1/48 Monogram B-26K Nimrod

Monogram B-26 Kit with Meteor Resin kit

by Jim Birchfield

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This is the Monogram 1/48 kit with the extensive and well-done Meteor resin modification up-grade. I fabricated a second seat and instrument panel from my spares box, and added throttle and pitch and landing gear handles using small bits of sprue with red, white and gloss black paint for knobs. By following the Meteor directions on where to cut the kit for proper placement, the solid resin nose and the very large resin rudder were an easy fit. The resin conversion includes all the antenna and gun barrels. The up-grade included the modified engine cowls, air scoops for carbs and oil, and drop in plugs for the upper and lower turrets. I also installed resin engines from Quick Boost, after wiring them with ignition harnesses, oil sump drain lines, and wiring for the magnetos. 

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The Meteor up-grade includes all wing stations and explicit directions on their positions, which were non-standard distances between each. Additionally, the cuts required for the wing tip drop tanks requires leaving a noticeable gap between the tank and the trailing edge of the wing adjacent the aileron. The tanks come as two parts, with very nicely detailed position lights. The massive rudder has finely detailed vortex generators on the starboard side and strobe light. There are also a set of resin tires and my set had white metal props.

The kit was painted with Model Master enamels Dark Green FS34079, Medium Green FS34102 and Dark Tan FS30219 and flat black. Decals were from Zotz and were applied using the white glue method. Weathering was completed with a wash consisting of burnt umber mixed with black used to tint clean Turpenoil. I let the wash dry for twenty-four hours then began a light dry brushing using the Model Master enamels tinted with Humbrol Matt Grey 28. The black undersides were very lightly dry brushed with Mussini Kaltgrau Two first and One last. All this was given twenty-four hours to dry. The final weathering was completed using pastel chalk for engine exhaust. The tires were painted hot rod grey, and together with the solid resin nose, resin engines and cowls and all metal props, help keep the model sitting in the proper stance, because that rudder is one large heavy piece of resin. The ordnance came from the Hasegawa set, and consist of Mk. 82 Snakeyes and two napalm units. Remove before flight flages were installed last. As with any Meteor or other resin up-grades, modeling skills are required, along with a good set of tools. And now I have one of every version of the B-26, except the fire bomber. If you can find one of the Meteor up-grades for the -26K, by all means get it.

Jim Birchfield

Photos and text © by Jim Birchfield