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Accurate Miniatures 
B-25G Conversion
and B-25 Variants

by Don Fenton

 

B-25G Conversion Sprues

 

 

Introduction

 

The Accurate Miniatures B-25G Conversion Set #3432 permits the construction of this famous 75mm cannon equipped bomber from either the Accurate Miniatures B-25B or the soon to be released B-25C/D kits.  

So, you don’t want to build a G model?  Putting aside the accuracy issues raised concerning the B-25B kit and the conversion set,  Accurate Miniatures has provided all the parts required to build any one of a number of B-25 variants.  

 

Click the thumbnails below to view the images full-sized

                   

 

The Conversion Components

 

The images on this page show the components of the B-25G Conversion Set.  

Tree #3432-0700 has parts for the G model only.  The 75mm cannon, .50 caliber MG‘s, nose fairings and other parts associated with the G model are on this tree.  The parts found on tree #3431-0600 are used not only for the G model but are very useful for other B-25 variants.  By judicious mixing of components from  tree #3431-0600 and parts from the B-25B kit, any variant of the B-25C or D models can be constructed, including the gun nosed strafer versions.  

With a very modest effort, the U S. Navy PBJ-1C and –1D versions can be built as well.  Unfortunately, the conversion set instruction sheet makes no mention of these extra parts.  The enterprising model builder is left to puzzle that out.  So, here goes.

 

 

The Clayton “S” stacks replaced the exhaust collector ring and “finger” type exhaust stacks found on early C and D models.  The set provides the exhaust blanking plate to fill in the recess in the kit nacelles.  But, if you want an early model C or D, the short exhaust stack is provided.  The short exhaust was original equipment on very early C’s and D’s.  This short exhaust replaced the finger type exhaust as installed on early C’s and D’s when these finger exhausts developed cracks.  The Clayton style exhaust was a feature of every Mitchell bomber after the short stacks were abandoned.  “S” stacks were also installed as a field retrofit.

 

Beginning with the C model, the carburetor air inlet was enlarged.  The carburetor was changed  from a Bendix to a Holley and air filtration was added.  The set provides the larger carburetor air inlets.

Wing bomb racks are provided.  For those that want to build an anti-submarine patrol aircraft, the racks were sometimes used to carry depth bombs.  Fair representations of the Mk‑54 300 pound depth bombs are included in the B-25B kit.  Consult your references.

The tail skid fairing was used on all B-25C’s and subsequent versions.  This replaces the skid supplied in the B-25B kit.

The fuselage gun packs were installed on the strafer versions of the C and D.  These gun packs were also installed on the PBJ-1D.  You can adjust the shape of these packs if you don’t want this particular style.  The most frequently seen shape is rounded fore and aft.  Again, consult your references.

Early C and D versions used the same .30 caliber nose gun installation as the B-25B.  No problem, the parts are in the B-25B kit.

The factory installation of a single flexible .50 caliber MG and a fixed .50 caliber MG began with the B-25C-5.  The B-25D-5 added an additional fixed .50 caliber MG to the nose, for a total of three MG’s.  Modeling this configuration requires putting the conversion set’s  fixed .50 caliber MG nose gun in the B-25B nose.  The flexible MG and ammo feed track are provided in the conversion set.  Now, here’s the problem.  Not all B-25B kits came with the necessary clear parts for the G conversion.  This is shown below.

 

 

These early production kits lacked a clear tree #3431-2300.  This tree has the required clear piece to accommodate the two gun installation.  As shown below, this tree also has the astrodome required for all C and later versions of the Mitchell. 

 

 

And, as a bonus, the four gun strafer nose is included.  Aha!  You don’t really need to purchase the B-25C/D strafer kit.

If your kit did not have this tree, Accurate Miniatures offers to supply this free of charge.  This notice is included in the B‑25G conversion set.  

To build the three gun D versions, the installation of the second fixed .50 caliber MG requires drilling another hole in the nose, scrounging up another MG, installing it and its associated ammo can and feed chute.  Check your references.

The tail gunner’s fairing is on the –2300 tree.  The tail gun position was a popular field modification.  The position had either a single or twin MG.  Accurate has provided the twin MG’s.

 

 

B-25 Variants

 

The tables below summarize the factory configurations of the B-25C and D’s.  These aircraft were often modified at Depot’s and in the field to install additional guns and other equipment.  Consult your references for the configuration of the aircraft you are building.  Note that one of the items first to go was the lower turret.  The Accurate Miniatures B-25G conversion set and the B-25B kit supply all the parts required for any of these factory configurations.  Only the three gun nose requires modification by the model builder.  The * items refer to the factory installation of the finger type exhaust, replaced in the field with a collector ring and the short exhaust stack.

 

Table 1: 
B-25C to B-25C-25 Characteristics / Variations 

 Feature

B-25C

B-25C-1

B-25C-5

B-25C-10

B-25C-15

B-25C-25

B-25B Kit Nose (One .30 Cal MG)

X

X

-

-

-

-

2 Gun Nose (1 Fixed, 1 Flex .50 MG)

-

-

X

X

X

X

Nose Gun Ammo Chute (Flex .50)

-

-

X

X

X

X

3 Gun Nose (2 Fixed, 1 Flex .50 MG)

-

-

-

-

-

-

New Carb Inlet

X

X

X

X

X

X

Astrodome

X

X

X

X

X

X

Navigator Scanning Windows

X

X

X

X

X

X

Wing Bomb Racks (Optional)

-

X

X

X

X

X

Tail Skid Fairing

X

X

X

X

X

X

Long Exhaust Stack (B-25B)

-

-

-

-

-

-

Short Exhaust Stack

X

X

X*

X*

-

-

Cowling w/Clayton "S" Stacks

-

-

-

-

X

X

Exhaust Blanking Plate

-

-

-

-

X

X

Alternate Canopy

X

X

X

X

X

X

Lower Turret

X

X

X

X

X

X

 


Table 2: 
B-25D to B-25D-35 Characteristics / Variations 

 Feature

B-25D

B-25D-1

B-25D-5

B-25D-10

B-25D-15, 20, 25, 30, 35

B-25B Kit Nose (One .30 Cal MG)

X

X

-

-

-

2 Gun Nose (1 Fixed, 1 Flex .50 MG)

-

-

-

-

-

Nose Gun Ammo Chute (Flex .50)

-

-

X

X

X

3 Gun Nose (2 Fixed, 1 Flex .50 MG)

-

-

X

X

X

New Carb Inlet

X

X

X

X

X

Astrodome

X

X

X

X

X

Navigator Scanning Windows

X

X

X

X

X

Wing Bomb Racks (Optional)

-

X

X

X

X

Tail Skid Fairing

X

X

X

X

X

Long Exhaust Stack (B-25B)

-

-

-

-

-

Short Exhaust Stack

X

X*

X*

X*

-

Cowling w/Clayton "S" Stacks

-

-

-

-

X

Exhaust Blanking Plate

-

-

-

-

X

Alternate Canopy

X

X

X

X

X

Lower Turret

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

Construction Underway

 

 

Descriptions Copyright © 2000 by Don Fenton
Instruction and Decal Images © 2000 by Accurate Miniatures
Page Created 03 October, 2000
Last Updated 26 July, 2007

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