B-17G Flying Fortress Project

[RobMac]

Greetings fellow modellers.

I have been away for a while for various reasons, most of them work, but it has given me plenty of time to think about a modelling project that I have been looking at doing now for some years. I like anything big to build as detail can be greatly enhanced in big models. I fly radio controlled model aircraft and the scale subjects are endless in detail, bit heart breaking when you stuff one in the deck mind, which believe me, I've done on numourous occasions, but I always thought about using those scale model building skills for a project, not of the flying kind but for static display, much like what we obviously do on here today.

With that in mind, I now introduce you to my next project..............a completely scratch built 1/24th scale B-17G Flying Fortress.

Now I know that some of you will think, I'm either mad, or may even think it cant be done. Well to answer, yes I'm a bit mad but I have built and flown a 10ft span model of this aircraft, so why can't I build one this size. Here are a few specs for the model....

Wingspan - 52 inches

Length - 37 inches

Airfoil - NACA 0018 / NACA 0010

Materials - Mainly Aluminium (For the structure of the airframe), plasticard, wood and tin.

The airframe is going to be completely 100% scale, including the airframes internal structure. The reason for this, is because all the outer skin will be also 100% accurate, so if it was removable on the full size, it will be removable on the model. The only thing that won't be scale on the model will be the ability to remove the upper section of the nose thus allowing viewing of the cockpit area detail. The undercarriage on the aircraft will be made from turned ally and the tires moulded by myself, another subject covered by being a scale model flyer, and will also be sprung loaded. As the aircraft will be sat on the deck, the ability to make it fold up is pointless, so no complexity there. Canopy, turret and nose glass will be moulded from acetate sheet and all interior parts will be made from ally, wood or plastic, whichever deems the best material to use for each subject built.

I am fortunate to own a PC program that will allow me to create the Fortress on my computer. This program will accuratly allow me to create the fuselage and wings and will give me the specs for spacing of formers and ribs, plus give the shape and sizes required for each former and rib to the scale of 1/24th all of which can be printed out.

Now, here is where you guys come into play. Although the internet is vast with its knowledge on subjects like the B-17, it is vitually impossible to find everything you need at some point. So I am asking you all very kindly to help me gather as much information on this aircraft as possible. Cockpit detail, the structual build of the aircraft, interior, undercarriage detail, blue prints, anything that you feel my be of serious interest to me regarding the accurate build of this model. If anyone has a personal stash of detail on the B-17G, would you be willing to part company of it, for a price of course. I am particularly keen to find detail on the structure of the full size for every part of the airframe. This is vitally important and is required firsthand as everything else will be built into or around it.

So, there you go. A mahoossive undertaking ahead and by far the most complex and no doubt, long term modelling project I will ever under take. I would really like to hear your views and opinions on the project, advise, directions etc, etc, but as a whole, I believe this is going to be one hell of a busy thread.

Thank you all in advance

Rob

Edited March 7, 2010 by RobMac

[F111Fan]

Good luck, I'll be watching!

[BAC]

Would it be worth contacting the owners of Sally 'B' at Duxford and tell them of your plans? They might let you go around it with your camera.

Just a thought.

cheers!

[Pilgrim_UK]

Very impressive and the build could be a legend in the making. All the British best to you.

What about the experience of riding in one only $400. ( plus the expense of flights and hotels )

http://www.b17.org/

Nothing better than actually being in the real thing.

The most expensive model you could ever make.

Edited February 20, 2010 by Pilgrim_UK

[RobMac]

Would it be worth contacting the owners of Sally 'B' at Duxford and tell them of your plans? They might let you go around it with your camera.

Just a thought.

cheers!

Yes, I have actually thought of doing that. I'm a member of the Sally B supporters club and have hoofed a fair wack of money in donations to that aircraft. A good swinging point might be to tell them I intend to build Sally B but in here earlier markings when she was all over Aluminium before they painted her in the colours she's in now. It would be a good way of getting the interior detail.

[TonyT]

There was a web site that did a rebuild of a B17 and had a step by step guide, including of it minus its skins, but I cant find it, it had tons of interior stuff too

[RobMac]

There was a web site that did a rebuild of a B17 and had a step by step guide, including of it minus its skins, but I cant find it, it had tons of interior stuff too

After hearing you just mention that, is this the site you were on about Tony? http://www.b17project.com/

[crookedmouth]

I'm watching!

[Nick Belbin]

Good luck!! With that kind of undertaking, I take it the list of 'Kits to build' at the bottom of your post will now become 'Kits to sell' . . .

