Usn/usmc Pbj-1's

[Geoff]

I know the USN/MC used the PBJ-1H straffers and I have a pic in the Squadron Signal "in action" of one taking the wire on the USS ShangriLa.

My question is did they use the 8 gun straffer nose version which was the B-25J-10 in the USAAF ( I think )? I know the USMC "J"s had the bombadier position and a wing tip radar pod

Any help appreciated.  

[retro_seventies]

4 in the upper nose, 2 either side on the cheeks, and the big boy in lower left nose.

Hope that helps...

[Radish]

You gonna add folding wings and a hook?  

[Geoff]

Cheers Retro -  that's an "H" with the 75mm, have not seen one of them with the wing-tip radar pod before though, thanks.

Rad - the PBJ's had hooks; OK at least one of them did, (number 35277). It landed on the USS ShangriLA on the 15th November 1944.

The basic idea is to do a RNZAF PBJ they wanted B-25s, but because the Lend-Lease equipment was coming from USN stocks they ended up with PV-1 Venturas.
So either the planes are sourced from USAAF stocks like the P-40s or I go with OTL and find a USN Mitchell. As I want to do a straffer and have the RevD B-25 model it's logical to use that. But the colours are going to be different depending where it came from, ie OD from the AF and blue from the navy.
Couple this to the fact that a Hase B-25H in 1/72nd is £24 and you can see why I am asking.

(My God talk about anal! ) maybe I should do a Lee (Wookster) and it's MFM in my universe.

Message to self  - - MUST get a life!!!!!!!!!

Also just noticed 2800 posts; Gawd!

[Daryl J.]

(the opinion expressed below is strictly an opinion and is just that, an opinion.)


Any whiffy Mitchell is automatically a great Whiff project!  



Daryl J., who has enjoyed Mitchells since he can remember

[Captain Canada]

Amen Brother Daryl ! Those short nosed Mitchell's just look so right.....I wanna build one...NOW !

Love the idea of folding wings !

 

[jcf]

The 8-gun nose was a factory mod and changed the dash number.
From Joe Baugher's site: 8-gun nose J models B-25J-11, -17, -22, -27, -32, or -37.

The USN/USMC B-25Js were, again according to Baugher's list, B-25J-1, -5, -15/17, -20/22, -25/27, -30/32.

So based on that, the Navy was getting aircraft from the USAAF serial number blocks/ NAA c/n blocks that 'could' have the 8-gun nose mounted... however, I couldn't find any info among my sources that the USN/USMC actually did take delivery of solid nose 'J's.

The real world data does make for a tantalizingly plausible "whif'.

Cheers, Jon

[Radish]

Sounds a great idea for a gun-nosed RNZAF whiff...

I love it.  

[Geoff]

Thanks Jon,

Works for me! I had not found that web site.

DarylJ - Agreed!

Now do I put a hook on it?

Cheers, GeoffP.

[Scooterman]

Would somebody look in the Wings of Fame B-25 variant issue to check for Navy -25J.  I could have sworn there was a few pics there, but mine are packed up already........  

[Geoff]

Would somebody look in the Wings of Fame B-25 variant issue to check for Navy -25J.  I could have sworn there was a few pics there, but mine are packed up already........

Yes there is but of gkass nosed ones. There is artwork of a PBJ-1H though as well thanks for the reminder.

Been in the loft got a "H" in the stash as well so now I have to decide which to use.

[Burncycle]

Nice... now all you need is a carrier wide enough to support both flight ops and a deckpark simultaneously. A couple of Sangamon class escort carriers joined at the hip would probably do