Carl_Brisgamer
03-26-2013, 20:39
My WGS project #8 for 2013 adds two Consolidated B-24 'Liberator' heavy bombers to my Allied order of battle. These are 1/200 scale resin models from Armaments in Miniature (www.armamentsinminiature.com) that cost me USD 14 each plus delivery. The miniatures are B-24Ds, but I am finishing them as B-24Js flown by 21 Squadron RAAF in the last year of the war. The major difference between the D and J is the lack of a front turret on the earlier model.
83317
Starting with the CAC Wirraway in 1940, then being equipped with the Brewster Buffalo in 1941 and the Vultee Vengeance in 1943, 21 Squadron converted to Liberators in September 1944. Initially RAAF aircrew flew missions with the USAAF's 380th Bomb Group before commencing their own operations in January 1945. Assigned to No.82 Wing with 23 and 24 Squadrons RAAF, 21 Squadron flew more than 100 missions from RAAF Fenton in northern Australia targeting Japanese positions and installations supporting Allied landings and operations in Borneo and Balikpapan and targeting Japanese convoys and warships. No.82 Wing made a 'decisive' contribution to the success of the Borneo campaign. 287 B-24s saw service with the RAAF in 1944-45 (models D, J, L and M) with 33 lost in action at a cost of over 200 RAAF aircrew killed.
83312
83315
'MJ E' named 'Penelope II' flew more than 30 missions with 21 Squadron, the name appearing on the starboard side nose. The crew were credited with the destruction of two Japanese aircraft and sinking three enemy vessels as shown on the port side of the nose.
83319
'MJ R' also served with 21 Squadron, and is possibly one of the B-24Js shot down over Balikpapan in July 1945.
83310
These aircraft are painted all over gloss aluminium, with an olive drab anti glare panel running about 3/4 of the way down the nose from the cockpit. The black 'V's on the vertical tail surfaces are squadron identification codes, masked and painted. A standard upright 'V' was 21 Squadron, an inverted 'V' was 99 Squadron, base forward was 24 Squadron and base rear like these was 21 Squadron. The roundels and fin flashes are standard RAAF blue & white made from RAF Shed Decals. Nose mission panel and aircraft name are home made decals.
83316
83313
83314
As we don't have official heavy bomber stats yet I am going with the following:
Consolidated B-24J 'Liberator' (RAAF)
Base size: WGS Bomber
Manouver deck: XB (447 kph)
Armament: Short - Bn/Bdt/Aw/Aw/Bt and Long - An/Adt/Aw/Aw/At
Damage Points: 40
Top Altitude: 10 (8,534 metres)
Climb Rate: 7 (5.2 m/s)
83311
I just have to do a management card and flight card and am good to go on the map.
83317
Starting with the CAC Wirraway in 1940, then being equipped with the Brewster Buffalo in 1941 and the Vultee Vengeance in 1943, 21 Squadron converted to Liberators in September 1944. Initially RAAF aircrew flew missions with the USAAF's 380th Bomb Group before commencing their own operations in January 1945. Assigned to No.82 Wing with 23 and 24 Squadrons RAAF, 21 Squadron flew more than 100 missions from RAAF Fenton in northern Australia targeting Japanese positions and installations supporting Allied landings and operations in Borneo and Balikpapan and targeting Japanese convoys and warships. No.82 Wing made a 'decisive' contribution to the success of the Borneo campaign. 287 B-24s saw service with the RAAF in 1944-45 (models D, J, L and M) with 33 lost in action at a cost of over 200 RAAF aircrew killed.
83312
83315
'MJ E' named 'Penelope II' flew more than 30 missions with 21 Squadron, the name appearing on the starboard side nose. The crew were credited with the destruction of two Japanese aircraft and sinking three enemy vessels as shown on the port side of the nose.
83319
'MJ R' also served with 21 Squadron, and is possibly one of the B-24Js shot down over Balikpapan in July 1945.
83310
These aircraft are painted all over gloss aluminium, with an olive drab anti glare panel running about 3/4 of the way down the nose from the cockpit. The black 'V's on the vertical tail surfaces are squadron identification codes, masked and painted. A standard upright 'V' was 21 Squadron, an inverted 'V' was 99 Squadron, base forward was 24 Squadron and base rear like these was 21 Squadron. The roundels and fin flashes are standard RAAF blue & white made from RAF Shed Decals. Nose mission panel and aircraft name are home made decals.
83316
83313
83314
As we don't have official heavy bomber stats yet I am going with the following:
Consolidated B-24J 'Liberator' (RAAF)
Base size: WGS Bomber
Manouver deck: XB (447 kph)
Armament: Short - Bn/Bdt/Aw/Aw/Bt and Long - An/Adt/Aw/Aw/At
Damage Points: 40
Top Altitude: 10 (8,534 metres)
Climb Rate: 7 (5.2 m/s)
83311
I just have to do a management card and flight card and am good to go on the map.