Spike190

Beautiful build and paintwork Fermis , love it!

Cheers...

Beautiful build and paintwork Fermis , love it!

Cheers...

Wow, look at the use of wood in the ball turret in the above pics---don't see that in planes anymore...

Thanks again all!!!

B-17 Guy

Any chance of sharing the pic of yankee lady all grimy?

No way dude!!! (Jedi hand) You don't wanna see that.

I think,.... well, pretty sure I was mistaken on that one! Went through all the pics I could find, but I know I have another stack of em somewhere. Probably just prove myself wrong if I did find em anyway!!!!

Another truely amazing build from fermis.

Excellent job.

Doc Fermis after witnessing this impeccable build, ( beautiful work BTW ) I feel strongly compelled to agree with B-17 Guy. Especially after seeing what you did with the P-61, that was nothing short of awesome. And this 1/72 B-17 is outta the park for sure.

So I hope you will someday grace us with a 1/48 B-17 build. Oh and yeah I am lookin forward to seeing you operate on those T-6 s. They have em at Michaels now and I have a 50% off coupon

"Sweet Fermis", P-38 I like that.  It has a ring to it.  The name could stick.  But on a more serious note... Sweet Fermis, beautiful work and a nice WIP to give everyone a good look at this new release.  I'd suspect that this contribution to the airport might get you a few more rides on those warbirds. 

The "panel line" debate will go on and on.  So in line with that here's my 2 cents.  Here's a photo of the Memphis Belle at the Museum of the United States Air Force.  It is going a full restoration at the Museum.  You can tour the restoration site and literally immerse yourself in the pieces of this great aircraft.  The "Belle" and the "Swoose" a B-17D are both readily accessible along with dozens of other memorable aircraft and pieces of equipment.  I can't express my feelings adequately about how breathtaking the sight and feel of seeing these fabulous machines in pieces really is.   This site is an once in a lifetime visit for any B-17 lover, or for that matter any aircraft lover.  I'm fortunate enough to live close enough that I can visit every year and watch the restoration progress.  They have said that the 2 B-17's are each 10 year projects, but they are more than halfway complete.  Check out the National Museum of the USAF's site.  These restorations are a modeler's dream!

But anyway the panel lines.  Look at the photo below.  I see rivet lines, nothing recessed or raised.  I'm not so sure that Monogram 1/48 didn't get the look right in the first place.

Just for fun: Ball Turret

Ball Turret Interior

Wing Restoration, You gotta go see this stuff!

Fermis, sorry for the rant. I hope this supports your great work.  Rick

Any chance of sharing the pic of yankee lady all grimy?

HE LIVES!!!!!!!

I love your B-17 and want to MOUNT-N-RIDE her....

Thanks everybody!!!

The panel lines are quite large. Slightly larger than what you get on a Tamiya 1/48 kit! I didn't do a panel wash, figured that would make em really stand out.

B-17 Guy

Can I just point out one thing, I noticed you put exhaust streaks behind each of the four vents on the wings. Those are not exhaust ports, just air vents for the internal space of the wings themselves, so they wouldnt have any streaking coming from them. It's a very common mistake. Dont get me wrong, I'm not trying to take away from your build because it's really a very well executed build, as usual, I just saw that and had to say something.

 That's not supposed to be exhaust, just some grime. I have a few ref pics showing this. I know it's not very common to see it. I even have a pics of "Yankee Lady" with and without that grimy/stained look.

jbrady

Beautiful build... as usual. I'm not really crazy about the engraved panel lines.

Agreed on both counts. Gorgeous build, stunning paint job...but the panel lines (especially around the cockpit) seem overdone. Maybe it's because this is 1/72, and I'm used to 1/48 and 1/32. Hoping my Arado (which finally shipped!) is a bit more restrained in that department.

fermis

Another journey has come to an end!

Here she is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Really great finish !!! i'll steal some idea when i build mine

Can I just point out one thing, I noticed you put exhaust streaks behind each of the four vents on the wings. Those are not exhaust ports, just air vents for the internal space of the wings themselves, so they wouldnt have any streaking coming from them. It's a very common mistake. Dont get me wrong, I'm not trying to take away from your build because it's really a very well executed build, as usual, I just saw that and had to say something.

