World War II
Discuss WWII and the era directly before and after the war from 1935-1949.
Discuss WWII and the era directly before and after the war from 1935-1949.
Hosted by Rowan Baylis
1/48 B-17F Build - 303rd BGs Luscious Lady
GazzaS
#424
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
AeroScale: 1,938 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 13, 2015 - 08:51 AM UTC
Don't worry mate, we're still with ya. I imagine those cables helped to keep the guns from swinging in the wind. I hafta admire your dedication to the build. I have a much shorter attention span.
Joel_W
Associate Editor
Joined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
AeroScale: 7,410 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 13, 2015 - 11:17 PM UTC
Brian,
My God, I'm speechless. When you 1st mentioned a rebuild of the nose section, I had no idea that your concept started with gutting all that work. How you stay focused on this build is beyond my comprehension at this point. Honestly, I sometimes wonder if I'll still be lucid enough to appreciate it once it's finally done, as I see it gong on for another few years.
Your planning and execution of the interior wall around the windows really came out quite nice. The final effect should be exactly what you're looking for.
Joel
My God, I'm speechless. When you 1st mentioned a rebuild of the nose section, I had no idea that your concept started with gutting all that work. How you stay focused on this build is beyond my comprehension at this point. Honestly, I sometimes wonder if I'll still be lucid enough to appreciate it once it's finally done, as I see it gong on for another few years.
Your planning and execution of the interior wall around the windows really came out quite nice. The final effect should be exactly what you're looking for.
Joel
Redhand
#522
Joined: January 20, 2013
KitMaker: 1,460 posts
AeroScale: 1,443 posts
Posted: Monday, December 14, 2015 - 12:27 AM UTC
Quoted Text
How you stay focused on this build is beyond my comprehension at this point.
Joel
Mine too.
Chalk it up to a lifelong interest in the B-17F. But, there's no doubt the project has expanded far beyond the initial sense of what would be required. I am still shooting for getting the fuselage done by May.
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
AeroScale: 7,410 posts
Posted: Monday, December 14, 2015 - 12:39 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
How you stay focused on this build is beyond my comprehension at this point.
Joel
Mine too.
Brian,
I'm in your corner for that deadline.
Joel
Redhand
#522
Joined: January 20, 2013
KitMaker: 1,460 posts
AeroScale: 1,443 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 19, 2015 - 09:44 AM UTC
"OH! I JUST LOVE YOUR WALLPAPER!"
Well, maybe not, but it's close enough for me (for real this time) given how little the seams will be visible through the coke-bottle windows and under the many items that will be placed over the walls, such as window curtains, wires, driftmeter, oxygen bottles, oxygen stations, radio connections and prominent brackets for the cheek guns, etc.
I'm much happier with this than the ribbed predecessor, so it's worth the extra work.
Below, a picture taken without flash which conveys a bit better the "fade to background" aspect.
There are some interesting things in the works regarding the floors too, utilizing what I'll call "new technology." I've "sub-ed the work out" to the usual suspects, but more on that later.
I start on the port bulkhead tomorrow. Still shooting for May (I keep telling myself).
Well, maybe not, but it's close enough for me (for real this time) given how little the seams will be visible through the coke-bottle windows and under the many items that will be placed over the walls, such as window curtains, wires, driftmeter, oxygen bottles, oxygen stations, radio connections and prominent brackets for the cheek guns, etc.
I'm much happier with this than the ribbed predecessor, so it's worth the extra work.
Below, a picture taken without flash which conveys a bit better the "fade to background" aspect.
There are some interesting things in the works regarding the floors too, utilizing what I'll call "new technology." I've "sub-ed the work out" to the usual suspects, but more on that later.
I start on the port bulkhead tomorrow. Still shooting for May (I keep telling myself).
GazzaS
#424
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
AeroScale: 1,938 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 19, 2015 - 11:24 AM UTC
It's really splendid, Brian. The eyes are drawn towards the bulkhead details, mine anyway.
Twentecable
Joined: September 13, 2003
KitMaker: 339 posts
AeroScale: 244 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 20, 2015 - 10:38 PM UTC
Hi Brian,
you got some nice detail going on in there...
gr tC
you got some nice detail going on in there...
gr tC
Redhand
#522
Joined: January 20, 2013
KitMaker: 1,460 posts
AeroScale: 1,443 posts
Posted: Monday, December 21, 2015 - 09:17 AM UTC
NOSE "WALLPAPERING" DONE
Okay, so I finished the "wallpapering" in the nose. I'm not thrilled with it in close-up, but it will get the job done given the very limited visibility of details once the nose is all closed up and the view is through the windows. As I've said before, "Fool the eye."
