Alan P Posted May 1, 2016 Author Share Posted May 1, 2016 Whut a shame 'bout the Squadron vac-form canopy replacement not fittin.' I've been givin' thought to the possibility of gettin' the vac-form canopy as well in order to replace the kit one. Isn't there any way to make it fit...? I have a confession to make... I found the instructions for the canopy and it recommends cutting out the entire upper forward section for complete replacement by the vacform part. I'm sure it would have fitted fine if I'd done that!Thanks for the support so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted May 2, 2016 Author Share Posted May 2, 2016 (edited) Had another go at this today (Bank Holiday!) Sorry for blurry pic, but it's supposed to show the turrets fitted. Also at the back: I fitted the bubble windows from the kit to act as masks (I'll replace them with the vacform versions after painting). The only parts I need to mask for painting now are the wheelwells and bomb bays. I intend to use foam pads. Rear turret also fitted, masked with blutac. Needs a bit of tidying up to eliminate the lip. Meanwhile, back with the engines: This is the front view of the wing. It shows the engines are mounted perpendicular to the ground, allowing for the wing dihedral. Here's a pic of an aircraft in flight: Photo © Bill Crump via Thinglink.com It shows the engines are mounted perpendicular to the wing dihedral, which means they should appear to be slightly "cocked" when on the ground. The kit gives enough jiggle room to be able to replicate this, as long as I can line up the oval shapes without too much of a step. To be honest, it didn't turn out great, so I had to do a bit of remedial work: Adding these wedges and sanding back gives me the seamless lower join I was looking for. But now the engines are mounted accurately. Started adding PE to the wings - the camera doesn't want to focus in macro mode today! I'm going to do the wings and fuselage separately, then glue it all together. Otherwise it's just too unwieldy to work on such tight angles. And this is why! What a monster. Hope the build progress is helpful so far, and not just a load of boring bits. Cheers, Al Edited January 14, 2018 by Alan P 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spookytooth Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 It certainly is Al... Fun time on the bench when handling that beast. Simon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Henry Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 It is really beginning to take shape. Thanks for posting your progress. I'm really enjoying this one. Bob H. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general melchett Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Fantastic work Al and a good save on the glazing. I personally really like these old Mono monstergrams they can form the basis of some really great project as you're showing here. I hate to think how much a 'state of the art' version would now cost, four times as much and half the fun..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F4u Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Lovely work Alan would like a bash at one of these but don't think I would have the space unless ( the ceiling or the wall !! ) in the man cave. The build progress is certainly helpful to anyone wanting to do this MK of a B-29 or any B-29 for that matter would be useful to me if I do decide to get one. Keep up the good work. Guy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted May 6, 2016 Author Share Posted May 6, 2016 (edited) Thanks a gain to Simon, Bob and Guy for the encouraging words! On 03/05/2016 at 10:34 AM, general melchett said: I personally really like these old Mono monstergrams they can form the basis of some really great project as you're showing here. I hate to think how much a 'state of the art' version would now cost, four times as much and half the fun..... If there were an HK Models version.... £250 ono? But exactly as you said, not as much fun! I'm doing the big XB-70 next, even more fun with an oldie but goodie. The build soldiers on... Rear turret tidied up - I used CA glue and accelerator for the gaps and sanded back. Actually looks better than the photo. (Yeah, they always say that!) Did a bit of late night modelling last night, as the shed was actually still warm at 10pm! Adding PE to the wings and engines. The real faff was sanding and shaping the scratchbuilt exhaust pipes to fit the doctored Eduard PE grilles. I still need to fabricate some thin metal sheet to partly cover the exhausts, as they clearly emerge from an aluminium cover rather than the body of the engine nacelle. Photo © Discovery Channel via YouTube About halfway through the lower engines. The 'C'-shapes are frames for small venturi vents. This is tedious, but at least it feels like I'm getting somewhere with it! Al Edited January 14, 2018 by Alan P 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 Liking the p.e., should really add to the finish 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted May 6, 2016 Author Share Posted May 6, 2016 (edited) Had a go at the skin around the exhausts: Just noticed I need to stick some of those strips down again properly! It's not perfect but it's as close as I'm going to take it. Al Edited January 14, 2018 by Alan P 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Henry Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 This is shaping up to be one of those "Historic" builds. I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am to see this kit (B-29) get the treatment that it deserves. The 29 is such a significant aircraft. Thanks again for permitting all of us to be "Along for the ride". Bob H. