1/48 B-17G Chowhound...Decals and into Darkness

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!

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.

Joe

Joe, I'm very impressed with your work.  I thought your 109 was impressive but this is amazing.

Impressive. Seems a bit intimidating too.  I'm hoping you make it look easy! =]

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

I am glad you are enjoying this.

Joe

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

PM me your email.

Joe

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.

I am glad you like it so far.

Joe

Great work, Joe!

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.

Joe

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.

Joe, that is some great detailing. What did you use to fabricate those oxygen tanks?

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

Glad to have you along.

Joe

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 .

Very kind thank you.  To be honest I look forward to seeing how it comes together myself.

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!!

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

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

Absolutely amazing!  It's extremely realistic, as if it just came off the assembly line.

No crew for mine.  Not up to that yet.

Joe

I see where this one is going... Nice! Any plans adding figures inside manning the guns?

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!

The Bomb Bay looks very good.

Joe

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 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!

Many thanks.  

Joe

Very cool! Will have to follow along! Love the B-17!