I’ve allowed other aspects of mine and our other businesses to keep me away from the workbench for far too long. That has to end! One of my fellow IPMS-Steve Wittman Chapter members Tom Dungan has shared with us some of the projects he has been working on.

These were for Group Builds or as the are known on Aeroscale, Air Campaigns. He said that committing to the group, it holds him accountable to get them finished. Something some of us need from time to time…a nudge to keep us going.

So, I am going to take his lead and join a Group Build on FineScale Modeler’s forum that will be getting underway soon…“Comin’ In On A Wing And A Prayer.” This will give me a theme to build for and its one that will allow me to expand on how to replicate battle damage.

Looking at the stash, I’ve come to the conclusion that a 1:48 scale bomber would be the best subject for this project. I have several B-25s, a couple B-26s and an A-26 (with a spare on already in progress in on the shelf of doom or spares stash). Doing a four engined bomber is an option, but I’m thinking that would be a stretch considering this is the first project I’ve started in some time.

During the course of this build I won’t be detailing much if anything that won’t be seen inside, but will focus on the visible damage battle damage that you will be able to see. These aircraft provide a vast amount of possibilities as what can be damaged yet keep on flying.

Besides constructing the model itself, it will need a base and a mounting to support it. If its comin’ in, then it should be shown inflight or just touching down. This in itself will be a separate build and something to showcase both diorama techniques but also some engineering and special effects magic.

Looking at my choices, I’ve decided on the B-25 Mitchell. So now its time to gather some photographic references of war torn Mitchells and drawings to help me with the interior details so I can create bulkheads, spars, stringers, panels and anything else that can be ripped up by flak and gun fire.

I’ll also share with you useful information about the materials I’ll be using as well as some of the reference material I find, including images taken of the B-25 just down the road at AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh. So its time to clear and clean off the workbench, fire up the computer and start searching. If you have anything you might think useful please share it with me.