Revell 1/48 B-29 has build problems. Here are some suggested solutions.
I recently built the Monogram/Revell 1/48 scale B-29. Like most of the 1/48 scale Revell bombers, it has build problems that can ruin an otherwise great model. Following are recommended soultions:
The main wings, which are over 16 inches long, are warped. A really stiff straightedge is required to make the wings straight. I used an Architect's Scale as a straightedge because it is super stiff and will not bend. I used a clamp and rubber bands to keep it in place until the glue set. The result, a straight wing.
There is a really nasty open seam at the nacelles (top photo). First I sanded the edges of the seam to make the seam tighter (middle photo). Then I used a rubber band to hold the seam tight until the glue set and finished up with filler (bottom photo).
The plane is real tail heavy. I added a bag of lead sinkers to the area in front of the bomb bay bulkhead to solve the problem. I put some carpenter's glue into the bag to keep the sinker balls from rolling around.
The kit does not provide any way to securly attach the engine/cowl assembly to the nacelle. The engine/cowl assembly is very heavy. According to the instructions, the cowls are to be glued to the edges of the nacelles (HUH!!!). I cut strip plastic and made extension pads that I glued to the face of the nacelles and to the back of the engines.
The large nose greenhouse is a different shape than the fuselage. First I glued one side of the greenhouse to the fuselage. After the glue set, I held to opposite side of the greenhouse against the fuselage and warmed it with a hairdryer. AFter a few trials, the greenhouse was a perfect fit.
I could not figure out how to keep the wings at the proper angle until the glue set. The wings are very heavy. Keep in mind that the overall wingspan is almost 36 inches. I arranged some chair cushions so that I could wedge the fuselage between the cushions. This arrangement kept the wing in a vertical position and at the correct angle until the glue set. Worked like a charm.
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PHOTO 5
PHOTO 6
Finally, if you have a lot of time on your hands, you can fix the awful looking exhaust pipe that is included in the kit. Photo 1 shows the exhaust system fro a real B-29. Note the large engine exhaust and the smaller turbocharger exhaust. Photos 2 and 3 are what Revell provides. Just a single exhaust pipe which does not fit correctly in an indented area on the nacelle. I filled the indented area and drilled two holes (Photo 4). Then I cut two different sized copper tubes into small pieces and painted them with black and rust enamel paint to simulate the two exhaust pipes (Photo 5). I then glued the tubes into the holes in the nacelles. Photo 6 shows the final result which I think looks very realistic. My B-29 is finished in Bare Metal Foil which adds to the realisim.