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First up will be to show you what I have begun to collect for this build.For most this will be enough to tell you what the twist will be.More to come.....Joe
Veterans,
Thank You For Your Sacrifices,
Never To Be Forgotten
Where you can find me:
Workbench on FaceBook Google Plus YouTube
So, you're trying to sell it already??
Devil Dawg
On The Bench: Tamiya 1/32nd Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52 Zeke For Japanese Group Build
Build one at a time? Hah! That'll be the day!!
Ye, I think we can see where you going with this. Going to be an interesting watch that's for sure.
I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so
On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3
I'd have to get Rosie and Kilroy involved for all that rigging....
Many thanks for looking in.
I hope to get started today.
Joe
I did nearly the same thing when I built my grandfather's B-17 years ago.....lots if styrene. I'm looking forward to this....
"Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"
Me too.
Spent about two hours tonight grinding and sanding. Cleaned out a lot of the interior detail. Kind of freaky though that it feels smooth to the touch but yet you still see where the detail was.
uuuh, for the benefit of an old coot that doesn't have a clue....what exactly are you going to do with all that styrene...?
Sarge I am planning a partial cut away for this build. I plan to work on the interior to build up the details and to open the fuselage to show it off.
Just a quickie of an update to show the first cuts.Large chunks have been cut out to show different areas of the interior. What you see is after six hours of grinding, sanding, repeat.This will turn out good, I hope.You will also notice I have drilled and then cut out the access doors. These will be cleaned up and the edges thinned a bit.Next up will be to clean up the cuts and move into the interior with grinding and sanding away that detail. All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
Oh that's going to look amazing!
- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"
I'm already loving watching this. I don't have the patience or skill to pull off something like this, so I'm living vicariously through you.
And yeah, I'm sure it will turn out good, judging by what else I've seen here.
-BD-
Many thanks. Appreciate you looking in and the kind comments.
I really wish I had the time to work on my visible B-17, or any of my kits, but I am just too busy now and for the next few months. Looking forward to watching you put this together. It looks like it's gonna be a great build.
On the bench:
A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!
2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed
14 / 5 / 2
Way more courage and skill than this old boy has. Watching with interest and may pick up something I can use in the future.
This is going to be a good one!
Mike
Devil Dawg So, you're trying to sell it already??
Dawg, "For Sale" signs and other signs are a poor man's (or a Dutchy man's, like me) Evergreen sheet. Hammer has become active again, I bet he felt a psychic stirring, when that post went up.
The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.
Very cool project! My hat is off to you, for doing this one!
I love this kit, ever since I built a pair when I was a kid. But I do have to shake my head today, when I see those big locator bars for the rear bulkhead of the radio cabin. I probably left them in place, back in '79, because it wouldn't have occurred to me then to remove 'em.
I look forward to your progress!
I'm not nearly as experienced as most of you, so this question may come off as naïve, but if you are doing this to expose the detail of the interior, wouldn't you start the painting prior to putting the fuselage together? It seems like it would be very difficult to get to some of the tight spaces once together.
Spitfire- He has just taped the fuselage together and used white glue on the other pieces so he can wet them down and pull apart. The he can finish getting rid of detail inside and put in what he needs to. Then He'll do his paint, detail and washes prior to assembly.
Many thanks to all for looking in.
The for sale signs are roughly .03 or so in thickness. They are fantastic for sheet styrene. The fuse is taped and I am spending a lot of time dryfitting the different assemblies to make sure they fit and what will be seen. Note that there is no construction taking place as of yet. I still have a ton of deconstruction to do yet.
Spitfire when I get to the construction step of this I will be working the interior and it will be detailed and painted prior to closing up the fuse.
Again thank you.
Thanks for explaining that. Very interesting. Also way above my level of competency. Will be very interesting to see this finished. About how long will it take to complete a project like this?
Spitfire this will be a long term project. I am thinking four to six months.
Very cool! Will have to follow along! Love the B-17!
Many thanks.
I had started on a Visible B-17 many years ago. I scratch built the bomb bay section and it's been collecting dust for a while. Now I retired maybe I can get back to the hobby!
Clear Left!
Mel
WOW Mel, your bomb bay is amazing ! I for one am glad you're back in the hobby. Please continue to post for such great inspiration to us all.
I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.
The Bomb Bay looks very good.
Inspiration is right! That has got to be the most detailed bomb bay I have ever seen. That thing looks like it was just built at Boeing. Serious talent you have there sir. Please proceed!
I see where this one is going... Nice! Any plans adding figures inside manning the guns?
