B-17 Gunner RE-Completed PICS

Steve, CPO... thanks

Yes Steve that does make sense... kind of-sort of

CPO it was collecting dust at my LHS but I have seen it online so its out there somewhere.

I forgot where did you get that kit?

CPO

Beautiful job I'd be happy if I could do half that good. I have two friends that flew on B-17's. one was a waist gunner and the other was crew chief and top turret gunner, both of these guys was stationed in Italy.

CPO

Marc, that's fantastic work. I won't even say "for your first blah blah blah " (oh, but I guess I just did)... it's just simply a great piece. I, too, like the wood floors. Brings a "era" feeling to me. Does that make sense?

Steve 

Thanks guys

Ajlafleche you are right about the weapons grip.  That is really more butted aging his knuckles than anything else.

Treadwell I really want to start that bad boy.  My problem is I am a one-at-a-time modeler mostly and I know that kit is gonna take forever LOL.  I have to figure a way to weave it into the aircraft builds.

the Verlin 1/16 kits I have scare me...

They're okay to train on, but generally leave a lot to be deisred in pose, often very stiff and awkward. Weapons are often held in open hands in defiance of gravity. Pour plugs are excessive ond sometimes in places that will leave you cleaning up for ages. You will need to do research on exact colors and the box art is the color guide/insruction sheet. If you can find some of the older kits, they are actually much better than the more recent offerings.

Great job! Looks like the box art! That must have been a lot of super glue... the Verlin 1/16 kits I have scare me...
Not to mention you've got more guts than I do messing around with the whole gun set up and ammo issue after you already finished it. I personally like the wooden floor simply for astetic color differences, but Im sure this is more accurate and Im glad you liked the way it turned out. The spent shells are real sweet! Definitly not bad at all for your first figure...
Although after all that painting and everything I wouldnt be surprised to find most of your future stuff in the things that fly half of the forum

Rick, M1, HArty, Mucker... guys, thanks vm.  Should have said thankss a while back... that was rude... but I kinda went back to my old habit of just hangin' in the "things that fly"section

Marc,

When you get a chance, try to go to Republic Airport in Farmindale N.Y.  They have vintage restored WWII planes and time to time, they have B-17 that you can fly in.   Until I stepped inside of one, I didn't realize how narrow passage was (especially where waiste gunners were at). 

Very nice painting Marc.  Well done .

Regards,  Rick

Gino you are correct in that was the way it done the vast majority of the time.  Bigger box, more ammo, more shoot time before reload.  I did come across a few photos of this set though so it is technically accurate.  My 1st idea for scratch building the feed chute was a horrible disaster so for now he just has to reload quick and not get his butt shot off.

http://ww2ky.moreheadstate.edu/images/B_17_WAIST_GUNNER.jpg

http://www.ww-iiheroes.com/Asmussen_files/image024.jpg

Looks great.  Who makes the figure/base?  I like it and may have to get one for myself.  You have done a great job on it.

Also, I thought the .50 cal ammo was in a wooden box mounted onto the side of the fuselage and was belt-fed from a feed chute?  At least it is that way in all the B-17s I have seen and the one restored B-17 I flew in.  Anyone know for sure?  Or was this a later set-up, etc.?

EDIT: Disregard, found it.  Verlinden: "Bandits! 2 O'Clock"

I had the gun mounted wrong and the ammo did not fit.  After getting the gun right, the ammo can on and some spent shell casing strewn about, I decided to go with the anti-skid flooring and like the look better than before.

Thnaks all for the comments

WW2 M  Yup that's the 120 MM kit

Nah... I don't think I would want to wear someone elses gear.  You never know what else may have been in the suit after seeing a dozens of 109s, 190, etc.  On the other hand, if you are getting from a guy that made it through 25 missions...