Dennis7423 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 All- Trying out the Flickr photo thing, and we'll see how it goes! This is my work in progress of the 1/32 HK B-17G, which is being built to depict my Grandfather's B-17G from the 96th Bomb Group. My Grandfather flew 13 missions over Germany from Sept. 1944 until the end of hostilities in May of 1945, in this bird and one other. This particular plane, coded AW-R and bearing serial number 44-6888, crash landed back at their base two days after the end of hostilities after a supply drop over Germany. I am not going through the painstaking process of correcting the kit's inaccuracies, but rather "enhancing" certain parts of the kit with various aftermarket and scratch building. I am using Eduard parts, LiveResin flexible ammo chutes, Resin2Detail seats, and other bits and bobs to make this thing come alive. Kit enhancements include some detail added to the lower side of the cockpit tub and associated fuselage interior, cutting out the rear crew entry door, and anything else I come up with to make it just a little bit different. Many parts of the HK E/F model B-17 have been/will be implemented, such as the separate rear crew entry door, more accurate top turret, and rear radio room bulkhead/radios. Without further adieu, here's some photos... Here's what she will look like. The buzz numbers on the nose, 888, had ears and tails added to resemble three cats on the sides of the nose. The crew called her "Ragged But Right", although she never wore any nose art. media-5332 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr Here she is crashed, albeit in a rather convenient spot at the end of the runway near the road: media-5331 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr media-22487 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr Here's a photo showing some scratch-building to depict the drive motor and azimuth gear for the chin turret: 18622250_10101958881323342_2387607033197495195_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr And here all painted up, along with Uschi decals for the wooden floors. Some further details and some placards to add interest were added later: 18700134_10101971091049952_774865234760883703_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr 18740751_10101971091069912_6932250361286408263_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr Here's the radio room floor, again with Uschi decals for the wooden floors: 18813497_10101971091020012_4188974439428468113_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr Here's one side of the completed nose, wearing accurate natural metal with no paint: 18581864_10101958881298392_1565577310635706018_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr And the completed cockpit and bombardier/navigator area: 19657209_10102040708461102_1171184228371285611_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr 19665133_10102040708610802_1287351187974861687_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr 19748534_10102040709005012_4386172518349108319_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr 19748461_10102040709414192_7445443816114921575_n by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr As usual, all comments and criticisms are incredibly welcome. Sorry for the poor cell phone photos. I'll work on the lighting for next time. Thanks folks! - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA MikeMaben, MikeC, Gazzas and 12 others 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Looks good so far. Wish I had room for one of these. I know Snetterton heath, where the 96th was based. You may know that it's now a motor racing circuit. My respects to your Grandfather. Dennis7423 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Lovely start, Dennis! Kev Dennis7423 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Nice work Dennis, the Uschi decals look very convincing. Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kagemusha Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Wonderful start to a great project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Palimaka Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 The photos are just fine, and your work is more than fine!! What a great project and tribute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Cross Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Tempting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Just like the real thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Love the danger sign Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 What a great start you've made. And it's so refreshing to see a B-17 interior being painted properly for once! Tom patricksparks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMaben Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Luv those wood grain decals. Nice work Dennis :popcorn: Bill Cross 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brahman104 Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 I'll always follow along on a B-17 build, and yours has certainly got off to a good start. I think the real beauty of this kit is that it can be built on so many levels, and your additions look great Looking forward to more. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Molitor Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Off to a great start is spot on. Well done Dennis. Great topic as well. Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peterpools Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Dennis Brilliant start and am enjoying following your progress. Keep 'em coming Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druss135 Posted July 9, 2017 Share Posted July 9, 2017 Dennis, This is of great interest. I am also building my grandfather's B-17 from the 96 BG. I am building his B-17F from the 337 BS using the 1/32 HK kit, and am at about the same stage of the build as you. Really having fun with the inside, using the Eduard PE and some scratch building. He was the aircraft commander, shot down in June 1943 on his second mission, and imprisoned. You are very luck to have actual pictures of your grandfather's plane. I have done pretty extensive research on my subject, but have been unable to find photos of the plane I'm building. Then again once it got to England it only survived for about 2 weeks. Good luck! Don R MikeC, Dennis7423 and MikeMaben 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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