[RobMac]

Good luck!! With that kind of undertaking, I take it the list of 'Kits to build' at the bottom of your post will now become 'Kits to sell' . . .

I understand where your coming from Nick, but no, not at all. The cost of the model will be no more than what I would pay to build a radio controlled model of this size say. The only difference is it will take a hell of a lot longer to build. I already have the tools required to undertake such a project, the only thing I'm lacking is resource. The most important thing I need to obtain is a 3 view blue print of the structure. Cutaway drawings are ok, but not good enough. I'm in the process of talking to Duxford regarding such a print and things are looking promising.......

Rob

[RobMac]

This is the best I've been able to come up with so far reguarding the structure. It's a lot bigger on my hard drive so can zoom in really close without distorting for the detail, plus I have a site called www.B17Project.com that has an in depth rebuild of a B-17 so am getting good shots of the structure from that, plus have interior shots from Mary Alice at Duxford, so we're getting there slowly

Edited March 7, 2010 by RobMac

[JakeEaton]

Hello RobMac and good luck with your project.

Unfortunately I cannot help you with resources but I do have a couple of questions.

What sort of workspace setup do you have to enable you to produce models of this size? Is it a spare garage or a proper dedicated workshop? I've guessing for the aluminium body, you produce a wooden former and then hammer and shape the aluminium around that?

I'm really looking forward to seeing this started as this sort of work interests me greatly. I was wondering if you'd seen the work of this gentlemen - Scratchbuilt Corsair and Mustang

Is this the level of detail you're aiming for?

[RobMac]

Hello RobMac and good luck with your project.

Unfortunately I cannot help you with resources but I do have a couple of questions.

What sort of workspace setup do you have to enable you to produce models of this size? Is it a spare garage or a proper dedicated workshop? I've guessing for the aluminium body, you produce a wooden former and then hammer and shape the aluminium around that?

I'm really looking forward to seeing this started as this sort of work interests me greatly. I was wondering if you'd seen the work of this gentlemen - Scratchbuilt Corsair and Mustang

Is this the level of detail you're aiming for?

Thanks for the link there Jake, but basically, yes it is the standard I'm aiming for and it just goes to show it can be acheived being as those were his first models. It has actually inspired me more now to definatly crack on with the model, although I won't be leaving mine bare metal as all the parts will be painted before installation to the airframe. Reading the website has given me a fair few leads and has answered some of the questions I was trying to get around regarding the construction of the B-17, but now I have seen this article, I have moved forward considerably regarding when I will start to build the model so thanks for that. As regard your other question, yes I have a whole spare room that I have set up as my workshop so space is not an issue. I look forward to your comments once I do start her

Rob

Edited February 22, 2010 by RobMac

[Graham]

Hi Rob good luck with your project, I am at the moment building a 1/32nd vac form B-17F I have a few bits of reference material so if there is anything that I might be able to help you with give me a shout.

Graham.

[RobMac]

Thats excellent Graham, thank you.

[RobMac]

Autocad drawing of the Wright Cyclone engine and propellor boss

[spitfire23bc]

Mad? Yes!

Brilliant? Yes!

I'll be watching this one.

Dan

[RobMac]

Mad? Yes!

Brilliant? Yes!

I'll be watching this one.

Dan

Cheers Dan. Lets hope we're all still alive to see it finished!!

[RobMac]

Template for cylinder heads

Edited February 21, 2010 by RobMac

[Mike]

This should be fun

[RobMac]

This should be fun

Ya reckon?? I just want to get stuck into it but fear of rushing may bodge it up!! A bit of time for research first is the best thing me thinks before any construction starts. As with the KC-135, the engines will take priority first being as I have four to build.

[ollieholmes]

Have a look here:

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpB...f=3&t=16769

And here:

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpB...=26&t=29083

[RobMac]

Have a look here:

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpB...f=3&t=16769

And here:

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpB...=26&t=29083

And the referance material just keeps coming in. Cheers Ollie

[Angels49]

That loud noise you just 'eard was me falling out of my wheelie and banging me 'ead on the floor!!!!.....Twice!!!...I'll venture a WAG and say that this will be the most watched and followed project in the hallowed annals of Britmodeler history. All the best on the build

Edited February 22, 2010 by Angels49

[Mark M]

Mental health nusre on stand by for sectioning!!!!

dont know if it helps but i have the 'flypast book of the b-17 flying fortress' by robert j rudhall' it has loads of internal photos of either 'mary Alice' or 'Sally B' (internal walkround) if you want i may be able to scan them and email you, the only problem is the book is A3 so may have problems with fitting it in the scanner but ill have a go!