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Found 17 results

  1. Suitably inspired (nagged!) by my 9 year old son Cameron to dig out our respective B-17 projects, I thought I ought to put a stick in the ground and post a thread here. Cam is a huge B-17 fan (especially the 'Memphis Belle) as so last year we got him the old Revell 1:48th 'F' kit. He was very excited - and then a little put off by the complexity of it all so I had 'another bright ideaTM' and suggested that if he had a go at his, I'd dig my 1:32 monster from the loft and we could build both in parallel. This weekend just gone Cam has called 'in' on the deal - so, well, here we are! No digs, or jibes about Connie et al and my ability to get majorly sidetracked - oh look - there's that squirrel again!!! Add to that I'm seeing some majorly superb B-17 projects on the go and I'm kinda thinking just how hard can it be? Plan is to make some corrections (nothing major) and, having discovered AK Interactive Xtreme Metal paint, go for 'Bit O' Lace'. OK - she's been done before - but the decals are available - and she's a well photographed airframe. Will have to 'un-stagger' the waist guns and vac some bulged 3 window waist gun positions - that's the plan anyway. Now, I wasn't going to get too much aftermarket stuff for this project - I already had the beautiful Master gun barrel set I acquired a good 18 months ago at a bargain price - but, hey, ho, you know how it is and, whilst surfing for B-17 info the other night I spotted some Brassin engines going cheap - at least engines 2,3 and 4. Now I recon that 1 and 4 are most likely identical (and a quick look on the Eduard site shows all the same part numbers on engines 1 and 4) - so the eagle eyed will spot the odd box numbering. If I mention the engines were only £8.17 each you'll understand my madness a little better! Oh - and the wheels just had to come along for company! These should dress up the model nicely - but I've succumbed to a little more today - details to follow when they arrive - but I recon main areas to concentrate on detail-wise are the cockpit and nose area. I'll be cheating a little - if it's unlikely to be seen on the final model then I'm not going to worry too much. Have a few refs. dug out so far - but my absolute fave is 'The Mighty Eighth In Colour' - full of cracking period colour images - and heaps of inspiration! Here's Cameron with his B-17F: And holding the HK Models 'G' - whilst we were trying to guage the magnitude of our folly yesterday: More soon*... Iain *No warranty given, or implied!
  2. Evening all, I put the finishing touches to this earlier this week: the new-tool 1/72nd Airfix B-17G converted to a US Navy PB-1W airborne early warning aircraft. I used the old 299Models conversion which gives you the big radome in short-run injection plastic, as well as blanking plates for the top, chin and ball turrets. The conversion was actually designed and produced long before the excellent new-tool Airfix Fort was released and is meant for the Hasegawa kit. However, with some gentle persuasion, it fits the Airfix kit well. The PB-1Ws were late build B-17Gs taken from desert storage post WW2 by the US Navy and stripped of their bombing equipment. Some retained their tail guns but these were soon removed, and quite crude blanking plates were added to the openings for the top, chin and ball turrets. The main distinguishing feature of the PB-1W was the large AN/APS-20 search radar added to the bomb bay and huge dome slung beneath. In all 32 B-17Gs were converted to PB-1Ws and they remained in service until the mid-1950s when they were superseded by Constellations. The model was airbrushed with Xtracolor’s Sea Blue gloss and decals came from the spares box. I toned it down with a coat of Humbrol Satin (the real things were actually high gloss) and added some oil and exhaust with pastels. All in all a very simple conversion (if you can find one!) and it’s nice to add this unusual Fortress to my collection. All the best, Tom
  3. G'day guys, Since this topic seems to come up about every 3 months, I thought I'd show you what can be done if you want it badly enough These parts are just a rough trial, but my initial impressions are that it improves the look of the kit immensely. It also *should* be compatible with most of the existing kit parts once I've got it properly cleaned up, apart from a new instrument panel/#3 bulkhead of course and the cockpit glazings.... Anyway, I thought I'd share it here in case you miss my build. Cheers, Craig
  4. I was researching a future build of a B-17G in 1/72 (yeah, I know, but the HKM 1/32 kit is too big for my house, wife, wallet and sanity), and found a Kits World decal sheet for two aircraft of the 385th BG based at Great Ashfield in Suffolk, England. This piqued my interest as Great Ashfield was only a few miles from where I grew up, and the two subjects appealed. But above all, I like a good story behind a model, and it seems that the nose art on these two, and many others, was painted by a local lady working on the base for the American Red Cross. Found some more here. https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2016/08/anne-haywood-american-red-cross-aero.html?m=0&template=default These are the little-known aspects of air force operations that often don't get considered and are often not known about, but nevertheless were an essential part of the whole picture. PS: Although this sheet is also available in 1/48, I couldn't find it in 1/32.