Here's the starboard side:
You will note one addition from the previous post of this area. I cut out the brackets for the bombardier floor and extended the "wallpaper" down below it. There's a reason for this, which you will see when my willing "subcontractors" and collaborators have finished work on a reasonably accurate B-17 F floor. I'm confident it will be excellent (I can say this because it won't be my work) and I absolutely know that it will be a first in B-17 F builds in quarter inch or any other scale. The kind of details we're trying to work into this have not been done before, the kit manufacturers either (1) doing nothing at all, which is what the basic Revell kit does or (2) pretending that the interior is just the same as a G except for no chin turret.
Anyway, here is the port side.
I think it actually looks a bit better than the starboard side. But the real question will be how it looks in the proper light. Cf. "She looked fabulous in the bar last night in that dim light! Is THIS really my 'Luscious Lady'?!"
From here the temptation is great to start decorating the walls, but I want to wait until the floors are ready, and more importantly, I have some work back in the cockpit that has to be completed (that opening into the tunnel and the seats, again, plus some corrections to the oxygen bottle layout) and it will be easier to do this without installing the instrument panel back in. So, bear with me.
I do hope this madness is of interest to y'all.
Okay, so I finished the "wallpapering" in the nose. I'm not thrilled with it in close-up, but it will get the job done given the very limited visibility of details once the nose is all closed up and the view is through the windows. As I've said before, "Fool the eye."
Here's the starboard side:
You will note one addition from the previous post of this area. I cut out the brackets for the bombardier floor and extended the "wallpaper" down below it. There's a reason for this, which you will see when my willing "subcontractors" and collaborators have finished work on a reasonably accurate B-17 F floor. I'm confident it will be excellent (I can say this because it won't be my work) and I absolutely know that it will be a first in B-17 F builds in quarter inch or any other scale. The kind of details we're trying to work into this have not been done before, the kit manufacturers either (1) doing nothing at all, which is what the basic Revell kit does or (2) pretending that the interior is just the same as a G except for no chin turret.
Anyway, here is the port side.
I think it actually looks a bit better than the starboard side. But the real question will be how it looks in the proper light. Cf. "She looked fabulous in the bar last night in that dim light! Is THIS really my 'Luscious Lady'?!"
From here the temptation is great to start decorating the walls, but I want to wait until the floors are ready, and more importantly, I have some work back in the cockpit that has to be completed (that opening into the tunnel and the seats, again, plus some corrections to the oxygen bottle layout) and it will be easier to do this without installing the instrument panel back in. So, bear with me.
I do hope this madness is of interest to y'all.
Szmann
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
AeroScale: 295 posts
Posted: Monday, December 21, 2015 - 05:09 PM UTC
Bryan, excellent sense for detail. And good job in lining the walls. I've seen references with funny crews covering the cockpit walls with lamb pelts! Now that is comfort!
The poster is gorgeous. I will stick it on my bedroom wall with no hesitation
Cheers,
Gabriel
The poster is gorgeous. I will stick it on my bedroom wall with no hesitation
Cheers,
Gabriel
Redhand
#522
Joined: January 20, 2013
KitMaker: 1,460 posts
AeroScale: 1,443 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 - 10:51 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I've seen references with funny crews covering the cockpit walls with lamb pelts! Now that is comfort!
The poster is gorgeous.
Cheers,
Gabriel
Gabriel:
After seeing THIS nose pic shared with me as a reference, I can believe that there might have been 17 noses with sheepskin!! Amazing!
As for the lady in the bar, it's remarkable what Dr. Google can find for you. I was thinking of the old trope about a drunken sailor seeing a floozie in a darkened bar, and waking up the next morning seeing something very different next to him. Couldn't find exactly the right image, but this one got the point across. In my dreams my build is that good, but "the reality" is grittier. Nice tie-in with the airplane's name, though.
I will be doing work back in the cockpit for the umpteenth (but last!) time over the long holiday weekend. I am looking forward to creating a "see down" look into the tunnel between the pilots' seats.
If you look through this lengthy blog you'll see a link somewhere to an amazing build by a Greek gent who who created a masterpiece Halifax Mk. II (with RR Merlin engines) out of the "challenging" FM 1/48 Halifax. That gentlemen doesn't have to hide anything in the shadows!
