Monogram 1/48 B-26 Marauder "Flak Bait" Completed.

What is that jig you are using to hold the fuselage? Is it homemade or can I buy one somewhere?

Looks great Keyda! I recently tried filing in a wing root gap with stretched sprue, it worked great. Stretch some sprue out a bit larger than the gap, touch some CA to the sides of the gap, then lay down the sprue. Sand, then touch up the joint with more CA or putty.

Keyda81

I picked up the kit at Noreastcon a few months back, and the decals were in it, along with some resin wheels, and extra clear pieces.  It was missing one piece that goes in the rear section of fuselage, but only for the Flak Bait version, go figure.  It's just going to be missing that piece.  I did put some weights in the section right behind the cockpit, so hopefully I'll be good once she's all together.  The Marauder might be on hold for a little while.  I have a much bigger, and a bit older project that I need to bring home.  My 69 Z/28 Camaro has been sitting in my dad's garage for much too long, and it's time to bring her home and work on her a bit. 

Keyda, I have seen unused Flak Bait decal sets go for $55; Perhaps you stumbled on a gold mine!

On weights, the navigators section is where I stashed most of mine; but it was not enough, so I had to put some on the floor in front of the instrument panels. I added the bombardiers armor/bulkhead, so you cannot see any of it! You may want to try balancing it on something like a 1 " piece of lumber to find its center o f gravity. The cowling assemblies and wind screens do add considerable wight. If you need more the best place for it would be in the sides of the nose wheel. You could line up bb's on either side, ca and putty them, and brush paint them your wheel well color.

I cannot image what part you missing?

And did you say Z/28? One my favorite toys was a '78 Z. I put a '79 hood on it so I could force cool air into the carb. The intake system was a 600 Holly on a high rise manifold like on a 327 Corvette. The cam was a 327/350hp Vette stick The header system rounded out the engine compartment It is something I still dream about! Sorry, you hit a nostalgic button!!

Thank you lawdog!

Thanks Shipwreck, I picked up the kit at Noreastcon a few months back, and the decals were in it, along with some resin wheels, and extra clear pieces.  It was missing one piece that goes in the rear section of fuselage, but only for the Flak Bait version, go figure.  It's just going to be missing that piece. 

I did put some weights in the section right behind the cockpit, so hopefully I'll be good once she's all together. 

The Marauder might be on hold for a little while.  I have a much bigger, and a bit older project that I need to bring home.  My 69 Z/28 Camaro has been sitting in my dad's garage for much too long, and it's time to bring her home and work on her a bit. 

Keyda, I noticed that you have a Flak Bait after market decal sheet with your kit. I could not find one and had to make it for my rendition. Where did you get yours? I hope that you have considered nose weights; this bird is a tail sitter! There is a good discussion on weighing down the noses of these tricycles on the current B-29 thread.

Looking stellar Keyda, particularly for such a challenging kit fit-wise. I look forward to your progress.

plasticjunkie

 

 

Keyda81

 

plasticjunkie, I'll have to head over there and see what I can find.  I'm still figuring out what works for me and what doesn't.  The masking tape has always done it's job, but I will pick up some clamps, lol. 

 

 

 

 

 

Forgot to mention that the spring clamps work fine on wings and smaller parts but not on the fuselage which is odd shaped and larger in diameter. For that application I use small bar clamps. Do NOT get the cheap bar clamps at Harbor Freight. They are junk and have no pressure to clamp, purejunk, period. I threw mine in the trash and got some excellent ones by DeWalt (Yellow and black) at Home Depot.

If the tape works for you then let it be. Each of us develop our own way of doing things and what works for one may not work for another. I'm just offering suggestions. that may or may not work for you.

 

Lol!  I am well aware of some of the short comings of Harbor Frieght stuff, lol.  I always say to hubby when something we bought from there breaks, you get what you pay for, or what do you expect when you bought it at HF!  Some of their stuff is great, other things not so much.  I will be sure to steer clear of their bar clamps!  DeWalt stuff is great.  I think we own just about every battery powered tool they make, light, impact gun, impact driver, screw driver, sawzall, and probably one or two more that I forgot about!

Thanks Toshi!  Putty, sand, prime.  That will be the next few days working on the Marauder I'm sure.  Well depending on the weather, if it's nice out I'm going to try and get some things done outside, if it's raining, then I'll be at my bench!

Keyda81

 

plasticjunkie, I'll have to head over there and see what I can find.  I'm still figuring out what works for me and what doesn't.  The masking tape has always done it's job, but I will pick up some clamps, lol. 

