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.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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
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