No crew for mine. Not up to that yet.
Absolutely amazing! It's extremely realistic, as if it just came off the assembly line.
On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell
Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world. Mrs. Toshi
Well I have gotten to what I am calling the final stage of my prep work for the interior of this build. The framing.One thing to remember, this is not intended to be an exact replica of the actual B-17G. It is intended to give the illusion. For that reason you will notice that I did not put every frame in. Two reasons, the interior would be more than a bit cluttered and I do not have enough styrene strip to actually do each frame. As it is I used three packages of strip. Also please notice that i really only concentrated on the Port side of the fuselage. The Starboard will not be seen as well so I skipped all but what would be seen. After I took the pictures I noticed that there are a few places I need to add some strip and also some backing. All in all I am pretty satisfied with how this looks. I will tidy up the last of it and then starting with the nose the detailing will begin. Pictures.Starboard side:Port side:Now there is no framing at the bomb bay area. This is by design as I need to build that up and to do that I will need to do the sides as well as scratch a bomb rack.More to come....All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
Well here I am yet again. Time for a smallish update on what is going on. Work has begun to detail the Nav Station in the bomber nose. I have fabricated some electrical panels and some of the odds and ends that are in the real thing. First up the Starboard side and the little bit I did, the tank holder and the Drift Meter. Now throughout you will not see wiring yet. I have not gotten that far.The different panels and boxes on the Port side.And the flooring of the station.I will continue on this section and fill it out with the little things and then some of the major objects like the guns and such.All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
I'm happy to see this coming together. This is about where I am on my B-17 E conversion that I haven't picked up in a few years. I sure won't mind seeing how you go about building up these areas.
Keep it coming! =] I have no doubt that this will be good!!
Tamiya F4U-1 Kenneth Walsh
Very kind thank you. To be honest I look forward to seeing how it comes together myself.
JOE !
I thought I was the only real glutton for self punishment around here ! I did this with LINDBERG'S Coast Guard " Cape Class Cutter " for a commission , with one exception .The clients wanted there to be " Lift Off " decks instead of cut-outs.
Why ? Well , the retiring exec at their company had been the captain of one and he was an engineer .So , full detail in that area and the underside of all decks too ! I feel for you , and watch with interest .
Glad to have you along.
I am back.The progress will not look like much but it is one subassembly at a time and move forward.For this update it is all about the bomb sight and the crew access area under the cockpit. For reference the gray is kit, the white is resin (oxygen bottles and Instrument Panel) and styrene.Wiring is getting done and some things are in place permanently. The Bomb Sight took a while but it is almost done.And the crew access area both in place and out.Moving forward I plan to keep going on the fabrication and at some point I will start the pit area. All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
Joe, that is some great detailing. What did you use to fabricate those oxygen tanks?
On the Bench:
Revell 1/96 USS Constitution - rigging
Revell 1/48 B-1B Lancer Prep and research
Trumpeter 1/350 USS Hornet CV-8 Prep and research
Incredible detail Joe .
You sure know your aircraft.
My question is , where did you find the info on all this as to what the equipment is and where it goes ? For example, I mean I had no idea what a drift meter was not to mention where it goes and what wiring it had.
You are very kind.
The IP and the tanks were homemade casts from some parts that I had from a previous purchase.
As for the information, the world wide web is a wonderful source. I have found hundreds of photos and on the many forums there have been a number of very kind people who have helped me out as well.
Great work, Joe!
I am glad you like it so far.
Looking great Joe. =] I hope I can keep up with this when I get mine started. Would you happen to have any idea what the bombardier section looked like for an E variant. I've struggled to get pictures on this. I'm told it's somewhat different than F's and G's.
PM me your email.
I can only imagine the mountains of research you must have to be adding wiring like that! I can't wait to see this come together!
Groot
"Firing flares while dumping fuel may ruin your day" SH-60B NATOPS
I am glad you are enjoying this.
Me again.Just another small, but to me kind of important, update.This I believe will be the last picture of the forward sections without paint. That means they should be finished the next time you see them. The major construction I think is done. All that is left is to plumb it up. So the next step is to paint. Pictures of the Nav Station.And the work on the pit. This included the seat framing, the Throttle Console, and the Bottles at the rear. Note that the pilot frame is off a bit. That has been fixed. Also the canvass is in place.Like I said not much but it is significant in that I am ready to paint this. I hope to have these painted by the end of the weekend. I hope to have these areas finished off in the next week or so. All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
Impressive. Seems a bit intimidating too. I'm hoping you make it look easy! =]
Joe, I'm very impressed with your work. I thought your 109 was impressive but this is amazing.
