gengriz Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 (edited) Boeing B-29A Superfortress Joltin Josie, the Pacific Pioneer 1498th Bomb Group, 873rd Squadron US Army Air Force Saipan, Mariannas, November 1944. 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. 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. 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. Now where on earth am I going to display/store it!!! FredT And here she is on the table at Yeovilton last Saturday: Edited August 17, 2019 by gengriz Undoing the damage that Photobucket inflicted 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king daddy Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 wow..that takes me back...built the very same kit years ago...think I was around 12'ish at the time...still remember trying to get the fuselage to fit...happy days..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spookytooth Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 I feel old seeing that Fred, I always wanted to build that kit but never had the money as a kid but saw it built by a friends older brother. Yours looks great , especially as it`s brush painted. Nice work sir. Simon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 very nice model! and definitely big! and... nothing every is perfect...but still can be very satisfying! I really like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazyeagle Posted October 31, 2014 Share Posted October 31, 2014 God that one brings back memories.....remember picking that same kit up from Woolies way, way back and rushing home to slap on humbrol 11 all over it. Nice build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luis Alfonso Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pascal JMW Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Superb !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatalbert Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Wow,i had that very kit nearly 40 years ago for christmas.Thanks for sharing and bringing back some very happy memories. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcode Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 nice job looks great, I remember seeing it last week in the flesh. nice wok and great nmf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin-42 Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Full marks for tackling the big monster. To brush it is well is not for the faint of heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Very nice job on that old kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snitok1983 Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Сооl and awesome! Just cool and awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boman Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Excellent - brings back good memories Had 2 of these flying from the roof of my room back in the days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonl Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Excellent, you won by a good margin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightning88 Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 Great job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonkeyVong Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I also built one of these, back in about 1984 when I was 11 or 12. Brush painted with humbrol 11 silver. Brush painting metallic paints just doesnt work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcap Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roof Rat Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 As has been said above that has taken be back to the 1970, if only my efforts were as half as good as yours I'd have been over the moon, thank you. RR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadgaddad Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louiex2 Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 Excellent work, especially using a brush to paint the finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albeback52 Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bordfunker Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 You've done a wonderful job on the old Airfix kit, I thought it was the Academy kit at first! Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul178 Posted November 2, 2014 Share Posted November 2, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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