Monogram 1/48 B-29

I wanted to weight the wheels. They are big enough, so why not. Got some Liquid Gravity.

...and some observations regarding Liquid Gravity.

1) although about the size of poppy seeds, they are not interchangeable! Too crunchy. Don't taste very good, either. Neighbors are still mad.
2) be careful adding to wheel halves - nose wheel halves on a B-29 to be specific, as it may be too full. Once set with CA, it is like concrete. Spent some quality time picking out bit of this so the wheel would close.
3) don't spill them.
and
4) they ain't liquid.

Picked up a new tip on that entry net. You guys may already do this. Thin the tire color and let the capillary action do the hard part. Duh.

Anyway, got the wheels done and had to face the inevitable "it is time to put the wings on" task. This is where I think Monogram dropped the ball....big time. There is utterly no help in getting the wings in place securely while you glue them. And for me, on the first one, it shows.

I created more work with the CA. Gonna break out the belt sander in a bit. . . and a bucket of Bondo.

Hey Geezer,

Really enjoying your witty commentary as you build this beast!  Got one sitting on my shelf...been contemplating it for about 20 years so far.......  Maybe one day!

Looking good so far!  Keep at it!

TAD

Your commentary cracks me up as well. Funny!

Geezer, I thought I remembered there being a big spar you put through the fuselage and then the wings slide onto that. Am I mistaken? Or did I remember correctly and it's still not enough. It's been long enough since I built that, 30 years ago, my memory is toast on it.

--Chris

I seem to remember your bench when it was new and spotless and organized.

I'm surely relieved to know you are human.

mississippivol

Yeah, those big birds force bench cleanings. Good work so far, keep hammering away.

Yeah, I've already "swept" it pretty clean. And, that is with just one wing.

Tal Afar Dave

Hey Geezer,

Really enjoying your witty commentary as you build this beast!  Got one sitting on my shelf...been contemplating it for about 20 years so far.......  Maybe one day!

Looking good so far!  Keep at it!

TAD

 

dirkpitt77

Your commentary cracks me up as well. Funny!

 

Geezer, I thought I remembered there being a big spar you put through the fuselage and then the wings slide onto that. Am I mistaken? Or did I remember correctly and it's still not enough. It's been long enough since I built that, 30 years ago, my memory is toast on it.

--Chris

 

Greg

I seem to remember your bench when it was new and spotless and organized.

I'm surely relieved to know you are human.

 

Even with only one wing attached, this is a handfull. Total wingspan is about 36" or just over 1 meter (metre for you others). It started to take a dive off the bench. Don't know if it just slid off or was trying to commit sewerside. I grabbed for it and wahhhh, wahhhh, wahhhh....

More CA, More PPP, more sanding. Patience, barhopper. Patience.

Watching with great interest.

Geezer

 

 

 

Greg, you have a great memory! Is this the one?

 

Someday.........

 

That is the one. You'd been so quiet I'd assumed you finished that room and walked away from it (something I'd do, actually). Pleased as punch to learn you've been building away and making messes!

BTW, I've been accused of lots of stuff in my day, but having a great memory is a new one.

Greg, I've been lurking around. I'm an admin on another site, so that keeps me busy at times. I hope to be a bit more active.

Geezer,

Great WIP so far! What putty are you using for the wing joins?

Edit: I read back posts and saw you are using PPP. You can use water to shape the join better, and perform a little less sanding. Once the wing is secure.

Bruce, full WIP "over there". Yeah, using a pretty much empty tube of PPP. Waiting on some to be delivered. Also hit it with some Bondo, earlier. . . and Mr. Surfacer 500. As well as anything else I can find.

Geezer

I hope to be a bit more active.

I hope so. Your posts are fun.

Greg

 

Geezer

I hope to be a bit more active.

 

 I hope so. Your posts are fun.

 

Hello !

 Your commentary reminds me of my thoughts when I built this Bird . Funny how things return to mind isn't it .Now where ya gonna put it when it,s done .? Plus , You are a step or two ahead of where I could help .

   When I did mine and realized the wing problem coming up ,  I created wing supports all along the upper and lower edges with Brass pins .This helped relieve the problem of poor fit .     T.B.

Tanker - Builder

Hello !

 Your commentary reminds me of my thoughts when I built this Bird . Funny how things return to mind isn't it .Now where ya gonna put it when it,s done .? Plus , You are a step or two ahead of where I could help .

   When I did mine and realized the wing problem coming up ,  I created wing supports all along the upper and lower edges with Brass pins .This helped relieve the problem of poor fit .     T.B.

 

Geezer,

I have this model hanging from wires close to the cieling above my bench  with some other large aircraft models. It's been about 16 years, so I don't recall my plan of attack with this one. I've since started keeping build logs for paint reference and any particular kit issues.

I don't know what type of "Glue" you use but I always used Tenax. I now use Microscale "Same stuff". This plastic welder is very quick and strong and may help with your wing attach situation.  Also on subsequent builds you wouldn't have to tape the two halves of the wings to dry.  Line up and weld and in 30 seconds the parts are solid.

Too bad many of the old decal companys are no longer in business. I did my B29 in the night raid scheme with fuselage black bottom, and the large T on the tail (I believe from Superscale decals).  It's a great looking model when complete. Painting the canopy should drive you mad.

I am way to disorganized to keep a build log. I must have AD...oh look out the window. Where was I?

These wings got a Tenax application but still pulled away from the fuselage. CA took care of that. The Tenax did great on the wings and most of the fuselage, so I must be the issue.  I also still use good, old Testor's red tube glue, much to the amusement of some.

This particular kit has a NMF over black scheme included.

I want to share this photo of a dry fit of my B-29 wing roots. I am considering not using any glue so that I can move the model from place to place by simply pulling the wings off. The wings will fit snug with the right amount of tape!

Now you are "showin' off"! . That looks like a very nice, tight fit. I had a heck of a time even getting the to slide into place. Makes me wonder if I put the gear bay in on the wrong sides? Anyway, they are there now.

Anyone have some trail cams I can borrow? I've been pulling parts from the sprues on this B-29 (probably a B37 when I'm done) for some time now and they still look full. Methinks there is hanky-panky going on.............

Looks like you have those wing roots down pretty good. One of the reasons I did not want to permanently glue mine in is that a 36" wing span does not fit into my paint booth, and there will be lots of painting!

Shipwreck

Looks like you have those wing roots down pretty good. One of the reasons I did not want to permanently glue mine in is that a 36" wing span does not fit into my paint booth, and there will be lots of painting!

 

Geezer

 

 

Shipwreck

Looks like you have those wing roots down pretty good. One of the reasons I did not want to permanently glue mine in is that a 36" wing span does not fit into my paint booth, and there will be lots of painting!

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Shipwreck! I hope they stay put. I'm ready for the paint

 

 

 

Now that's what I'm talking about.  After seeing the amount of weight you needed to add. I decided I better buy a weight and some corresponding reinforcement for the landing gear struts for when I start my B-29 Still working on the logistics

Oooooh, I like that. Made me smile - That is something I need to get, Greatmaker. Thanks for the hints.