Another beautiful build Fermis! Since Manny is still missing I'll offer to marry her....

Also, if you don't mind I'd like to steal - um borrow some of your ideas for my B-17 when it gets here.

Excellent Build Fremis .

Regards,  Rick

Awesome build!

Fermis dude. ! Swwaaaeeeeet ! Nice Job ..!

Thanks a lot everybody!

Wingman_kz

All I can say is...

What took so long?

 

 Speed bumps! in the form of a pair of 109s, a dinosaur, and started 4 T-6s! Had a full plate!

If I had another hand, I've give you a third one! Of course, if I had a third hand, I might build faster myself!

All I can say is...

What took so long?

Very nice Fermis. Good to see one built.

Tony

Beautiful build... as usual. I'm not really crazy about the engraved panel lines.

Another amazing model from Fermis!  If you are going to do 1/48 or 1/32, I will definitely follow those builds.

very nice! I can only hope that I can get my kit to look somewhat as good as yours!    

I know at this point it is becoming old hat to hear but man Fermis I stand amazed at the quality of your work. It is almost a shame though that you had to seal it up with all that detail that is inside her.  Great work.

Impeccable work as usual, fermis. Nice touches leaving off the cowl to display the engine and the open pilot's window. I too LOVE the nose art.....

Another journey has come to an end!

Here she is:

 Thanks again everybody!!!

I'll have finish pics up later on tonight, just have a few more little touches left.

B-17 Guy

Well, with some of the scratch building I've seen you pull off, I figured you'd be able to knock it out of the park! Take it as a compliment to your skills.

 It is a huge compliment, my man! , and greatly appreciated.

fermis

B-17 Guy:

Nice work fermis, I still say I'd love to see what you do with a 48th scale fort.

 

 Damnhell MAN!!! The only reason I built this is because you said you wanted to see what I could do with a B-17!  Now it's gotta be 1/48?!!!! DAMMIT!!!!!   

 You'll probably see me do one in 1/32 before I break the 1/48 back out! Started one a while back and restashed it. Just not into it.

Aww shucks, you built that on my account, thank you LOL.

Well, with some of the scratch building I've seen you pull off, I figured you'd be able to knock it out of the park! Take it as a compliment to your skills.

VanceCrozier

I like the darker patches on the upper surfaces, I'd never seen that on a -17 before.

The darker patches where mostly on the -F series.  Take a look at a photo of the 'Memphis Belle', she and a lot of other -Fs carried the darker patches.

Sweet Fermis ! love the nose art..

Ooooooh...nice stuff!

Fermis,

She looks awesome...and the B-17 is not bad either You did a fantasitc job on it I supected it was preshading but had to ask.

fermis

 She's on her feet...

Uhh, dude, she's not on her feet...

I like the darker patches on the upper surfaces, I'd never seen that on a -17 before.

Great work ,I have heard of the ziptie/ammo belt crossover , cant wait to see the finish. Your customer will be happy .

B-17 Guy

Nice work fermis, I still say I'd love to see what you do with a 48th scale fort.

 Damnhell MAN!!! The only reason I built this is because you said you wanted to see what I could do with a B-17!  Now it's gotta be 1/48?!!!! DAMMIT!!!!!   

 You'll probably see me do one in 1/32 before I break the 1/48 back out! Started one a while back and restashed it. Just not into it.

Nice work fermis, I still say I'd love to see what you do with a 48th scale fort.

 She's on her feet and all marked up! Just have some fiddly work and light weathering to do.

Thanks!

This is my first go at preshading. I kinda dig it!

Zipties were the first thing that came to mind, but when I got to that point, it was the middle of the night and I was "in the groove", had to get it done.

Fermis,

Standard question...did you pre or post shade or a combonation of the two? Looks great by the way.

Looks great, Fermis!  I like your OD and its splotching.

For ammo chutes, I've been using pieces of zip ties (aka cable ties).  There are a couple of sizes that work well in 1/48 and 1/72.  When you get to larger scales, though, they aren't as convincing, because you should be able to see better the shape of the cartridges.

Best regards,

Brad

 Getting close now!

