Snafu35

Good evening, Martian. You've done a very thorough job of improving the site.👍 I notice that you've added a partition between the pilots and the upper office. The photos don't show anything like that: But perhaps a version of PBM with such a partition exists on your planet... First of all, have fun in modelling. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Martien, As the subject of toilet seats has been dealt with extensively, I won't be of any help on this point. I've mislaid (or deleted?) the folder containing my research on the PBM Mariner. I went on the Internet to find some photos. I went on flickr, facebook, and others, and here are some interesting details. The PBM has a double flap under the bow, which the bomber opens to take aim: The shutters are open here: Here we have the inside of the front tip: The portholes provide some light. The bomb aimer and front turret have disappeared. The following two photos were taken from the same angle, from the gangway on the left towards the front with the starboard boarding door open. The anchor is stored behind the forward wall on the right. I couldn't find a photo of this detail (which I didn't mention in my Mariner). The crew installed a cleat or mooring bitt at the door to secure the rope. Finally, I also found a photo of the staircase leading to the upper floor: Have fun in modeling! Regards, Eric-Snafu35

As for me, I'd love to build a PB2-Y Coronado...Mach2! Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Martian, Here's a job that's going to be very interesting. Good luck with the rest. I built the PBM Mariner Mach2: (It's perhaps a little too deep in the water. OK, we'll say it's full petrol! And the two shades of blue merge, unfortunately.) You can imagine that you can't see anything when you close the fuselage! I built the interior and the first floor: The stairs go up between the navigator's table and the electronic cabinets on the left side. I was also inspired by the photos of Eduard 73499 PBM-5/PBM-5A interior S.A. Minicraft: I couldn't find a photo of this staircase, just a model maker's interpretation: I dropped the diorama a few months ago (two kilos of transparent resin to represent the sea, that's heavy!). I can see the kitchen again, which I haven't finished fitting out: That still leaves me with fish: Have fun in modelling! Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Bootneck, You have put together a great proposal for forum members, well done! The lorries are photographed from a distance, but what I see is very attractive. But I only do American trucks to go with my B17 have a look here: https://militaryscales.com/shop/chevrolet-class-135-crash-truck/ https://militaryscales.com/shop/fire-truck-class-110/ Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello, We can now find 3D printing model designers on the Internet. I acquired two fire engines that were used on the airfields of the 8th Air Force during the Second World War. The first is a Chevrolet class 110 fire truck: Here it is at 1/72 scale: The second is a Chevrolet Class 135: Regards, Eric-Snafu35

I think that, generally speaking, the prevailing mood is for creators to push for the unbelievable, even if it means compromising with reality and the veracity of the story. The aim is to keep the versatile spectator on the edge of his seat. I found the last part of the 1990 film Memphis Belle a little 'too much', because the director wanted to accentuate the drama of the story. I won't shy away from discovering this series when I get the chance. I'd like to get a feel for life on the base and see in this series the whirlwind of service vehicles that accompany our models: Federal fuel trailer and wrecker, Chevrolet 110, 135, clubmobile, WC 54 ambulances, maintenance scenes... all images that would encourage us to make dioramas. The actors aren't Band of Brothers calibre, the CGI distorts the flying fortresses, combat damages seem unrealistic, and the little boyfriends are all Afro-American pilots?... Have fun in modelling Eric-Snafu35

