1/48 Monogram B-24J Bare Metal Foil WIP

Mike,

I only use Matte Aluminum and Improved Chrome Bare Metal Foil. IMHO, Bright Chrome is way to shiny.

The majority of the wing is finished in Matte Aluminum (light colored areas). A limited number of panels are finished in Chrome. It is also possible to make a subtle change in the color of the BMF by changing the direction of the grain. The majority of the grain runs in one direction.  The grain runs in the opposite direction in a few panels. I have found that if the direction of the grain is changed on too many panels the wing starts looking like a checker board (not good). 

Damn fine work on the foil and riveting work as usual. 

Im curious about decaling on the foil, I can’t see the clear carrier film on any of the markings on the B-29, how was that done? The markings almost look painted on, im guessing no clear coat, any Problems with adhesion?

B-17 Guy,

Thanks for the kind words. 

I've had problems in the past regarding carrier film being seen on BMF. On the B-29 I cut out each letter individually. That solved the problem. Decals stick really good to BMF. I add a couple of drops of dishwashing detergent into the water that I soak the decals in. The decals slide on the BMF real easy when they are wet.

Nice work!  That must use a ton of BMF!!  I guess that's a great way to keep it from getting too old.  I have that B-29, and two B-58's in my stash.  I was planning on using Alclad on them, testing on the Lindberg B-58 first.  Not sure I have the patience, or steady hand for that much BMF.  

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

And to seal in the decals? What then?

I did not need to seal the decals. They stick to the foil without a problem. I did use MicroSet when needed.

After hours of filling and sanding that nasty seam along the top and bottom of the fuselage is no more. I painted the nose of the fuselage black.

This is the current status of the build. The co-pilots wing is foiled and finished. The tail wing is foiled and finished. The seams on the fulelage and pilot's wing is filled and sanded and they are both ready for foil. 

Hi JohnnyK,

Your build is absolutley impressive.  I've always liked the NMF on these builds but it's a technique I haven't tried.  Your build though is true inspiration.  Think I might have to finally tackle this method after my current project. 

Thanks for posting and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished plane. 

Thanks for the kind words. If you want to try yoiur hand at foiling an airplane I would recommend a P-47. it's not too big and it has simple shapes.

Hmph ! ! 

 I am sorry I don't like any of your planes ! ! Why ! ! They are NOT MINE ! LOL.LOL.

You have done an admirable job on the B-29 , That is one monster job . I wonder . How many sheets of B.M.F did you use on the B - 29 ? I also like the idea of changing directions on the foil .

This is why I mostly make my own from the cheapest foil I get at Dollar General or other small buck store brands . The thing is there is a grain . Most folks don't realize the rollers that thin the foil out from a billet do leave a grain pattern on the subject material .

 On the B-24 , Colling's Bird had billions of rivets it seemed . Now what surprised me is this . They were round headed and not flush with the surface ! NO , do NOT try to add wrinkles in the airframe ! That would be going to far for a model .

 All planes , even my Cessna 180 developed wrinkles over time . Every time you take off or land you stress the airframe in many ways from horizontal .i.e. wrinkle city , over time .

   The bigger the bird the more you're gonna get them . That's why Airliners are built so stiff . If you were flying , out of Reagan Intl. for instance .Would you board a L-1011 for example that was just wrinkled like an old mans skin ? I think not !

 Warbirds are different that way .They are normally planned to last so many evolutions from grounded , loaded and flying loaded  ,then unloaded and landing . So they got wrinkles , they fly don't they ? So there you have it .You are taking on another big job and so far it looks  , Well Done ! T.B.

Johnny ;

 How did you know I was doing a 1/48 example of Gabby Gabreski's Bird ? I didn't used to like the " JUG " till I saw a bubble topped version .Then I had to have one .

 I broke my own rules and bought Tamiya's bird . Bare metal foil is making it Kick %&&*# ! ! 

 Pretty bird all silver and shiny . T.B.

Tanker - Builder

Johnny ;

 How did you know I was doing a 1/48 example of Gabby Gabreski's Bird ? I didn't used to like the " JUG " till I saw a bubble topped version .Then I had to have one .

