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Playing in the Sandbox Group Build Sept 1, 2024 - Jn 1, 2025

RCAF Liberator GR Mk VI


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While working on the CF-18, I took a look at another RCAF project I've wanted to do and one thing led to another. The RCAF flew a number of Liberators in Coastal Command colours from Atlantic Canada. One of them had a shark mount on it which later morphed into a more elaborate lions head. When the Hobbyboss B-24J came out, I figured I get I'd they ever did decals for it which DK Decals duly did.

The kit:

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The decals:

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The AM:

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I'm not going to to try fixing the wing or the nacelles as that's just way beyond my paygrade. Plus I want to actually have a chance of finishing it. 

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A couple exterior changes were made to the Liberator when it was used by the RCAF. They included the removal of the upper turret and the ball turret getting replaced with a radar done.

Profimodeler make a resin radar dome. It replaces the kit belly insert. The master was 3D printed but the lines from the layers are sadly very evident. Plus it was warped and didn't fit that well.

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I decided to modify the kit part instead by filling in the ball turret opening until I got the right size opening. 

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I then cut the dome free from the resin panel. 

This will fit in from behind and I'll ultimately have less putty work  to do.

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For the upper turret, I cut several circles from sheet styrene, laminated them together a d then glued that to one side of the fuselage.

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I put tape around the opening to protect the surface detail as best I could. 

I then sanded these to match the contours of the fuselage.

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Carl

Fantastic choice and love the scheme you decided on, Coastal Command.

Right with you on your game plan which is workable, takes advantage of a lot of AM for the project rather then a scratch/conversion. No question you’re going to create a beauty and a version I haven’t seen before.

Will be follow in the front row :popcorn:

Keep ‘em comin

Peter

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4 hours ago, Kaireckstadt said:

Great start! This will be a big beast in the end! 

Thanks Kai! 

3 hours ago, DocRob said:

Nice surgery Carl. Like Kai said, this will be BIG. I always liked the Coastal Command schemes best and I really like to see the big Lib in these colors.

Cheers Rob

Thanks Rob! I think the Coastal Command scheme will be a nice change from the more typical OD or NMF. 

And yes, she's going to be big. 

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3 hours ago, nmayhew said:

Interesting project.

Wow the quality of that profi aftermarket part is really sh*t!

what replacement turrets are those?

any pictures of the aircraft you are making?

cheers

nick

Thanks Nick! The Profimodeler part was definitely a disappointment. I'm just glad I was able to make some use of it. 

The turrets are from Cold War Studio. They're clear resin and very nicely done. 

The most commonly found pics of the plane have the later full lions head on it. 

60f987ece7e2421509f8742d_Consolidated-Liberator-G-R--Mk--VI--RCAF--Serial-No--3742---coded-A--No--10--BR--Squadron--ca--1944--MIKAN-No--3650491.jpeg.2fe0b0cfec02d523da09dd2ebe923dd7.jpeg

There are a couple on Britmodeler that were posted that show just the shark mouth which is what I'll be doing. 

3 hours ago, Spitfire said:

Great project it should look most impressive

Cheers

Dennis

Thanks Dennis!  I hope it turns out.

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2 hours ago, Peterpools said:

Carl

Fantastic choice and love the scheme you decided on, Coastal Command.

Right with you on your game plan which is workable, takes advantage of a lot of AM for the project rather then a scratch/conversion. No question you’re going to create a beauty and a version I haven’t seen before.

Will be follow in the front row :popcorn:

Keep ‘em comin

Peter

Thanks Peter! It's seems a  simple enough conversion but at the same time, give me something a bit different like you said. 

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I’m away from this place for a bit and look what happens!  
So now that there are good clear resin turrets available for the big Lib, I’m onboard for a build as well.  I’ll have to live with that hideous wing, but the turrets at least are better.

Carl, I’m glad you’re doing this scheme. It was one I was eyeballing real close, so now my choices have gotten easier.

I’m watching this VERY closely!

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Well Ernie, you know what they say. When the cat's away, the plastic starts flying. Or something like that. 

The turrets were the biggie for me as far as external corrections and like you, I'm leaving the wing alone.

If you want one of the other marking schemes on the decal sheet let me know. I'm only building the one. 

I think it'll go nicely with the shark mouthed Lanc when I get to that. 

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Which is also an RCAF plane. 

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Small update. I've been working a bit on the interior. Got a start on the cockpit.

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 Eduard used interior green on their PE bits instead of Dull Dark Green so it'll be a bit mixed and matched. I'll just blame it on the subcontractor not following the instructions:D

I've also painted the waist gunners' section and the radio room.

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I haven't done the bomb bay yet as I'm still going a bit back and forth on the colour. I'm leaning towards Neutral Grey though. 

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Lastly, I've started on the fuselage halves. 

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7 hours ago, nmayhew said:

Do we have confirmation of what the rear turret is on your Lib?

just wondering if it’s a FN one or something else non ‘regular B-24’?

I can't seem to find anything that shows definitively what the rear turret was. I'm going to stick with the regular one for my build. 

One thing I've noticed is the waist gunners' windows have the inserts in place so that means even less of the interior is visible and another pair of guns I don't need. 

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I am away at moment but from quick google it looks like the turret would be a regular one - it was the earlier GR IV and V that had the British 4 gun turrets

i don’t know much about these but wondering whether the Border Models Lanc - which has 2 types of rear turret - may help for those looking for this?

Also noticed that Profi now make both the Leigh light, nose radar, AND the mini wings and rockets - so it is possible to make one the earlier Libs once you solve the turret issue

sorry to distract this thread

no back to this Lib - can’t wait to see more!

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