I’ve been checking out ARC for a little over a year now, and the level of excellence by my fellow “ARC’ers” is astounding.  My modeling skills still have quite a ways to go, but I’m inspired every time I check the site out or check in on the discussion board and I really like how everyone here is very receptive to us less skilled guys, not just the “experts”.

For my first submission to ARC, I’ve selected my B-25 which is one of my better jobs… 

This is the 1/48 Accurate Miniatures B-25C “Dirty Dora” in markings for the 345^th Bomb Group (Air Apaches) 499^th Bomb Squadron (the “Bats outta Hell”).

For about seven years, I had the pleasure of knowing the co-pilot of this aircraft, Lt Col W.W. Graham (he was a Lieutenant at the time he flew Dora). I work at a Veterans Hospital in Florida where he was frequently a patient, & he shared many exciting war stories as well as other observations. His wife asked me to model his aircraft for her & I was happy to comply. This was one of the first planes that I tried panel washes & weathering on…I was worried that I had been a little excessive with the weathering on the aircraft, but the Colonel said that the real thing usually looked dirtier! So I guess I’m alright on that score. Sadly, Lt Col Graham passed away earlier this year.

Click on images below to see larger images

This is one of the nicest kits I’ve ever worked on. Nicely molded parts & good instructions. The neat thing was doing the Bat logo for the nose. The kit is supplied with decals for the red & white parts, & a stencil for the outline. After you apply the stencil, you paint the blue part, then decal as usual. The engine cowlings are done similarly.

Dora was finished with Model Master paints, kit decals and an acrylic “sludge” wash.

I hope everyone enjoys these pics!

Michael