All painted up. Going with a bit of "artistic license" on the dark green blotches. I always liked that look over a big ole green slab!

fermis

 Thanks for the info! I'll remember that for the next 17 I do.

 Well, POOP!

 Oh well, too late now! At least there's something to look at through the wide open door back there!

Thanks for the info! I'll remember that for the next 17 I do.

Hey Fermis, Looks great No doubt!! As a side bar though they did not carry the toilet or genny in the combat years they were taken out at the up-armor station in Scotland if they made it to theatre with them at all. they were deleted due to weight, This comes from a friend of mine Al Winant who flew with my wife's grandfather in the Ain't Miss Behavin' plane you've seen me post here. Plus he said at 20,000 ft it is tooooo cold to bare all and use that thing. The genny (as I understand it) was a back-up supply for power before engine start, but since the bases after we won the skies had trucks and portable gennys ( most likely the ones removed) for that purpose. In the photo below of AMB III you can see the genny. Also when you get to the radio room top glazing Al told me they did fly with it in because early in the conflict when they didn't once they hit the slip stream some guys where sucked right out the top of the plane. This too was a reason for them to delete the doors so it wouldn' pull so hard in just that one area. I in no way am trying to degrade your build, quite the opposite just thought you and others my like to know how it was from one who was there, Al that is. Love the build though!!!

James

Excellent job on the main office. I had no idea there was a generator on a B-17.

fermis

 a sprue turlet with a fresh roll of dooky paper for the long flight!

brilliant......

the generator ain't too bad either.....

What? No reading material?

 Thanks guys!

I almost forgot sum'm. With that back door being open, all that's visible back there is straight across from the door where the generator(???) and turlet are. I took a break from the nose detail and whipped up a generator from scrap bits of styrene and whatnot and a sprue turlet with a fresh roll of dooky paper for the long flight!

fermis

On to the waist!

I didn't do alot here. Just added new ammo chutes, spent casing "catchers" and a simple floor.

For the ammo chutes, I wrapped fine wire (from a sacrificed guitar cord) around a strip of styrene. Trying to slip the "coil" off the strip is when the words started to fly, !!!! I started with about a 12" wire and ended up with a coil of only about 5/16ths. I pulled the ends apart, til I got the length needed. More words flew as I tried to get them in place. The words were so bad, I recieved threats from the rest of the family and had to slap my tongue with dish soap. But, I finally got em! They don't look as good as I had hoped, mainly due to the length they needed to be stretched to. It was a good trial run for when they'll go in up front!

You can see that the molded in chutes need to be replaced!

Another fine point to this kit....the gun barrels are seperate, allowing them to be installed later, so you don't have to worry about snapping them off while you work!!!

Whow !! great jeweler work  

You given to me a good idea to do bullets in 1/72.

Fermis,

You are a genius...I am super impressed with those throttles. I may not want to marry it yet but I would certainly date it once or twice.

Spectacular works as always fermis!   All of your scratchbuilt do-dads and do-hickies add a lot of realism. 

VanceCrozier

Hey fermis, did Manny shrink himself down to 1/72 and move into your B-17? Nobody has seen him in awhile, thought maybe he had finally followed through on one of his "I want to marry it" threats...

Seats etc. are looking good btw,

 Thank you sir!

Don't worry about Manny. He's not the only one with spies. My guys have enough intel., that I can say his galavanting can only last through the weekend. He's a wildman, and the loose women dig him, but he's getting up there in age, and can only go for so long!!!

Hey fermis, did Manny shrink himself down to 1/72 and move into your B-17? Nobody has seen him in awhile, thought maybe he had finally followed through on one of his "I want to marry it" threats...

Seats etc. are looking good btw,

Thanks again gentlemen!

VanceCrozier

"Over the years I got to be quite a connoisseur of soap. My personal preference was for Lux, but I found Palmolive had a nice, piquant after-dinner flavor - heady, but with just a touch of mellow smoothness. Life Buoy, on the other hand... "

 "It...it waaaas.......soap poisoning"               "OOOOOOOooohhhhhh ooooooohhhhhhhhh"

Main office time!

Added throttles with stretched sprue bits.....tiny bits!

