C-87 Liberator Express + AT-22 (B-24D)

So, I got this request for a "memorial" model.

The family of a WW2 hero who flew a number of different aircraft,

and trained to fly B29 bombers near the end of the War.

The facts are sketchy...as far as what he flew in, what he trained on, where, when,etc



but in the end, I have agreed to do a "fantasy" B-24 in the form of a C-87/AT-22

with various markings and artwork representing different aspects of this Pilot's career.

This will be a one-off just for them.



But first...

I have to create a kit of a C-87

(from that I can create an AT-22, the B-29 Flight Engineer Training aircraft)



The C-87 Liberator Express is the "transport" version of the B-24D.

There are a few differences, but mainly just a modified B-24D - armaments and Turrets removed,

nose and tail fairings added, nose Cargo door and left side fuselage cargo doors added.

A floor was added in the Bomb Bay area, seats and windows to accommodate about 3 dozen passengers.









I am still trying to locate a photo of an AT-22.

The AT-22 is variant of the C-87 aircraft...only five of which were produced.

I am under the impression that all differences* (from a C-87) are interior.

*to accommodate Instructors, training equipment and trainees.



But I would really like to confirm any visible exterior differences by seeing an actual photo.



...

The C-87

I have completed the two major modifications of the B-24D model by altering the Nose and Tail sections.



I have to send out big thanks to Gary Pilsworth who created the basic 3D models for the new nose and tail fairings.

For some reason I really struggled with my first nose redesign....and combined with too many other projects on the go,

I just couldn't get going on the work. So I reached out to Gary, who I know does great 3D model work, and he graciously

helped me with a simple, but well designed three part template for each modification.



Just a tweak here and there...add some texture and colour and surface details...and there it is.

These are the two final test builds of the new nose and tail parts.

Not sure if I will build the entire fuselage, but this confirms what I needed to know.









I have got most of the B-24 kit converted over to "bare metal" finish

and I have also added the new parts.

Next job is to update the Instruction pages

and then make sure all uneccessary parts are removed from the kit.

eg guns, turret parts, bomb bay details, etc



I plan on producing a US version as depicted in the first photo in this thread.

In fact it will be 44-52987



I will also do this BOAC version (shown below)

Apparently plenty of C-87s went to England for use in Ferry transport across the Atlantic and into northern Europe.

BOAC airlines bought a few for their civilian transport efforts.

So I think that will make a cool model with the RAF insignia and BOAC logos.







Reminder, if anyone comes across a photo of one of the AT-22s, I would love to see it!