  5. I've been working on this on and off for the last few months and have finished it off this week. I've used the classic Revell 1/48th B-17F kit and coupled it with Koster's vacformed beautiful early Fortress conversion set. This comprises a new rear fuselage with the distinctive 'shark fin', a new early nose and cockpit transparency as well as other various vacformed clear parts, along with some additional air intakes for the early oil cooler set up - all in all a very comprehensive conversion set. You have to undertake other mods to the Revell kit such as shortening the nose (the later Forts had a longer nose due to the heavier rear fuselage needing to be rebalanced), add additional seats to the flightdeck as well as reshaping the later paddle-bladed props to the earlier 'needle' type. The cowl flaps have to go too, as these weren't introduced until the D-model. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so here's a good summary of the work carried out: DSC_0063 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I started with the Revell F-model kit rather than the Monogram G-model as the nose is far easier to modify - I just needed to blend in the larger cheek windows and then open them up in the shape of the smaller windows seen on the earlier models. Here you can see I have removed the necessary section to shorten the nose, as well as removing the rear fuselage and the Koster rear part is being offered up for size: IMG_E1388 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I decided to do a later scheme used by the RAF on their Fortress Is which was slate / extra dark sea grey uppers with PRU blue undersides. I used my favourite Xtracolor enamels with generic Xtradecal codes and insignia to cobble together a 90 Squadron machine which was operated out of Polebrook in the Autumn of 1941. DSC_0091 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0058 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0064 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0066 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0068 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0070 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0073 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0081 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0082 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0088 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The fit of the Koster parts was exceptional - once they were removed from the backing sheet and sanded correctly it was like working with an injection-molded kit. In fact, the Koster parts fitted better than the Revell kit! The only tricky area was the nose transparency - this was a little too large to fit the Revell nose, but some careful trimming and careful blending with Milliput solved the problem. I'm now trying to get hold of the 1/48th Privateer conversion, but now Koster kits are OOP I'll have my work cut out - and they're currently going for silly prices on eBay! Regards to all, Tom
  6. G'day Guys, Well I'm doing something I've tried for a long time not to do; have two build logs going at once. The difference, aside from them being 2 different versions of the B-17 (I have 3 all up), is that for a while, this build will exist mainly as a virtual one. With so much discussion about the shape of the nose and what HK did or didn't get right, I've decided to embark on a quest to see if I can come up with a decent rendition that has the right "look." My aim here is NOT to produce an aftermarket correction set to go on sale to the masses, more so to investigate where the lines of the kit differ from that of the factory drawings, and mainly centred around the nose. It's my intention to produce a 3D printed replacement section that is a blend between actual dimensions and kit ones in order to make the thing work. There will be compromises; as I have said, I'm trying to recreate the "look" of the B-17. The reason I am initially keeping this as a "virtual-ish" build for now is that I want to keep progressing with the C, but this will provide the groundwork for what will eventually become an F and an E build, but with most of the hard work already done here. Think of this for now as more of a study.......Hopefully you can join me on my journey! Phase 1 - Establishing the reference Ok guys, no surprises here. The HK kit in all its glory. Unfortunately with the way the kit is constructed, in order to establish a proper datum point for reference, I need to do some dissection. Think back to my early C model days, it gets gory here! Most discussion so far has been centred around the incorrect shape of the #3 bulkhead. Unfortunately as I have discovered, correcting the #3 is not the end of the story. I had always had suspicion that not only was the bottom nose profile off, I also suspect that the profile