WIP Monogram 1:48 Visible B-17G "Flying Fortress"

How do you like my very first AB!  It's still doing its job perfectly.

These next pics are primered.

I just needed to dry fit and see if there are any surprises that I need to be aware of.  Apparently, so far at this time, the answer is no.

This looks awesome.  I will be adding PE to the front, cockpit, communications, bomb part of the fuselage, side gunner, and finally the rear gunner!

Next up, I'm spraying the interior Testors Olive Drab 1165 1/4 fl. oz.

I will be watching with interest as I have that kit and most of the resin/pe that goes with it.  

Joe

OOOOO I love this kit and have a birthday coming up LOL  so I'll also be watching with keen interest..

I also have this kit with tons of PE and resin bits. Looking forward to see what you do with it.

BK

To Jay Jay,

Well sir, a bit pre-mature but, "Happy Birthday"!  

I've never built a B-17G before or any other variation for that matter.  The only big heavy bomber I've ever assembled is the B-24 Liberator.  As a youth, I built two, so if you count the current B-24 build that's three that I built.

I just sprayed the OD onto the interior of the Fortress and I'll place them for storage and safe keeping.  I especially do not want the clear half of my B-17G to get scratched.

Thanks for the visit Jay Jay.

Toshi

To Brandon K,

Will you be starting your kit anytime soon?  Can I ask you, if you don't mind, I would like to find out as I build my Fortress any tips in this upcoming build?  This would make a great reference for me.  Actually, I have a question now regarding the PE and resin kit.  What brand did you buy of both aftermarket kits and from whom did you buy it from?  Thanks Brandon, your always there for me, it's extremely appreciated!

Toshi

Toshi,

I'm not planning on starting this for awhile. Too many others in line first. I have two B-17's, a visable and a regular. The regular will be set in flight and hanging with prop blur and all. The other will be a dio with maintanence crew, open engines, the works. All the PE is Eduard (10 Kits in all) and I have ALL the PE you can buy for the B-17, it's a lot of stuff, front to back and outside. I have the Verlindin Update set, all Squadron glass, Brassin wheel and tire set, 4 Vector R-1820-G engines, White Metal Landing Gear set, and an Eduard Mask set. Honestly I have several hundred dollars invested in these two birds and the upgrades. I still need the updates props and a set of decals I like.

I also have the Squadron Walk Around for the build. There isn't much made for these that I don't have. Unfortunately I don't have any experience building one. I have tons of reference material and that is the plan for now, take my time and do my best.

Good luck, Toshi

BK

To BrandonK.

OMG!  OMG!  WOW!  Amazing stuff, I wish I could do something to that nature of your build with all those aftermarket products.  If I'm a really good boy, maybe, maybe Mrs. Toshi might allow me to purchase these items to your extent.  But in all seriousness, thank you for the insight, now I know what my next purchasing step will be.  Thank you once again sir.

Toshi

$$$$$$$$$$   Wow, I may hafta rethink this future project.

To Jay Jay,

You must consider the size of this kit is two times the size and five times the compartments interior not to exclude exterior of the B-17G, of a single seat 1:48 aircraft.  This is a massive undertaking.  Yes, it can get expensive.  When I built my Monogram 1:48 P-61 Black Widow, I spent $125.00 in PE and resin kits.  Exterior and interior.  I still have the receipts for it.  LOL!

Toshi

Heh, I, too, have the visible B-17 in my stash, and have acquired some AM parts, but still collecting as things go on sale.  Seems to be my habit, as my last 'kit' order was over $100, but included exactly one 1/72 scale kit that was on sale.  Everything else was aftermarket parts (mostly PE for my 1/48th PBY).  Still, it's almost as much fun as purchasing a kit!

Gene Beaird,

Pearland, Texas

To CrashTestDummy,

Isn't it exciting to do this!  I haven't even purchased my PE yet.  But this build will be built in the next few weeks after I complete my Tamiya 1:32 Mitsubishi Zero.  I look forward and hope you do a WIP on your Visible B-17G.  There's so much I can learn from you and your build.  Thank you for the read and reply.

