The Chambermaid - pics

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
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Following are my efforts to reproduce my uncle’s B-24J, The Chambermaid, 42-100227, 7th AF, 30 BG, 38 BS. My uncle, Mel Harms, was the bombardier. They were hit by flak and shot up by Zeros over Iwo Jima, but were able to limp back to Saipan. Although several crew members were wounded, all survived.

References: “One Damned Island After Another”, chapter 22, “The Log of the Liberator”, pg 289-295, B-24 Nose Art Name Directory, National Archive.

Decals and stencils by Mike Grant (http://mikegrantdesign.com/decals/). Additional detailing with Karaya .50 cal. barrels (http://www.karaya.ceti.pl/eng/browning.htm) and Aeroclub .30 cal. machine guns in the bombardier position.

Paint & weathering: Tamiya Acrylics – faded, undercoated with flat aluminum, chipped with scotch tape, washed with Grumbacher acrylics, staining with pastel chalks.

Thanks to everyone on this forum for all your support and advice.

Jim

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really looks good.

joe

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Very nice pics and thanks for the background info it definatly add to a job well done.

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not the kind of chambermaid I was expecting but beautiful anyway! Cheers John.

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Great looking bomber… it is really great that you built an a/c with that much personal history. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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Nicely done, Jim. I’m still searching my sources for the photos you’re seeking. I’ll keep looking. Regards, Ed

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Good looking B-24! All the personal history makes it that more special.

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Jim, I think you do your uncle proud…just be ready for the tears to flow!!! Things like that can be emotional, especially when they look so real!!!

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awesome job!![8D] and as has already been said, made that little bit more poignant because of the personal history involved.
can i ask re the pic supplied: did the crew survive that crash, or did they all bail out? looked a nasty one!
thanks for sharing.
regards,
nick

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Great model! As has been stated, the personal history really adds something special. Love all the “fiddly bits”.

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Nice job, jridge ! Just moving the wings & fuselage around when building this model can be a challenge. Nice subtle changes on the OD. With such a large canvas, it needs weathering, and you’ve done a great job with it. Well done !

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Thanks for all the kind words.

This has been almost a three year effort from starting the research until now — and trying to rekindle any modeling skills I might have had after a 45 year lay-off. Boy, the eyes and nerves aren’t what they used to be! Plus, there wasn’t such a thing as an airbrush back then…

Several of the crew were wounded by flak and the fighters, but all survived the crash and their wounds. The hydraulics were shot out. The starboard main gear wouldn’t crank down. They tied parachutes to the waist .50 cal. mounts and the tail turret to try to slow it down. But, they still took quite a ride!

Thanks again for all the kind words and all the coaching and advise I’ve receive from this forum.

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Fantastic accomplishment, Jim! Thanks!!

Frank