B-26 Refurb (Otherwise Known as Ian's Not-So Bright Idea)

So I have had a B-26 Marauder craving here lately but I wanted to do an RAF or SAAF bird. I built the Monogram 1/48th scale kit about eighteen years ago using Cutting Edge Decals to depict "Jezebel". However, I wouldn't characterize my build as anything smashing (quite mediocre, actually) so I have decided to back-date "Jezebel" into an RAF Marauder Mk. I which is basically a B-26A. First I removed "Jezebel" from the shelf and took her to the workbench for a date with the razor saw. To do this conversion she needs the short wings, short tail and original tail gunner fairing (which "Jezebel" had fortunately from my original build). I removed the tail section with the saw and shortened it by about two scale feet but it was actually a pretty easy cut. I then removed a section from each wing to cut the wingspan down from scale 71 feet to 65 feet. The section was removed from the outside of the nacelles. I removed the aileron and flap section as well so I could readjust the shape of the wing.

The inboard flaps will be filled in and removed since the short-wings did not have those. (why make things easy on the flight crew?....especially in a B-26). I have begun stripping the decals and I also removed the cheek-pack guns. In addition, the armor plate on the nose has to go as does some kind of plate on the top of the fuselage. (Not sure if that was on there from the kit or something I added for reasons I am not quite clear on). I will also have to repaint the wheel wells and doors because I painted them incorrectly ( I know, I had to start somewhere) and the cockpit will be redone in Martin bronze green as well. 

My intention is to depict RAF Marauder Mk I "FK138" in OD over Grey when she first arrived in England as part of the training element for the British Marauder crews. Other than a S/N there are no codes or badges so decals will be easy. Evidently after this assignment she went on to serve with RAF 14 Squadron in the Med and was tragically lost after colliding with power lines on takeoff (back to the huge engines, short wing, short tail, no flap problem again) with the loss of the entire crew. 

Anyway, I will see what happens..........Best wishes

Ian