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Monogram 1/48 B-29

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  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Thursday, May 12, 2016 7:48 AM

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.

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Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Thursday, May 12, 2016 3:28 AM
Nice work on that greenhouse Lyle. It seems to fit fine from what I can see.

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: The NYC.
Posted by Ish47guy on Thursday, May 12, 2016 1:40 AM

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.

 

  • Member since
    May 2016
Posted by learmech on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 3:14 PM

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.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 2:31 PM

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! Big Smile

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 9:35 AM

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

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Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Chapin, South Carolina
Posted by Shipwreck on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 3:09 PM

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.

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

 

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 12:51 PM

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.

 

www.spamodeler.com/forum/index.php 

Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 11:53 AM

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!

 
If I am not mistaken, that was the point of this design.  It definitely was for the B-17 and the B-24.  Monogram intentionally designed the wings to be removed easily, to transport the model.  I believe they intended this for the B-29, too.
 
Best regards,
Brad

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 9:08 AM

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.

www.spamodeler.com/forum/index.php 

Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Chapin, South Carolina
Posted by Shipwreck on Monday, May 9, 2016 7:07 PM

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!

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

 

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, May 9, 2016 11:41 AM

Yow, masking something like that should have been one of the Twelve Labours of Hercules. I can't imagine doing it without the pre-cut masks without slam-dunking the whole thing in the trash halfway though. You're making great progress though. 

And to be honest the canopy to my 1/72nd Minicraft B-29A didn't fit very well either. 

 

 

Shipwreck: Daisy's a cutie!!! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Monday, May 9, 2016 9:39 AM

Jay Jay - thanks!

Greg- I have a small florescent light with a magnifier. The other two - left side is good ol' 100w bulb, the one on the right is an LED.  What you suggest is a great tip.

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Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Monday, May 9, 2016 9:36 AM

Gee that's big. Thx for posting the pic of the beast on your bench, a great perspective.

Happy and a little confused that the nose canopy ended up fitting. I was a little nervous for you wondering how you'd deal with that mess.

A thought for the future re the Eduard masks; I notice you are using incandescent lights which appear to be fairly warm light temp. That 2700 or so degree Kelvin blends right in with the color of the masks.

I use a cooler (more blue, if you will), brighter light source and of course my trusty Optivisor when separating the finicky little worth-their-weight-in-gold sheets. Has worked pretty well for me.

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Monday, May 9, 2016 9:24 AM

Yea Man, that's looking better.Smile

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Monday, May 9, 2016 9:20 AM

Jay Jay you signature is truth! I think my wife and I took about a 45% pay cut, all told. Oh well. Beats working.

I started gluing the canopy down where I could make it fit. As I worked around the opening, it started to fall into place. When I was done, only some Mr. Dissolved Putty and a toopick! Before, the front edges were flush. They still are. I am confused.

www.spamodeler.com/forum/index.php 

Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Jay Jay on Monday, May 9, 2016 9:09 AM

Hoo Boy what a PITA !  I hate having to re-engineer the product like that to make parts fit.  Shame on you Revell/ Monogram.

I admit that after having solved these poor fit problems it's rather satisfying, but it's still a PITA and shouldn't be necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Monday, May 9, 2016 7:41 AM

Anyway, got them done and this has to be the worst fitting greenhouse I've ever seen. Bad even for some of Revell's standards. I have no recollection of doing any sanding or adjusting to the fuselage..doesn't mean I didn't, I just have no recollection of doing it. Sucks.

Still not sure if it is the canopy or the fuselage that is whacked...guess it doesn't matter, huh? Looks like I picked a bad day to give up cursing.

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Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Monday, May 9, 2016 7:12 AM

Well, boy howdy...I like that one. Now that I'm done.

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Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Boston
Posted by Wilbur Wright on Sunday, May 8, 2016 7:05 PM

Geezer,

One trick I learned on Youtube about the Eduard masks is to very carefully remove the masking paper around the real mask sections, this way the real sections are all that is left on the paper.  

I'm doing the Pro Modeller Junkers 52 now in 48th scale and you couldn't even see the masks on that Eduard set until I removed the surrounding mask material. Just go slow and you will be glad you did this. Makes it much easier to deal with.

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Eleva, Wisconsin
Posted by Greatmaker on Saturday, May 7, 2016 4:36 PM

Geezer

did you know Maskol is a pretty thin liquid? Just knocked over a jar of it. Scratch one pair of shorts (soaked in) and my legs are now nice and smooth!

 

So is testors liquid cement. It did a nice job in removing what little leg hair I have left. I don't know what it is about that round bottle but I have dumped that stuff more times than I can count....and that's even with taking my shoes off and using my toes to count.

