1/48 B-17G Chowhound...Decals and into Darkness

First up will be to show you what I have begun to collect for this build.




For most this will be enough to tell you what the twist will be.


More to come.....




Joe

So, you're trying to sell it already?? 

Ye, I think we can see where you going with this. Going to be an interesting watch that's for sure.

I'd have to get Rosie and Kilroy involved for all that rigging....

Many thanks for looking in.

I hope to get started today.

Joe

I did nearly the same thing when I built my grandfather's B-17 years ago.....lots if styrene.  I'm looking forward to this....

Me too.

Spent about two hours tonight grinding and sanding.  Cleaned out a lot of the interior detail.  Kind of freaky though that it feels smooth to the touch but yet you still see where the detail was.  

Joe

uuuh, for the benefit of an old coot that doesn't have a clue....what exactly are you going to do with all that styrene...?

Sarge I am planning a partial cut away for this build.  I plan to work on the interior to build up the details and to open the fuselage to show it off.

Joe

Just a quickie of an update to show the first cuts.

Large chunks have been cut out to show different areas of the interior.  What you see is after six hours of grinding, sanding, repeat.

This will turn out good, I hope.

You will also notice I have drilled and then cut out the access doors.  These will be cleaned up and the edges thinned a bit.









Next up will be to clean up the cuts and move into the interior with grinding and sanding away that detail.  


All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.


Joe

Oh that's going to look amazing!

I'm already loving watching this. I don't have the patience or skill to pull off something like this, so I'm living vicariously through you.

And yeah, I'm sure it will turn out good, judging by what else I've seen here.

-BD-

Many thanks.  Appreciate you looking in and the kind comments.

Joe

I really wish I had the time to work on my visible B-17, or any of my kits, but I am just too busy now and for the next few months. Looking forward to watching you put this together. It looks like it's gonna be a great build.

Way more courage and skill than this old boy has.  Watching with interest and may pick up something I can use in the future.

This is going to be a good one!

Mike

Devil Dawg

So, you're trying to sell it already?? 

Dawg, "For Sale" signs and other signs are a poor man's (or a Dutchy man's, like me) Evergreen sheet.  Hammer has become active again, I bet he felt a psychic stirring, when that post went up.

Very cool project!  My hat is off to you, for doing this one!

I love this kit, ever since I built a pair when I was a kid.  But I do have to shake my head today, when I see those big locator bars for the rear bulkhead of the radio cabin.  I probably left them in place, back in '79, because it wouldn't have occurred to me then to remove 'em.

I look forward to your progress!

I'm not nearly as experienced as most of you, so this question may come off as naïve, but if you are doing this to expose the detail of the interior, wouldn't you start the painting prior to putting the fuselage together?  It seems like it would be very difficult to get to some of the tight spaces once together.

Spitfire-  He has just taped the fuselage together and used white glue on the other pieces so he can wet them down and pull apart.  The he can finish getting rid of detail inside and put in what he needs to.  Then He'll do his paint, detail and washes prior to assembly.

Many thanks to all for looking in.

The for sale signs are roughly .03 or so in thickness.  They are fantastic for sheet styrene.  The fuse is taped and I am spending a lot of time dryfitting the different assemblies to make sure they fit and what will be seen.  Note that there is no construction taking place as of yet.  I still have a ton of deconstruction to do yet.  

Spitfire when I get to the construction step of this I will be working the interior and it will be detailed and painted prior to closing up the fuse.

Again thank you.  

Joe

Thanks for explaining that.  Very interesting.  Also way above my level of competency.  Will be very interesting to see this finished.  About how long will it take to complete a project like this?

Spitfire this will be a long term project.  I am thinking four to six months.

Joe

Very cool! Will have to follow along! Love the B-17!

Many thanks.  

Joe

I had started on a Visible B-17 many years ago.  I scratch built the bomb bay section and it's been collecting dust for a while.  Now I retired maybe I can get back to the hobby!

WOW Mel, your bomb bay is amazing !   I for one am glad you're back in the hobby.  Please continue to post for such great inspiration to us all.

The Bomb Bay looks very good.

Joe