 

Forgot to mention that the spring clamps work fine on wings and smaller parts but not on the fuselage which is odd shaped and larger in diameter. For that application I use small bar clamps. Do NOT get the cheap bar clamps at Harbor Freight. They are junk and have no pressure to clamp, purejunk, period. I threw mine in the trash and got some excellent ones by DeWalt (Yellow and black) at Home Depot.

If the tape works for you then let it be. Each of us develop our own way of doing things and what works for one may not work for another. I'm just offering suggestions. that may or may not work for you.

The clamps and clothes pins are great.  I have a bunch of those as well.  As for the masking tape, whatever works for you as you said and makes you happy is the key to this hobby.  

I currently use Frog Tape and or Tamiya tape.  Check out my thread on my Trumpeter 1/32 F4U Corsair.  It's covered in Frog tape and Tamiya tape.  Of which the later can be expensive yet very useful and necessary for hobbies like ours.  Hence I also side with you on the cost of masking tape, it is plentiful and everywhere plus it's inexpensive at best!

Your progress is superb!  I really like your fortitude to just jump in, roll up your sleeves and start sanding the putty work.  It is very time consuming, messy with dust everywhere, and can be trying.  Ultimately, what a fantastic job you're doing on a classic kit like this.  I remember building this kit as a young boy!

Toshi

Thanks so much JOE RIX!

plasticjunkie, I'll have to head over there and see what I can find.  I'm still figuring out what works for me and what doesn't.  The masking tape has always done it's job, but I will pick up some clamps, lol.  Thanks, I'm sure all the putty and sanding is going to slow me down!

Thanks Bish, I'll make a trip there later on today probably.  I do have clothes pins laying around, use those doing taxidermy. 

Nice job on the engines, she is coming together nicely.

I'll echo what PJ says about the srping clamps. A couple of bar clamps will come in handy as well.

Keyda81

 

I make a mess with the glue and it gets on the tape. 

 

That's why I stay away from masking tape on such an application. If you have a Harbor Freight near you, stop by and get their package of mini black and red orange clamps for a couple of bucks. They are great and come in handy. You can also use the wooden clothes pins from the Dollar Store. I have a bunch of them too.

Your B-26 is looking good and you are zipping by quick a-la Toshi!

Outstanding work Keyda. You have done some stellar detail painting in the cockpit and fuselage. I wish I was blessed with the fortitude you possess as it is nearly impossible for me to just sit down and knock out a kit from start to gluing the fuselage halves together in one session. I am duly impressed.. Keep it coming.

ugamodels

Is that regular masking tape? Do you have any problems with adhesive remaining? 

 

Yep, regualr masking tape.  Usually don't have any problems with any left over residue unless I make a mess with the glue and it gets on the tape.  But I can scrap it off easily with a fingernail. 

Is that regular masking tape? Do you have any problems with adhesive remaining? 

Thanks Bish, and Chemteacher!

Worked on the engines a bit.  Tried to make them look a little rough around the edges. 

Glued all the bombs, painted the props, and tires, glued the engine covers together.

Where I left off for today.  Next is going to be a lot of putty, and a lot of sanding.

Nice subject, off to a good start.

Thanks guys!

Got some more bench time in earlier this afternoon.  Did some painting, then started putting together wing halves.  Got a little carried away and glued the engine nacelle halves in place before putting the landing gear in.  Luckily I realized it before the glue dried.  The gear wouldn't fit with the nacelles in place, so I had to take it apart.

Taped the crap out of the nacelles.........

So hopefully they won't need as much putty as the wing roots will.

Super detailing work on the interior, I look forward to seeing what you do with the exterior now

Cheers

Martin

Another great start.  Your cockpits are awe inspiring.

Ultra, thank you!

Toshi, thanks, and the weather has a lot to do with it, lol. 

Jay Jay, thank you, and thanks for the warning.  I do have a whole unopened tube of PPP, lol.  Plus an open one. 

wolfhammer1, thanks, I will know to expect trouble in those areas. 

Glad it's not my first time dealing with an old Monogram kit that needs a lot of putty!  The B-1 needed quite a bit of it, and a lot of sanding.  There was a pretty big step where the upper and lower fuselage halves joined up, and even on the leading edges of the wings.  Practice makes perfect!

I will concur that the wings and nacelles need a lot of TLC to get them right.  That being said, fore warned is fore armed, so good luck and I look forward to seeing how yours turns out.  

John

Your doing a good job on this my favorite aircraft. I hope you have an ample supply of putty for the nacelles and wing joints. i had to use a lot on mine.

Great start!  You're just a model making machine!

Nice!  I've been thinking about this model off and on for awhile now when I decide to tackle the medium and heavy bombers. I'm liking the interior and look foward to the complete build!