B-24D Liberator “Mission Centenarians”

[Paul A H]

B-24D Liberator “Mission Centenarians”

1:72 Eduard

Designed by the Consolidated Aircraft Company of California, the B-24 Liberator is famous for having been produced in greater numbers than any other Allied bomber of the Second World War. 18,482 examples were manufactured in total. Often thought of as being overshadowed by the better known Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-24 was actually faster and could carry a heavier payload over a greater distance. Consolidated’s design incorporated a number of innovative features for the period, including tricycle undercarriage and efficient, high aspect ratio wings. The B-24D was based on the B-24C, but featured improved R-1830-43 engines. It was flown in slightly modified form by the RAF as the Liberator B Mk III.

Eduard’s limited edition Liberator is comprised of the plastic parts from the Minicraft kit, two frets of photo etch metal, a comprehensive set of paint masks and two decal sheets providing options for four USAAF machines. The plastic parts are nicely moulded, with fine but well-defined engraved panel lines and a good level of detail. There is a little flash to be cleaned up here and there, but nothing too serious. The photo etch frets look very nice indeed. The first fret is pre-painted and covers the instrument panel, seat harnesses, controls and some other interior parts. The second, larger fret covers parts for the engines, fuselage interior, undercarriage legs and bays, guns and other details. The superb full-colour instruction book deserves a special mention. It is printed on glossy paper and has nice clear pictograms showing the placement of all the plastic and photo etch parts. The placement of the paint masks alone takes up a whole page and each decal option is illustrated with a colour four view of the aircraft depicted.

Construction begins with the cockpit and straight away the builder is invited to get stuck in with the photo etch detail parts. A two-piece pre-painted instrument panel us provided as a replacement for the kit part and it looks excellent. More detail parts are provided to add to the crew seats, consoles and fuselage walls. The bomb racks, bomb bay bulkheads, upper fuselage turret and waist gunner positions also have to be assembled before the fuselage halves can be joined, and the combination of kit parts and etch details should give a nice, busy appearance to the interior of the model. Construction of the wings is fairly straightforward, with photo etch details being used only for the areas where they will have the most impact such as the engines and undercarriage bays.

The tail planes and tail turret are constructed next, followed by the nose glazing and various aerials. Care must be taken throughout construction as not all of the parts are common to all of the different options provided on the decal sheet. This means the builder must decide which option they wish to build almost before they begin construction. The undercarriage, undercarriage doors and bomb bay doors are the last parts to be assembled and most of these parts benefit from the addition of Eduard’s photo etch parts. Once assembly is complete, all that stands between the model and a coat of paint is the extensive set of paint masks for the clear parts and landing gear wheels.

As mentioned above, four colour options are provided:

• B-24D-CO s/n 41-11766, 98th BG, 345th BS, Lecce Airbase, Italy, Summer 1944;

• B-24D-CO s/n 41-11613, 376th BG, 514th BS, San Pancrazio Airbase, Italy, February 1944;

• B-24D-20-CO s/n 41-24198, commanded by Capt. Wallace Taylor, 98th BG, 244th BS, Northern Africa, Summer 1943; and

• B-24D-15-CO s/n 41-24047, 90th BG, 320th BS, Southwest Pacific, late 1943.

As you might have guessed by now, all of these aircraft (with the exception of 41-24198) achieved the distinction of having survived at least 100 missions over enemy territory. A short history of each aircraft is included in the instructions. The decals are nicely printed and look as though they should perform well.

Conclusion

This is an excellent package from Eduard. Although it could be said that Minicraft kit has been eclipsed to some extent by the more recent Hasegawa offering, it is a still nice model and will build up well. The additional photo etch detail parts and paint masks further sweeten the deal on this good value package. Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Antoine]

Thanks for the review.

I can't wait for the next box from eduard, should be a GR. Liberator.

[Mike]

Another nice little package from Eduard

[Obi-Jiff Kenobi]

Looks like a very nice package.

[Tempestwulf]

There's one on sale on Trademe (NZ version of ebay) for $50 NZ so seriously considering it. Do I need it...do I need another surgical jaw realignment? No but it still makes me feel cool.