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
AeroScale: 7,410 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 - 11:48 PM UTC
Brian,
The new wallpaper does look rather good, and emulates what is seen in those pictures. Your posted pictures being larger then 1:1 will show everything, but as you said, in real life and with the limited eye access, it will end up being spectacular.
Joel
The new wallpaper does look rather good, and emulates what is seen in those pictures. Your posted pictures being larger then 1:1 will show everything, but as you said, in real life and with the limited eye access, it will end up being spectacular.
Joel
Redhand
#522
Joined: January 20, 2013
KitMaker: 1,460 posts
AeroScale: 1,443 posts
Posted: Friday, December 25, 2015 - 10:06 AM UTC
NAVIGATOR FLOOR
Before moving to the cockpit, I decided to (literally) take a cut at the Navigator floor in the B-17F, which has a strange curved shape. This may not be exactly to spec. It could be too bulbous, but you get the idea.
You will also note that I corrected the unsightly cut in the starboard bulkhead "wallpaper" below the windows where the kit bombardier floor fit, so that the starboard bulkhead looks more seamless, like the one on the port side. (And looks better too!) I simply removed the two old glued-in sandpaper sheets painted OD (used white glue) and cut one big piece instead, which I glued in. I have some trimming to do on this, but then I'm definitely moving to the cockpit as my colleagues fabricate the floor parts.
Cheers everyone. I hope those celebrating Christmas had a happy one, and that the rest of you are all enjoying the Holiday Season.
Before moving to the cockpit, I decided to (literally) take a cut at the Navigator floor in the B-17F, which has a strange curved shape. This may not be exactly to spec.
It could be too bulbous, but you get the idea. You will also note that I corrected the unsightly cut in the starboard bulkhead "wallpaper" below the windows where the kit bombardier floor fit, so that the starboard bulkhead looks more seamless, like the one on the port side. (And looks better too!) I simply removed the two old glued-in sandpaper sheets painted OD (used white glue) and cut one big piece instead, which I glued in. I have some trimming to do on this, but then I'm definitely moving to the cockpit as my colleagues fabricate the floor parts.
Cheers everyone. I hope those celebrating Christmas had a happy one, and that the rest of you are all enjoying the Holiday Season.
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
AeroScale: 7,410 posts
Posted: Friday, December 25, 2015 - 08:25 PM UTC
Brian,
The floor looks like it will work out quite well. The redo on the Wallpaper really makes quite a difference.
Just remember that May is the goal for closing up the two fuselage halves. I'm really looking forward to that momentous occasion.
Joel
The floor looks like it will work out quite well. The redo on the Wallpaper really makes quite a difference.
Just remember that May is the goal for closing up the two fuselage halves. I'm really looking forward to that momentous occasion.
Joel
Redhand
#522
Joined: January 20, 2013
KitMaker: 1,460 posts
AeroScale: 1,443 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 12:21 AM UTC
I'll remember May! BTW, what is your next build?
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
AeroScale: 7,410 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 01:15 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I'll remember May! BTW, what is your next build?
Brian,
I just started the Academy 1/48 scale B-28B, which is the old Accurate Miniature's kit. It's going to be basically OOB as I need to wind down from the PV-1 adventure. After that I'll be building the Accurate Miniature'S 1/24 scale McLaren M8B that Denny Hulme won the 1969 Can Am championship in.
I was a pit crew member on Rascal Racing's Genie Ford team which ran at Bridgehampton that year, and were pitted near Team McLaren, so I was able to send quite a bit of time around that car.
Moving forward, I'm planning on alternating one aircraft then race car build (from my eras and series of interest), and will be posting them in the Automodeler form.
At this point my advance planning has the next aircraft model being the Accurate Miniature's SBU2-3 Vindicator, as I finally got one on ebay.
Joel
Merlin
Senior Editor
#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 02:27 AM UTC
Hi Brian
May of which year are we talking about? It'd be 2026 at my rate.
That's beautiful work, as ever. The next stage is the slightly stepped-up bomb-aimer's floor?
All the best
Rowan
May of which year are we talking about? It'd be 2026 at my rate.
That's beautiful work, as ever. The next stage is the slightly stepped-up bomb-aimer's floor?
All the best
Rowan
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
AeroScale: 7,410 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 02:48 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Brian
May of which year are we talking about? It'd be 2026 at my rate.
That's beautiful work, as ever. The next stage is the slightly stepped-up bomb-aimer's floor?
