Monogram 1/48 B-29

Geezer, earlier today you had some comments about how well the greenhouse did not fit. Well from what I see yours fit a lot better than mine. And then mine cracked when I tried to force it to fit!

Shipwreck, I did post those comments. I can't explain it, but in both before and after the front edges were flush. It just seemed to fall into place with minimal gaps. I'll take that anyday. I really didn't need to force it at all. I hope you were able to get a replacement from Revell.

Great build, Geezer!  I built one back in 1980 and thoroughly enjoyed it back then.  Such a huge model, and a lot of detail, and Shep's excellent "Tips on Building Dioramas" introduced me to using optic fibers (how many things did I learn from those brochures!).  I have two now in my stash, to do as you're doing, to see if I learned anything in the intervening years.  I look forward to your next installment!

Shipwreck

 

I want to share this photo of a dry fit of my B-29 wing roots. I am considering not using any glue so that I can move the model from place to place by simply pulling the wings off. The wings will fit snug with the right amount of tape!

Brad, thank you very much. Doing the rest of the "glass" today. Meh.

As for the detachable wingy tings, that would not have been possible on this one. Leads me to think I did something wrong.

Geezer

Shipwreck, I did post those comments. I can't explain it, but in both before and after the front edges were flush. It just seemed to fall into place with minimal gaps. I'll take that anyday. I really didn't need to force it at all. I hope you were able to get a replacement from Revell.

 

Actually I know now that I should have rquested a replacement canopy from Revell but I had to be a hero, of a sort, and fix it. Now after lots of putty, I will end up with a crack in the middle of the canopy. Then I discovered a little kown story that when Col. Tibbits was flying out of Japan a bird flew into the canopy and cracked it!!! Well, maybe you never heard that story.

Shipwreck, I like that story. Make some little-bitty strips of duct tape and apply!

Geezer

Brad, thank you very much. Doing the rest of the "glass" today. Meh.

As for the detachable wingy tings, that would not have been possible on this one. Leads me to think I did something wrong.

That's the piece that I do remember from when I built this as a kid, that the canopy didn't fit too well.  I didn't mind it, at the time, but I realize the difficulty it can present now.

I drilled out the pilot's window, just like Shep, so I could put the pilot figure there.  Then I hung it from my bedroom ceiling, because it was the only place to display the finished model!

Geezer,

I live about a half mile from the old Martin Bomber Plant in Nebraska where they built these monsters. When your ready to paint, maybe I can put in a good word for you to use the old paint facilities.

Another option is to order a replacement vacu-form canopy  (part SQ9641) from  Squadron.com.

Will follow this thread with great intrest.  I've got two in the stash, but for the first one, I'm going to go the way less traveled route and build this one first:

Second time around will be a BMF with Paragons KB-29 conversion kit that I've had in the resin stash for a good while now.

Baron, I have no idea where I'm going to put this. I love Shep's old brochures that were included in kits. Great stuff.

learmech, thanks! I will certainly be using acrylics on this feller. Otherwise, it would resemble this "Up in Smoke" scene.

Ish47guy

Another option is to order a replacement vacu-form canopy  (part SQ9641) from  Squadron.com.

Will follow this thread with great intrest.  I've got two in the stash, but for the first one, I'm going to go the way less traveled route and build this one first:

 

Second time around will be a BMF with Paragons KB-29 conversion kit that I've had in the resin stash for a good while now.

 

I am going with the OD/NG scheme. Not blemish-free enough for the NMF. Where did you get your decals?

lawdog114

Nice work on that greenhouse Lyle. It seems to fit fine from what I can see.

 

learmech

 

I live about a half mile from the old Martin Bomber Plant in Nebraska where they built these monsters. When your ready to paint, maybe I can put in a good word for you to use the old paint facilities.

 

A little history:

The Martin-Omaha, Nebraska B-29s were of the best quality of the four manufacturing facilities. The Enola Gay was hand picked by Col.Tibbets from the MO assembly line. The Martin-Omaha plant produced 536 planes while Bell-Marietta(Atlanta) 668, Bowing-Renton(Navy) 1,119, and Bowing Wichita 1,768. The main wing assembly differed from plant to plant. Some attached each wing to the side of the fuselage (like the model); BN plant. Another approach was to drop both wings as a sub-assembly onto a notch in the fuselage (center attachment); all other plants BW, BA, and MO.

I like the OD-over-gray scheme, too.  I'm going to do one of mine in those colors, too, if for no other reason than that you don't see it that often.

Geezer, the decals are Iliad Design 48-021. At the time, I ordered them directly from their website (they are in Canada).  I haven't used them yet, so I can't attest to their quality.  I wrote a review of the sheet on Modeling Madness:

http://modelingmadness.com/others/decals/iliad/48021.htm

Baron, I'm with you 100%. Also, I've never done any kind of BMF in all my decades of "sorta" building models. It would probably be modeling suicide to make my first BMF project a B-29.

Ish47guy

Geezer, the decals are Iliad Design 48-021. At the time, I ordered them directly from their website (they are in Canada).  I haven't used them yet, so I can't attest to their quality.  I wrote a review of the sheet on Modeling Madness:

http://modelingmadness.com/others/decals/iliad/48021.htm

Baron, I'm with you 100%. Also, I've never done any kind of BMF in all my decades of "sorta" building models. It would probably be modeling suicide to make my first BMF project a B-29.

 

Rudyonwheels, that is something to treasure. This boxing has the EG decals, instructions on the a-boms, and all that.

Good to know yours turned out as it did.

Great build! I was going to say same thing, I swear buy Tamiya Extra Thin. I add strips of styrene put into any gaps. This will make very strong bond. Shawn B

I got some of the "new" Tamiya Extra Thin Quick Setting formula - came from Japan and took about 3 weeks. Smells exactly like a strong fingernail polish remover!

On the B-29 front. No *** is no go go. Man, the last several days have been tough. Painting small parts. Feel like being told by mom to clean your room. Moving at the speed of Eyore. I've also been straightening up the room. My three year old granddaughter was in here the other day...said, "Your room is a mess!" I replied, "Where?" She answered, "EVERYWHERE!" Out of the mouths of babes.

The beast is now officially green or Tamiya XF-58 Olive Drab. So far only 2-3 gallons.

Nice to see a B-29 in O/D

Nice progress, Geezer!  Looks pretty cool.

From above post, "...On the B-29 front. No *** is no go go. Man, the last several days have been tough. Painting ..."

Wowie, zowie....guess I can say that. The four letter moe joe variation was whacked and replaced by astericks...can I say that? C'mon guys.

Baron - Thank you.

Crown r n7 - Thank you - The OD version sort of started growing on me at Stikpusher's suggestion. That and there was no way it would be "clean" enough for NMF!

It does look great in OD. Cant wait to see this done.

Wow!That is a monster!Did not realize that they were ever painted OD but with the yellow markings it should be a refreshing change of pace!Good job!