Martin B-26 ID model

[Dave Tunison]

I have started a B-26 ID model in 1/72nd scale. My father carved one of these as a high school sophomore in 1943 for the war effort. He went into the Navy in 1945. The war ended while he was in basic training, but served in a utility squadron VJ-1 or VJ-7 (not sure) on Ford Island in Hawaii. I scanned a few photos from his album.

  My neighbor, an antique dealer, gave me a couple of 1920s wooden ironing boards for the western pine lumber, so I am using some of it for this model.[

[lastvautour]

You are doing much better than my project.


Louis

[Dave Tunison]

The wood is dense, not the easiest to carve. Sanding blocks are essential.

[J Luke]

That's looking great, Dave! How do you get such a smooth curve for where the wing will sit?

[Dave Tunison]

I cut the fuselage out with a band-saw using a 1/4 wide blade, then go over that wing cutout section with round rasp and a small sanding block. After both of the wings are shaped, I try to refine them and the opening until they fit together well.

[Dave Tunison]

I have shaped the wing and cut out the rest of the parts. The grain on this wood is very pronounced and not the easiest to work with.

[J Luke]

That's looking great, Dave! What did you use to cut out the "clothespin" part of the nacelles?

[lastvautour]

Awesome progress.

Louis

[Dave Tunison]

Thanks Lou.
Jordan, I use a bandsaw for cutting everything. At one time I had a 1960-ish Craftsman jigsaw table that was ideal for those kind of tight curves.

[Dave Tunison]

Continue with shaping the parts and finding the easiest way to get the nacelles to fit.

[J Luke]

I like the idea of carving the underside of the wing to fit the nacelles. Looking good!

[Dave Tunison]

Strombecker had an interesting way of solving the nacelle issue. The drilled a hole onto the leading edge of the wing the same diameter as the nacelle. I don't have the actual kit so a photo found online is attached here. I might try this sometime.

[J Luke]

That is interesting. Were those kits made to be assembled right away with no additional carving or shaping?

[Dave Tunison]

Generally ,sanding was all that was required to shape the tail surfaces and smooth out the mill work. They supplied the powdered glue and sandpaper in the kits.

[J Luke]

That's very cool. Yours is looking great! Are you going to paint it black like the WWII models or do a paint scheme?