 I broke my own rules and bought Tamiya's bird . Bare metal foil is making it Kick %&&*# ! ! 

 Pretty bird all silver and shiny . T.B.

 

Another impressive effort there, Johnny! You've definitely got a nice touch with the foil and I appreciate you sharing your process with us!

I'm starting the process of foiling the fuselage.

My tools include: hobby knife, rivet wheel, tweezers, paper stumps for burnishing the foil, a wad of steelwool for enhancing the natural grain of the foil, a ruler, and flexable straight edges (my old lettering guides from high school) for trimming thr foil and for guiding the rivet wheel. 

The seams on the nacelles on the B-24 were not too difficult to fix.

The seams on the nacelles of the B-29 were much worse. 

Foiling the fuselage of the B-24 is taking way longer than foiling the B-29. 

The B-24 has numerous, small panels. The B-29 had a smaller number of large panels. Plus, the B-24 has so many more rivets than the B-29.

Looks like you are getting quite a following Johnny. I have used BMF on small parts, but never a whole plane.  I picked up a F-86 and may have to try it.  You make it look encouraging enough.  

Scott

Scottrc;

 My first B.M.Foil job was a REVELL Airliner Done like the models you used to see in Travel Agency windows . Then in 1989 I won the national Veterans creative arts Gold in Model aircraft .That F-100 was a stunner if I must say so myself !

 I Bare Metal foiled it with Foil I did myself using Micro Foil Adhesive in four different shades . I then did the decals like you did , then clear-coated the whole plane in ( Boyds Gloss Clear --  A M.M.Color ) That thing shown like a piece of shiny silver !

 When I do the B.M.F. sequence I always coat it in matt or high gloss clear , as a finish. .

Tanker,

I admire modelers that can make their own adhesive backed foil. I have never had success in making my own foil. I just could never make the  Micro Foil Adhesive smooth enough. I always had brush strokes in the adhesive.

Is there a way to thin the adhesive?

I have seen at least one modeler thin some foil adhesive and shoot it through an airbrush. Seemed to work. I would be terrified of putting glue in my airbrush, but he did not seem to have any problems. 

That just seems like a lot of work to make home made Bare Metal Foil. Bare Metal Foil is $6.75 if ordered directly from the company web site. BMF should last a long time unless a modeler is foiling an entire 1/48 aircraft. I would guess that not too many modeles are doing that.

So far I have spent about 53 hours on this build. The fuselage is about 90 % finished and the foiling on the left wing has not even been started. I have not finished adding rivets to the left side of the fuselage. So many rivets and so many panels on the wings and fuselage have extended the build time of this kit.  The bomb bay doors on the right side are closed and they are open on the left side.

I need to get back to the B-58. I have not worked on that for a week.

Looking very, very impressive so far!

Don't burn out .. I really want to see the finish on this bird.

I'm looking forward to the finished build also. But first I need to do some work on my B-58. 

Man, you'vegot me convinced to do the foil technique yours looks so good.  I've got 2 B-58's ,one in 1/72 and the pther is the same kit that you are doing. i'm gonna practice on the 1/72 first.

I've got a dumb question for you that I'm sure you've answered but i forgot .  Do you make your own foil,if so what glue do you use for it?

Jay,

I have tried making my own foil in the past. The results were a mess. Some modelers are successful in making their own foil. I gave up. I wish that someone would explain to me how to apply the adhesive to the foil in a smooth manner. My homemade foil always had brush strokes. Now I only use Bare Metal Foil. The best place to buy BMF is from the company's web site. They have the best price $6.99 per sheet and the freshest adhesive. No, I do not work for them. However, they do sell their adhesive in a  bottle in case you want to make your own foil. 

Keyda81

Looks good!  I always, and I mean always forget to add weight to the nose.  I'm usually stuck either prying fuselage halves back apart, or figuring out some other means to make sure it isn't a tail sitter. 

 

You can add weight to drop tanks too, might be enough if you forget to put them in the nose. 

Keep in mind that the key to keeping the nose down is to add weight as far forward as possible. The closer the weight is to the main landing gear the less efective it  is.