 

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Saturday, May 7, 2016 10:47 AM

did you know Maskol is a pretty thin liquid? Just knocked over a jar of it. Scratch one pair of shorts (soaked in) and my legs are now nice and smooth!

www.spamodeler.com/forum/index.php 

Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Saturday, May 7, 2016 9:39 AM

Not a lot going on right now. Coffee is running low. Eyes are watering like mad, and nose is stopped up. I love spring in KY!  Correction, coffee is gone. Mug is empty. Emergency blow, surface, surface.

And, it is also Derby Day in Louisville, KY. Home of fast women and pretty horses. So, a lot of TV watching today. Sunny, near 80 today with thunderstorms, some possibility of severe, by the time the Derby actually runs.....all two minutes of it. Only in Kentucky to we take two weeks (Derby Festival) to celebrate a two minute horse race.

Oh, yeah...masking the clear pieces parts today and for a few days to come. This is the first time I've used Eduard masks to this extent. So far, they seem to fit very nicely and have not caused any problems (jinx!).

I do wish they had used a backer paper with more contrast, though. It is hard enough to see the cut lines and pick off the piece you want, but ....

www.spamodeler.com/forum/index.php 

Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Saturday, May 7, 2016 9:29 AM

Shipwreck, I like that setup a lot. Quite helpful. Of course, if I ever clean up my space, well, you know. Love your helper-outer, too. What a cutie.

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Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Saturday, May 7, 2016 9:27 AM

JohnnyK, I know people that would do just that and make it work!

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Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • From: Chapin, South Carolina
Posted by Shipwreck on Friday, May 6, 2016 3:52 PM

You might be intereested in how I make room for a 36 by 30 inch B-29. The first photo shows my paint booth/desk to the left. To the right is my work bench where I do most of the construction, but I do build in the paint booth at times. Then there is Daisy!

To the right of the work bench is a 36" squar card table that serves as a staging area. During construction the kit box took up most of the space. Now it is covered with sub-assemblies!

This B-29 was built to be an in-flight model. The original vision was to hang it from the ceiling, but I am at a age where such an attemp would result in a crash landing. It seems that it will end up on top of an old entertainment center sitting on three 4" Flightpose stands.

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

 

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Close to Chicago
Posted by JohnnyK on Thursday, May 5, 2016 5:03 PM

Geezer

That is a beauty, JohnnyK. Well done. If the sheets are at least 4x8 feet.... or this

 

Geezer

That is a beauty, JohnnyK. Well done. If the sheets are at least 4x8 feet.... or this

 

Yep, that is exactly what I used. It was really tough getting that stuff around the leading edge. I needed a crow bar and a 5 pound hammer. I went through 25 drill bits when I drilled the holes for the rivets.

Your comments and questions are always welcome.

  • Member since
    October 2012
  • From: Mt. Washington, KY
Posted by Geezer on Thursday, May 5, 2016 2:28 PM

That is a beauty, JohnnyK. Well done. If the sheets are at least 4x8 feet.... or this

www.spamodeler.com/forum/index.php 

Mediocraties - my favorite Greek model builder. 

 

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Close to Chicago
Posted by JohnnyK on Thursday, May 5, 2016 2:04 PM

Geezer

Well, thanks, Martin! There is something about NMF that scares the bejesus out of me. Especially on something this bit. Fixing the landing gear in place today. Revell needs to have their ears boxed (probably be an old boxing) for some of the utterly obscure destructions (instructions to some) and the way some thing fit. Need more coffee.

 

Geezer, I really enjoy following your journey building the "Beast"!! I plan on building the B-29 in a short while; however, I plan on covering the monster in Bare Metal Foil. I got the bug after I recently built a P-47 in metal foil. I just purchased six shets of Bare Metal Foil. I hope that is enough.

Your comments and questions are always welcome.

  • Member since
    February 2003
Posted by Jim Barton on Thursday, May 5, 2016 12:54 PM

Geezer

 

 
Valkyrie

Have room for a "card table" extension?  I've been holding on to a 1/48 B-29 for several years for exactly the reason I see in your photo, space.  Hard to imagine any workbench able to handle that monster.  LOL, you'll have to stop by a local auto body shop to find a paint booth big enough to handle it.  Been throughling enjoying the thread of posts!!

 

 

 
Sort of. I have a full size trash can with a big piece of cardboard - that is the "staging area" for the pieces/parts.  To handle this in a spray booth - Need to take it to the Ford Truck Plant. Don't think they do contract work.  Think I'll call this guy.
 

 

I'm getting dizzy just watching that!

"Whaddya mean 'Who's flying the plane?!' Nobody's flying the plane!"

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