I
built this model mostly out of the box. As I found out that Liberators
flew out of my town, Cunderdin Western Australia, in WW 2, I decided that I had
to make one. When the local museum found out that I was making it, I was
asked if I was making it for them. (No…I wasn’t, but I guess I am
now!) Anyway, I was disappointed that the fuselage was in 4 pieces.
The kit was o.k. , nice soft grey plastic, but the windscreen is in 3 pieces.
I wasn’t too happy at this point and the kit sat for three years. I did
manage to locate some “Aussie Decals” for a Liberator that was stationed
here.
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Anyway,
I was getting bugged about when I was going to finish the model, so I decided
I’d better make another attempt at it. As this model was going to be
hanging “in flight”, I had to put the gear up. The picture of the
underside of the wing shows my attempt at this. I couldn’t find any good
pictures of the under wing in flight, so I punted. I only had to put half
of a wheel in the wing with a bit of plastic strip to brace it. I also
braced the gear door up and glued it, but I was still left with an awful hole
there. If anyone has a good photo, I’d appreciate a look for the next
one.
During
construction I broke one of the .50 cal barrels so I decided to close the
starboard side up. Painting was straight forward with Model Master
Metalizer Aluminum covered with our Aussie version of Future. Then it was
time for the decals. These had sat in my desk drawer for over two years
now, so not feeling particularly, I decided to scan them – just in case.
The roundels went on fine, PHEW! Then I tried to do the swan – the
symbol for 25 Squadron, the City of Perth Squadron. ARGH!!! They
dissolved and my heart sank. Lucky for me I did the scan, now I needed to
learn (fast) how to make decals. A trip or two to Stanbridges Hobbies in
Perth sorted me out. I’m not completely satisfied with my decal making
results, but the Liberator SJ-M mow belongs to the Cunderdin Historical
Collection. The old fellas there were very impressed, so I guess all
wasn’t lost.
On
February 14, 1945, there was a fatal crash of Liberator A72-124. I’d
like to make a model of this one in 1/48th scale, perhaps in a
cutaway mode. By that time, I should be better at making decals. Happy
modelling!
Mark
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images below to see larger images
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