is wrong when viewed from above. If you study pics of a real Fort, the HK version always looks a bit too fat for my liking. To me the best place to start is the #4 bulkhead, as at least I can reference any changes to the cockpit from here too. Despite the #4 bulkhead actually being on a receding angle in the real thing, the HK part is installed at 90 degrees. I'm not going to lose sleep over that, and in any case I need the shape at the #4 as my master reference dimensions to allow the new nose to graft hopefully seamlessly onto the existing fuselage...... Next up I scaled and traced the outline of the E/F nose profile for comparison in Rhino. I then traced the outline of the HK fuselage, shown here in blue. I overlayed the factory drawing and this is what I got..... As you can see, it's not only the top, but also a large portion of the bottom which is oversized (agreeing with my original suspicions). I'm not entirely sure about the overall length, as this really has to do with where you take the datum point to be on the #4 bulkhead, but in any case, it would really only be a mm or two longer at most. In order to be able to match up any new sections I make with the existing fuselage, matching my work to the #4 bulkhead for size will be critical. This is where I am deviating a little from strict dimensional accuracy - remember the priority here is "the look." When I scaled up the factory drawing to the match the kit, this is what I got.... Looks like the kit nose cone will be about 0.8mm too tall, so I'll have that challenge to look at when I get to it, and I get the feeling it may be out on profile too, but my next update will address that. I haven't had a look from the top down yet, and I suspect that similar to what I saw with the underside profile, the kit will be too fat. I get the feeling that the nose of the real thing tapers a lot further back than the #3 where HK have it, but we'll soon see..... Anyway this has been a lot of fun so far, and something I've been going to do for ages. I certainly hope this answers some questions for a lot of you out there..... Cheers! Craig
  7. Guess I will just put this here for a start... First off, I will not in any way be attempting to finish this within the GB time frame - But as it is a 'Multi-Engined' kit, here we go... The subject of this build, will be this very well known 'ship': Boeing B-17G-70-BO 43-37675 (VE-N) / 'Trudie’s Terror' / 'Patches' / 'Flak Magnet'. 532nd Bomb Squadron 381st Bomb Group, based at Ridgewell Airbase UK.
  8. Thought Id share some warbird pics I took. Who knows might have a detail you're looking for. https://www.flickr.com/photos/shawnmanny/collections/72157671911963928/ Bonus random F-18F that showed up! Neat trip, great aircraft and wonderful access to them. Sadly I did not go through the B-17, sorry gang
  9. A few years ago I met the radio operator of this plane, and he explained to me that it was an airbase-creation of a Boeing manufactured front spliced onto a Vega manufactured rear, which gave the ship a definite permanent upward pitch, since Boeing's manufacturing techniques resulted in an overall lighter airframe then Vega's. So they named it "The Ruptured Duck". He told me about the deadly air attack by a group of Me-262's, and I think I found the record of it: https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=AwrEwNayQyNb58oAFgUPxQt.;_ylc=X1MDMjExNDcwMDU1OQRfcgMyBGZyA3locy1hdmFzdC1icndzcjAwMQRncHJpZAMzZ3kzQ0pBa1NBeXFMX2N2TVpnQm5BBG5fcnNsdAMwBG5fc3VnZwMwBG9yaWdpbgNzZWFyY2gueWFob28uY29tBHBvcwMwBHBxc3RyAwRwcXN0cmwDMARxc3RybAMzNwRxdWVyeQNCb2VpbmclMjBCLTE3JTIwTWFudWZhY3R1cmVyJTIwcGxhbnRzBHRfc3RtcAMxNTI5MDM3Nzk0?p=Boeing+B-17+Manufacturer+plants&fr2=sb-top&hspart=avast&hsimp=yhs-brwsr001&type=osf01s1 He told me about the experience of the emergency landing described near the end of page 2 of the linked document. The plane's hydraulics were shot out, so with no brakes they crashed right through some buildings and stuff surrounding the airfield! I found the description of the Me's to be particularly interesting. If I read the '262's description correctly, It looks like they could see no rivet pattern whatsoever: "It had swept back wings with a jet engine mounted on each wing. Its skin was so smooth that it looked like it had been sandpapered." "There wasn't a rivet to be seen."
  10. This is an idea that I've been kicking around for ages, a 1:48 B-17 50/50 cutaway. The idea here is to paint one half (along the fuselage vertical centerline) OD over grey, with markings of one squadron, with the other half in a natural metal scheme from another squadron, and cutaways on both sides showing internal areas. I don't believe there's a prayer in heck that I could ever get this finished in time for Omaha, but (thinking rather optimistically) I'm hoping it will be done for Tennessee in 2019.
