Martin's Bit O' Lace

[Martin R]

My attempt to do justice to one of the Fortresses wearing Milton Caniff's artwork, using the old Hasegawa kit. I'm not a B-17 afficionado, so this one'll be oob. Hmmm - NMF: could be a challenge!

regards,

Martin

[Gregers]

Looking forward to seeing this one. I did the old Airfix model of this aircraft very many years ago.

All the best.

Greg

[lancfan]

Looking forward to this one as I have the Hasegawa decals which I intend to use on an Academy 'G' at some point.

David.

[Dirkpitt289]

Bring it on. There's nothing like watching a B-17 WIP... Not to mention I could use the motivation to finish my 17's

[Narayan]

I have a Hasegawa B-17 in the stash. Look forward to seeing what you make of the kit Martin.

_________________
Narayan

Knock-out Dropper!

A:B
2012 20:05 2009 19:16
2011 11:10 2008 16:03
2010 44:12

Overall 193:51

[Martin R]

2 days into the build and I managed to fish the box out of the loft. Ah, the sweet smell of progress. Here are some photos of the kit.

Nice box art - more realistic than Roy Cross' interpretation, but a tad less exciting imho:


'Old school' Hase instruction booklet (note staples) with pics and helpful colour hints as well:


3 grey sprues and 1 clear make up the plastic contents. Fine raised panel lines and there's an attempt at stringers and longerons around the interior of the waist gunner positions:





Decals:


I'd say this kit has just enough detail to satisfy me without it going overboard with lots of detail that won't be seen*. It looks like a fun build, but for me it's big so it'll take a while, and the real challenge may be the painting.

I've washed the plastic and it's now air drying. Maybe start building tomorrow.

regards,

Martin

* unless you want to show the bomb doors open. There is no option for this. However, it suits me for this build.

[Gregers]

Nice one. I have never seen one of these in the plastic unbuilt before. I'm looking forward to watching how the build goes.

All the best.

Greg

[Narayan]

An interesting kit by the look of it Martin.

_________________
Narayan

Knock-out Dropper!

A:B
2013 01:00 2010 44:12
2012 20:05 2009 19:16
2011 11:10 2008 16:03

Overall 194:51

[Martin R]

I made a start last night and assembled the horizontal tailplane and the flight deck bulkheads and floor; I also gave the engine cylinders a coat of burnt iron.

I still intend to do this build oob-ish, but I think I need to add at least a bulkhead behind the bomb bay and a floor to the radio operator's room (and maybe a floor to the waist gunners' position).

I'll have a play with some styrene sheet tonight and I also plan to start painting the interior.

regards,

Martin

[Jagewa]

I still intend to do this build oob-ish, but I think I need to add at least a bulkhead behind the bomb bay and a floor to the radio operator's room (and maybe a floor to the waist gunners' position).

Oh oh, warning! warning! Put down the plastic and knifes, pick up a jar of black, paint inside and fuselage windows black, and then carry on!

Nagging Nanny
Jim

[Martin R]

I still intend to do this build oob-ish, but I think I need to add at least a bulkhead behind the bomb bay and a floor to the radio operator's room (and maybe a floor to the waist gunners' position).

Oh oh, warning! warning! Put down the plastic and knifes, pick up a jar of black, paint inside and fuselage windows black, and then carry on!

Nagging Nanny
Jim

Jim,

You're not a nag. Unfortunately, you know me too well!

regards,

Martin

[Narayan]

Any pics of your progress Martin?

_________________
Narayan

If I’m not back in 30 minutes, call the President.

A:B
2013 01:00 2010 44:12
2012 20:05 2009 19:16
2011 11:10 2008 16:03

Overall 194:51

[Martin R]

Narayan,

I didn't do anything last night, and tonight's progress is not worth a picture, to be honest.

I have given a first coat of Humbrol 75 to the interior; another will be needed. I have filled some ejection pits on the back of the prop blades, added milliput seat cushions to the pilot's seat backs (covering the rather nasty ejection pits), glued the wheel halves together, and painted the reduction gear on the engines (medium sea grey), together with the interior of the cowlings (chromate green).

I hope to finish painting the flight deck tomorrow night, but it may take a night (or more!) longer.

I'm still grappling with what to do with the radio operator's cabin.

Oh, and I also found out that 'A Bit O' Lace' had the earlier unstaggered waist gunners positions, together with 3-paned windows. Which is a nuisance, as the kit has the later staggered configuration and single-paned windows. Oh well - never mind!

regards,

Martin

[Jagewa]

Oh well - never mind!

Well done Martin, music to my ears

[Martin R]

More inconsequential progress. Interior has had a second coat of bronze green, instrument panel and seats have been painted, decalled (where appropriate) and installed. Engines have been washed, dry-brushed and are ready for installation in the cowlings.

Next on the agenda:

-Add control columns and masking tape seatbelts to pilot's seats
-Paint and assemble bomb-aimer's compartment,
-Install engines in cowlings,
-Install fuselage windows,
-Sand down filler on propeller blades,
-Work out what I'm going to do to the radio op's compartment

If I get the above done, then that'll be worth a picture!

regards,

Martin