1/700 Consolidated B-24D Liberator Heavy Bomber - (x2) 3D Printed - Ploesti!

Description

NO RESERVE. We're offering here a beautifully detailed set of two 1/700 scale Consolidated B-24D Liberator models that have just come out of the 3D printer! The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was somewhat overshadowed in fame, if not in achievement, by its contemporary, the Boeing B-17 Fortress. By comparison with the Fortress, the Liberator was indeed an ugly duckling, with its deep, slab-sided fuselage and immense barndoor-like vertical tail surfaces, features hardly indicative of speed and agility but one of the prime virtues of the Liberator was its immense versatility. In addition to strategic bombing, it was used with equal facility for maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine operations, passenger and freight transportation, as a flying tanker, for photographic reconnaissance and a great many other duties by every branch of the American armed forces and by the air forces and navies of several Allies, notably the RAF. It was the most produced four-engine aircraft of the Second World War with an incredible 18,188 built between June 1941 and May 1945. The B-24 was capable of significantly greater endurance than the B-17 largely because of the high aspect ratio shoulder mounted Davis wing. The first variant to be effectively used in combat by the USAAF was the B-24D, which because of its extensive range was employed at bases in
North Africa and throughout the Pacific where they almost completely replaced the Flying Fortress by 1943. Perhaps the best remembered single action by the type was the daring, long-range attack on the the Romanian oil fields at Ploiești on 1 August 1943. That day, 177 B-24Ds flying over 1,200 miles at low-level to avoid radar detection, attempted a surprise attack on the oil fields. Unfortunately for the Americans, a navigational error led to the disorganization of the bomber force and greatly compromised the coordination and results of the attack. The Germans were amazed at the bravery of the pilots and the precision of the attack but, simultaneously, the scene appeared out of control to the attackers themselves. Although some success was achieved, this action became the second costliest US bombing mission of the war with no less than 54 aircraft destroyed, 660 aircrewman lost and 55 aircraft significantly damaged. In fact, one B-24 landed in Libya 14 hours later with 365 bullet holes in it. Five Medal of Honors were awarded to crew members on the Ploeiști mission, three of them posthumously, more than for any other WWII mission.
Models of the late variant B-24H/J (with the nose turret) have previously been offered in 1/700 scale by WEM ( resin) and by Pit-Road (injection molded), we believe that this is the first model of the early B-24D ever produced in 1/700. The set offered here actually includes two different models - (x1) with the ventral ball turret in the retracted position and (x1) with the turret in the extended combat position (see detail comparison photos #5-6). We believe that the 3D printed models offered here compare very favorably with both the WEM and Pit-Road models and likely surpass them both by a good margin. We've posted high resolution photos so you can judge for yourself. While photography of these little gems is a challenge for our equipment and limited skills, check out the well proportioned model including the fuselage with detailed cockpit, nose blister, dorsal turret, ventral ball turret, waist and tail gun positions; the distinctive twin-tail assembly; the Davis wings with well defined engine cowls and even the superchargers and retracted landing gear under the wings!
The surfaces of the model are not perfectly smooth (3D printing is done in layers) but the plastic used can be sanded and painted much the same way you would handle resin or styrene. The models may still have some powder and oil-like agent on them that ca to be easily removed by washing in warm water with a drop of detergent added to it. While the landing gear is represented in the retracted in-flight position, it should be fairly straight forward to add photo etch parts for a "gear down" rendition, perfect for an air base diorama.
These outstanding B-24D models should be a welcome addition to any wargamer's or 1/700 modeler's collection, particularly those interested in early USAAF bombing operations. Please take a look at the other 1/700 scale aircraft models that we have on auction as well. We're always happy to combine shipping for multiple purchases to save whenever possible. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions whatsoever.