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1:32nd B-17G 'Aluminium Overcast'


tomprobert

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  • 1 month later...

A little more progress on the big Fort for you...

 

With the interior detailing completed I've now joined the fuselage halves together. When I built my previous version of this kit there were two areas that were a little tricky - one being the join between the turtle deck and main fuselage, and this one was the same:

 

18266084485_0104da3561_c.jpgS1030379 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

...and the join between the nose and fuselage - again not perfect but this one proved a little better than my previous effort as I'd added the nose sections before joining the fuselage halves together. The astrodome aperture fairing has blended in nicely:

 

18266079325_073c7d2629_c.jpgS1030377 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

With the clear parts installed and Eduard masks applied it's now time for some primer before reinstating the damaged panel line and rivet details lost to filling and sanding:

 

18239645316_3f9d86bb7f_c.jpgS1030373 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

17643477464_27b64ca070_c.jpgS1030369 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Hopefully some more progress to report soon...

 

Tom

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Guest Peterpools

Tom

Terrific progress as always and looking forward to your next update

Keep 'em coming

Peter

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  • 2 months later...

I've taken advantage of the nice weather over the last couple of days and have got the main painting done on the B-17. As a preserved warbird, the real thing is painted silver to protect the precious metal, so painting this one was easy!

 

20191079898_36e669fe8a_c.jpgS1030031 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

20379070245_dbc24739fb_c.jpgS1030028 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

20379068775_99c03cf8b1_c.jpgS1030025 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Next up will be decals...

 

Tom

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A little more progress on the big Fortress to update you on...

 

Since the last update I've got the decals on, which came from KitsWorld and were a pleasure to work with. I also used the same company's stencil and data set, which the HK decal sheet lacks. The KitsWorld sheet gives various decals to model this B-17 at any time during its 'warbird' career, but I've gone as close as I can to its current scheme and markings:

 

20214836739_2469f651cb_c.jpgS1030033 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

20213478378_ef6edf19bb_c.jpgS1030040 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

20407642591_e9891d7363_c.jpgS1030043 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

With the model decalled, I've given it numerous light dust-coats of Halfords' Automotive Lacquer to replicate the gloss sheen seen on the real aircraft. After giving this a good 24 hours drying time, today I have sprayed the olive green anti-glare panels on the inboard sections of the nacelles as well as immediately in front of the cockpit:

 

20431874796_1204d3e0e6_c.jpgDSC_0045 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

20458098355_2680fddaa4_c.jpgDSC_0041 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

19835453744_6bf882749b_c.jpgDSC_0049 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

20269979050_7fb835c0bc_c.jpgDSC_0038 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

20270073018_3c24878824_c.jpgDSC_0034 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Typically, when I removed the masking some dust and debris had settled in the clear nose piece. I removed the left cheek window in an attempt to get it out, but the dust etc proved impossible to remove, and in trying to I broke the bomb sight from its mounting. Therefore, there was no other option than to remove the nose glazing, which will now need some remedial work to get back on:

 

20270066408_71fb44d696_c.jpgDSC_0021 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

There's still a few little painting jobs needing doing - the stainless steel areas immediately behind the cowl flaps and around the turbos, as well as the wing walkways, as seen here (used for illustrative purposes only)

 

20271785149_72f335b850_c.jpgSrenco-B17 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Until next time,

 

Tom

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LOVELY work Tom!    AO was DEFINITELY a site to behold at AirVenture 2015....................they were indeed offering rides in her for $75 USD or so, but both my bro and I determined that a ride WOULD be cool, but strapped in one of those jump seats with no opportunity to get up or even look out a gun emplacement or window, would pretty much dampen the experience.

 

Looking really great so far!

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LOVELY work Tom!    AO was DEFINITELY a site to behold at AirVenture 2015....................they were indeed offering rides in her for $75 USD or so, but both my bro and I determined that a ride WOULD be cool, but strapped in one of those jump seats with no opportunity to get up or even look out a gun emplacement or window, would pretty much dampen the experience.

 

Looking really great so far!

 

Many thanks, and yes agreed if you go for a flight in one you need to do it properly!

 

My flight in 'Yankee Lady' out of Willow Run cost me $240 and that was for approx 45mins with free roam around the aircraft, except the tail turret. It was by far the best money I've ever spent, even when you take into account I had to go to the US to do it! I plan to go to Oshkosh at some point in the future, and will no doubt go up in another warbird - possibly the B-24 or B-29.

 

We made a proper aviation tour of the whole trip, and as well as the B-17 ride we went to Thunder over Michigan airshow, the USAF Museum at Dayton (including the restoration centre to see 'Memphis Belle' , 'The Swoose' and the presidential aircraft, as well as both Smithsonians in Washington DC - it was a great trip. Here's a few pictures from my ride:

 

20433008336_9e4b257fb3_c.jpg0872 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

19838305843_f47ac209e7_c.jpg0875 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

19838317263_dd86468cb1_c.jpg0878 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

20433016806_80637c6b18_c.jpg0882 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

20271207108_c30b2bb384_c.jpg0883 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

20459231175_1c70a53e52_c.jpg0885 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

0886 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

19836586014_5ea85c31ea_c.jpg0890 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

19838310213_b2619b1e10_c.jpg0892 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

20271201338_b088d30a1a_c.jpg0895 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Being up there certainly brought home the bravery of those airmen... especially sitting in the nose with absolutely no protection from fighter coming in from the front. Quite a humbling experience to be honest.

 

Tom

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Indeed! That is the way to do it...............................

 

The Lady was @ EAA OshKosh AirVenture 2015 as well!   

 

 

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ldzWO29jskDIYjJFCDVV3pue2MVDv94wSCnHYoSN

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMHO, YL, is a MUCH purtier 17 than AO is, but after all AO is not really supposed to be a "show plane" as such, and EAA uses her for more of a demo/ride experience.

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