I know it doesn't look like it, but that white blob is a pilot seat. I carved a blank into a piece of wood, held with pliers so I could smash mold.

I was gonna scratch the seat framing too, but they won't be visible anyway, so just the seats, with folded masking tape seat pads.

I used sprue to make the hydrolic tanks and oxy bottles.

On to the nose!

I've missed a good bit in the past few days.

Excellent work so far fermis. I can't wait to see what your going to do with the front office.

Excellent work fermis.  Should be a sure winner.

Regards,  Rick

Looks like Great Models just good another shipment of these MOJO's in:

fermis

...The words were so bad, I recieved threats from the rest of the family and had to slap my tongue with dish soap. ...

"Over the years I got to be quite a connoisseur of soap. My personal preference was for Lux, but I found Palmolive had a nice, piquant after-dinner flavor - heady, but with just a touch of mellow smoothness. Life Buoy, on the other hand... "

fermis, uhhh, WOW! The gun belts look awesome buddy. Maybe not exactly what you had rattling around inside that brain of yours, but I love them, and want to marry them if Manny hasn't already! And inside a 1/72 fuselage, they don't need to be perfect anyway.

fermis

Manstein's revenge:

 

Holy cow---that looks great---where did you get the idea for the chutes?

 

 The idea came from my own thinking mechanism!!!

Fermis Looking awesome man!

Manstein's revenge

fermis:

 

It's not like a brand new "state of the art" kit. Soft, thick plastic, very 70s-ish.

 

 

 

Hammer should love it then...

I laughed until I stopped...

Manstein's revenge

 

Holy cow---that looks great---where did you get the idea for the chutes?

 The idea came from my own thinking mechanism!!!

fermis

On to the waist!

I didn't do alot here. Just added new ammo chutes, spent casing "catchers" and a simple floor.

For the ammo chutes, I wrapped fine wire (from a sacrificed guitar cord) around a strip of styrene. Trying to slip the "coil" off the strip is when the words started to fly, !!!! I started with about a 12" wire and ended up with a coil of only about 5/16ths. I pulled the ends apart, til I got the length needed. More words flew as I tried to get them in place. The words were so bad, I recieved threats from the rest of the family and had to slap my tongue with dish soap. But, I finally got em! They don't look as good as I had hoped, mainly due to the length they needed to be stretched to. It was a good trial run for when they'll go in up front!

You can see that the molded in chutes need to be replaced!

Another fine point to this kit....the gun barrels are seperate, allowing them to be installed later, so you don't have to worry about snapping them off while you work!!!

On to the waist!

I didn't do alot here. Just added new ammo chutes, spent casing "catchers" and a simple floor.

For the ammo chutes, I wrapped fine wire (from a sacrificed guitar cord) around a strip of styrene. Trying to slip the "coil" off the strip is when the words started to fly, !!!! I started with about a 12" wire and ended up with a coil of only about 5/16ths. I pulled the ends apart, til I got the length needed. More words flew as I tried to get them in place. The words were so bad, I recieved threats from the rest of the family and had to slap my tongue with dish soap. But, I finally got em! They don't look as good as I had hoped, mainly due to the length they needed to be stretched to. It was a good trial run for when they'll go in up front!

You can see that the molded in chutes need to be replaced!

Another fine point to this kit....the gun barrels are seperate, allowing them to be installed later, so you don't have to worry about snapping them off while you work!!!

Incredibly impressive work, especially considering this is a 1/72 build!  Outstanding detailing.  Can't wait to see the next installments of this thread.  Now this is fine scale modeling.

Hercmech

fermis:

Hercmech:

Fermis,

Great work...I am really impressed with the wire looms, what are you using to make them in 1/72?

 

, I stripped the outter coating off an old guitar cable, tons of fine wires. Just wait til you see what I used them for next!!!

 

It looks awesome! I am waiting with baited breath to see what comes next

VanceCrozier

 

Yup, "You can never find a pair of gloves that fits right"!

  Exactly!!!

fermis

You know what they say about a guy with fat thumbs?

Yup, "You can never find a pair of gloves that fits right"!

fermis

Hercmech:

Fermis,

Great work...I am really impressed with the wire looms, what are you using to make them in 1/72?

