Monogram 1/48 B-26 Marauder "Flak Bait" Completed!

[keyda81]

Those of you that know me from FSM have seen me build this before. Way back in 2017. I still have it hanging on the wall, but feel it's time to replace it, and since it's only February, and I know spring is a while away I figured why not start it. I decided to pick up the interior and exterior PE, which I promptly regretted later. Also got aftermarket decals, which the only one I'll use is the nose art. I opted to make masks for everything else. Easier to make the markings look faded and weathered when using paint.

Original 1978 boxing that I bought off a FB group a while back. Got interior and exterior PE, opted to not bother with the bomb bay since I'll be closing it up anyway, and why add 3 times the amount of frustration.



So far just in the interior alone 22.5 hours. I've managed to break off, and lose several gun sights. They are so damn small. I'm surprised I managed to not lose any of the control knobs. There are 16 glued on to the pedestal in front of the instrument panel.





A bit disappointing that this doesn't have a full interior, but I'd probably go insane if I had to do PE throughout, and you won't see any of it once it's closed up anyway. I've never looked into, but I don't think there was another 1/48 B-26 offering either.



Me and that ammo box, and belt are not friends lol. I'm hoping it doesn't cause issues when I go to close up the fuselage later today. I test fit the halves before I put anything back there, so I'll know right away if it's an issue.



This is good practice for me with the PE. I'm doing much better with it than I did a few years ago, but I still struggle with some pieces at times. Everything is just so small, and fragile. I still have to get through the exterior stuff too.

[lyle]

Marvelous work. Cockpit looks great. I have to find another B-26B/G for a project. The last one ended up in the bin.

[handiabled]

Bookmarked! The interior detail looks outstanding!

[brandonk]

That is some great detail you've added there. This looks amazing. Bookmarked this one.

[deafpanzer]

Excellent work there!

[stikpusher]

Very nice work on the interior Keyda! You're not getting stupid and adding detail in there that really can't be seen like I did on mine. This thing is tail heavy and if you put in enough weights in there to counteract that, I'd highly suggest some replacement metal landing gear struts. Over time the wheel axels will get weak and bend under the added weight. Another goo spot for weight on the model is in the engine nacelles just behind the firewalls.

[jeaton01]

Keyda, it is looking good. There is another 1/48 Marauder on the way from ICM. Squadron has them on preorder but as you might expect you can buy 3 or 4 Monogram kits for every ICM kit.

[stikpusher]

Feb 11, 2024 16:32:03 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

Keyda, it is looking good. There is another 1/48 Marauder on the way from ICM. Squadron has them on preorder but as you might expect you can buy 3 or 4 Monogram kits for every ICM kit.

And I bet that when the new ICM kit arrives, some folks will start selling off the Monogram and AMT Marauders in their stashes.

[keavdog]

All right Keyda - I built that one ages ago. I recall reading that it was called the widowmaker due to the high accident rate.

[406 Silverado]

I really enjoy looking at all of this interior detail you've managed to put together. I'm hoping a good bit of what you've done so far will be able to be seen from the outside. I hear you on getting better at the PE as there are several of my older builds that I would like to re-visit for a "round 2" so to speak.....BUT....we are all learning as we go here.

Great subject and good work on this so far.

[kyledehart5]

Excellent work!! Great start. I first heard about this B-26 during our 2020 (I know, living under a rock) visit to the Udvar-Hazy Center. Got to see her all laid out model kit style while one gentleman tinkered (or was hiding?) in the interior. lol. Pretty cool and fairly incredible service history. Following along with interest. 

[keyda81]

Thanks everyone!

Been a slow process with all the PE. I'm glad I didn't bother getting the bomb bay set. I think I'm going to just close the doors anyway, although I haven't decided for sure yet.

Fuselage is closed up. It and the wings are a bit warped. Although I'm not surprised with the age of the kit.



All the landing gear bits glued in place. I'm really not looking forward to trying to mask it off once it's all together. I have a feeling I'm going to knock PE bits off, and lose them. I'm going to have to be very careful.