Hello Ratch, It's a great job on this Matchbox model, well done! 👍 The setting photos immediately create a lot of interest, because it's a change from the usual array of photos. You're going to make people want to make dioramas, that's excellent. I like the idea of sticking figures on the same transparent base, because you can move the figures around and create other dioramas with other planes. I say all this because I also have this Norseman in my stock, and I plan to make dioramas like you. And I haven't yet watched the TV series that's on at the moment. Thanks for sharing. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Neil, it is a great job, again.👍 It is clear that you're always on the top of the ladder of excellence! I am reluctant to use oil-based juices on my all-aluminium bombers. I am always afraid of getting the finish too dirty. But you know how to dose this exercise. Have you used a Raw umber? Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Derek, I always love it when a B17 is presented in model form. This one is really nice. I was thinking of buying another Revell, because it is a good kit (shapes respected, not too many parts...), however I was weak; I bought the HKM kits. Your Belle looks great. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello all, I thank you all for your kindly words. Hello Neil, I wanted to enjoy myself above all, and that Is why I took the time to build this fairing F1 trailer. As you can see, this modification is easy to do. And I would be extremely flattered if you could get hold of one or more copies of Fédéral 605, because... I'm the author! To impress a friend who loves this truck, I thought that i would build one and duplicate it in resin. I started by doing some research and drawing up some plans, I used a REO XS-28 profile too, and added a correct cabin, a correct bumper, air brake cylinders, starter motor... ( I now know almost everything about this Federal truck, which was also built by REO, Biderman, Sterling... ) I thought of the construction as a model maker for other model makers. Then I met a French craftsman who makes magnificent castings. ( Note that the craftsman did not keep my wheels.) Oh yeeah, the Hercules HXD engine is here too! It became an obsession to build the truck you can see on US airfields in the UK. And last year I completed the collection by offering the Federal 6066-C2 with curved crane and the 606 D with eighteen-feet crane: This is not my job, and I do not advertise on my behalf. The product belongs to the French craftsman DESKit and he is offering it for sale. It is not a 3D-printed product, just good resin that does not break very much. And if you watch the series Master of the Air, you will probably see some on the airfield that represents Thorpe Abbot... Sorry if this message is too long or if you consider it inappropriate, you can delete it. Have fun in modeling. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello, I'm glad to see this post back in the news. I built this B17 more than three years ago, now My Flying fortresses collection has grown since then, and now I'll be able to play the Master of the Air TV series! Hi, ND417 I dressed an F1 Airfix trailer by looking at photos: So I have a more varied fleet of fuel supply trucks, now: Thank you for dropping by on this old message, georgeusa! I really appreciate your appreciation. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Mickael, I'm proud to say that I'm the creator of these models, which are now moulded and sold by DESKit. My approach was to create a challenge for myself. Since these models do not exist in 1/72 scale, I might as well make them. So I used my modelling skills to make the parts so that the modellers could assemble them easily. Making and selling models is not my job, I prefer to build them! Today I have added the Federal 605, the REO XS-29, the Federal Wrecker 606-C2 and 606D, and the 600gallon petrol trailer to the DESKit catalogue. You can see that my creations revolve around the subject of US airfields. I met this craftsman at an exhibition and was impressed by the quality of his casts. I've also suggested a range of American mechanic and pilot figures, with extra headbars. Note that I have done this out of passion, that I am not advertising for my own account, but simply to share things that were very difficult to find in a 1/72nd model. Apart from the box of Preiser American pilot figures, is there any other product that would go with this theme? Thanks for reading. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Good morning, All. I introduced you to the Federal 606-C2 wrecker with a 15-feet curved boom: Now here's the Federal 606D with an 18-feet straight boom: This model is available from French craftsman DESKit, and a real one will be featured in the Master of the Air series. I'm currently building two Chevrolet class 110 and 135 trucks that were used by firefighters on US Air Force bases. These are 3D-printed models from Military Scale. I will be showing you the finished models soon. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Good evening everyone, Thanks to all the forum members who stopped by and left a note. Plop, finished! I've illustrated the zips on the covers of the chin guns: In the photo below, you can see the cooling air intake holes for the oil coolers, which I dug out and partitioned off: I used Revell vent rings behind the Quickboost cowlings for variety in my B17 collection. The Academy-moulded position lights are fine for a B17E, but not for a G. So let's have another go: At the rear, I added the cargo bay opening lights and a tarpaulin around the machine guns: A small detail has been added to the exhaust pipes: the movable flap: It's stupid but it amuses me! another detail on the side balconies: a tarpaulin here too: Bonus: To sum up: I bought several copies of this Academy model, because I could then graft a stinger turret onto this kit (resin casting of the transparent parts of the B17F of the same make). Today, the Revell model offers a model with this stinger position. Academy first offered an E and D model, before proposing an F and G. However, the engine cowlings are still E models (we're 'rationalising' the moulds? 😕 ). Not good, then. But we'll settle for that, especially as Quickboost offers the same cowlings with a larger recess. The oil tank on the front strut is a position for a B17D, or even an early F model. There are no air intakes for the oil coolers between the engines. Of course, I could come back to the dihedral of the wings. Some details need to be rectified, such as the experimental scoops on the exhaust pipes. The Academy engines are to be forgotten. I will now continue with Mount'n Ride. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Peter, You've done a great job, this fortress looks fantastic 👍. The different colours make it look amazing. I like the blurred delineation just right between each colour. I'd like to make a small comment about the oil drips between each ventilation slot on the top surface: Copyright Squadron Signal n°63 de Larry Davis Wright engines ooze oil, especially during missions lasting more than six hours. This oil comes out of the engines after the cooling flap rings, then smears the upper surface up to the slots in the heat exchangers. The airflow coming out of these exchangers pushes this oil to the sides, but these traces are rather diffuse, or even fade away. Screenshot I took while watching the film Memphis Belle by William Wyler: The oil drips you represent seem to be systematic... and are not connected to anything! It's just a detail, I use photos as inspiration to age my B17s. I'm really pleased to have followed your construction of this Académy model, with such rare camouflage. Thanks for sharing. Regards, Eric-Snafu35 Lol! Thanks for your compliments, vice president. But I'm just an enthusiast!