 

, I stripped the outter coating off an old guitar cable, tons of fine wires. Just wait til you see what I used them for next!!!

It looks awesome! I am waiting with baited breath to see what comes next

Hercmech

Fermis,

Great work...I am really impressed with the wire looms, what are you using to make them in 1/72?

, I stripped the outter coating off an old guitar cable, tons of fine wires. Just wait til you see what I used them for next!!!

Thanks all!

You know what they say about a guy with fat thumbs?

B17Pilot

Still hard to believe this is 1/72!  Great work.

BomberBoy - I heard that before, must remember to do that in my next 17

Fermis... hummm... ur 17 is getting me itching to work on 2 ,1/72 -17s I got.. I have 2 Shark tails I want to eventually do... ,,

Still hard to believe this is 1/72!  Great work.

BomberBoy - I heard that before, must remember to do that in my next 17

Fermis, Great Lookin' kit so far, you do stay busy don't you! It is too late now but the on thing that my source (Al Winant a radioman on a B-17 during WWII) said the First thing to go on a 17 at the uparmor station was the doors on the inside of the plane, they just got in the way far too often, and slowed movement, and the seats in the radioroom were cut to just the one for the operator as to save weight. Just a note from one who knows, through me. Al has been VERY instrumental in all my B-17 builds, He flew with my wife's Grandfather in 1944, 31 missions. Just a thought for the next one, Maybe 1/32. Other than that all is well, and it looks GREAT!

James

Fermis,

Great work...I am really impressed with the wire looms, what are you using to make them in 1/72?

hey... wasn't that Manny in the ball turret ???

Ps... looking very cool Fermis.. ,, fat thumb an all.. !

?oh jeez, I'd forgotten this was 1/72 He's going to have to scratch-build those zombies, I've only ever seen them in 1/48...

It is amazing what is crammed in that little thing---I was shocked back to the reality of 72nd scale when I saw Fermis' fat thumb holding the fues half...

Fermis, according to that video link of Manny's, you still need to add a glowing green meteorite, a pilot with a Clarke Gabel moustache, and a crew of zombies. You've got a ways to go!

Kinda funny, the interior details in that movie actually look pretty decent for an early animation... but they have the B-17s attacking at night??

I love those little seats and want to sit in them...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9UfNaTcDpM&feature=player_detailpage

VanceCrozier

 I just wish I could free up the time that you seem to be able to find. Tell me about this "not sleeping" method of yours.

 Well, it's pretty simple really, you just don't sleep!!!!

Of course we all have to sleep, I just don't enjoy it! As far as time goes, I'm a seasonal worker, so I have almost 5 months of Sundays through the winter, most of my building is done from 10pm -2am. I wasn't lying in the thread, "You know you're a modeler when"......."your wife goes to bed alone every night, cause there's another 3-4 hours of quiet modeling time".

Finished up the radio room. Reworked the seats and thermo-formed another for where the kit has a stool type seat. Didn't get too carried away in here, not very visible.

The reworked seats, compared to a kit seat.

I went with a very dark grey tinted non-slip gelb for the flooring, scratched a new table and shelf for the radio gear.

Will be moving on towards the back. I'll have to rework the front end as well. The forward cockpit bulkhead runs right through the middle of the small access door.

I bet fermis "knows a guy" that can source them for you. Getting them into the country may be a problem though! Looks good buddy, I just wish I could free up the time that you seem to be able to find. Tell me about this "not sleeping" method of yours.

I wish they sold loads of incendiary bundles for bombers in the AM market...

paintsniffer

orro:

fermis,

Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby at the USAF Museum (USAF policy on restoration is accurate authenticy) has rubber matts covering the floor panels in the radio compartment and aftwards. Of the authentic picture I could find from WWII were all b/w photos (5 pictures), show the floor panels were dark color that could be rubber. 

