despondman's Airfix B-25 Mitchell **Finished**

[fredk]

Does the job just fine

[despondman]

Thanks for comments all.
The cockpit is now fixed within the fuselage and the 2 fuselage halves ready to go together. A dry fit shows they will go together well.
There are numerous small parts to fit onto the fuselage, the bomb doors, various hatches and windows, and they are not always the most accurate of fits, the parts generally being slightly smaller than the space they fit into. All parts also need a bit of tidying, and the point where parts are attached to the sprue is sometimes quite hefty.
I actually hadn't realised when I got this kit it was so old, dating back to 1965, which explains all I have just said. This is no complaint however, I am enjoying the build, as I nearly always have when I have built these old Airfix models.
I've noticed the other B-25 builds have included some weight to prevent tail sitting, the instructions do not specify any weight, probably best to just put in as much as is practical.

[iggie]

I've noticed the other B-25 builds have included some weight to prevent tail sitting, the instructions do not specify any weight, probably best to just put in as much as is practical.

And then a bit more for luck!

[Martin R]

I've noticed the other B-25 builds have included some weight to prevent tail sitting, the instructions do not specify any weight, probably best to just put in as much as is practical.

And then a bit more for luck!

And then pin the nosegear to the display base!

[PaulBradley]

...and when you think THAT'S enough, add a bit more, just in case.....

[Molly-new]

...and when you think THAT'S enough, add a bit more, just in case.....

.......and then add a support for the rear......

[fredk]

At least there is decent room for putting weight in this kit.

[Dazzled]

This a real blast from the past. I have such fond memories of the Airfix B25. Building it, playing with it....blowing it up

[despondman]

The consensus then is that some significant weight is required, and so I have delayed fixing the fuselage halves together for a few days in order to make sure I have weight that can do the job.

And here is the biggest part of it, a fishing weight, which will be hardly visible once painted.


In the meantime I have worked on the wings....


...and the tail, quite a hefty tail, comprising 13 parts, and the reason why so much weight is required.

[iggie]

I would think that weight should be sufficient!!

Good progress with the tail!

[fredk]

Actually, I'm not sure that is enough weight. These B25s need an awful amount of weight.
The closer you put the weight to the pivot point the more weight you need. The further away, the less. The weight in the nose has to be considerably greater than just that tail piece.


Maths; distance x weight = distance x weight [nose weight; 30g fishing weight x 3cm = 90, tail parts; 12g x 12cm = 144, and thats not adding in the weight of the rear fuselage and other parts, so we'll add about 16 for that [the parts in the kit nose cancel most of it] = 160. Difference = 70. Divide by 3cm = 24g approx. So nearly double the weight needed. Put your own figures in to get the sums, I estimated from the photo and my Hampton parts.]

[despondman]

Actually, I'm not sure that is enough weight. These B25s need an awful amount of weight.]

Dry fitting with the weight and tail in place shows you to be 100% correct. This photo shows the weight I have so far glued into the fuselage, this will either be just enough, or not quite enough. There is still the nose which can take some more weight, and being further forward as fred says will have a relatively greater effect.

[fredk]

To save having too much weight on the nose wheel leg, perhaps some weight in the engine nacelles?

[Kitaholic]

Looking good so far. As far as the weight is concerned mine said 8g in the instructions, took 28g to get it to stay. As fredk says, pack the nacelles as well

[Molly-new]

Is it possible to get some lead pilot figures for these?