[Ara1]

Originally Posted by Delta Zulu

no natl insignia(star) on top or bottom of wing.

Hey Delta Zulu,

Congrats on the B-26. Sorry the guns were out of true. It does happen. If you can fix it, great; if not, work with the vendor, or if you can, live with it.

I'm a former scale modeler of decent skill so I've fixed a couple of things in my collection. Never had a disaterous defect that has killed it for me, though. But if you pay money, then you deserve satisfaction.

As for my own future purchases, I plan on buying the He 111 with oversized markings. I know I will have to paint out the swastika on the tail and re-apply a decal (Sept 1939, mid fin style) and I will have to correct the trailing and leading edges of the large wing crosses. I will also be applying the pre-1939 very small wing crosses on the very outer tips of the wings (will look great in addition to the large recognition crosses, further inboard).

I did some checking and it appears your diecast B-26 does not come with wing markings. Did you see a picture of this model with the markings?

[Delta Zulu]

Hey Ara1 Tks for the advice. No, I only saw one photo which did not show a star and I assumed(duh)there would be one underwing. Re the gun barrel, reluctant to attempt any correction lest I snap it off but I will play with it a bit and see what happens. Re your decals. I've only been into die-cast for less than a year and I am going to find out if Letraset swastikas of 20-25 years ago will still adhere to a few of the planes w/o swastikas. Tks agn for the info on the insignia as I was puzzled by the lack.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Delta Zulu

.... and I am going to find out if Letraset swastikas of 20-25 years ago will still adhere to a few of the planes w/o swastikas.

Just hazarding a guess here D.Z.- but if I were you, I'd be tempted to sling the quarter-century old 'Letraset' stuff in the dustbin !!!!

Could leave some nasty marks where it sticks, & gaps where it don't.

After-market 1/48th decal sheets are readily available for all sizes & won't muck up your model if you use the correct process.

[Ara1]

Delta Z- I'm in agreement with Hornchurch. Go with water slide decals (traditional modeling decals) and use the multi step process fine modelers use. Feel free to email me at mobelwagen(at)hotmail.com for details on how to do it.

Besides your new B-26, what other 1/48 diecasts do you have?

[mustangdriver]

Hey Delta Zulu, this may be a long shot, but I would try researching the real B-26 first to see if there is a reason that they left the star and bar off. A lot of peple thought that Flak Bait's were messed up, but that is what it really had on the upper wing. Just a shot.

[Ara1]

Mustangdriver,

I think Delta Z was considering decals for German a/c tails, not his B-26. I agree with you, more B-26 research is needed before decaling insignia.

[STARMAN 352ND]

I see only the front fuse of "Flak Bait" is at the Smithsonian..
Where is the rest of the B-26 ?
Is it in restoration ?
JP

[Hoverbug]

Originally Posted by STARMAN 352ND

I see only the front fuse of "Flak Bait" is at the Smithsonian..
Where is the rest of the B-26 ?
Is it in restoration ?
JP

It's in storage at the Garber facility in Suitland, MD. It is scheduled for restoration and display at the Udvar-Hazy Center, but that can occur only once construction has been completed for their restoration shop, which is still in the fund raising stage. A complete Flak Bait is still probably a decade away.

[Delta Zulu]

Oh man, what a response from all of you. It's a good model, I like it. Lack of natl. insignia was not a criticism but new to me. Profile 201 shows shots of a 387BG plane but perspective doesn't show wing markings. Hornchurch & Ara1- ok on letraset, was just going to play around with them. Tks Ara1 for gracious offer. Mustang Driver-will look for further info.
Other 1/48s. Schroer, Hartmann, Galland Me-109s. Boyington's P-40 and F4U. Zero. Stanford-Tucks Spit. 2 FW-190D's from Galland's Zirkus. B-26's and One a Day in Tampa Bay, I need your expert sources on this. Pilot trainees were upset with crashes and morale was bad. Hap Arnold sent 2 WASPS who had trained as ferry pilots of B-26's to the field and they put on a demo, there were no more complaints. I cannot for the life of me find the source I got this from, how about you guys?

[Ara1]

Delta Z, you're welcome.

I have a small reference on the B-26, Osprey's Combat Aircraft #2, "B-26 Units of the 8th and 9th Air Forces" by Jerry Scutts.

In it, on page 9, the "one a day in Tampa Bay" quote is both addressed and discounted in one paragraph.

I'm going to go ahead and read this book tonight. I've only skimmed it thus far.

And I'm envious right now of anyone with a FM B-26. So that's an inducement to contribute to this thread