4SQN B-25 Mitchell Strafer

[Aussie747]

With the mopping up operations in the SWTO by the Aussie forces grinding to a halt in late 1945 the RAAF requested more up to date aircraft from the US. The USAAF were able to release 50 NA B-25 Mitchells which had become surpluss to requirements with the arrival of released B-17s from Europe. The RAAF decided to integrate them into their Army co-operation squadrons. 4 SQN was the first to receive their batch of 12 aircraft and set out to work them into the order of battle. It was decided to use them in concert with the Boomerangs already on strength. The Boomerangs would scout for targets sometimes by drawing enemy fire or just from support calls by ground forces. The Boomerangs would them mark the targets and the cannon armed Mitchells would bring their firepower to bare. Ususally 3-4 Mitchells would work with a single Boomerang to keep a constant stream of fire on the enemy positions.

This is the Matchbox B-25H/J Mitchell kit. It was built OOB except for decals and painted in a similar scheme to the Boomerangs operating at the time. I did not put all the guns around the forward fuselage for something different, so it is a bit of a hybrid H model (I think).

The pictures













With 80SQN Silver Widow

[Go4fun]

Well that is an interesting build to go with an interesting back story. I really like that.

[kerick]

Nice work! Love the story and the model.

[Cobra]

Superb Work I think this is Something that if You entered in a Model Show,the JMN's would be Having Fits and Close to NEEDING Clean Underwear Keep up the Superb Work Dan

[PR19_Kit]

Love it! 

That big 75mm will surely concentrate the enemy's thoughts on getting the hell out of there! 

[Martin H]

ohhhh very nicely done

[NARSES2]

ohhhh very nicely done

It is indeed as is the Silver Widow  Must afmit that white tail scheme is one of my favourites.

You've got me wondering what a Beaufighter would look like with that amount of "white tail"

[kitbasher]

Very nice indeed.

Never owned a B-25 kit, let alone built one.  Never built a P-61, but at least I have a FROG kit in the stash!

[Aussie747]

Tanks for the kind words guys

ohhhh very nicely done

It is indeed as is the Silver Widow  Must admit that white tail scheme is one of my favourites.

You've got me wondering what a Beaufighter would look like with that amount of "white tail"

I built the Silver Widow some years ago. I wrote a short article for our club newsletter about it. As it turns out there was an 80SQN Association member trawling the web for 80SQN info and he happened upon my build. He was not impressed as he thought I was trying to rewrite the SQN history. He did not understand what a What-If and thought I was disrespectful of the SQN History even though it was mentioned at the beginning of my article. It took a few very nicely worded emails from the club President to placate the gent!

[Old Wombat]

Sweet!



Guy

[comrade harps]

  it!

The white tails and leading edges always look good.

[Captain Canada]

Like the Comrade says...the white tails and leading edges always look good !

Sorry to hear about the old Vet taking offense...hopefully he has seen the light and has come to appreciate the idea and the build.

Great little back story too.

As for the aero itself, how cool is that ? Looks right at home in those colours. Somehow ( to me, anyway ) that scheme makes the rear fuselage look longer. As for the omission of the extra guns, I think it would have made more sense to omit the tail guns, side guns, and the turret and left the forward facing .50s. Since it is that late in the war, and you already had Boomerangs in the area I'd go all in with the offensive and leave the defence to them.

Cheers !

[NARSES2]

As for the aero itself, how cool is that ? Looks right at home in those colours. Somehow ( to me, anyway ) that scheme makes the rear fuselage look longer.

I knew I was scratching my head for some reason....and that's it, it does look longer. Thanks Capt