On my bench: Academy 1/35 UH-60L Black Hawk
Thank you both you are very kind.
Looking from the other side this can be intimidating. In reality it is not. Just creating something out of plastic. Just like with any other kit.
Bob I am humbled. Thank you.
Looks like that one walk around oxygen bottle might be in the way of the .50 cal position on the right cheek! Otherwise looking amazing!
You are right about that. Going to have to fix that one. Many thanks for looking in.
Well there has been a bit of a change.Sometimes you guide a build, sometimes the build guides you. At this moment the build is starting to guide me. I am not able to proceed the way I wanted to. It just will not happen that way. I need to let the build guide me as to what to do next. To that end I am posting a small update.I was painting and assembling the cockpit as well as some of the ins and outs of the build and hit a block. I could not proceed without changing what I was doing. First the pictures.Some long awaited colour for the front sections.Now for the change. I need to continue with the major construction moving toward the tail. The Bomb Bay is next up. I need to do the major construction. I will be working on some of the stuff left in the sections I have been working on but the bulk of my time will be in the major construction. Once the major construction is done I will go back to tie up all the loose ends. I cannot do that until I am just about ready to close up the fuselage as too early and the parts will break off and the build will become incredibly difficult.Thank you for following along with this, as always, all comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
Nice to see some paint. I completely understand how a build takes a turn on you. I've felt so ADD with this last Hawk...I just work on whatever I can get work on it feels sometimes with this one.
Hang in there. =]
Beautiful work!
There's no wrong direction with this one Joe. Looks terrific.
Marc
Many thanks for following along.
Sweet!!
Well my friends, taking advantage of some time off, more has been accomplished.Continuing with the bomb bay, yesterday and this morning were for some of the bigger structures.The forward bulkhead.The rear bulkhead.The "walls" of the bay.And the attachments for the payload.Not striving for 100% accuracy here but want to give a fair representation of some of the internal bits and bobs. That being said there are still a handful or more of things that require attention yet. however the major stuff is ready.Next major construction will be the radio station.All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
Joe This build is coming along great. The work you are putting into it is fantastic. I am in complete awe. This from someone that has followed your builds for a long time.
Brother Rich you are very kind.
That is truly a work of art. Incredible attention to the often overlooked and aircraft details we never get to see.
Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!
Many many thanks.
Your attention to detail just amazes me. I have a visible B17 in my stash. I hope to add some details like this to mine when I do it. I'll try to remember to look back here and give you credit for the ideas. Nice work!!
I'm with PJ. I hope I have the endurance for this. =]
You guys are making me blush.
Anyone can do this type of thing. Most would do it much better.
Awesome project I look forward to seeing the finished aircraft
Some nice work going in there Joe, the detail is really coming along.
Another quick update.
Work continues into the Radio Station. Still somethings to research a bit.
Looks a bit rough up close like these pics but it does pass the eye test for me.
I am tired, enough rambling.
To sum it up.
Bomb/Nav Station 90% construction finished.Cockpit 80% construction finished.Access Area 90% construction finished.Bomb Bay 80% construction finished.Radio Station 80% construction finished.
This does not include painting.
Next up will be working into the Waist Gunner positions and the Belly Turret.
All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.
=]
Greatly appreciate you looking in.
With some time off from work I plan to spend some time on this. Not really going to plan as of yet but hopefully.A brief update. Working in the waist gunner positions. The walkway and a bit on the bulkhead. Also a bit on the belly turret frame. Pictures speak a thousand words.Now as for the turret framing. This is not accurate. The frame attaches differently however I am going with what I have. I had some issues with it and this is as close as I can get. I hope to have more done in the next couple of days. (Back allowed) All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
Very nice work! I'm a huge B-17 fan and plan on doing at least one myself as my skills progress. I'll be following your build with great interest. Keep up the good work.
On the Bench: 1/48 OS2U Kingfisher
Ok through the day today some progress has been made.Some finish work on the belly turret, (the bracket for the O2 tank) and some brackets for O2 tanks and fire extinguishers. Spent some time working on the smaller O2 tanks and the fire extinguishers themselves.Also tackled the tail gunner position. This had to be scratch built from the get go as so much will be seen.Now for the good news. I believe I am at the point I can begin to paint and begin to permanently install the fixtures into the fuse. There are still things to do but some cannot be done without pieces in place. I have not tackled the top turret at all and just the framework on the belly turret. Still so far to go but on the overall I believe I am about 50% done with the interior.All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
That's really looking good! Can't wait to see it with some paint.
