B-17G, Detail additions, Corrections and Backdating build.

[Silver Dollar]

I'm not going to be able to do any of the mods.  I'm too far along.  That's why I had been thinking about a second kit but I'm going to do a visible 1/48th kit instead.  

 

I put some info on the engines in my own thread but I'll update you right here.  I was wrong about the length of the engine.  When I dry fitted the cowl flap part, I did it without any other pieces.  That put the back end of the part directly contacting the edge of the nacelle making the dark area look too narrow.    When I assembled the engine parts, all of a sudden, the whole assembly sat correctly and the dark area looked perfect.  I discovered that the back edge of the cowl flap piece was not the positioning surface.  It was the back end of the center piece that attaches to the prop which puts the cowl flaps in their correct position.  The cowl flaps are apparently not supposed to contact the engine nacelle.  I'm glad I discovered that before I took a knife to the wing.  The only thing you'll have to do is drill tandem holes all the way around the front part of the dark area to make it look right.  

[LSP_Ron]

Amazing Nige

[Guest Peterpools]

Nige

Simply unbelievable!

Peter

[clarkis]

sure looks like a B-17 after all your mods...nice work, Nigel...it's every bit a B-17 now...clarkis

[patricksparks]

Coming along really nice !!!

Pat

[Victor K2]

Your 6mm removed scales up to 192mm that's 7.5 ins in real money. If the real Aircraft was fattened by that amount you wouldn't have to modify your model . Also I have worked on Handley Page Victors and if you measured the K2 from nose to tail there could be up to 12 ins difference in length due to the way they were made. Ask any Rigger who has had to fit a "robbed" panel from another aircraft and had to fettle it to fit. All new panels came over size so that you trimmed it to fit an individual Airframe.

I applaud you sir, in that you are able to detect this error on your kit using the Mk 1 eye ball and original manufactures drawings, also your incredible dexterity in doing these corrections. Have you considered being a Rigger, with your skills you would make a damn fine one.

I follow this thread in awe of your skills.

 

Bob.

[Guest Nigelr32]

I'm not a Rigger, but I used to work for Rolls Royce. I have machined thousands of components for all British military aircraft, I actually finish machined the first EJ200 combustion chambers for the initial Eurofighters after they'd tested the airframes with the RB199.

[Guest Peterpools]

NIge

I would surely like to hear more ....

Peter

[ghatherly]

Hey Nige,

 

 I find revisions very noticeable when seen with the nose section in place giving it the look we are used to seeing for a B-17.   Once you see the difference, the std fuselage almost has a  Fat cigar shape or that of an over inflated circus balloon.

 

Question out of curiosity?  Have you checked the wing for scale cross section at the fuselage?   Not much you can fix here if it is off, but it just looks too thick and I thought I would ask.  It looks like you about have the major mods fixed, or will have quite soon.  Keep up the good work and thanks for taking the time to show us these modifications.

 

Gary

[Bruce]

Nige,

 

I don't remember if when you were correcting things in the cockpit if you mentioned the fact that the pilots seat structure closest to the hole should be attached to the edge of the opening to the nav compartment access hole not on floor next to it.   By doing that it moves the seats about a 16th inch inwards.

 

Bruce

[Silver Dollar]

 

 

Other than that, it's all good  

That's very reassuring.  LOL.  I just wish I could find a good set of blueprints with precise measurements of all dimensions.  I also wish I had the skills and time to build an all metal scratch built model like G. Rojas Bazan built.  And then again, if my mother had wheels, she'd be a truck.      

[Victor K2]

Ah Rolls Royce, that explains the exceptional eye for detail you have and your surgical skills. Being a humble rigger myself would explain my fat fingers and failing dexterity and the need to build in a larger scale (I have assembled a full size replica Spitfire that once was used in the T.V. series "Piece of cake" and despite using the correct spec paint was told that the Green was the wrong shade/hue).

Once again I look on in admiration and jealousy in your work. I look forward to seeing the end result and if you do finish it in time for Telford 2014 I would like to shake you by the hand.

Bob.

[Alburymodeler]

Richard, just be aware that Caruana's drawings are notorious for being very nicely done, but often quite loose in terms of accuracy.

 

Kev

hahahaha, there is loose, and then there is looooose. look elsewhere whenever possible..

[Ferry NL]

Not fed up.... on the contrary. Want to be fed some more!!!

 

It's a real joy to see you going. I never would attempt such drastic surgery but all tips, tricks and references are priceless and am sure I'm not just speaking for myself here... 

[ghatherly]

NO!  What you are seeing is across the board.  After a while there is only so much that can be said, I know myself I am just waiting for what is next.  Don't take the lack of people posting as a lack of interest, in fact look at all of the B-17's being built!  I jokingly emailed Kevin and suggested that the Flying fortress crew needs its own WIP as you guys are taking over that Forum, but like I said in jest.   I think it is great that so many builders are ready to drop $300 US dollars plus some accessories just to build a model to sit on a shelf.  At this dollar range  you are getting into R/C territory so it is the serious builders that are buying the kit, not the casual shopper walking through the hobby shop looking for a something new.   I know my hope is that HK may be reading all of the posts hear and paying a little better attention to the  big picture as they release more kits..   So……Keep you chin up….isn't that what you Brits say and get on with it!!

 

Merry Christmas to all, Gary