Revell/Monogram B-29 Super Fort GB

Count me in; I'm about halfway through a Korean War-era build, with the gloss black undersides. The interior's finished, but now I'm running into decal issues, so it may be time for a new set.

I've taken a little artistic license, and am building a theoretical atomic bomber, circa 1951; in October of 1951, MacArthur came this close to dropping nukes on Chicom forces after they invaded South Korea in Spring 1951. I'm modeling my B-29 with, not one, but two "Fat Man" atomics (the second one scavenged from my other Monogram B-29; yes, I actually have two of them); without the tail fins glued on, they look exactly like the late-'40's Mk. III atomic bombs that were deployed to Japan at the height of tensions between the US & China. 

I have a bad feeling about this build.  I recieved my AM landing gear and resin wheels last night, woo-woo my first resin part!  So I decided to open the box and look at the model.  Holy this thing is HUGE! Anyway while I'm looking at the TON of flash, the GIANT sprue connections and the little itty-bitty instruction page, my wifes cat climbs in the top of the box and PEES in it.  Think it's an omen?  All I know is that I'm glad there will be a GB going to help out.  On a more serious note, after seeing other builds I'm thinking of cutting holes in the fuselage to show off the interior.  To ambitious?

PS Did I mention that this thing is HUGE?

whitebiker wrote:

my wifes cat climbs in the top of the box and PEES in it.  Think it's an omen?

Only that Kitty wants a Family Size Litter Box.

Hans von Hammer wrote:

Wait until you get the hernia from draggin' in the weights to keep it on it's nosewheel...

I'm thinkin' of going with BB's and modeling clay stuffed in every conceivable orifice (including the gun turrets); either that, or fishing weights and white glue.

Yepper, I actually do the BB thing m'self... I buy bags of shot from the local gun shop... Cheaper than the Daisy's and you can get more sizes... I use el-cheapo sandwich bags to contain the shot.  The only other alternative with the Superfort is to trap a machine screw in one of the nosewheels and drill a matching hole in the base, then put a nut on the screw from the bottom of the base... I'd forget about clay.... You can't get enough in there to make a difference in that bird...

Think this will be my 4th Monogram B-29...

As always, mine will be a diorama, lol...  I've figured out the dimensions again, and it'll be on a dedicated shelf bolted directly to the wall this time, in an otherwise unused corner of the livingroom (Actually, there's a mounted corner-shelf there now, but it's useless for anything other than Household 6's knick-knacks and she doesn't have any on it anyway)... That way I'll be able to get power to it for the lighting (Forgive me, a model THAT big is beggin' for fiber-optics)... 

All it takes is some imagination to utilize "wasted" space... When you can't build "out", build "Up", knowhutImean?  Of course, there's always the issue of negotiating land-rights from the "govenor" but heck, I'll just build her something in exchange... I gotta give her a big "atta girl" though, she lets me display my dioramas in the living room, provided I don't encroach on any more floor space, lol...  Walls, I can do about whatever I want... She's almost as big an airplane nut as I am (Her dad was in the WW2 Luftwaffe), so I can get away with aviation-related subjects in the livingroom, since I don't have a man-fort anymore...

Now if I can just find a couple 1/48th Jeeps and a fuel truck...   

whitebiker wrote:

This is my first GB so my question would be, do I post questions here or in topic specific forums?  For instance if I have questions about interior colors where should I post it?

Yeah, go ahead and post your questions here; I've done a lot of research for my current B-29 build (and I've got another one coming in right behind it), so hopefully I'll be able to answer yur question(s). The bottom line is, with WWII a/c, there usually is no "right" answer for the colors, unless you're really trying to model one specific a/c from one specific timeframe. You have to remember that most US a/c during WWII were built by at least two or three other factories, and each factory had their own assembly lines and supply chains. If one factory ran out of, say, the "official" interior color, then they'd just use whatever color paint they did have on-hand so that production would keep going; they NEVER shut a wartime production line down just because they didn't have the "proper" paint, so you usually ended up with various a/c having different-colored paint. I could be more specific if you let me know what part of the a/c you're talking about.