I agree with Mike. Can't wait to see it with some paint! :D
You are very very kind. Thank you.
Hey Joe,looks just as impressive over here too.
Appreciate that buddy.
First, Thank you all for such kind comments and encouraging comments. They mean a lot to me.An update:Most likely my last for a week or so. Excitement abounds in the bunker. We have color. The basic base colors are now done and I can get started on the detail painting. And there is a lot of detail painting to be done. The bomb racks (Alclad Polished Aluminum)The O2 bottles (Alclad Polished Aluminum and Testors Light Grey)The Fire Extinguishers (Alclad Polished Aluminum, Testors Light Brown, Testors Flat Black)And then the wood detail work (In this order, Testors Light Brown, Testors Light Tan, Yellow Ochre Oil Paint, Raw Sienna Oil Paint, Burnt Umber Oil Paint, and Raw Umber Oil Paint)This also signals a change in my plan of attack. I had hoped to get to the painting stage by the end of the weekend. I am slightly ahead of that. Now my goal is to be done with the detail painting and beginning to install the interior structures by Tuesday. All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
Nice rack!
And all of the other goodies, too!
I'm from the government and I'm here to help.
Lookin Good !
Was not much of an update but it sure felt like progress to me.
The detail painting is almost done. Just a few more little things to go but honestly I believe that the time is near to begin to piece this thing together. The details.The bulkheads fore to aft.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/fightnjoe/B-17G%20Cutaway/Detail-Painting...And the Bomb Bay and Catwalk/Interior Racks.There are still multiple things to take care of. A lot of little details when I start to piece this together. Still have to tackle the top turret and the interior of the belly turret. But I believe I am ready for the next step.All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
Looking nice Joe. Keep it coming. =]
Awesome work Joe !
You've inspired me to super detail my Mngrm 1/48 B-26. so I cheated and bought an Edward complete detail set . Even with store bought PE it's a challenge and taking me a long time to bend and install all the parts. I can't yet imagine scratch building the parts too, as you have.
You are both very kind. Thank you.
Jay I am glad you are inspired. The challenge is the basis for the fun. When you finish you will have one of a kind.
This is a fantastic build! I have the kit and a bunch of AM sets and plan on doing a cut away as well. So this is almost like a how to build for me! Keep up the amazing work!
Squatch you are very kind. I hope you can use some of what I have done.
I've been following your build from the beginning, you never cease to astonish me in the detail undertaken. Absolutely incredible!
Toshi
Loving the detail work, especially your wood work.
Many many thanks. You are both very kind.
My friends I come before you with yet another boring, detail oriented, rehash the same crap type of update.As of this update, all of the interior sections are ready for installation into the fuselage with the exception of oxygen bottles in the cockpit, the hoses and ropes for the cat walk in the bomb bay, and the guns. This does not include the top or belly turret. It also signals the point where all of the interior components including the little bits and pieces that attach to the interior of the fuselage are complete, with the exception of the ropes for the cat walk in the bomb bay, and the guns.Pictures.To avoid the issues with handling this too much and breaking off these parts now, the interior will be installed into the fuse once the hoses in the bomb bay are in place. At that point I can attach the smaller parts to the interior of the fuselage and move on. Now also a decision. A few know this but here it is. This build was intended to be a detailed build and nothing more. As of this update that has changed a bit. In chatting with the editor of the same magazine the 109 is in, he showed interest in this one as well. I am going to attempt to submit this one as well. To that end once I get to the decal stage this build will go dark and I will reveal the finished build 1) If the article does not make the magazine, or 2) It does and the magazine issue has been made public. This is out of respect for the magazine.So with that now out in the open, next up is to install the interior. I have applied some paint to the fuselage exterior (no pictures) and the wings and stabilizers are ready for filling and sanding (no pictures). Thank you for sticking around this long winded update. Hope I did not bore you too much.All comments, critiques, and criticism are greatly encouraged.Joe
I look forward to the magazine article in which your artistic creation will be viewed all over the world. My best of luck to you sir! Your creation is absolutely inspirational.
Your posts are anything but boring. i look forward to each and every one of them and whatever magazine carries this aircraft, i'll buy two
This thread is really giving me the itch to get one of my B17's going. I will be referring back to this for some ideas on how to proceed. I enjoy watching you work.
BK
I am humbled by the very kind words.
Thank you.
This is so cool. If it ends up in a magazine, you'll have to let us know what issue so we can really get a good look!
