Consolidated B-24H Liberator (A09010) Build Review

[Ratch]

Initially I washed the runners in warm, soapy water. I then did some research into the aircraft. I had the H type on my Wanted List for one of those flown from Harrington in Northamptonshire during World War II.
From August 1943, specially modified Liberators were used on classified missions, codenamed ‘Carpetbaggers’. The missions involved sending commando units and spies (called Joes/Josephines) into occupied Europe prior to the invasion. No 801 (Provisional) Bomb Group was stationed at Harrington in Northamptonshire. 36, 406, 788, and 850 Squadrons formed the 801st carrying out these missions. Their B-24s were painted with a glossy black, anti-searchlight paint, with nose and waist guns and ball turret removed. A ‘Joe Hole’ was used in place of ball turret. Waist windows were blacked out and teardrop blisters added to both cockpit windows. Post-invasion they flew gasoline in to Patton’s tanks. My list of aircraft that flew from Harrington is as follows: 42-95036, 42-52767, 42-51124, 42-51187, 42-95317, 42-40474, 41-28871 ‘The Leading Lady’, I have photos of 42-52711 ‘Screwball’, and 42-51211 Y “Miss Fitts”. I am leaning towards 42-52711 ‘Screwball’, though I don’t have much photographic evidence of the appearance of any aircraft. Turning to examine the instructions, the opening steps involve assembly of the cockpit.

[Ratch]

I made a list of the internal components to be airbrushed and selected Vallejo Model Air 71094 Green Zinc Chromate. It occurred to me that the interior may have been re-painted black to match the exterior, but I have no evidence for either colour. I brushed the propeller tips with Humbrol Acrylic Dropper Bottle DB0024 No. 24 Trainer Yellow – Matt.

[Ratch]

I painted detail on the cockpit and dipped the transparencies in Klear. Decals were applied for the instruments. I have made up the ordnance, it will be going in to the bomb dump.

[Ratch]

I was not going to fit the bomb sight (B16) but considered that it may have been used on clandestine missions. F6 appears to be an ammunition feed for the nose turret. 

I know that this turret was not used to save weight, so I made some alterations. 

The instructions call for 25g to be added behind the instrument panel bulkhead. I don’t know what Paramjit used, but I could only squeeze 13g of lead weight into the space. I fear a tail-sitter on my hands. 

I had two large ejector pin lugs on part #A7, a bulkhead, which needed tidying up. Step 14 addresses another compartment where 30g is supposed to be inserted. Once again, I could not get anywhere near that weight in, and cramming my aquarium weights into the void distorted the assembly. 

This is obviously not a good thing. We have learned that any misfitting parts will have dire consequences later in the build.

[Ratch]

One thing I don’t like about this kit design is the excessive gates, which enter the mouldings on two edges. 

This makes cleaning up arduous, and absolutely necessary to ensure the correct fit. 

I appreciate that ideally the gate should be wide enough to ensure a free flow into the mould.

 

I do like the detail in these sub-assemblies. Almost little models in their own right.

 

I wonder what colours the bomb bay area and rear part of the fuselage are supposed to be. I suspect the bomb bay should be aluminium (bare metal), and the rear part Zinc Chromate Yellow, but I have painted them in the Vallejo colours converted on the Airfix table from the Humbrol paints specified on the instruction sheet. 

I’m not that bothered as everything will be buttoned up and I doubt that any of the interior will be seen. I’m treating it as painting practice.

[Tour de Airfix]

On 18/04/2024 at 18:43, Ratch said:

I don’t know what Paramjit used, but I could only squeeze 13g of lead weight into the space.

I’ve built four 1:72 scale B-24 Liberators over the past years and all have ended tail-sitters. Minicraft, Academy and a couple of the original Airfix kits.

I did attempt to fill the nose of last Academy kit with sufficient lead to overcome this but, unbelievably, the nose wheel collapsed under the weight. I eventually removed the lead when structural faults started to appear where the nose joined the fuselage! The Airfix kit came with a crew ladder installed at the rear which when lowered was intended to keep the tail off the ground.

I have heard rumour that something similar had to be used on the tail of the real aircraft and that it was most stable when loaded with bombs! 

[Tour de Airfix]

On 15/04/2024 at 17:32, Ratch said:

I had the H type on my Wanted List for one of those flown from Harrington in Northamptonshire during World War II.
From August 1943, specially modified Liberators were used on classified missions, codenamed ‘Carpetbaggers’.

