Monogram 1/48 B-24J: The Dragon and His Tail
A famous "nose art" sported by a Liberator serving in the Pacific Theater.
I used Kitsworld Decals. Since the application of decals over large and uneven surfaces is tricky, I approached the project with caution. Nonetheless, the decals performed well and only few modifications were required.
When completed however, I realized that Liberators on the ground had their bomb bays doors in the open position...
Fantastic job and an iconic Liberator scheme chosen, Rafi!
Thank you Spiros!
Nice job, Rafi. Agreed, that long dragon decal looks like it could be tricky but yours came out great.
Thank you Gary
The tail needed some modifications. Since the decals are quite sturdy, it was not difficult to fix.
Excellent job in placing those decals Rafi. Great looking Lib, read where the company chopping up bombers after the war waited until she was the very last one, hoping someone would buy/save her because of her art work. She didn't survive.
Thank you Tom.
Fortunately, the art work was restored beautifully, on a restored Liberator.
That’s some artwork, Rafi, looks like you applied the transfers beautifully, the disadvantage is that she takes our eyes away from the rest of the Liberator.
Fantastic work!
Thank you Lis!
Thank you George.
Indeed, and this is why it is my second B-24J, the other being an assembly ship.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Man, I get nervous applying 1/72 RAF roundels, let alone something of this size!
Purrrfect tail of that dragon. Cool.
Thank you Bob
Fantastic piece of work, Rafi!
I guess the dragon decal came in different pieces?
Cheers.
Thank you Alfred
There are several parts to the schemes. The most important thing is to place the main theme in the correct place and then, work your way back with the tail parts.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
That makes sense, otherwise the job would have been even tougher.
Thanks.
I love the B-24 and great to see this particular one being built. Nice work on it.
Thank you Walt.
That’s a big one, Rafi! Great subject choice. I’ve only seen the Dragon done in 1/72 before.
Thank you John.
That's a fine piece of art.. Well done!
Thank you Chas!
Very nice build, and great job getting those large decals to submit to your will!
Thank you Greg!
Rafi Ben-Shahar (@blackmopane)
I have seen the restored Liberator you mentioned many years ago. It was painted as the "All American" on one side, and the "Dragon and it's Tail" on the other. My friend Bill Strawn actually did the nose art paint work on it when he worked for American Aero Services. Later they got rid of the Dragon and it's tail side because it wasn't "politically correct" for civilian airshows, and they repainted the entire plane the "All American" theme.
Now this same plane has been repainted as "Witchcraft" and was on tour with the Collings Foundation planes.
This is a plane I have wanted to build for years. I'm a huge fan of the B-24. Thank you for sharing yours with us. It looks magnificent.
I found this picture of her online when I was doing some research. This is how she looked before they scrapped her out. Like Tom Bebout said, they kept her until the very end in hopes she would be saved. Sadly she was not, and a big part of history was lost.
When I do get around to building mine, I hope that mine will turn out as nice as yours has. Currently I have a 1/48 Monogram Liberator underway that will become "Tubarao" when I'm done with it. It still has a long way to go before it's done.
I'm definitely clicking on some of the "like" buttons before I leave.
Thank you Louis for your kind words and sharing your experience with this magnificent aircraft.
Now, I know why the scheme was taken off..
I hope that your build will turn out well.
Nice job, Rafi! I'm sure you went through some serious Micro Set & Mico Sol, but the outcome looks awesome!
Thank you Joe.
Well, not quite. The decals are thick, but this is not a problem with hardly any surface detail. The thickness of the decals allowed some stretching and twisting necessary to position the tail section.
Man that looks cool! When I started flying for Collings she was still in the Dragon scheme. I wish we never changed it...but there were reasons (and not the nudity, if you are wondering). S/Sgt Sarkis E. Bartigian painted some of the best nose art to emerge from WWII...he did some spectacular work...including the 67ft Dragon. I have the Monogram B-24 que'd up and ready for the Witchcraft Scheme, but now you have me looking for another kit. The Dragon was the last B-24 scrapped at Kingman, the locals said they tried to save her...but there were no takers. Your model sure looks the business!
Jim
2 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Thank you Jim for sharing.
You are very fortunate for flying the Warbirds. I know the feeling...
It would be interesting to see here your subject model.