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B-25J "Jaunty Jo" Diorama 1/48th scale

Discussion in 'Modelling' started by Wildcat5372, Aug 19, 2013.

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  1. Wildcat5372

    Wildcat5372 Member

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    Hello all,
    For my summer break before my junior year of college I really wanted to make my first diorama. I have always been a fan of the B-25J bomber, so I ordered a Revell B-25J Mitchell from Amazon (around $25 with shipping). I started the plane in late May and finished it in around a month or so, (on and off working on it). I read up on the version I was creating, the "Jaunty Jo", which was based in Biak Island, New Guniea in May 1945. She was a B-25 in the 498th Bomber Squadron. I created a relatively simple diorama for it, an airfield with palm trees. I got the MegaHobby Date Leaf Palm Trees 7-3/4 inches. This package is Style "B" and comes with 3 trees, around $11 from Amazon. The color of the trunks were way too vibrant, so I painted them a darker brown. Also these trees are not too short for the diorama, and seemed acceptable. I then got an 1 inch thick piece of plywood, cut it to the dimensions of 19 inches by 17 inches. I bought Woodland Scenic railroad ballast, (2 colors), grass and cement. I painted where the airfield and grass would be. Then applied the ballast and grass with the cement and placed the trees. I also quickly painted a 1/48 bomb cart I didn't use from a B-17 I made a while ago.All I am missing is figures for the diorama.
    It truly was fun to do, and I am glad I made it. It was a quick project and I hope I do many more. I might add more details such as weathering the aircraft. Please comment if you think I should add something. I hope you all enjoy the diorama.

    Note: This is not my first model, I have done 8 models over the last 5-6 years, such as 1/350 scale USS Hornet and USS North Carolina, 1/35 scale M4 Sherman, 1/48 scale F4F Wildcat, SBC2 Helldiver and B-17, and 1/72 scale F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat.

    Also, I would like to ask about the 1/48 figures, I am not a big fan of painting them myself, is there anyone or a company that has pre-painted ones?
    -Steve
     

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  2. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

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    This looks great Wildcat...if its in a diorama setting i would have put some chips on the leading edges of the wings and propellors...every photo you see of this theatre has its aircraft a little beat'n up...evidence of its "hard work" would be a nice finish. Ummm...maybe some cammo netting or a tent would be a good addition also. A little grease darkening of the silver (steel) peices...blackening around the gun track and oil staines on the nacelle and wings (through the slats). Like your trees and grass and ground, looks quite realistic...
     
  3. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    I'm not a modeller, but this look OK to me. I would agree with CAC in that the plane looks too new. Maybe find a way to rough it up a bit.
     
  4. Takao

    Takao Ace

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    I believe the "technical" term that CAC is searching for is "weathering" or "distressing" a model. Do a google search on weathering aircraft (you don't have to use quotes) and you should find a lot of helpful websites that have many tips and tricks to help you along.

    BTW, nice diorama.
     
    CAC likes this.
  5. aurora7

    aurora7 recruit

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    Looks nice, wildcat. That the Revell kit?

    I've got the Revell 1/48 J and am thinking of doing it up as a PBJ (Navy/Marines version of the 25).

    I prefer the 1/48 scale myself but did a lot of 1/72 WWII aircraft in my dorm room in college back in the early 80's.

    They were small enough to work on in the confines of my dorm room. Since the were small enough, I'd build them gear up and mount them by the belly on the walls using double sided poster tape. I gotta say I thought it looked cool (even the girls thought so :eyebrows: )

    Weathering adds realism and depth to the look of a model but it takes more time to do if you got the time. On builds I've done on aircraft with canopy framing, I would paint tape the color of the external framing, mounted on a clean, smooth piece of metal.

    I would than run an exacto knife down the strips to make thinner strips the width of the framing.

    I'd then attach the tape over the frames moldings on the clear plastic. I'd never run tape over another piece of tape. I'd cut the where it would meet another piece of tape and ad a drop of paint of the frame color to cover the seam.

    Too me, it make the framing look like real framing.

    Post some of you other projects if you can!
     
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  6. Ruud

    Ruud Member

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    Well done, Wildcat. Painting those figures yourselves would be more fun.
     
  7. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Nice work! I don't know if I have the patience to do that kind of detail anymore. After seeing these shots may give it a go this winter. If you haven't seen this before you might like the following link;

    http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/Biak/

    [​IMG]
     
  8. irondivision

    irondivision New Member

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  9. SymphonicPoet

    SymphonicPoet Member

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    Great looking build, Wildcat! Thanks for posting.

    I'd have guessed it was the old Monogram model, though it may be under the Revel name now. I think I have the same model about 90% finished in my parents basement. Just thought about bringing it down to my own for a fix and finish. (There is some damage that needs to be rectified, but the "weathering" looks surprisingly convincing and I didn't have to do more than half of it myself.)
     
  10. Thomas Milner

    Thomas Milner New Member

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    Im doing the same model but it says to do the propeller as flat white is that right??
     
  11. Takao

    Takao Ace

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    Listen to the Stones, man, Listen to the Stones


    It's a goof...Should be D. Matte(flat) black. The picture shows a black prop, but tell you to paint it white.
     
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  12. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

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    I always connect this song with Vietnam...
     

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