MASSIVE BUILD...1/48 Monogram Visible B-17 (2+ year project !!!)

Brandon,

This sounds epic! I will be along for the ride!

Good luck! I look forward to this build. Lots of Future on the clear fuselage half, I'd say...

BrandonK

Well Gents, here we go. I have been buying and stockpiling parts for this build for nearly 2 years now. So, what do I have planned. Well, a lot, to say the least.

The plan is to build this visible B-17 as a filler project and work on it as I have extra time and in between other kits. I plan on pimping this kit out to the max. I have nearly every aftermarket set available for it and plan on using most of those plus plenty of scracth work to make this a display piece that will blow everyones mind.

I have all the Eduard masks and PE available. Not the little kits, the full on gut and cut kits. I also have all the True Details resin guts for the kit along with the Verlindin Upgrade set. I have 4 Vector R-2300 engines, Eduard Brassin wheels and tires and squadron canopy parts (which may not get used). With all these bits I can complete build all the Browning M2 .50 cals fully decked out and detailed included PE barrels, resin action, etc. I even have plans to open up the ball turret and pimp it out. 

My list of mods and updates for this kit is so extensive that I won't list it until I actually begin to go through that bit of surgery. I learned tons from the last B-17 I did and that was a test run for what I was in for on this one. 

I haven't decided on a nose art yet, but I am leaning toward My Devotion.

So, ya, I seem to have lost my mind. I don't know how long this will take but I figure it will take at least 2 years plus. So, come along on this crazy ride with a certifiable nut job and let's see what we can do to my sanity along the way.

BK

 

Toshi

BrandonK

I haven't decided on a nose art yet, but I am leaning toward My Devotion.

BK, I have been pondering that question for my visable 17. Because we usually cannot tell what the guts of a certain aircraft look like; all we are doing is a generic represention of the general interior. Therefore, have generic markings (or none) on the exterior? Just a thought; besides it will be a long time before I start my build. I am looking forward to your build.

I don't know if it would work or not, but it might be worth a call to the Ericson collection in Madras OR.  If they would let you go through the interior of theirs and take pics.  I don't know how much of her is still original.  When they had her on display at the airshow in August you could go through her for like a $5 donation.  I did get some pics through the bomb bay and rear door, and more pics of her on display inside last March when I was there. (all exterior on those)

She is the ex-  Chucky that he had in Tillamook, now renamed Madras Maiden.

Yes gents, these are all questions I just don't have answers to yet. Nose art or not? Hmm, good point SW.

Going to see one and getting a look inside, priceless. What I really need is a look in areas you don't normally see, like in the bowls of the bird. Under the floor, the bombbay, rear wheel, and on and on and on. I will likely have as much time researching it as actually trying to push my building limits. It will certainly be a fun journey.

Thanks,

BK

Looking forward to following along on this one.

Mike

Just downloaded the chip into the computer, and if you want the pics I have of her, PM me an email and will send over what I have for internal and externals.  Some of bomb bay and engine, exhaust, looks like one where I held camera overhead from bomb bay and into office space.  Didn't go through her though.

If this turns out half as good as "Bit of Lace", she'll be a stunner!  Good luck to you on this long-term project!

gary

Good luck Brandon.  I'm sure this will turn out to be an excellent build.  Looking forward to learning a few things too (as usual).

Jim