Owen   

 

Take Shoo Shoo with a grain of salt. She wasn't restored by the USAF museum. Some other group did her restoration and she was flown to the museum. (I was there)

Quite true Painsniffer, Shoo Shoo Baby was restored by the 512 MAW museum at Dover AFB and than was to flown the Wright-Pattersen after it was completed (AF Museum swapped for another G model). All aircraft at AF base's musuems are owned  by the AF Musuem (retains ownership) and are on loaned to an AF unit. So the restaration & maintenance standards of aircraft at base museums are directed from AF Musuem, if an AF unit that don't follow could have the aircraft given to another unit that will; by the direction from WP AFB.  So in this case I'm sure Shoo Shoo Baby was restored as accurately as possible to the time frame when it operated with the 8th AF during WWII.

cheers

Owen

It probably also matters from what factory they came out of (Boeing, BO; Douglas, DL; Lockheed-Vega, VE), and what modification center they went through.

orro

fermis,

Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby at the USAF Museum (USAF policy on restoration is accurate authenticy) has rubber matts covering the floor panels in the radio compartment and aftwards. Of the authentic picture I could find from WWII were all b/w photos (5 pictures), show the floor panels were dark color that could be rubber. 

Owen   

Take Shoo Shoo with a grain of salt. She wasn't restored by the USAF museum. Some other group did her restoration and she was flown to the museum. (I was there)

Manstein's revenge

Yeah, I guess the blood and all made it a little slippery...

You would not beleave how much a cat bleeds...that why USAAF took they out of the flight meals.

Owen

Fermis I remember reading somewhere that the floors were plywood covered with an anitslip compound or paint on them a dark color but am not sure what it was. Maybe black like antislip on a wingwalk ?

orro

Manstein's revenge:

orro:

fermis,

Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby at the USAF Museum (USAF policy on restoration is accurate authenticy) has rubber matts covering the floor panels in the radio compartment and aftwards. Of the authentic picture I could find from WWII were all b/w photos (5 pictures), show the floor panels were dark color that could be rubber. 

Owen   

 

I guess the rubber provided a non-slip property?

 

yah... it is kind hard to aim when you keep falling on your can.

Owen 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGdzdBpVOvQ&feature=player_detailpage

Manstein's revenge

orro:

fermis,

Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby at the USAF Museum (USAF policy on restoration is accurate authenticy) has rubber matts covering the floor panels in the radio compartment and aftwards. Of the authentic picture I could find from WWII were all b/w photos (5 pictures), show the floor panels were dark color that could be rubber. 

Owen   

 

I guess the rubber provided a non-slip property?

yah... it is kind hard to aim when you keep falling on your can.

Owen 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGdzdBpVOvQ&feature=player_detailpage

OOPS, I was thinking of the 2000lb bomb.  B-17s could carry 5  X 1000 lbs or 2 X 2000 lbs.  Typical load was between 4 - 6K, depending on range to target.  If they did carry 1000 lbs they could also carry smaller 250 and 500 to fill up the bombbay, but if 2000 lbs where carried that's it, those bombs where too big for any thing else in the bombbay.

Only two?---I thought they normally carried 4 to 6 k in bombs---was irt because of the sizes involved?  And I wonder if the bombs in this kit don't represent 500 and 1,000 pounders?

Manstein's revenge

Did 17's carry 1,000 pounders?

They could carry two.  How many times they actually did is another question, best bet is when they attacked sub pens.

Did 17's carry 1,000 pounders?

The bombay looks great. I've never thought about it but those 1/48 250lbs do look like a perfect match for the 500lbs.

Learn something new everyday.

orro

fermis,

Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby at the USAF Museum (USAF policy on restoration is accurate authenticy) has rubber matts covering the floor panels in the radio compartment and aftwards. Of the authentic picture I could find from WWII were all b/w photos (5 pictures), show the floor panels were dark color that could be rubber. 

Owen   

This makes me wanna get in to 1/72...

fermis,

Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby at the USAF Museum (USAF policy on restoration is accurate authenticy) has rubber matts covering the floor panels in the radio compartment and aftwards. Of the authentic picture I could find from WWII were all b/w photos (5 pictures), show the floor panels were dark color that could be rubber. 

Owen   

I wouldnt worry too much aboot the floor color,wood grain or painted olive drab would prolly do. Here is a cutaway that others found usefull on here:

Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnsvfXWo_Uo&feature=player_detailpage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTNPrc_PfIQ&feature=player_detailpage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpUeCqhZ_hA&feature=player_detailpage

Sweet---is that wire bundling I see on the ceiling of the bomb-bay? Wow...

