1:48 B-24D Liberator

The real subject

The B-24 Liberator was an American four-engine heavy bomber of the Second World War. You will know it by its narrow wing of large span, set high on a deep fuselage, and by its twin vertical tails. It was precisely the slender wing that gave it longer range than the earlier types, so it was used over the Atlantic, over Europe and in the Pacific. Power came from four radial piston engines with turbochargers, thanks to which the aircraft kept its performance at high altitude as well.

The B-24D version was the first of those built in large numbers and still carried a glazed nose section with no turret. In the end more Liberators were built than any other American bomber of that war.

What the photo-etched set offers

Photo-etched parts are created by etching a shape into thin metal sheet. They thus replace plastic components, which for the sake of strength have to be thicker than the scale would call for, and they add detail a plastic part could not carry. The set is made for a model of the B-24D in 1:48 scale; the make-up of the parts and their placement are described in the enclosed instructions.

Building tips

Separate the parts with a sharp blade on a hard surface, because nippers will twist the metal. Make the bends against the edge of a rule or in a bender and press along the whole length of the part at once. Glue with cyanoacrylate applied with a pin and degrease the area beforehand. A primer coat suits metal, or the paint will come off while the model is handled. On a large model such as the B-24 is in this scale, test the assembly dry.

Terms of supply

The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.