I haven’t built model in years and I am interested in trying my hand on a B-24. Any suggestions as to what I should look for? Which kit? etc.
First the bad news. It looks right now that no company has one in production right now.
The good news is that there are a lot of models of the B-24.
Since they are out of production you’ll have to shop around, but there’s a huge variety in every price range.
I’ve only ever built the Revell 1/72 and Academy ones, but reading other peoples reviews suggests:
1/48 there’s one game in town- Monogram/ Revell. It’s a big model and would be a lot of fun to build. If you set your mind to it, you can find one. Probably around $ 100.00.
172 Hasegawa gets high reviews, Academy / Italeri is good, and there’s the old Revell kit.
I’m not a big Liberator fan, although I flew in one once. I’d build the 1/48 model.
Size matters! I’d recommend the Monogram 1/48 kits. Either the J or the D. There is plenty of After Market stuff out there to dress it up and decal sets for all sorts of great markings as well:ETO, MTO, PTO…
His dad was PTO. I looked a little and the fifth had a lot of Liberators 1942-1945 so Im guessing either would do.
Amazon has 2 Revell D models for $206. Ebay has them for around $25 + shipping. There is also the Academy/Minicraft 1/72 D model available at Amazon. Squadron has it for $36.
The B-24 was preferred in the PTO due to its longer range and bigger payload. Flak and fighters were not as heavy as in Europe. And there are lots of great PTO schemes. The Jolly Rogers group comes to mind with the skull and crossed bombs on the tails.
Also a great maritime patrol aircraft.
I have never seen the 1/48 liberator for $100 if you look at Revell.com, they have it listed (I think) at about $45, which is a fair price for that kit. Some of the details on it are a bit on the soft side, but everything you need is there, and the fit is not too bad
You do know that Revell/ Hobbico is defunct, and that the Revell website is just a place holder until the New Revell comes back online maybe at the end of the year.
I built a B-24D a couple of years ago. I love the B-24, especially the J model with the bizzare nose turret. In fact, I am building the 1/48 Revell B-24J right now http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/178234.aspx. I took a short break from building it due to Summer activities. I plan on resuming finishing it later this week.
Take a look at my post. There are a number of “gotchas” in this kit. It took some time, but I finally figured them out, especially how to add enough weight to the nose. Try Hobby Lobby. They may have either the D or J model.
There are plenty of 1/48 B-24s for sale on eBay currently. They range in price from around $20 to over $100. I’m sure that due to the current Revell situation we won’t see any new stock of these for a bit. But there are plenty to be found secondhand out there.
Reviews suggest to stay away from the old Airfix kit.
I’ve only built the Revell version in 1/72. As I recall it was from the days of moveable landing gear, turrets and some of the control surfaces. Not ideal for the scale modeler.
Try to find the Shep Paine article about the “Lady Be Good”. It’s pretty moving.
From the R/O seat:
Revell 1/48 B-24 you can pick one up at hobbylobby for around $35.00 even cheaper if you have the 40% off coupon.
That’s awesome! Buy two if you find it in the store.
IF… if, they have it in stock. The local Hobby Lobby by my home has not had that kit in awhile, and with Revell down for the moment, they cannot restock.
Yep, I went in one for the first time the other day. On a long business trip. Sort of shocking how little in the model area. Stocked up on Testors paints, but otherwise, a bunch of lindberg and some Revell Snap Tite.
I see some “buy it now” on the Bay, around $ 60 - $65 with shipping. I think that’s hard to beat.
Do a search on scalemates website…
Hmm, may be time to sell a few, 5 D’s and 3 J’s in the stash. But no, not today. They will be back for those that are patient enough.
Revell Germany has the molds also. Seeing how they are are in better shape that the US branch currently, we could see a re pop thru them first…
patience!
Yes I know this, but $100 is still extremely expensive for this kit. I got mine at hobby lobby for about $35-$45. Never in a million years would I pay $75-$100 for that kit. (still a good kit, just you can find it for so much cheaper)