Hello, all. I'm just finishing off the final stage of building this Academy flying fortress: I've made resin moulds of the Stinger turret, because the B17G Academy model only has a Cheyenne turret. I also need to mould the transparent parts. I've finished everything else! I think I'll be able to show you the final photos of Sleepy Time Gal by the end of the weekend. Stay tuned. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello, Ol' scrap' finding the part by shaking the model would have been too easy! The part got stuck in the hollow inside the daggerboard! The recovery operation proved disastrous at first, as I pushed the transparent part in a little further. I finally managed to get hold of it by passing a pair of tweezers through the hole in the tail wheel. She's in the right place now: I've stuck it on a bit badly, and I'm going to touch up the aluminium paint here and there now. I still have to fit the aerials, and above all make the navigation lights out of transparent plastic. I'll show you how. I splashed some oil on the sides of the bomber, because if you look at the photos you can see that the engines sputter on start-up. You can see the curtains in the windows. I've used maskol to represent the fabrics that block the slots for the machine guns in the chin turret. The zip is now missing. Finally, I didn't put a Norden sight in its place, and I moved the remote control for the chin turret's weapons to the side. Next time, the end. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello peter, You can use all the techniques I share on Britmodeller, of course! The trompe l'oeil technique is used to show the ribs on the control surfaces: I cut one-millimetre strips from Tamiya masking tape. I place them at regular intervals on the rudder. I add a post it or a strip of tamiya masking tape horizontally at the top. I dilute Smoke gunze or tamiya and airbrush the strips three times . I also airbrush the top strip three times too. I work with low pressure (less than one bar), and the needle close to the self-adhesive tape. Here's another example: I made the aileron from a scratch structure, which I covered with thin paper. I then drilled holes in the paper to make combat damage, and the painted structure gives it relief. the model is almost finished, but I've got a problem: the transparent cover of the radio operator's station fell off in the plane. It's stuck somewhere, and I can't get it loose! Lol. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello vp, I don't think my model can be in the gallery as I'm out of time, but I'm going to finish it as I don't like standing in the middle of the river. The fortersee is on its wheels, I've painted the ageing and dirt around the engine nacelles. I didn't over-emphasise the oil leaks on the engines: I also toned down the trompe l'oeil marks on the fins: The end is nigh! 😉 Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Thanks for your comment, James! I'm going to finish my construction out of time, but I'll carry on. It occurred to me to make markings with stencils: I've got a sheet of Hasegawa decals in stock to decorate Sleepy Time Gal, but the fuselage codes don't match those in the photo. That's partly why I'm using stencils. I also painted the step areas, a detail apparently specific to Douglas constructions. You can see them in the photo of Sleepy Time Gal: In the end, I'm not going to make an OD painted fin, as I'd planned. I've looked at the photos, and I think the lighting changes the colours. Academy did not show the canvas covering on its model. So I did a trompe l'oeil painting using smoke grey. A lot of the smaller parts are ready, but I'm not going to mess up the work by rushing. I will continue this post until the group build is closed. Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello Peter, It's certainly a very good paint, but I'll have to try it to be successful. I'm also presenting my build on a French forum, and my misadventure has led to a discussion about Vallejo painting. A model-maker suggested polishing the model with steel wool to make it stick to the paint. He does just that. I don't really want to waste time scrubbing the entire surface of the B17! Another suggests applying very thin coats with very little pressure. Yep. I'd rather drink a good draught! Others recommend avoiding paint that looks like washing-up liquid when sprayed. I'll give it another try...but on a small kit! Anyway, I went back to work on this model, using the basics that I know so well: Alclad and Humbrol metalcote. Here's the result this evening: I think the painting is on the right track. As it's a B17 built by Douglas, I'm also going to mark out the walking areas with black fillets on the wings. From this angle, you can see a different metallic colour on the rear of the B17. I've also painted the edge of the fin with a white aluminium, as seen on the photo of the real Sleepy Time Gal. I'm not sure whether to paint the markings with stencils, or use decals to speed things up. Stay tuned! Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Good evening, I'm having a bit of trouble doing what I want with Vallejo paint. So I painted the outer panels of the main wings with Duraluminium, then the ailerons with matt aluminium. I'm not very happy with the result, especially as the matt aluminium paint is making me eat my cap. The light, low-pressure spray looks like a spray of washing-up liquid, but it doesn't stick. I applied several thin coats of Aluminium matt ref 77 .717 without any additional dilution. The paint stretches strangely, even bursting into stars as it dries. I've also noticed a grainy appearance after drying, as well as drips that load the paint at the base of the rudder. This brand may be perfect for modellers, but I'm a notorious quiche when it comes to using it. I need to stay motivated! Regards, Eric-Snafu35

It's a fine performance, and just in time, Enzo . So double bravo! Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Hello, Peter, This project is well on the way to completion. I'm finally at the painting stage on my Academy model. Like you, I've been sweating to find the right dihedral for the main wings. I thought that putting a 1mm shim all along the root of the upper surface would flatten the dihedral too much. I glued on a piece of styrene 35mm long. Then like you I filled the holes with styrene, cyano glue and talcum powder. My goodness, I've still got two Academy models in stock! Regards, Eric-Snafu35