B-25 Mitchell

Ken Cook Wed Apr 10, 2024 4:42 pm

When I was at our 1/2A day this past Sunday a fellow approached me with this B-25. He asked that I fix it and make it airworthy again. It's a beautifully built model and the paint work looks awesome. This isn't a kit. A lot of tears in the silkspan and I hope i can fix that . It appears as though someone used enamel over the dope which is a nightmare. I asked if I could just recover it and he was slightly opposed. Nonetheless, he asked for first flight. I like everything about the model with the exceptions of the controls which are terrible. Major surgery to fix it but I believe I'm up to the challenge. I'm looking forward to seeing this COOL!!!! plane back in the air.

Onelife Wed Apr 10, 2024 5:06 pm

You definitely got your work cut out for you.

rsv1cox Wed Apr 10, 2024 5:29 pm

So much to like here Ken. Scratch built -big points! I love the way he blended the cowls back into the profile nacelles. Profile makes things simple yet it is quite involved. Iove it. But concerns. Probably about a 30"+ W/S with twin Cox engines drag and weight issues? Have you weighed it? Tissue on the wings? Must be a lot of paint, looks planked and heavy.

Looking forward to hearing about your re-do.

**944_Jim** Wed Apr 10, 2024 6:04 pm

Beautiful rendition there, Ken.

Can I have some particular dimensions?
Wingspan
Fuselage length
Root rib length
Wingtip rib length
Firewall engine side to tail of nacelle length

I'm thinking this is a mildly modified AMA plan #508:
https://plans.modelaircraft.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/MA00508MA1.pdf

If not that one, then this one scaled down a smidge:
https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=8115

Thanks in advance,
Twinsies power rules!

Ken Cook Wed Apr 10, 2024 7:48 pm

This model was copied from the Aurora B-25 and TLAR.

GallopingGhostler Wed Apr 10, 2024 8:08 pm

Original builder did a fantastic job of building and finishing, Ken. Sounds like the new owner wants it just repaired. If it has tears already, makes me wonder if the silkspan is ready to easily tear elsewhere. But, those are my first thoughts, and may be more pessimistic than it really is.

You have your work cut out, but looks like a fun project.

Outerzone has a profile 42 inch span B-25 profile CL plan by Vern Schroeder from April 1958 Model Airplane News:
https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=8115

Says for two .09 - .15 engines of the time. Could be a starting basis by rescaling for .049 power.

Outerzone photo.

Outerzone plan thumbnail.

rsv1cox Thu Apr 11, 2024 7:36 am

I just looked at that George. Looks the same only he built the full cowl then blended it back into profiles at the leading edge of the wing. Everything else looks the same, nose, machine gun blisters etc.

My Aurora B-25 - 25 1/2" wing

This is going to be fun, I hope that when Ken gets though we get an inflight picture/video/report.

andrew Thu Apr 11, 2024 8:16 am

GallopingGhostler wrote:.............If it has tears already, makes me wonder if the silkspan is ready to easily tear elsewhere. But, those are my first thoughts, and may be more pessimistic than it really is.
...............

Unfortunately, I think you're dead on about the silkspan having become brittle over time. If it has dope under the color coat, it will have continued to shrink and some of the tears, with curled edges, look more like aging and deterioration rather than hanger rash.

It will be quite a restoration job, but should be a beauty when completed.

Onelife Thu Apr 11, 2024 8:31 am

Would that product Brodak has (Rejuvenator) work. I never used it and pr would just tear of the old and add new and be done with it

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