Rudy Tempesta's B-24J

Ryan K · Tue 02/15/11 06:15 AM

Consolidated B-24J Liberator
Cpl Rudy Tempesta
825th BS, 484th BG, 49th BW, 15th AF
Torretto Airfield, Italy - April 1944
Presented by the members of IPMS Eagle Squadron

Alright folks, one last chance for corrections before print.

Joe M · Wed 01/19/11 08:32 PM

Ryan, Rudy was a CPL when he got out. He had been busted back to private a couple of times for coming back late after a night on the town with the ladies - even once missing deployment!

-Joe

Joe M · Sat 12/25/10 08:41 AM

Ryan,

I'll ask Rudy his rank next time I see him.

Joe

Anthony Leger · Sat 12/25/10 08:06 AM

Thanks thats what I'll do

ClydeM · Fri 12/24/10 12:48 PM

Tony, I fake stuff all the time and in 1/72 scale it won't matter. I say go for it.

Anthony Leger · Fri 12/24/10 09:02 AM

While I'm reprinting the decal for the numbers I was planning to use 251949 as the BuNo on the tail and 49 on the front and rear sections. Do we have his BuNo or can I go with the one I made up? It's a small detail, but wanted confirmation from those who know the plane more than I...

ClydeM · Wed 11/17/10 11:45 AM

Ryan, the dimensions of the aircraft are appox. 19X12". start from there. Lee, Im bringing the nose wheel and doors Sunday aleady finished for you to install. clyde

Ryan K · Tue 11/16/10 08:12 PM

Consolidated B-24J Liberator
(rank needed) Rudy Tempesta
825th BS, 484th BG, 49th BW, 15th AF
Torretto Airfield, Italy - April 1944 (correct place, month and year?)
Presented by the members of IPMS Eagle Squadron

Base to be dirt, small area of grass? I don't recall but is the base I brought in big enough?

WoodyG · Tue 11/16/10 06:45 PM

Guys: Rudy's B-24J is in the Paint Shop. I missed a couple seams and a few other things and got several shots across the bow from the painter. I wish one would remember I'm just a modeler not a Nationals winner! Now back to business. I've spoken to William and Lee, and they are going to have their jobs completed and bring them to the meeting on Sunday. I thought we were going to present the plane in January, but I guess I was wrong, February is fine, so no big rush. I guess what's left is Lee G's figures, Larry Mason is doing the bombs, Joe M is doing the turrets, Tony is decaling (that's where it will go next), and Spanky is doing a tractor and weathering and Ryan is doing an airfield base. Hopefully, all is coming along fine. See you Sunday, Woody G.

lgriffin · Wed 10/20/10 10:44 AM

Hey Clyde, that B-24 (#61) has its ball turret retracted. Click on the link to get a bigger view, and you can see the guns sticking out vertically.

Cheers,

Lee G.

ClydeM · Tue 10/19/10 08:53 PM

is it just my eyes or is there not a ball turret on no.61 $:-\$

Lee_K · Tue 10/19/10 08:18 PM

Great research, Lee G! Rudy said his aircraft was "049", but it probably had just "49" on the rear fuselage and nose like shown in the photographs. The words indicate that the number on natural metal aircraft were painted in red, but the picture clearly shows black. I would go with black, as it is a heck of lot easier to source from decal sheets. This would put Rudy in the 825 squadron.

Lee K

WoodyG · Mon 10/18/10 05:53 PM

Lee and Lee: Great information guys. Rudy said his airplane # was 49. Lee K: On the picture Lee sent, I didnt see any deicer boots. Sure would be easier without them, but I guess he knows what was on his plane. The picture showed a great view of the bow tie and the numbers fore and aft. Will try to get it ready by January, I'll start on my end when I'm through fiddling with the 3 planes I am working on now. I think the response to help out was terrific. I even had to unfortunately turn several guys down. Cheers, Woody G.

lgriffin · Mon 10/18/10 03:51 PM

Here are better renditions of the 484BG and 824Bs Insignias...

Lee

lgriffin · Mon 10/18/10 03:44 PM

Okay, I'm in for painting some figures. I'll connect with Lee K. to get them.

Here is quoted text about 484th BG markings from http://www.15thaf.org/49th_BW/484th_BG/Insignia/insignia.htm:

(There are also depictions of the Group and Squadron badges on this page):

"484th Insignia:

The 484th combat color was insignia red painted on the upper half of the rudder and a red bowtie painted on the lower half of the rudder. The insignia was originally an hourglass but had to be turned on its side to fit on the bottom of the rudder. The original hourglass signified that time was running out for the Axis Powers. Some cowl rings were painted in primary colors but the practice was not maintained. There were four squadrons assigned to the 484th BG. They are the 824th, 825th, 826th and, 827th. Squadron identification was by a two digit number painted at the nose and rear waist section. On olive drab painted aircraft the ID number was painted in white, and red on neutral silver airplanes. Numbers from 1 to 99 were divided into four parts:

1 to 24 were assigned to the 824 squadron

26 to 49 were assigned to the 825 squadron

50 to 72 were assigned to the 826 squadron

73 to 99 were assigned to the 827 squadron

This arrangement was generally true for many Fifteenth Air Force Bomb Groups."

Also, I've attached a nice pic of a 484th BG Lib:

Picture is from:

http://www.angelfire.com/wv/liberator/images/no61.jpg

Lee G.