My collection has grown extensively over the years. My main theme is aircraft that fought for or against my Country, the good old USA. From WWI through the F-35 and pretty much everything in between. Most are 1:48 scale. If a kit is not available in 48, I’ll get it in whatever scale is available. Such is the case with the Privateer. I built and still have on display the 1:72 scale Revell/Monogram kit. I knew about the Koster Aerospace conversion, but was terrified of the idea. Until I decided to tackle converting the Revell B-17F into a B-17D. With some pointers I picked up from on-line forums I tackled it and succeeded! That built up my confidence to try the Privateer! People always seem to “wait until they become better builders” to try something like this. I decided, I’m never going to get better unless I just do it!
I started with the Monogram B-24J that my friend bought for me at a rummage sale. After paying an arm and a leg for the B-17 conversion, I learned I could still buy directly from Bill Koster at a fraction of the price! So I ordered the Privateer conversion.
Also as I got into the project I learned I needed the skinny blade props which were also available from Bill. So that is the lead in. From here I will tell the story with pictures and captions…
This how it all started. The Monogram 1:48 scale B-24J Liberator and the Koster Aerospace conversions set
The Monogram kit in its entirety. Most of which does NOT get used on the Privateer.
I learned researching the project that I needed the skinny paddle props. These are metal also purchased from Koster
The first challenge I overcame was the removal of the vacuform. My friend Jeff Herne showed me how to do this. First run a Sharpy marker around the base of each part. Then score the middle of the line with a sharp Exacto knife. Then simply snap the plastic off! Then place a medium grade piece of sandpaper on a smooth surface. Then carefully move the part over the sandpaper in a figure 8 pattern until the white is gone and just the black line remains. This removes the offset created by the card stock.
Here are the vacuform parts cut out and compared to the stock fuselage halves.
Here are the vacuform parts laid over the stock fuselage.
Since the instruction sheet is laid out in 1/4″ scale (1/48) I made a photo copy of the fuselage diagram to create a cutting template.
Here is the cut out plastic section dry-fitted to the vacuform.
This is all that is used of the Monogram Fuselage! Here I’m cleaning up the mating edges with sandpaper.
Another view of the dry fitted fuselage.
Here is everything dry-fitted with my Guinea Pig ‘Reet Reet’ overseeing the project!
Norbert Onaitis says
Hi John, Beautiful model of the PB4Y-2! I’m fascinated by USN, USMC and RN aircraft for the period 1919 to present. I like 1/48, except for the really huge (i.e. 2 and 4-engined) ones. I had the Koster kit, but when I saw how huge the thing would be when finished i decided to sell it and build the 1/72 Revell/Matchbox PB4Y-2 using the Cobra Company PB4Y-2 Privateer detail set. I/ve also located some aftermarket things-engines, better propellers, tires, etc, etc, etc. Whe this is finished (I’m waiting for my insurance company to OK cataract surgery-it’s difficult to do detailed modelling when you can’t see the stuff!). I like to detail the interiors as much as possible. I plan to do an early & late versions of the Hasegawa PB4Y-1/B-24 D (different bow turrets I’ll steal the late version from the Revell PB4Y-2 kit) as well as the British Liberator GR V-. I’ve got the Hasegawa Liberator GR V-the one with the Leigh Light and The Hasegawa B-24 J (Coastal Command). As usual, I wind up spending way more on all the aftermarket items than for the kit. I really do have to clean out my stash someday.
Nick