According to my limited knowledge of 17's, I understand that most of the wooden parts of these forts were left in a slightly stained plywood coloring, including the "furniture" that decked out the radio room, etc...(chart tables and such...)...that would also include the flooring in the fues...I believe a tan color would be close...

...but then again, I'm not a "fort" expert...

p38jl

and Cat-jerky...~

 

It's not as good as it sounds, and a big problem is that it takes half a dozen just to get a little baggy of jerky. Better to just run a stick through one and put it over a fire...a little chewy, but not too bad, with some "Sweet Baby Rays" BBQ and Cholula!

Spent the day on the bomb bay, adding a bunch of wires and do-dads and some bombs! I cut up the door actuator arms to better match my refs and added sheet styrene behind the sidewalls to cover the wingroot void.

I only managed to fit 6 bombs in there, 4 are True Details 1/48 250lbs, perfec match for 1/72 500s.

I do have a ? now. All my color ref pics are of restored birds, that have rubber mats covering the floors. I know the floors were wood, but were they left just plain wood? painted? mats?

VanceCrozier

Manstein's revenge:

...I couldn't quite make out what was defective in your pic---is it a short-shot?

 

You'll have to excuse Manny - everything looks a little blurry after a few bottles of 70-year old captured vodka...

and Cat-jerky...~

Looking good Fermis ~!

and that canopy looks wavy man.. groovy... or gravy...

That's true, but I am really digging how you are opening up all of the crew-entry hatches...

Manstein's revenge

...I couldn't quite make out what was defective in your pic---is it a short-shot?

You'll have to excuse Manny - everything looks a little blurry after a few bottles of 70-year old captured vodka...

fermis

For all you guys that have this kit on the way,  I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but....................

Maybe this one is a fluke, I'd expect to see some vac-form in the near future.

Will be back atchya later in the week with some interior work.

Hmm, I noticed a bit of wavy-ness to my clear pieces too, but not as bad as your pic is showing. Do you think a dip in Future can help clarify the plastic?

OWL

Did your kit come w/ two canopy pieces?  I just checked the one I have and it has twp pieces (slightly different--2 options?) that don't seem to have any issues w/ them.  I couldn't quite make out what was defective in your pic---is it a short-shot?

That canopy looks like a cleft lip....bummer.

 A little more done.

Finished up the wings. A sad note here. The clear parts for the landing lights are solid with a beautiful bubble smack dab in the middle of em. There is a light molded into the wing, and another molded into the clear part , I just put a drop of silver in there and painted the rest grey.

I nice feature is that the glass in the nose is molded all together, so no pesky little windows with gaps all around.

I'm planning on having things openned up as much as possible. For the rear door, I thermo-formed over the kit part. This left the lines in the clear plastic making it easy to cut out and place the masks for the window. The kit window is poorly molded with a big dent in the center.

I did the same so the little door up front. They got the shape wrong for the molded in door, but that was taken care of when I carved it out.

For all you guys that have this kit on the way,  I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but....................

Maybe this one is a fluke, I'd expect to see some vac-form in the near future.

Will be back atchya later in the week with some interior work.

LMOA, I had the exact same thought!

fermis

 

It's not like a brand new "state of the art" kit. Soft, thick plastic, very 70s-ish.

 

 

VanceCrozier

Manstein's revenge:

Hmmmm...Vance must be helping Fermis out on this one...

 

Why, has he started building realllllly slowwwwwllllyyyy???? I'll send in my inspectors!

... .... ... .... ... ..... .... ... .... .....

 HAHA, I've been a bit mad at it, also had to get an article together and submitted to another new magazine, along with being another pair of eyes in the proofread for the first issue. All this in combination with S.A.D., that always kicks in about this time of year, has had me emotional like a girl....I just need a good cry

It's not like a brand new "state of the art" kit. Soft, thick plastic, very 70s-ish. Not a rave review from this guy!!! I have been busy with it though. I'll update this evening.

the Baron

I may pick this one up, too, but I still haven't gotten around to a nostalgia build of the old original Revell B-17E/F in 1/72.  I'd like to redo that one and see if I've learned anything since I was a kid.