Toshi

Whew, thart's out of my price range.

Crash,  I sure would like to see your PBY as that is my favorite airplane. I have a monogram 1/48 i am working on ( on hold for the present )  OOB.

To Jay Jay,

I don't have a PBY.  Maybe you posted this on the wrong thread?  Anyways, it's all good.

Toshi

Here is my PE sets that arrived yesterday, I'm still awaiting one more set.  Once I complete the Tamiya 1:32 Mitsubishi A6M2b Zero Model 21 "Zeke" I'll diligently start on this B-17G build.  Here are the PE sets.

Wow that is a lot of PE. I see something special brewing up here. lol

Yes sir Mr. M. Brindos, something is definately going to start to brew with this build.  I actually joined my very first GB, it's the Boeing GB hosted by modelcrazy.  I find this fascinating at best as I've never done anything like this before.

Although I have the majority of my PE delivered, I'm still waiting on my final piece, the front end (Bombadier) PE.  Once this arrives, I should have my Tamiya 1:32 Mitsubishi Zero A6M2b Model 21 "Zeke" completed.  Then it's off to the B-17G build.  

My brother, thank you for all you have done for me since the very beginning, it has been instrumental in my modeling growth as well as personal growth as well.  

Toshi

Ok, my fellow forum members,

Here we go for another ride.  This time it's a B-17G.  I'm still waiting for my photo etch for the "Bombardier" I do have the rest with me now.  Everything has been primed and is awaiting assembly.  What feels really weird is the fact that I'm only going to be working on one side.  This clear "Visible" feels really weird.

As for the right side body of the Fortress, it's been primed and as you can see below it has also been sprayed with the interior "Zinc Chromate Green".

I'm so used to assembling both sides, oh well, as I mentioned above, here we go!

"One step at a time",

Toshi

My intuition tells me that the Zinc Chromate Green is too dark for it to be visible.  I'm thinking that I'll change up here and go with Zinc Chromate Yellow.  I need the interior a little on the bright side as oppose to the dark side.  (Luke, I am your father.)

I even had Mrs. Toshi take a look at it and she said "If I paint things black like the PE, you'll never see it unless you get up really close".  I want the interior and everything else to stand out and hold it's own.  I know that the color is incorrect, but I'm not going with replicating the original B-17G like I did with my Zero, I'm going for the show value.  

Coming up next will be the re-painted interior in Zinc Chromate Yellow.

Toshi

Here is the re-painted B-17G

Here's the first PE that's done.  The last time I touched PE was my P-61 Black Widow build.  

Toshi

When I first started, I chose to by a PE bending tool called photoflex.  It fell apart in seconds, this PE bending tool looks like it will last a long time.  It's called the "Bug".  I purchased it from (The Small Shop).

  True Details makes a bunch of stuff for that kit. My grandfather bought all the sets by True Details that Squadron had at that time. The walk-around is a very valuable source.

  Lookin forward to your build Toshi.

To Allen 109,

Thank you, I look forward to your read and replies.

Toshi

Toshi,

I hope you have as much enjoyment from working with the PE as I do.  The B-26 was/is my first attempt at building a mess of PE  ( I've done a liitle before this ) and I was surprised at how much I enjoy working with the stuff.  I just bend it with  few wood chisels I had on hand ,on a piece of glass. This works well for me so I will forgo the purchase of a neat bender like yours, but I must admit I'd like to have one.

You're doing a bang-up job on the B-17 and I'm following your WIP with keen and vicarious interest.

To Jay Jay,

Yes, I enjoy working with PE very much.  At times it can be difficult for me but I'm still having fun at the same time.  The PE tool was one of my first purchases when I returned to modeling.  It takes a lot of time, something I have in abundance.  LOL!  Thank you for your support in my projects.

Toshi

To my fellow forum members,

There's going to be a hold on this build.  I don't have any zinc chromate yellow.  I've ordered two Model Master acrylic zinc chromate yellow from eBay, it should arrive by Thursday.  Until then I'll be popping by and checking out some builds.

I might try to do some PE work during my downtime.

Thank you,

Toshi