All the best
Rowan
Rowan,
With all the builds you've got going, I would imagine that you won't be able to even start a B-17 much before then.
Joel
GazzaS
#424
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
AeroScale: 1,938 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 02:50 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I'll remember May! BTW, what is your next build?
Your parience and dedication is admirable, Brian. I hope to build a few by then. I'm deep into one campaign, enlisted in another, and then have commited myself to building a gift for my father who served in the USAF during the sixties.
Your detailing looks great. I imagine trying to reproduce the fur lined interior at this scale woulda been really dicey.
Redhand
#522
Joined: January 20, 2013
KitMaker: 1,460 posts
AeroScale: 1,443 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 03:28 AM UTC
Quoted Text
and then have commited myself to building a gift for my father who served in the USAF during the sixties.
Your detailing looks great. I imagine trying to reproduce the fur lined interior at this scale woulda been really dicey.
No fur for me, thank you. My father was a career USAF officer, a pilot who flew KB-29s, KB-50s and C-141As at the end. So if your Dad was in the USAF, how did you wind up in Australia?
As for this build, all I can say is that it's been in me for decades. Happily I have some friends helping me with the tough parts, and loads of support here.
Redhand
#522
Joined: January 20, 2013
KitMaker: 1,460 posts
AeroScale: 1,443 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 03:43 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Brian
May of which year are we talking about? It'd be 2026 at my rate.
That's beautiful work, as ever. The next stage is the slightly stepped-up bomb-aimer's floor?
All the best
Rowan
I know, I know.
"You ain't got nothin' to worry about,
He'll keep her happy till I get out,
And you won't get out till the end of the war
in nineteen hundred and seventy-four."
You're right about the floor configuration. It will be worth waiting for.
GazzaS
#424
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
AeroScale: 1,938 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 04:21 AM UTC
Quoted Text
No fur for me, thank you. My father was a career USAF officer, a pilot who flew KB-29s, KB-50s and C-141As at the end. So if your Dad was in the USAF, how did you wind up in Australia?
My Father was an armorer on the F-102. I guess he's reached a nostalgic age. I moved to Australia when I was 35.
I visited Australia while on leave when I was in the USMC. Guess it got into my blood.
Redhand
#522
Joined: January 20, 2013
KitMaker: 1,460 posts
AeroScale: 1,443 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 04:37 AM UTC
Quoted Text
My Father was an armorer on the F-102. I guess he's reached a nostalgic age. I moved to Australia when I was 35.
I visited Australia while on leave when I was in the USMC. Guess it got into my blood.
I remember F-102s at Suffolk County AFB on Long Island, NY in the late 1950s, followed of course by F-106s. Never had the pleasure of visiting Down Under. My only Far East trip was to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in the early 90s.
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
AeroScale: 7,410 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 08:40 AM UTC
Brian,
It was the mid 60s the 1st time I made it out to Westhampton AFB, and all I can honestly remember is maybe F-106s and C-119 Flying Box cars if that.
As for the far East, about as far as I ever got was our honeymoon to Hawaii back in 1984.
Joel
It was the mid 60s the 1st time I made it out to Westhampton AFB, and all I can honestly remember is maybe F-106s and C-119 Flying Box cars if that.
As for the far East, about as far as I ever got was our honeymoon to Hawaii back in 1984.
Joel
Redhand
#522
Joined: January 20, 2013
KitMaker: 1,460 posts
AeroScale: 1,443 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 09:33 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Brian,
It was the mid 60s the 1st time I made it out to Westhampton AFB, and all I can honestly remember is maybe F-106s and C-119 Flying Box cars if that.
Joel
Remember, I was there in the 1950s: Suffolk County AFB's mission was bomber interception, and for a brief period, BOMARC air defense missile operations. It hosted the F86D from 1955 to 1957, the F102A from 1957 to 1959 and, finally, the F101B from 1959 to 1969.
We moved to Louisiana in 1960, but I do recall seeing F-101s there too before we left. I also distinctly remember seeing 106s there, and wondering why they were replacing the 102s. They did have some great "Air Force Day" shows back then.
Merlin
Senior Editor#017
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2015 - 01:26 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Rowan,
With all the builds you've got going, I would imagine that you won't be able to even start a B-17 much before then.
Joel
Hi Joel
Starting's the easy bit - it's finishing anything that scuppers me!
But I do seriously want to tackle Koster's early B-17 vacuform conversion, so I hope I find time one of these years...
All the best
Rowan
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