I was happy the PE covered almost the entire door, I didn't have to sand away aw injector pin marks. But my concern here is those little hinges holding up. I'm probably going to knock them of too.



Honestly some of the pieces they decide to make are ridiculously small, and I don't understand why they bother. I did manage to get them all glue on, without launching any out of the tweezers. I was shocked I got them all glued on.



I was tinkering around a bit today, gluing wings together. Knocked over my bottle of Tamiya glue, and took that as a sign to be done for the day.

[TOWGunner]

"Knocked over my bottle of Tamiya glue, and took that as a sign to be done for the day."

No, that's a sign that you need a glue bottle stand! We've all knocked over the bottle of Tamiya Extra Thin, usually with disastrous results.
Here's one from Andy's that holds 3 bottles - andyshhq.com/products/square-bottle-glue-holder
Or, if you've only got one bottle, here's one from Michigan Toy Soldier - www.michtoy.com/item-MHT-GH1001-No_Spill_Glue_Bottle_Holder_(for_Tamiya%20AK_Cements).html
You REALLY need to get one of these. Your kit's life may depend on it!

[keavdog]

Highly recommended! And the micro sol/set stand as well - both seen here on the bench

[TOWGunner]

I have all the DSPIAE tools. Mine's a little more elaborate - 

[kyledehart5]

Feb 14, 2024 18:09:49 GMT -5 TOWGunner said:

"Knocked over my bottle of Tamiya glue, and took that as a sign to be done for the day."

No, that's a sign that you need a glue bottle stand! We've all knocked over the bottle of Tamiya Extra Thin, usually with disastrous results.
Here's one from Andy's that holds 3 bottles - andyshhq.com/products/square-bottle-glue-holder
Or, if you've only got one bottle, here's one from Michigan Toy Soldier - www.michtoy.com/item-MHT-GH1001-No_Spill_Glue_Bottle_Holder_(for_Tamiya%20AK_Cements).html
You REALLY need to get one of these. Your kit's life may depend on it!

I haven’t knocked mine over yet so thanks for sharing the links. Every time I see someone has done it I know it’s only a matter of time for me. 

[TOWGunner]

You're welcome. No problem.

[keyda81]

I've gotten smart with the microsol and set since I have knocked them over in the past. I put a little in the cap, and put the bottles across my desk no where near where I'm working, so I can't knock them over. That is the first time I've ever knocked the glue over though. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have to pick up some of those holders.

[lyle]

Keyda, that is looking great.

[keyda81]

After working on this for 11 days straight I think I need a break for a few days. After painting all the landing gear bits aluminum yesterday I worked on getting the engine nacelles on the wings. What a PITA! The fit is horrible. The parts are warped, and I tried to bend them back to shape, but they weren't really having it. It's just going to take a lot of sprue goo to fill and strengthen the gaps. There were not that bad the first time I built the old Monogram kit.





The nacelles aren't even fully glued in place yet. I had to let them sit after gluing the halves to the wing on the underside, and gluing the halves together. Joining the top part of the wing is going to be a challenge, best left after the glue has had ample amount of time to cure.



I may or may not attempt to play around with it more tomorrow. See how the day goes. I know I won't be mucking with it all on Saturday. I'll be with Whiskey 7 in a cold hangar all day, lol.

[handiabled]

Great progress! Hopefully the wings will cooperate with you when putting them together

[kyledehart5]

Excellent progress, to be sure.

[stikpusher]

Oh you're doing great now! Rapid progress!

[jeaton01]

More Monogram Madnesss!

[cbaltrin]

Feb 14, 2024 18:20:20 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Highly recommended! And the micro sol/set stand as well - both seen here on the bench

Ahh, Michigan Toy Soldier... I get down there three or four times a year.  Good Store.

[stikpusher]

Feb 15, 2024 23:09:39 GMT -5 jeaton01 said:

More Monogram Madnesss!

[jmarc]

NNNNNNNNNNNNNice !

[deafpanzer]

Looking real good!!!

[dodgy]

Love your determination! The kitty is looking great.

[TJ]

Great progress on the old kit. I haven't built it in 40 years. I know you'll get it all straightened out