Guest Nigelr32 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 (edited) Hello everyone, Here is my new thread on the build of the B-17G from HK models. I have already started threads on the Accuracy, Backdating and aftermarket parts available and have been putting up some build info with pics in those threads. Things have gotten a little messy with bits and bobs all over the place so I've decided to start this new thread which will cover just the building aspect, and to show you all what I'm up to. Hopefully the mods I'm doing will enthuse some new members into having a go at some of them themselves? I'm going to go back over the work done already, just to set the stage, so if you are seeing stuff you've already covered, skip through, we'll catch up at some point..... So, here goes. We have all discussed the difficulty in modelling an accurate War bird if you want to keep the staggered waist guns and not have a NMF scheme. I have decided to build Little Miss Mischief, which is the famous Fort, built out of 13 different aircraft, most recognisable by the two tone scheme of NMF front and OD aft fuselage sections. This Aircraft has the Cheyenne turret as supplied in the kit, but has the non-staggered waist windows, so I need to convert my model. Here's how I did it... As many will be aware, I want to build my B-17G as Little Miss Mischief, which entails some backdating work. Probably the biggest surgical operation is converting the HK models Staggered waist gun arrangement into the older non-staggered guns type. I have had a good look over this area of the kit and decided that rather than try to cut the exact window hole out of the fuselage, I would cut out a section of the fuselage and the window surround then graft the cut plastic back into the fuselage side. The window aperture is not quite square and is perpendicular to the fuselage split line. I decided trying to achieve all these features accurately would be very difficult indeed. There will be much re-scribing and re-riveting to be done as the staggered windows used different panels than the non-staggered versions. The moulded in ribs inside the fuselage are identical side to side, so I am using these as a reference to ensure the window is correctly positioned. Here we can see the fuselage marked up for cutting... It is quite nerve racking cutting the whole side of the fuselage out of a £250 kit, but hey, it's gotta be done!! Here we go.... Now, you're probably thinking, "Why not just turn the cut out piece 180 degrees" Well, this is not possible as the window would not be perpendicular to the split line and the clear part will not fit correctly upside down. Just to give you an idea of how it's gonna look, here's a pic of the piece slotted into the hole, but as I say, this is not a permanent fix, it's just to show you why I've done this to my beautiful HK B-17G. The ribbing on the inside is what I've used to make my cuts. Note the window falls perfectly between two vertical ribs and the top and bottom align with two horizontal ribs. After all the gluing is done and set, the ribbing will be removed. Here are the panels placed in position. Note the white strip used to take up the gap left from the saw cuts and clean up, and the 1.75mm strip at the base of the window to lift it into the correct position. The forward position has a larger diameter so the window is moved down to keep it centred vertically. I've moved it back, so it needs to go up. The radius of the panels also needs tweaking due to the differences in fuselage diameter. Now I need to decide how I'm going to glue the panels in??So, it's all done now..I glued the panels in with superglue from the front to tack the panels and fill the gaps. I then ran a heavy coat of extra thin on the back of the panels.Here's a picture taken along the fuselage after polishing. This is how I check all is straight..If you can build a nice model aeroplane, go on, give this a go, it really does open up your options on camouflage and decals.Thanks for looking in. any questions, feel free to ask. Edited December 19, 2013 by LSP_Kevin Lars Befring 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Good to see you start a formal build thread Nige. I'll be following along! Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richdlc Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 excellent start mate - as the Gestapo agent says to MacDonald in The Great Escape - 'Good Luck!' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRutman Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Just caught up with this brilliant thread. Very cool. I got this kit a few days ago and was quite impressed with the surface detail. Nicely understated. I will have to review the thread about the aftermarket,etc. I am told a different tail gun position would be welcomed? J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scvrobeson Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Looks good so far! Looks like some work is needed to really bring this one up to the top. What happened to your Mustang build? I was enjoying that one Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radders Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 I really want one of these kits, but I want to do an OD machine, not a bare metal one. So I'm hoping that HK do bring one out.... until then I will have to sit back and watch threads like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airscale Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 you are doing an amazing job on this Nige - it's right up my street watching this kind of build... that panel looks like it could so with some help Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peterpools Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 (edited) Nige Amazing work and a treat to be following along Keep ' em coming Edited October 12, 2013 by Peterpools Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Lund Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 Seriously seriously superb work. Incredible attention to detail - I'll be watching Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scvrobeson Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Matt, I don't think you really NEED to do the work, I just get bored easily!! this would make a beautiful model OOB, but I do feel the nose shape issue should be sorted as a minimum. The Mustang is on her stand waiting for the glue to dry before I deal with the seams.. Thanks for the update. I was enjoying that one. The B-17 looks like a nice kit, I just don't have the space available for one. But I'm sure a fully corrected/detailed build will really stand out once it's done. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mal_Belford Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Really, really nice work going on here, im impressed, this one ill be watching......i like what i see keeep em koming for shure.......Got lots to learn from this one :popcorn: :popcorn: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Dollar Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I'm going to enjoy this one also. This is what you call true scale modeling and not just kit building. That's what differentiates a good builder from a great builder. I remember how I used to complain about a kit with less than accurate surfaces or parts. The truly great builder catalogs those inaccuracies, figures out how to correct them and then does the mods. Said builder considers the mods as just a normal part of the building process rather than considering the necessary work as more on an inconvenience than part of the hobby. I've still got to get my own attitude straightened out. Mal_Belford 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plasticsurgeon Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 "Bloody bonkers" is all that comes to my mind after seeing all your work....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Dollar Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Arrrgghhh! You'd think with the bigger kit size, the accuracy would be better than this. Please continue writing the corrections manual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Dollar Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Never mind the bigger kit size.. what about the price??? Still, she's still the only game in town. You're right about that. For that kind of price, the accuracy should be much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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