Monogram / Koster B-24J Conversion to PB4Y-2 Privateer 1:48 – build review

Special Feature Article with John Leidel

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A note from Geoff C…
Well, when I saw what John had done with an amalgamation of the Monogram B-24J Liberator and the Koster vac form kit to create an amazing model of the Privateer, we just had to feature it here in SMN. Thanks John for sharing your work and what a great result :)

Here’s a quick look at the finished result…

Over to you John…

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Hello, my name is John and I am addicted to collecting and building model airplanes (and other stuff!)

When I was younger my Brother Glenn had an extensive collection of models including some that were left over from my Brother Gregg. Well, as any annoying little kid brother does, I liked to play with and ‘fly’ those models when nobody was looking! He also had a stash of unbuilt models that I occasionally would sneak into and try my own hand at building.

As I got older, Glenn forgave me and actually started teaching me how to build them properly. The first model I ever purchased was with money my Grandma gave me for my birthday. It was the Monogram 1:48 scale SBD Dauntless! In the instruction booklet it had an advertisement for their TBF Avenger. And so the addiction began! To fan the flames of my interest in aviation Glenn started taking me to the EAA Convention, then known just as “Oshkosh” in 1973. Thus making it the highlight of my year and I haven’t missed a year since!

Anyway, back to modelling. Most (all) of my early builds ended up smoking BB gunned pieces of plastic in the barn yard by my house. It was around 1982 that I finally stopped playing with the models and started to actually collect them. My collection followed me through various moves and ended up getting unpacked on the floor in what is now my Man Cave, Bunker, Hide out, whatever you want to call it. At that time it consisted of about 75 planes, a few tanks and a couple Fire Trucks. As life went on between being a husband, father, full time Camp Property Manager and active Member of the local Fire Department for 30 years, 22 as Chief, I still found and continue to find time to collect and build. Some people smoke, some do drugs, some drink, I build and collect models!

So, on to the Privateer…