Hi,

After many years of building various things, I am building a 1:72 b-24J and was wondering if anyone had some techniques for joining fuselage halves, it has been many a year since i last build a aircraft with so many things to complicate the joining.

Thanks in advance

Hi Bren,

I have recently done a 1/48 Ju-88, a 1/72 F-82 and FW-190, and am preparing to build the 1/72 B-24 'Dragon and His Tail'.

Is there something about fuselage in particular you are asking? I am guessing how one joins the halves, aligning all the turrets, while achieving a good seam. Tough job.

Here's what I did the last time I built a turreted machine. You don't want glue on the rotating/clear turrets. I make a dam of thick paper and place between the turret and the fuselage seams. I have tried both putting a squirt of tube glue at the end of the seam to block liquid glue, or holding the turret up hill from the seam and using liquid glue 'downstream', so as the capillary action will not zip onto the turret and its paper mask. Just a thought, paper will absorb super and liquid glue and may allow some onto the turret so I am planning to try aluminum foil and/or wax paper.

Anyway, if one wishes to sand the seams, all of those bumpy turrets get in the way.

On the two F-82 and the -190 I tried epoxy. It worked VERY well! It wipes off without residue with either baby wipe towellets or alcohol (I used both rubbing and Isopropyl, can't tell a difference). The alcohol, if you use allot, will 'puddle' the epoxy and can leave some little globules. The seams or smooth and level with the plastic surface (so long as you don't use too much pressure), 98% no need to sand. If there is sanding, the epoxy sands well, unless it was mis-mixed.

Well, I hope this is useful to you.

All the best,

Fred

I like building B-24 J's too. The nose turret can usually be dropped in after the halves are together.I dont mind having the tail turret being locked in position.The Ball turret is on a panel,so those seams are kept away.Iuse testors in the triangle as my prefered cement.I may go back with thinner stuff in front of the cockpit.
and if you want to sand a seam near the top turret,just put a piece of masking tape up the dome of the turret to protect it. (++)

One tip I picked up for the turrets on a bomber was to look at how they are held in place. Many have a "lip" which is sandwiched between too parts allowing the turret to be moveable. If this is the case assemble the parts omitting the turrets and complete the fuselage using liquid cement to flow down the joins by capilliary action. Fill and sand the join as needed. The bomber can be completed, painted, decals applied and weathered as normal. Then take the turret and remove the "lip". Small pieces of plastic are then glued a couple of milimeters above the position of the former "lip" to form a new lip. The turrets can now be placed into their positions and instead of the lip held between the two parts the new lip sits on top of them. They can be left to sit there if you want them moveable or glued to prevent them falling out if you move the model about. Hope you can see what I mean and it helps.

thanks alot guys, i am building the b-24j the Dragon and his Tail , too JPTRR! who would have guessed! i want to see those photos when you are done to compare the 2, should be fun.

thanks again