B29 Build Progress

When I built my B-29 I carefully cut the rear crew entry hatch open and also opened the door between the bunks and the CFC compartment...

I did some research today on the Eduard photoetched set, and canopy mask set.  NOW you tell me!  Might have to invest in the mask, although I think using the thin metal  foil sheet film would do just as well. The photoetched set is very impressive, but pretty expensive when you consider most of it will be locked inside the fuselage out of sight.  Be cool for a cut-away version, though.

Just in time for your build here Eduard is going to offer some of their photo etched wonders for this kit. Also the wheels will be available from their BRASSIN series. Some months ago I was able to get my hands on their masking set for the kit´s clear canopy parts.

I haven't glued the fuselage halves together yet; so far I just dry fit them to be sure all the interior parts were aligned on both sides properly.  I'd have the same concern using tape to hold it together after glue was applied to the seam.  To be honest, I am not sure how I will clamp the sides together when I glue it.  I'll have to think about that for a bit. The tail is easy, but the rest might require special clamps.

Got several other issues rattling around, such as how to attach and mask that odd-shaped canopy, and how to attach and brace the wings until they dry.  My research is showing that there were several different kinds of metal finish on the engine nacelles including some stainless steel to dissipate heat.  About time to invest in some Alclad II.

Real nice work. I had that kit back in '85 I think. Never finished it for reasons I can't remember. I bought it again a few months ago and it's patiently waiting in my ever growing stash. I'd love to be able to find some after market decals to dress it in the markings of either one of the planes that dropped the atom bombs. Haven't found any yet.

Well, I am back at work on the B29 build.  I had a lengthy business trip which got in the way, then had to go pack and move my mother-in-law in with us after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  That has slowed me down somewhat but I am finally able to get back to the workbench.

I have completed the interior of the fuselage now and dry fit the two halves together to be sure they fit:

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

You can see the tape to hold things together; I have not yet glued the fuselage seam together.

Here is a shot of the cockpit interior:

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

I have begun putting the wings assemblies together; they are glued together and drying now:

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

Had a small disaster I am coping with.  To make a long story short, there is now a small kitten in our house.  Found her after she was hit by a car and "inherited" her (along with her medical bills!).  She has  discovered the workbench, and suddenly today I realized I am missing the small tail skid from the B29 which had been carefully painted and set aside.  Have searched high and low but have not found what she did with it.  I may have to rebuild it from scratch!

Thanks very much.  Can't wait to get back to it.  I appreciate the kind words.  

Misspelled,it is Iliad Decals.

If any of you are looking to avoid doing the NM on a B-29,a found a set of decals for o.d.,fully armed birds from Illiad Decals.

Great work.... you'll do that kit justice. I have one that I'm going to someday build as my uncle's B-29

That is a really nice looking build.  I made one back when I was in high school, and it did not come out anywhere nearly as good.  You have wet my appetite for a big beautiful Monogram bomber in the future.  Thanks.

John

Ah! Monogram´s beautiful B-29! The first topic that caught my attention after getting on here.

Great work so far, congrats!

Oh, and Bish:  it is 24" tip to tail.   I threw in a photo of one-quarter of the bomb load, just for fun.  The bombs are olive drab, in contrast to the dark green of the aircraft interior parts.

I got back to work on the model after a few days off to celebrate my son's birthday with he and his family.   I picked up by completing the bomb load (it is 12 bombs, appears to be 500 pounders).  Then I did the central gunner station, where the two spotters sat in plexiglass blisters, and the top gunner who sat in a steamed plywood chair (not steel, like the others) in a blister on the upper fuselage.

The idea of dipping the clear parts into Future floor polish is new to me; it apparently came into vogue after I left the hobby.  I did it for the few clear parts I have installed to date (one small side window and the two blisters on the sides of the fuselage)  I have to say I am impressed with how well that conveys the appearance of glass!

Forgive me for posting so many pictures of it, but I thought it was cool!  I also took a photo of the view from the inside:

This is what the gunners station looks like:

And this is it when installed:

You might notice that I did not paint the bunk beds arrangement that were included in the kit.  This was because they cannot be seen at all when the fuselage halves are joined.  I am surprised they went to the trouble to make them. 

Am off to a lengthy trip as a part of the day job, so won't be able to get back to the build until around Thanksgiving.  More to follow then.

Cheers, Bob

Thanks, Viejo. That was kind of you.  I hope the fuselage seam and finish work come out ok!  I guess it is about 24" long total.  I'll measure it when I get back home on Monday.  Cheers, Bob

That's showing 16" of fuselage.  I bet total is a couple of feet.  And if this is how you do just getting back into it, I can't wait to see the full wind in your sails.....

In the picture above, of the fuselage, the large squares on the background mat are 1" square, with the small squares 1/2".  It is a monster.

Cheers, Bob

Nice work, be nice to see it later on with something to give us an idea of the size.

I try again, to see if they get embedded this time instead of just linked:

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

Now working on the remainder of the interior.  Bomb bays, and start of the bomb load.  I plan to use the bombs as a place to practice puttying and filing the seams away, so when I do the fuselage I am practiced.

farm9.staticflickr.com/.../10178514755_03eaf8f3d8.jpg

farm6.staticflickr.com/.../10178577586_57047d688c.jpg

image

Those bombs, by the way, are actually olive drab, to compare with the dark green interior.

Couple more photos of the latest progress.  My son has now inspected the photos, and he suggested that I post these.

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

image by robertholcomb73, on Flickr

Thanks, Viejo.  I think this is the easy part; I am most worried about the fuselage seam, and the natural metal finish.  I think I will use Alclad over a coat of gloss black.  Haven't picked out a shade of Alclad yet, though.  I don't think I mentioned it yet, but this is a straight out of the box build.  I am still thinking about how to display it for my friend.  A wood base with an acrylic cover appeals to me.  Another issue I am thinking over is how to transport it across country to get it to him.  All in good time.

cheers, Bob

Excellent work.  I hope mine looks as good when I start on it.

Thanks.  the interior color is called Dark Green, as per the instructions in the kit.  I know it looks like olive drab in the photos, but it isn't.  I was surprised to see that as well, because in reality is loks more like the zinc chromate aircraft interior color than OD.  This photo might be more accurate (different lighting, perhaps?)

In fact, I notice the differing shades from the piece on the left to the circular bulkhead on the right, but they were both sprayed with the same color moments before. 

Nice work.  The interior color looks closer to olive drab than green from my screen.

nicely done. I love detailing the interior but its always a shame putting the fuselage halves together knowing that work wont be easily visible! can't wait to see more

Very nice.  What did you use for your interior green?  I like it.  Thanks for posting.

Joe

Nice work so far!

Apparently I screwed up the photo and put the radio rack in twice.  Let's try that again:

photo 1 by robertholcomb73, on Flickr