  11. I had it all filled-in on the Sprue Bros. order form: The HK Models B-17E/F. The one where you can build the Memphis Belle. Almost $750 and Eduard hasn't released the four resin engines for it they did for the G version. But price was not a consideration. As my youngest tells me every time I complain about the cost of something. "Shut up, Dad, you drive a Porsche." But last night I woke up in the middle of my not-so-ugly-sleep to pee (old guys like me have to pee at least once in the middle of the night), and it hit me. You have over a 100 kits in your stash. You have 2 FW-190s (A & D), a JU-88, an HE-111, another Corsair, a P-51, an F-15, 2 Double Uglies (one with Gary's crazy-assed wing surgery to make a proper N), EVERY SINGLE Pz. III variant, all the T-34s, one Abrams and another on the way, at least two Tiger-Is and one Tiger-II. Plus 2 Fokker D-7s and the "Early Bird Special" on order. Plus two 1/72nd U-boats and a Gato-class US Fleet submarine. Not to mention all the figures.... :m0152: :m0152: "Madness. You can't go down that route, Bill," I said almost out loud (but not out loud or I'd wake She Who Must Not Be Disturbed). So, to prevent backsliding, I'm taking a public oath NOT to buy that kit, and have deleted it from my SB cart. Yes, I could add it again another time. But for now, sanity has prevailed. :(
  12. Incoming! Ever seen a flying cow? Beware! This one has 4 engines and a punch! A white skin an blue dots too! OK, lets see what we have: Meng Kids kit of the B-17. The part threes and a lot of blue dots provided by HungAero decals. This will become the famous "Spotted cow" assembly ship of the Migthy Eight! A little bit of conversion work needed: The cow is a F, the kit a G. Easy fix: Just not installing a number of gun positions. And I have to close the bomb bay doors, because it doesn't suit an assembly ship to go with pants down Enjoy! - dutik
  13. The wait is over! For those looking to construct a 1/32 USAAF airfield diorama, you must take a close look at R2D's latest offering. This exquisitely detailed little lift features 10 highly-detailed parts and full instruction guide. The swivel handle is fully poseable in the “at use†or “rest†positions. With minimal work, the lift can be lowered into the un-raised position. Perfect for use with the HK B-17 model(s) and the B-25, among others. Available today for only $14.99 per set Please click HERE to be redirected to the R2D store for more details and to purchase Cheers!
  14. I've always heard and seen the waist gunner positions on the B-17 being staggered, but this picture appears to show otherwise :: http://media.defense...F-1234S-003.JPG Here's the article where the photo resides. It's 10th pic in the gallery :: http://www.nationalm...g-fortress.aspx Understandably there are ton of variants but could this pic be from a different kind of bomber altogether? The belly gunner makes me believe it's still a 17 but I'm no expert. Were there any other bombers that had a belly turret like this? If it is a 17, why aren't waist gunners staggered? ~Chaz
  15. Hello - More goodies for the HK B-17 available now on my site - more on the way. AC32028 Want to add some visual impact to your HK flying fortress without the fuss or monetary outlay? R2D is offering the seat without seat belts or cushions — just the steel shell! The pressed-metal is shell faithfully recreated in resin, and is intricately designed (of course!) — accurate to the most minute detail including rivets, anchors, etc.! [click HERE to purchase our set with belts!] This is perfect for the modeler who already owns PE/fabric seat belts or prefers PE and/or Fabric belts over molded-on belts or who is doing a diorama. Note, the actual 1:1 seats also had frames or supports that raised them above the lower fuselage surface — these are not included in this update set — only the seats themselves You can use these seats in conjunction with the seat supports provided by HK in their kit(s). Set comes with 2 highly detailed seats without belt or cushion detail – but there is loads of detail on the pressed-metal shell — take a look at the pics!! Available for only $9.99 USD by clicking HERE! Not intended for modelers under the age of 13. Made in USA.
  16. OK, fellas, I have a dilemma here. I have this old tattered print from a B-17 model of some sort, but have no recollection of what kit it came from. Aurora, Lindberg, Revell, I mean I really have no idea, though I think it was a 1:72 scale kit. Can anyone clearly identify what kit this came from? Thanks a bunch,
  17. ... it is done... The B-17G Flying Fortress - "YANKEE LADY" in scale 1/32 by HK Models, with all photo etched parts by Eduard, Decals by Kitsworld brass parts by Profimodeller Pictures of the interior or you find "in the works" or on my website again. Now have a loot at the "Yankee Lady":
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