What a great idea. Having one of these in my stash I’m really enjoying following your build. 👍

Like you, my plan is to do something different. I have in mind building it as one of the Special Ops Liberators from 223 (Bomber Support) Squadron, 100 Group which took part in the Electronic War. I’ve still got quite a bit of research to complete first. 

[Ratch]

I tested out my new airbrush with Vallejo Model Air 71062 Aluminium on a few parts. A little splutter to start but it sprayed nice and evenly and will certainly do for broad-brush spraying.

I then set about assembling the interior.

[Ratch]

I airbrushed aluminium over specific parts in readiness for the next assembly steps. 

It looks like the fuselage joining will be a bit tight.

[Ratch]

Work on the interior has continued.

[paul71]

enjoying watching this ratch looks like there is plenty of detail in it, think i will be getting one at some point 

[Ratch]

Thanks Paul.

Some more info on the Carpetbagger Liberators. The oxygen equipment was removed, and plywood flooring fitted to aid movement of supplies. Gee British hyperbolic navigational aids were fitted though these were later updated to Loran US equipment. Rebecca/Eureka equipment was also used. Before joining the fuselage, I added a plywood panel over the Joe Hole. 

As expected, I’m having serious trouble getting the fuselage to meet.

[Tour de Airfix]

2 hours ago, Ratch said:

As expected, I’m having serious trouble getting the fuselage to meet.

Is that because of your interior mods or have you hit on a challenge with the new moulding?

[Ratch]

All the new toolings are a very tight on tolerances. A layer of paint can affect the fit. I have yet to work out how to avoid it other than not to paint internal stuff.

[Ratch]

The gaps looked really bad, but when filled with plastic putty they are less noticeable. 

The tail went together much easier.

[Ratch]

I painted the propeller tips with Humbrol Acrylic 24 Matt Trainer Yellow and the blades with Humbrol Acrylic 33 Matt Black. The inside of the upper wing that forms the wheel well was brush painted, and then the wings were assembled. 

I decided to cut in with black in the hope of making masking easier at the later stage. 

I also painted the nose of the fuselage black, and then marked out the lettering and outline of the ‘Screwball’ nose art with my ruling pen, freehand.

[Hurricane Boy]

Looking good Ratch. As always, thank you for sharing!

Cheers,

Tim

[Ratch]

Thanks Tim, I painted and fitted the superchargers to the engine cowlings then turned to the four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engines. Open and closed gills are offered as alternate parts. As I understand it, the gills would be open when the engine was at its working temperature, to keep it cool. With the engine shut down the gills would be closed. My aircraft will be posed firmly on the ground, inactive.

[Ratch]

I’ve been concerned about the front turret position. The only picture of a Carpetbagger B-24H is Miss Fitts taking off from Harrington and her turret has been replaced by a plain glazing. I have nothing to make a former to plunge mould with and considered just not fitting the guns in the turret but thought this gave an inaccurate profile. Then I had a brainwave. I have some H2S blisters left over from old Lancaster kits and cut one with a razor saw. 

This fitted nicely into the aperture of the turret position. Not absolutely accurate but more realistic, I think. 

I couldn’t resist brushing Humbrol Matt Black over the airframe; I‘ve always considered myself more of a painter than a builder with the plastic being my canvas to work upon.

[Ratch]

I have added the flaps and the paintwork has been re-touched.

[modeling maniac]

Looking good Ratch.

[Ratch]

Thank you James.

Undercarriage struts painted and fitted.

[Ratch]

I put the wheels on, and I have a tail-sitter. A test illustrates that a further 25g is required, although where it might be squeezed into is a mystery to me. I just hope now that the boarding ladder will give a solution.

[Ratch]

Moving on to the turret assemblies, I made up all the turrets, even those I will not be using just to see how they go together. 

I used G-S Hypo Cement to fix the transparencies. I replaced the canopy side windows with blisters 

then hand painted the canopy and turret framing. 

The unused turrets will go into spares. I fitted the canopy then sprayed with Klear in preparation for the decals.

[Ratch]

I applied the few decals needed on this subject using Microset and Microsol decal solutions. I used the stars’n’bars and propeller markings from the kit. Serials were from a Ventura sheet.