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B-29 Superfortress "Joltin Josie, The Pacific Pioneer"


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Boeing B-29A Superfortress

 

Joltin Josie, the Pacific Pioneer

 

 

1498th Bomb Group, 873rd Squadron US Army Air Force

 

 

Saipan, Mariannas, November 1944.

 

 

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Those who attended last week's Yeovilton Museum show will have seen this monster in the flesh. The old Airfix B-29 is the only kit I can ever remember giving up on. Mind you I was less than 10 years old at the time. So, 40+ years later I kind of thought I could hack it and have attempted another one. In the end I won, but it fought all the way and whilst I was never going to give up, I'm not entirely happy with the outcome.

 

 

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That said, the kit really is a lot of fun to build, with all of its interior parts and working features (all of which, except the bomb bay doors still move on my kit!). Unfortunately, parts fit is not overly good, especially of the fuselage halves, engine nacelles and the nose transparencies.

 

 

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I went for the Tinian/Saipan option on the decals, rather than the box illustration, mainly because of the colourful "Joltin Josie" nose art, but also to fit my 70th Anniversaries theme - Josie was the first B-29 to arrive in the Pacific Theatre as part of the massive force established on Saipan and Tinian in November 1944, in order to conduct round the clock bombing of the Japanese mainland.

 

 

The silver colours are a mix of Humbrol Metalcote and Steel, all brush painted as normal. It took a long time and a lot of frustration to get an even finish.

 

 

 

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Now where on earth am I going to display/store it!!! :)

 

 

FredT

 

 

And here she is on the table at Yeovilton last Saturday:

 

 

 

 

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Edited by gengriz
Undoing the damage that Photobucket inflicted
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Wow,

I built one of these when I was about 12, it didn't look that good, my rear ladder somehow detatched and ended up within the walkway tube.

Stunning thanks.

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Hi Fred:

Really a wonderful monster built with fun and love in the process!!! Sje loooks resplendent in the table, a nice show stopper.

This model has her own charm and all as you, who build her properly, have the joy of being a proud ownes of a a well done build.

Thank you very much for sharing!!

Cheers,

Luis Alfonso

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Takes me back to Christmas '197 something' as a kid and finding this kit under the tree. I shook the box for days trying to guess which kit it was by the size and weight of the package!

You have done a superb job on this old kit.

Gary

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Yes, me too. I built one of these back in the 70s when I was about 11 or 12 and the fuselage didn't fit on mine either. The idea that I should build another one is still gently niggling away in the back of my mind after all these years.

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I first received this as a 11th birthday present - way back in 1969!!!. That beautiful box art brings back memories. Built several over the years. Was never an easy kit to begin with but I think it definitely rewards patience. I'd love to see Airfix do a complete re-tool on this one.

Allan

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Lovely build and finish,like a lot who have commented this kit was a Birthday present way back in the early seventies which was way beyond my

skills and never got done,so great to see a finished example!

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Cracking job there especially brush painted but who forgot the nose weights?

It does somewhat annoy me when everything is designed with the airbrush user in mind. Airfix magazine is the worst offender for that now. This is from another hairy stick painter.

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