
Chris
The Italeri 1/48 B-25 is the same kit as the AM kit. You might find an Italeri release cheaper.
Bill
That is a very good point, Bill! That’s how I was able to get the AM TBF kit, too, as the Italeri boxing. That’s a good tip.
Regards,
Brad
But wasn’t the Italeri rebox done as a C/D model? I really want a “B” for the Doolittle raid.