Whitebiker-

I'm planning to do my interior in dark green. As for NMF, in acrylics, probably any aluminum would do. You can get steel and gun metal and mix these with aluminum to vary the shades if you like, but, I think you get the best NMF with Alclad (which I believe is a lacquer) or MM Metalizers(Enamels). As for a beginner I've been partial to the Model Master acrylics, probably because it's easier for me to get, but I understand that Tamiya has some excellent paint too. Whatever you chose make sure to get a few bottles cause this bird will use quite a few. For those of you who have built the 29 before can you give us newbies an estimate of how many paint bottles to get?

-Stephen

NucMedTech wrote:

Whitebiker-  but, I think you get the best NMF with Alclad (which I believe is a lacquer) -Stephen

I'm familiar with Alclad, (I started the hobby with cars and I like it) what shade should you use?  Also, in your opinion, what do I do with the raised panel lines?  Sand, rescribe, or leave well enough alone?  Also, should I plan on masking the odd panel and making it a slightly different shade as I've seen done in FSM and here?

Bump.

One month to go.

Better get here soon... I just bought another damn Revellogram Superfort in case I get inspired for a third...

With these 40% coupons, and Hobby Lobby so close, I'm gonna end up with all of theones they have in stock if I don't start soon...

I've recently purchased a "walk-a-round" type book and it is mainly in black in white, but it shows the b-29 in all it's glory.  I've noticed that in almost all shots, except where it was painted in camo! that there where significantly darker panels under each engine.  Also, except for the photos of planes coming out of the factory, all showed more weathering than I would have imagined.  I can't wait for this build to start.  Is it cheating to start removing flash and priming?  I've alread opened the bags and read instructions over and over.

Happy New Year!!! Now let's get those Bombers rolling!!

I'm Starting on the wings to try and get some of the larger assemblies done.

-Stephen

Very well Summit, nice to have you here! With the long wait I did not know if people would still want to try this. Especially with a lot of good GB starting up.

whitebiker wrote:

Alrighty then, since you gave your permission, a couple of paint questions.  What would be a good interior color, and would it be the same in the bomb bays (acrylics please)?  What NMF paint would you recommend to a beginner (anything but enamels).  And how much of the exterior color should I have on hand as it is so huge?  Thanks, I can't wait to start!

Whitebiker - I just finished my B-29 about 3 months ago...Unfortunatley, too soon to join in on the GB.  I went with Model Master Dark Green rattle cans for the interior colour.  It turned out great...nice colour.

For the exterior, I cheaped out and got a can of Tremclad Aluminium.  It was 3 bucks and I still have plenty left. 

FeldMarSchall's B-29 turned out awsome using Tamiya Aluminum...In my opinion, I would have used Tamiya as well if I had the cash at the time...but the Tremclad works good too.  It depends on how much money you want to spend.  Over 10 bucks for 2 cans of Tamiya or 3 bucks for cheaper rust paint.

Here is how the Tremclad turned out...

This is how the Dark Green turned out...

To answer your question about the bomb bays...I believe that the instructions call for Aluminium in the bomb-bays...that's how I did it.  You be the judge.

Good luck to you man, if you or anyone else has any questions, don't hesitate to ask.  The B-29 has got to be my favorite aircraft of all time, I'm going to keep a close eye on this GB.

Tiny- Thanks for the info! The tremclad paint looks great. Your super fort looks great. How much interior do you see once its finished? I'm thinking past the cockpit bulkhead and the sleeping area will be unseen. In an effort to save time I'm thinking of not finishing these areas.

Summit- 6 GB!! I'm pushing myself with two. I do like your work schedule though, looking forward to your pics

I've done some work, got the wings, bombs and crawl tube together. Started working on the cockpit when the flu hit me this weekend. I'll try and get more done this week and then get some pics up.

-Stephen