B-24 diorama - an attempt anyway

[wendovertom]

I am certain what I am trying is way beyond my skill level BUT - the Atlantic model was inexpensive so I am going for it.

In October of 1943 the B-24 "Problem Child" had a write off accident while at Wendover airfield - they lost engines 1 and 4 while at 200-300 feet of altitude and made a shallow turn back to base. it would not make it and the gear would not come up. So, they "landed" and probably would have been ok except for the ditch that severed the landing gear and brought the landing to a more sudden stop. It was a "D" model plane so my model is not quite right but hey for a first time outing why not?.

Wendover Crash Photo Album 010 med by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

Wendover Crash Photo Album 012 med by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

Wendover Crash Photo Album 016 med by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

The work starts -

IMG_20201030_173001 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

IMG_20201030_103009 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

IMG_20201027_120012 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

[mazdaP5]

It's a good start! As far as it being above your pay grade? You might surprise yourself. I'll be looking forward to updates.

[phil65]

Nice work... What scale ?

Phil

[wendovertom]

Nice work... What scale ?

Phil

It is one of the reissue kits from Atlantis so it is is a goofy scale - 1/92nd.

Which I am finding a little challenging as my modeling skills are not up to snuff and it would be nice to have some detail accessories and decal options from Eduard (or others) to help me out!

Tom P.

[wendovertom]

I realize I should have taken more pics as I built to this point but alas. . .

My struggle at this point is what to do with the nose - in reality it turned into a jumble of demolished metal "pieces parts" and that seems a bit daunting to try and recreate.

PXL_20201217_201932741 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

PXL_20201217_202116013 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

PXL_20201221_162757335 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

PXL_20201221_162812533 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

PXL_20201221_162832807 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

[bdk]

Looks like a fun project! Can't wait to see how it goes.

[wendovertom]

Not a ton of progress - the nose has me a bit stymied. Add the cowlings and top turret. It is a tribute to the pilot that he was able to keep this plane in pretty much one piece despite the crash circumstances.

PXL_20201219_220052665 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

PXL_20201223_230402903 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

PXL_20201223_230346783 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

PXL_20201223_230340029 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

[Warbird Kid]

Looking great! Am I to assume that this will go on display in the museum when finished?

[wendovertom]

Yes, provided it is not a total embarrassment

Tom P.

[Warbird Kid]

Don't fear cutting up the nose more so and adding sheet styrene if you feel up to the challenge. Will you also be using resin for the water? Looking good!

[wendovertom]

Don't fear cutting up the nose more so and adding sheet styrene if you feel up to the challenge. Will you also be using resin for the water? Looking good!

Yes, I am getting closer to hacking the nose all to bits! As an aside as I have looked at crash photos of the D model and the later turret nose model B-24s, the turret nose definitely had a lot more strength. This D model nose is absolutely demolished and most B-24G-H models the nose does separate, but remains more intact.

Anyway, yes, I am thinking that Woodland scenics resin for the water effects will work well..

Tom P.

[wendovertom]

A little more progress - decided to cut the turret nose off and put a little more effort into simulating the actual crash damage / look. Again, it amazes me that no one in the forward half of the plane was killed or seriously injured.

PXL_20210120_225102352 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

PXL_20210120_225111595 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

PXL_20210120_225122275 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

Plus the bent props it seems like the props on # 1 and #4 were dropped before the plane came to rest. #2 cut into the nose section and from the photo it looks like #3 finally broke off as the ship came to rest.

PXL_20210120_225144691 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

[wendovertom]

OK - work on the base - DAS modeling clay and a Styrofoam base - which may prove to be a mistake. The clay dries and deforms the underlaying Styrofoam - grrrr. I created the "shards" by flattening out sheets of clay and drying it them smashing them. The wash is to simulate the disgusting black/ grey underlying strata of the salt flats (if you have been here you know).

PXL_20210213_230420300 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

With the model and no wash
PXL_20210213_230542393 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

With wash
PXL_20210216_025453503 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

[wendovertom]

A little more work done. I decided that the belly would be more 'crushed' than I had it so there was a little tweeking there. Now I just need to save up the nickels and dime for the resin to pour for the water. If anyone has some experience here I would love to benefit from it rather than from expereince - she can be a bit tough sometimes

PXL_20210225_224822212 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

PXL_20210225_224810943 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

PXL_20210225_224849844 by Tom Petersen, on Flickr

[Warbird Kid]

This might help. Skip to 19:00 mins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XZD2sp1Ou4
There are a TON of different videos out there with people applying resin to dioramas. Just gotta start searching. Looking forward to seeing the result!