Rob I will. Thanks for the kind words.
That's kind of exciting Joe! =] I hope it works out for you. I'd been considering sending my P-40 to the Finescale crew, but the lighting for my light-box just isn't all that for dark greens. I clearly have some things to adjust.
I hope you get all this in there without any collateral damage. lol That looks busily intimidating. I'm currently in the kiddy pool trying to warm up to the deep end with a Dauntless and a Mustang. lol.
You can post those sorts of updates as much as you like. that looks beautiful. I really like the look of the wooden parts especially.
Well a big day at the bench. The Fuselage is closed up. Still need to fill and sand some but it is closed. I am going to let it dry overnight and then I can proceed tomorrow. i still need to add the nose glass and a few other bits of clear. The interior as we had seen it.And now as she sits.Not a bad fit by any means but still has a seam bead and a couple of trouble spots. Overall not to bad at all. After dealing with the seam it will be on to the wings and getting them attached. All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
This thing is super sweet. Nice work thus far. Very awesome!!
I don't use this word very much but I will for your B-17.........
AWESOME
Very kind, thank you.
Glad to see the progress. To be honest, the longer I saw it take you to get to this point...the more nervous it made me to start mine. =P
Keep truckin'...It's looking good.
Lookin good Joe!
Awesome work! If you have filling and sanding to do, how are you going to keep the dust out of the interior, or is that part of the 'weathering' plan? :-)
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
G. Beaird,
Just awesome! One dumb question for you, what is the door on the floor of the radio compartment for? I've never noticed that before.
Sir, your work and vision, along with the attention to detail is something for all of us to try and replicate. I know that I won't ever get there, and makes me appreciate those that can do it even more.
You are all very kind. Thank you.
As for the dust from sanding I plan to be very very careful. I painted prior to closing up the fuselage to try to keep from overspray on the interior. I hope I can run with it.
The door in the floor is for the camera set up.
Gold anyone can do this. Anyone. And most would do it much much better than I am.
I went and got a package of two 16x16x1 soft foam chair pad material from the fabric section of Wally World. Can slice to size and thickness and is easy on internals on the Betty I'm doing. Might help with the sanding dust and o/spray
That is a really good idea. May have to give that a shot.
Well my friends the end is coming closer.The seams are cleaned up. They are resprayed the base colors. The De Icing boots are painted. Overspray has been cleaned up. (I think) Some pictures prior to a gloss coat and then decals.I do believe there will be one more update before this goes dark. All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
I can't believe how fast you are putting this together. Is Toshi helping? LOL. Looks good man.
I haven't checked in for a while. That is really looking great.
Steve
Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.
http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/
Once I got into the installation of the subassemblies and the closing of the fuse it goes very quickly.
BrandonK I can't believe how fast you are putting this together. Is Toshi helping? LOL. Looks good man. BK
That's hilarious!
This build is really looking nice. I thik the faded OD looks just right for a bird that's been busy flying missions! This is such a cool project. Have you figured out how you're going to photograph the interior parts through the openings (are you even going to try or use your WIP pics)?
Rob many thanks. Not sure of that. I have a decent camera but It does not do close ups all that well.
Decals.We have markings on Chowhound. They were a bit fiddly and took several sessions with decal solvent to get them to snug down but they are on. And now she goes dark. More will be posted following a yeah or nay. All comments, critiques, and criticism are encouraged.Joe
Joe - Positively YEAH, let's see more of this brute. What a guy, what a project, what a tribute to the old '17.
Patrick
Glad to see it! It's looking good. Can't wait to see how it ends =D
It looks fantabulous!!!!
You did justice to the exterior as much as you did with the interior. What an amazing masterpiece.
Once finished we shall see what the magazine thinks of it.
Wow! I've been watching this with interest and I must say you've done an excellent job on this. Very well done Joe.
Mike you are very kind. Thank you.
You are welcome. I can't wait to see some close ups of that finished interior. :)
That looks amazing. Just fabulous work there!
That looks amazing, can't wait to see the un veil.
Very kind.
Awesome! You mentioned trouble with close up pics. Your camera should have a Macro setting which will help in that regard. I look forward to the finished 17.
Joe it should yes. I seem to be having trouble getting it to work though. Not sure why but with this camera close ups are an issue. I have tried taking pictures with each of the pretuned settings and get nowhere. I think I have been shown an alternative though. Going to give it a try soon.
Just got caught up on this build...one word...Wow!
Fantastic work, sir...can't wait to see more pictures!
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