Northrop Northampton B(PR)1 - the model

[PR19_Kit]

I could have sworn I posted a thread of the is build before but I can't find it anywhere.  

I started it over a year ago and the construction went fine, but the paint stage was a DISASTER, apart from the underside which went very well. As it's going to be an RAF RB-35   the upper surfaces are the short lived 'Mod 312' Light Aircraft Grey and Light Slate Grey, the latter of which is actually green. Go figure..........  

I tried to use my newly bought airbrush but it wouldn't spray densely enough for my tastes and when I tried brushing in the thin bits the colours were different   so I shelved the whole thing for a while. The 'while' turned out to be about a year and when I was casting about for something to finish off for Telford this year I found the Northampton again.

I've been using a zillion miles of Tamiya tape masking up the camo and re-brush painting the whole upper surface, and there's a LOT of area there! It's not too bad, good enough for Government work anyway, not one of my best jobs but it will just have to do. The landing gear and props have been done for ages and the gear is now on the model but I'm working on making the props removable as there's nothing to protect them from above, no fin, no nothing. I'm using the contra-props on the inboard shafts and 4-bladers on the outboards, for reasons which will became clear when I post the backstory. It'll have umpteen 20 mm cannon in the barbettes and I have some turned brass ones sorted out for that.

Earlier build pics below, the last two of which show two different paint schemes and now it's on its third scheme!



All the myriad bits and pieces, but no guns as yet




My best ever natural metal finish, I'm dead chuffed with it.




The first, sprayed, scheme. Far too light in colour and variable as well.




Second, brush painted scheme. Darker but the masking didn't work too well.

[kitnut617]

I could have sworn I posted a thread of the is build before but I can't find it anywhere.  

Think you posted some pics in another thread Kit, I remember seeing the pic with the camo job

[PR19_Kit]

I could have sworn I posted a thread of the is build before but I can't find it anywhere.  

Think you posted some pics in another thread Kit, I remember seeing the pic with the camo job

Oh good, I thought I was losing my mind there for a bit. I've searched under 'Northrop' and B-35, but it's not there. Weird.

[kitnut617]

IIRC, it was in a 'painting problem' thread  ---

[Hobbes]

The images aren't showing for me. I tried viewing the source image directly and that didn't work either?

[kitnut617]

I've got an RAF build planned too Kit, and if you don't mind I'd like to use your name for it but have a different mark number.  Mine will have two Grand Slams hanging semi-recessed from the bomb bays (I've seen a 3-View of a proposed bomber like this but do you think I can find it again)

[PR19_Kit]

The images aren't showing for me. I tried viewing the source image directly and that didn't work either?

They may show up in time Harro, Imageshack works slowly at the weekend I've found.

I've just checked my area on there and they're showing OK there now.

[Steel Penguin]

The images are there for me , Kit   1 with parts, one metallic, and 2 green grey cammo shots.

[kitnut617]

I can see them all too

[scooter]

I can see them all too

Ditto

[PR19_Kit]

Current state of the Northampton. Main decals added, plus the gear legs, in the top view the no. 3 engine's prop is shown pulled out of its brass tube shaft housing, normally it'll be pushed all the way in. Lots of small detail decals to go on, but I really wanted it to look RAF.  

The nose gear leg has broken twice already   and it turns out there should be a tri-angular brace right behind it, but it looks like the Carpet Monster has got mine so I'll make up a facsimile with brass rod. You can see the camera ports in the vestigial 'fuselage' in the underside pic.

[Captain Canada]

Now there's a beauty. I seem to recall seeing it too. Love the props !

[PR19_Kit]

I seem to recall seeing it too. Love the props !

Wait till they're all on there, blades EVERYwhere! 

[Gondor]

Now that is somewhat different 

Gondor

[The Rat]

Needs longer wings, but still pretty good!