Minicraft PB4Y-1 "Calvert 'n Coke" 1/72

selrach

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Hi Folks, A recently completed B-24D remade as a well-known USN patrol bomber for you. Calvert 'n Coke may have been the most photographed of the PBY's stationed at Dunkeswell, Devon. Numerous colour and BW photos exist, evidently all taken the same day for a promotional event, sometime in the summer of 1943. Not long after, the red-edged insignia were to be replaced with smaller blue and white types. Later, in November, this aircraft had a fateful battle with a U-boat caught off the north coast of Spain.

For this build, the canopy, the little nose dome and turrets were replaced with vacuform parts, which I think appear more realistic. Detail sets were used for the cockpit/nose interiors. (Most of which you can't really see.) Fine metal tubing and 'Swiss cheese' detail strips were used for the machine guns. The bird cage nose piece was quite difficult to fit and paint.

The black lettering was my first attempt at making decals using a sheet of clear film in a copier.
 

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Last edited:

JR

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Sorry no one has replied to this, a great shame as its quite an uncommon plane and well made Selrach.
Definitely should have the.

2020DB.jpg
 

colin m

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I echo John's apology. Sometime threads do slip by. But anyway, this is a very nice PB4Y. I need to educate myself on when a B24 becomes a PBY. The shading of the upper surfaces stand out to me. A very nice job indeed.
 

Tim Marlow

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Looks superb. You have achieved a very sharp finish.
I’m sorry I missed this as well…..
 

Jim R

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I'm another who missed the thread - sorry. It is an excellent model of a great subject. I would have loved to have seen the full build.
Jim
 

flyjoe180

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How this got under my radar I do not know. An excellent result, the modulation of the topside colour is very well done. Great job on the home made decals too, this is something I have not yet attempted.
 

selrach

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Thanks John, Colin, Tim, Jim and Joe for the kind words. Any critiques or suggestions for improvement would be welcomed as well.
The model was a long slog. I suggest building the Hasegawa version. Much better and easier!
Joe, the only hard part of making the simple black decals was getting the size right. After making a best estimation, I printed a whole range of sizes on one sheet hoping one set would be ok.
 

scottie3158

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Selrach,
My apologies as well I completely missed this. Glad I found it though as that is an excellent build.
 

adt70hk

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Sorry, completely missed this. Looks very good indeed!!

Very well done.

Andrew
 

Mini Me

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Doh...is it my turn? Excellent result and nice demo on the wave edge camo. :thumb2: Rick H.
 
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