Eduard 1/72 B-25

[hamchuck]

Hello all,

I posted an introduction some months ago but haven't since. Part of that is because I was working on a Beaufighter than met a tragic end at the hands (paws?) of our cats. So, I went to this B-25.

It's my first Eduard kit and my first time working with photoetch. I've been enjoying it immensely, though I mangled one of the PE pieces when I joined the fuselage halves together. Happily it's on the bottom where it won't be visible.

The build sequence requires installing the nose gear before the fuselage halves are joined. I was uncomfortable with this and sure enough I broke the nose gear. I had to fix it with a micro-drill and thin music wire.

This is also my first time doing pre-shading and chipping to this degree. I had some trouble while I was decaling. I don't think I got the gloss coat on thick enough to protect the delicate Vallejo acrylic. It started to eat through in spots and I also had some trouble on the fuselage roundel where it had to snug down over some protrusions. That was today, so I decided to quit for now instead working while frustrated. I'll fix the spots and lay on some more gloss tomorrow, decal probably the next day. Then, weathering.

 

[moon puppy]

Nice! And that bench is getting messy now. Great fix on the nose wheel, I have the same apprehension about installing them so early. Looks like that Ed kit is going together pretty well.

 

[hamchuck]

Nice! And that bench is getting messy now. Great fix on the nose wheel, I have the same apprehension about installing them so early. Looks like that Ed kit is going together pretty well

Yes, while I'm pausing I'm cleaning it. Messy bench, messy mind, right? I do find there's a correlation between mistakes and the state of my workspace.

 

[moon puppy]

I do find there's a correlation between mistakes and the state of my workspace.

So that's it!! eh Gags I gotta clean up my bench.
Seriously I see it. If you get too much clutter around your work area jars of clear liquid can go oops, ask me how I know. Looking good Al.

 

[RichB]

"If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign of?"

Albert Einstein

Cheers,
RichB

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Overall your build is looking good Al! Paintwork and decals are always a bit of a guessing game as to what will work. While I do use some Vallejo paints, I have yet to paint a model with them and decal it. My biggest challenge is not the building which I tend to go overboard on, or even paint to some extent, it is the decals. I just don't trust them working with the more modern paints. As to the landing gear fix, I would have done the prep work, made sure it would fit properly and then waited till the last thing to install the fix. (why break it twice)
Building is a learning experience and we are all here to assist with our experiences and info so don't ever hesitate to ask a question. Sometimes it is one that everyone can learn from.
Keep up the great work!

 

[centaur567]

Nothing like a "Bat outa hell". Try getting a hold on the book, "Flying Buccaneers" by Steve Birdsall. It' about the Fifth Air Force in WW 2. Your model looks great!! Gary S.

 

[moon puppy]

Try getting a hold on the book, "Flying Buccaneers" by Steve Birdsall

Great suggestion, about to finish up Hornfisher's series of the Pacific.

 

[Rhino]

It looks like the new-tool Hasegawa plastic in the Ed kit goes together nicely! Well done, so far!

 

[hamchuck]

Nothing like a "Bat outa hell". Try getting a hold on the book, "Flying Buccaneers" by Steve Birdsall. It' about the Fifth Air Force in WW 2. Your model looks great!! Gary S.

I'll check it out, thanks! I'm doing one of the other set of markings in the kit. First it was because I wanted one with the cheek guns, but later I also realized masking for the bat would be tricky. Even with a mask set, the Vallejo pulls up very, very easily.

 

[hamchuck]

Overall your build is looking good Al! Paintwork and decals are always a bit of a guessing game as to what will work. While I do use some Vallejo paints, I have yet to paint a model with them and decal it. My biggest challenge is not the building which I tend to go overboard on, or even paint to some extent, it is the decals. I just don't trust them working with the more modern paints. As to the landing gear fix, I would have done the prep work, made sure it would fit properly and then waited till the last thing to install the fix. (why break it twice)
Building is a learning experience and we are all here to assist with our experiences and info so don't ever hesitate to ask a question. Sometimes it is one that everyone can learn from.
Keep up the great work!
View attachment 176328

I did consider fixing the gear later, but I was concerned about damaging the stump at a point it would be even harder to fix. So I went with the foam block for it to sit in.
I use Vallejo paints mostly because they're easily available to me here. I'm an expat working in Abu Dhabi, and there's only two hobby shops in the entire country, neither of which are that great. Getting paint by mail order can be iffy. Also, In a place where you can't open the windows for most of the year, enamel fumes would be problematic.

 

[moon puppy]

I'm an expat working in Abu Dhabi

Oh wow! That's a first for us. We've had member in deep Siberia but I don't think we've had anyone in the gulf region.
If you have a chance at all get some Mission Model Paints. I had tons of Vallejo over the years, keeping them wet to spray and making them stick to the surface was always a pain. MMP sprays much easier and it mask well but it is thin and can damage easy. Clear coats on top seal them in nicely.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Everything I have heard is that Vallejo paints need a decent primer base. I have only used them for detailing and internal stuff so far. Not sure what primer I will use once I get around to using it for external stuff. Still using my old Testors paints which are still holding up.

 

[hamchuck]

Everything I have heard is that Vallejo paints need a decent primer base. I have only used them for detailing and internal stuff so far. Not sure what primer I will use once I get around to using it for external stuff. Still using my old Testors paints which are still holding up.

I'm using Vallejo primer and I clean the surface beforehand with alcohol. It might be that I need to give it more time to dry. Otherwise I think acrylics are just inherently less durable than enamels.

 

[moon puppy]

It might be that I need to give it more time to dry.

No it's the Vallejo stuff. I struggled with them for years ended up giving them away. I'm building my MMP collection up now.

 

[RichB]

I use Vallejo Model Air almost exclusively, but with hairy sticks. It usually means there are 2 or 3 coats but they can rub off if handled too much, especially on sharp edges. For a primer I use spray bomb automotive primer, it gives a bit of tooth for the colour coat.

For top coats I mostly use artists mediums for matte and satin finishes and Pledge/Future (whatever it is bring sold as now) for gloss finishes. On armour, I usually apply a light overall matte spray coat, I think I have Vallejo for that too.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[moon puppy]

but with hairy sticks.

And you take that skill set to another level completely.

 

[hamchuck]

Another mistake! But also a fix.

I managed to lose the nose gear door somehow. It was way too thick and had no detail so it wasn't much of a loss. I improvised with a bit of the photoetch sprue.

 

[hamchuck]

Complete!

The most challenging part was the tiny photoetch antennas. That was really pushing the capability of my eyesight and finger dexterity.

I did the weathering with Vallejo black wash. The hard part is making it look like exhaust and not dirty water stains. I'm reasonably happy with it but next time I think I'll try oils.

I'm going to make a simple diorama for it. It won't be much more than a dirt revetment. I'll find or make some sort of cart for the bombs that came with the kit and some tools or work stand type-stuff. I've never done a diorama before so I'll keep it basic.

Great kit. I'd happily build it again with some different nose art.

 

[moon puppy]

Excellent finish Al. I'd say your weathering is spot on. Lot of stuff up top of the wings, wasn't must exhaust but guys walking around up there. Aircraft are not clean except in museums. Great fix also, the part looks spot on. Well done sir!!