I've also got an old Airfix -G that I've wanted to build again - built my first one back in '63.   I never thought the shape of the old Revell kit looked quite right, plus all the clear parts were horrible. 

Mark

Watching this one with great interest.  I ordered one of these from Sprue Bros. and it should be here in the next day or two. 

I'm curious, what colors are you using for your engines?  Great detail work, by the way.  I had to stop myself and remember that's 1/72.  Impressive.

Bob

Manstein's revenge

Hmmmm...Vance must be helping Fermis out on this one...

Why, has he started building realllllly slowwwwwllllyyyy???? I'll send in my inspectors!

... .... ... .... ... ..... .... ... .... .....

Hmmmm...Vance must be helping Fermis out on this one...

Great start, Fermis!  I love your detail on those tiny, tiny engines

I may pick this one up, too, but I still haven't gotten around to a nostalgia build of the old original Revell B-17E/F in 1/72.  I'd like to redo that one and see if I've learned anything since I was a kid.

Looking forward to your progress!

Best regards,

Brad

Great job; looks great so far.

Looking forward to getting mine... on backorder from Squadron. 

Mark

Staggered waist guns started with the G-50-BO models.

Manstein's revenge

Did all G models have the staggered waist guns?

Nope.

Yeah I've got an Academy G and the older Hasegawa G model and both have the inside fusilage scored for both positions with instuctions to cut out one or the other. Seems odd to me Monogram didn't go the same route. Still no problem I can use one of those kits as a template to cut if I decide to do it.

From what I read Manny, the early Gs had the non-staggered waist guns but when the crews complained about bumping into each other when both guns were manned they switched over to the staggered design in the late G model. I'm not sure what the ratio of staggered to non-staggered was.

Did all G models have the staggered waist guns?

Gamera

Thanks for posting this Femis, I'll be watching for sure.

Seems funny to me that they didn't provide an option for the staggered waist gun positions though. Most of the decals I have are for the late G model with them. Suppose I could just cover and putty over one and cut the replacement out to replicate the late model.

 I'm surprised as well. I've been comparing this one with the Academy "F" that I have, Academy gives you the option. The right fuse half is solid at the waist, with the option to cut out one or the other. Oh well, we make due with what they give us! This kit really is a bit of a let down, compared to releases like the 111, 110, 410 and so on, but it does have that vintage smell!

Wow......great work....

Really looks good so far!  Love the detail you put into the engines.

Thanks for posting this Femis, I'll be watching for sure.

Seems funny to me that they didn't provide an option for the staggered waist gun positions though. Most of the decals I have are for the late G model with them. Suppose I could just cover and putty over one and cut the replacement out to replicate the late model.

Hercmech

Looking great so far. I love the detail and the look of the MLG. Is this one going to take you more than a night to finish?

HAHA, Yeah, this one's gonna take a couple days!!!!

Looking great so far. I love the detail and the look of the MLG. Is this one going to take you more than a night to finish?

Looks like you're off to a great start.  Keep us posted.

Regards,  Rick

Hans von Hammer

Sorry Hans, I'm steppin out of the blacksmith shed and indoors with the jewelers on this one..

Ya, right... Whatever...

 

 

Thanks all!

Just a few more notes on this thing.

For the clear parts, you get 3 options for the radio room/roof gun position, Cheyenne turret or regular, 2 nosecones, two styles of canopy, celestial dome or small flat window, and 3 options for the waiste gun windows, but NO option for the waiste gun positions, they are NOT staggerd on this one.

Looks great so far!

Yup gotta keep an eye on this one Looks good so far Fermis

Oh hell yeah...that detail is great---even if it is quarter-scale!!!

Looks good so far.

I'm gonna keep an eye on this one. I plan on getting this kit sometime soon and want to see how it builds up.

I had to keep thinking this is 1/72 scale.  Great job!

Sorry Hans, I'm steppin out of the blacksmith shed and indoors with the jewelers on this one..

Ya, right... Whatever...

Nice.................   thanks for sharing

whoo! I just got this little beastie yesterday, so Ill be really interested in how it builds up.

OWL

Mmmmm yummy work so far Fermis, really look forward to seeing more on this

Cheers...