Subject: Re: B-25 Mitchell
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Gregor de Ste Croix" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 15:07:30 -0800

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gregor de Ste Croix 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2014 2:53 AM
  Subject: B-25 Mitchell

  Gallery Article Template

  "1/72  Airfix B-25J Mitchell" 

  by "Gregor de Ste Croix"
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here 

  I have a soft spot for Airfix kits as they are what I grew up with, and built almost exclusively as a kid. This particular specimen dates back to the 1960's I think, and it shows! Those of you not  familiar with kits of this vintage beware, as age has not been kind to these 50 + year old moulds. My example is a reissue (not the latest one with updated box art) and many of the parts/components exhibited warping. I used loads of filler on this project as can be seen from the photos via areas of lost surface detail. As is the norm for subjects of this age all panel lines and surface details are raised, albeit on this kit fairly unobtrusively. Internal detail is very limited but as the clear parts are typically thick not much can of this can be seen through the cockpits etc. Despite these negative factors this was still an enjoyable build, and I got a lot of satisfaction from overcoming the age related shortfalls. All the flying surfaces are of the moveable variety which makes for poor fit particularly on the tail surfaces. I fixed mine all in position. The undercarriage doors were particularly tricky and did not want to fit in the closed position. Plastic card and a lot of putty were necessary to fill in some big gaps in these areas.

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here. Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here. Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here. Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here. Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg

  I chose to model this kit with the gear up, using the stand supplied, and the crew figures (which help fill the vast empty spaces in the various stations over the aircraft). In addition to this I attempted to create the illusion of the props spinning using clear plastic from food packaging. I'm not entirely sure this works but it was fun giving it a go J. Airfix provide 4 decal options, and 3 different nose configurations relating to the B-25 J & H variants. I chose the 8 gun solid nose over the glass or cannon armed options. The kit supplied decals were used but were generally poor, cracking up on application in some instances. The tail code serial numbers disintegrated and I didn't try using the alternatives supplied as I suspect they would have done the same - hence no serial number! 

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here 

  This was very much a trip down memory lane for a "relaxing/fun" project. Overall I think Airfix have captured the look of the B-25 well with all components looking in proportion to my eyes. 

  "Gregor de Ste Croix"

  Photos and text © by "Gregor de Ste Croix"

   

   

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