Novo (Frog) 1/72 Martin Baltimore
The Martin 187 Baltimore was a twin-engine light attack bomber that emerged from a French order, as a follow-up to their earlier Maryland.
A versatile combat aircraft, used almost exclusively in the Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II, though not serving with the United States, it eventually served with the British, Canadian, Australian, South African, Hellenic and Italian Air Forces.
The 13th Light Bombardment Squadron, a historic unit of the Hellenic Air Force, was founded in June 1941 in Dekeila, Egypt.
They initially flew five fled Avro Ansons, and were gradually equipped with Blenheims IV and V. After many requests, the British decided to supply the 13th Squadron with the more potent Baltimore. The aircraft were acquired by the United States through the Lend - Lease Agreement and were used by the RAF almost exclusively on the North African front.
In the spring of '44 the Squadron was transferred to Italy and in November of the same year, they returned to partially free Greece with 16 Baltimores, undertaking not only the bombing of German positions, but also search and rescue missions and launching announcements and supplies.
By the end of WWII, the situation in the recently liberated Greece was going from bad to worse, with Civil War soon to break out.
Baltimores began returning to the RAF in August 1945, with the last three aircraft leaving Greece on September 18, 1945, after an impressive display in the skies of Athens. All aircraft flew to Kasfarit, Egypt from where they were distributed to other RAF units, or ended up in scrap metal.
This is the ancient Frog mold which was reissued by Novo back in the late 70s, my specific copy being somewhat hard to identify when it had been issued, as it came in an unsealed bag with a very bad quality photocopy of the (seemingly) Novo instructions.
The scheme depicted is a probable one, based on the way those Baltimores that returned to Greece were hastily painted for the brief period they remained there.
Should you wish to read the full build review, please visit my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/allies/us/usaaf/bombers/penbal.htm
Happy modeling!
Very nice! I've got an old kit of the Baltimore - kind of a rare aircraft. Not surprising yours is wearing Greek pajamas! I didn't realize the Hellenic Air Force flew them - cool little history nugget. Nicely done model as well!
Thanks my friend @gkittinger!
Pity we were not "allowed" to fly them longer...
Very nice build of an odd looking and uncommon looking bomber, @fiveten!
Thanks my friend @ssgt!.
Looks great, Spiros!
Thanks my friend @gwskat!
Nice one due to your huge efforts as usual my friend.
Thanks my friend @mvtb!
Nice job, Spiros, and I learned a bit more WWII history!
Thanks my friend @robgenev665!
Great job on your Baltimore. I just got done reading your MM article, nice job on that too. I love seeing the old kits build. There are many modelers who will not touch this one and you made it shine, I love it!
Thanks my friend @v1pro! There's something magic in putting together old kits, we both agree on this!
I like your hand made camo! Great build!
Thanks my friend @lis!
A true dinosaur kit here Spiros, but you made it look so good no one would tell in a glance.
Also never knew your country operated the Baltimore and the camo is spot on, vey well achieved. Freehand or masking?
Btw, saw some days ago that SH is releasing a all new 1/48 Baltimore! It’s such an underrated and underrepresented plane in kit form that I think it will sell like hot buns!
Thanks my friend @holzhamer! It is possible that SH gave new life to the Classic Airframes Baltimore molds...or maybe not. Yes, the Baltimore is an extremely attractive modeling subject!
@fiveten- apparently it’s a all new mould indeed. Looks very promising
Then, those are great news, my friend @holzhamer!
Excellent build of a not so often seen model, Spiros @fiveten
Love to see it in Hellenic markings.
I can imagine the disappointment when they were exchanged for Wellingtons.
Thanks my friend @johnb! Indeed, not only the handed Wellingtons were obsolete, but also unsuitable for the light bombing/strafing role the Hellenic Air Force was seeking to fulfill.
Great work on this oldie Spiros!
Thanks my friend @dtravis!
Looks way good and a very informative history Spiros. I did not realise what a good performer this aircraft was.I learn something new on this marvellous site everyday !
Thanks my friend @bernardbedeur!
Nice work, Spiros. I have an Xtradecals sheet for Mediterranean twins that features a Hellenic AF Baltimore. I’ve been saving it in case Airfix brings us a new kit. Great minds think alike!
Thanks my friend @j-healy! It would be nice if Airfix brought a new tool Baltimore!
Excellent built Spiro! I love nicely done models of early kits. Thanks.
Thanks my friend @thevid!
You definitely love those ancient kits, my friend Spiros! But somehow you manage to make something out of them. Well done!
Thanks my friend @magrus!
Another ancient dinosaur brought back from the dead. Amazing work as usual.
Special Hobby has announced a new 1/48 Baltimore for later this year.
Thanks my friend @tcinla!
The SH kit is eagerly awaited.
It's Alive! Nice work on this old bird.
Thanks my friend @roofrat! Yep, it's Alive!
I’ve no idea who decided to exchange the Baltimore’s for Wellington’s but it was probably either a politician or an accountant, they’re usually full of bright ideas... Whatever, Frog made some kits of slightly unusual prototypes, like this one, and you’ve made a typically great job of bringing it to life, definitely liked.
Thanks my friend @chinesegeorge!
A very nice job my friend Spiros, with a detailed text. I learned a bit more about WWII history, specifically Hellenic operations. And thanks for sharing your full build review on modelingmadness.
Thanks my friend @boblucio!
Glad you liked the review, as well!
I bought this kit two weeks ago at the Richmond, Virginia show with this post in mind. You did a great job.
That's great, my friend @thevid! Makes me proud that my build was sin source of inspiration! Looking forward to see yours build!
That's a very nice model of a classic kit. Well done Spiros! You handled the clear parts well.
Thanks a lot, my friend @thevid!