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-21 Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 As mentioned at the start The Washington Times has lots of photographs of Washingtons but Issue 12 covers the interior http://rafwatton.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/wash12.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted May 7, 2016 Share Posted May 7, 2016 Hello,Alan - Here's a masterclass in what can be done with this mighty 'Monogram'.I really like the B-29 and this is going to be a majestic looking build.Fine work indeed. All the best,Paul. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted May 15, 2016 Author Share Posted May 15, 2016 (edited) hanks Paul and Bob for your kind comments, again! This is slowly ongoing - all PE work finished, apart from antennae: It barely fits in my workspace now, have to be very careful handling it For reference there's a Tamiya paint pot by the nose, and the aircraft in the background is a same scale MiG-29. Surprisingly few seams to clean up, and the angles are all pretty good. Had to shim the starboard stab as it was drooping slightly. Fixed the wing seams with CA glue and accelerator. Just needs rescribing, and then I'll prep the surface for primer. If I'm honest, this is starting to get a bit boring, I need to get on to the paint stage before I shelve it somewhere. Plenty more models to make! Al Edited January 14, 2018 by Alan P 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 This is really coming along well indeed,........I might just put mine back in the box for now because how can I follow this? Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 Do love a B-29, 48th is the perfect scale for one too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spookytooth Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 Nice work Al, she is definitely a big beast. Simon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 Have you worked out how and where you're going to display this one Al? It's practically a walkaround in it's own right Lovely piece of work from both a distance and in close-up. Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 Hello,Alan - You're making a superb job of this big but beautiful beastie.The photo-etch work looks splendid.I know this will be a stunner when she's finished.Keep up the excellent work,good sir!! All the very best,Paul. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 That etch is really adding a great touch to the model 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted May 16, 2016 Author Share Posted May 16, 2016 Thanks guys, very much This is really coming along well indeed,........I might just put mine back in the box for now because how can I follow this? Tony Of course not! the world needs more of these built up to encourage the large shelf market! Nice work Al, she is definitely a big beast. Yep - a bit too big really. Have you worked out how and where you're going to display this one Al? Thanks Tony, a friend of mine is going to keep it for now, he already has a cabinet built to size for his own one. Hello,Alan - You're making a superb job of this big but beautiful beastie. The photo-etch work looks splendid.I know this will be a stunner when she's finished.Keep up the excellent work,good sir!! All the very best,Paul. That etch is really adding a great touch to the model Thanks very much chaps, it was a lot of repetitive work (especially the tiny tabs on the upper wing) but I agree! Do love a B-29, 48th is the perfect scale for one too. Thanks Radleigh, I think it's a bit too big. The Lancaster and B-17 look very good in this scale, but this is just a step too far in my opinion. Really appreciate the encouragement and kind words. Hopefully you will have more to look at in the next week or so... Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted May 16, 2016 Author Share Posted May 16, 2016 (edited) Mostly finishing the bodywork prep for primer today, didn't quite make it before close of business! While the airframe was drying from its final washdown, I started on some of the extra bits. Eduard Brassin wheels - really nice pieces. Look at those treads. Cool. Also got started on the props - these are resin Hamilton Standard props by True Details. Another builder (fu manchu) said he used these and they were badly warped. I seem to have got away with it, only one slightly bent blade from what I can see. The nose masked ready for paint (at last) I used Eduard masks, a lot easier than cutting them myself from Tamiya tape Ready for paint. Al Edited January 14, 2018 by Alan P 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spookytooth Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 You could be some time at the booth Al, that is a lot of plastic and resin to spray. Good luck mate. Simon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted May 16, 2016 Author Share Posted May 16, 2016 Thanks Simon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F4u Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Looks nice Alan the PE really makes a difference it does look a bit large with the wings on , looking forward to seeing the paint going on hope you have plenty! Good work. Guy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Henry Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 WOW - things are looking really good. I particularly like the use of the Golf Tees underneath the wheels !! Bob H. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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