B-24 Assembly Ships

[Robert Gray]

Here are some that I built a few years ago now. There are three National Championship trophy winners here and the collection was the main feature in Scale Aircraft Modelling Vol21 no6. I build to 1/48 scale and only subjects relating to the 8th USAAF. Currently working on a Beech Staggerwing attached to the 8th HQ Flight at Bovingdon.

B24's.jpgPete the POM Inspecter 467 BG.jpgSpotted Ape 458BG.jpgWham Bam Detail.jpgSilver Streak Detail.jpg

[norwichpaul]

Fantastic!

[Carnaby]

Yes, superb Robert. Like to see more.

[Dave Smith]

Superlative stuff, Robert! Would love to see your Staggerwing in due course.

[Bomber]

Hi Robert brilliant pictures there .You must Have spent hours painting them. Do you have a special interest in the Eighth Airforce ?
Looking forward to more pictures "keep em comimng "
Regards ,
Bomber .

[Able Mabel]

Superb modelling that must have taken many hours to produce. Well done, no wonder championship quality.

[Robert Gray]

Many thanks for your kind remarks.

Yes Bomber, my Dad worked on quite a few of the 3rd Air Division airfields during the war and as I listened to the stories of the 8th while growing up, this is the end result. A couple more of a recent build.

he 111 a.jpghe 111 b.jpghe 111 c.jpghe 111 d.jpghe 111 e.jpg

Thanks too Dave, the Staggerwing Isn't the new Roden kit, it's an old Esci kit of the civilian version that I have had to heavily convert, it's at the painting stage now so shouldn't be much longer.

[YellowPinkie]

Superb, I know nothing of why these would have been in these fantastic colours, can anyone explain?

EDIT:
No matter, Google knows everything.

Some good images here:

forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/45410763/m/8031045117

What I don't understand is why they didn't use a smaller single seater or similar - cheaper and just as effective?

Who chose the liveries, the crew, or were they prescribed?

Bet the RAF top brass didn't appreciate them! Just love the models.

[XskotyX]

excellent models! id love to be able to create something that good.

i love assembly ships. my favourites would be 'lil cookie', 'little gramper' and 'you cawn't miss it'. as i live in Halesworth where lil cookie was based and Metfield and Seething are all within 10 miles from me and i take a special interest in local history.

[REF]

The 2nd Air Div Memorial Library in Norwich has models all of the 2nd Air Div Assembly Ships on display. Here are four of them.

Consolidated B-24D Liberator 41-23667 'Ball of Fire' from the 93rd Bombardment Group, Hardwick


Consolidated B-24D Liberator 42-40722 'The Little Gramper' from the 491st Bombardment Group, North Pickenham


Consolidated B-24D Liberator 42-40370 'Pete, The Pom Inspector' from the 467th Bombardment Group, Rackheath


Consolidated B-24D Liberator 41-23689 from the 392nd Bombardment Group, Wendling