Search the Community

Fellow Modellers.. i offer for your pleasure my latest USAAF Mighty 8th offering. Revell's 1:72 scale Little Miss Mischief, DF-F of the 91st Bomb Group based at RAF Bassingbourne, Cambs in early 1945 Built OOB with some unusual options - cupola and different rear gunners tail end.. Hataka and Mig paints used. I must say i found the supplied decals to be top notch with this kit. The plastic was a bit soft and fragile for some of the parts - notably the ball turret which i had to dispense with during final assembly. There was a lot of intricate masking for this. I did enjoy this aspect and had to redo some parts as they weren't in my opinion good enough. My next B17 is going to be the same Revell 1:72 kit but as "Nine-O-Nine". It's mostly OD so will get some practice in with the airbrush. I might be tempted to do this in enamels even! I'd like to dedicate this build to my Dad, Peter, who sadly passed on on October 13th this year aged 87. He taught me to make models as a child and followed my builds and loved the warbirds i've done during lockdown. I started this in September and just finished it now for RFI. Please feel free to ask any questions or suggest improvements. I did a little bit of research in to the engine exhaust patterns on the wings and the correct colouring and deposits on the superchargers. the Getty organisation has many excellent reference photos as well I always do a light weathering approach. I think it looks more realistic especially at this scale? I watched a great documentary called The Cold Blue about the 91st BG and the colour film shot over 15 hours by Hollywood director William Wyler. He flew 5 missions with the 91st to get the footage and it's been digitally restored to 4K. It's worth watching for some pointers in to the colouring and weathering of operational B17s from the models period. One of the cameramen was killed during the filming. I also respectfully offer this build in memory of the brave men of the 91st who didn't make it back. Next build may be something in a larger scale which i do find easier to handle the small parts in lol. Enjoy! Andy Some more Black and White 'period' views

Ready for your inspection is my 1:72 Revell B-17G Flying Fortress. This is a straight from the box build, competed in the colours of 'Little Miss Mischief'. It has been pretty straight forward with little drama really (which is always a bonus!) The kit went together well, and it didn't take too long to get on to painting the exterior. As the real aircraft was crashed and patched up several times, so the kit's paintwork reflects real life (with bare metal front and wings and camo tail section. The challenge came with masking, airbrushing, masking and airbrushing to get the desired effects. That said I am really pleased with the way she has turned out. A fab kit to work on and a fantastic aircraft icon.

Having built a Short Stirling and Dornier this year, I thought it time to build the iconic American heavy bomber of WWII the Flying Fortress. I've always seen this beautiful aircraft as the USA's alternative to our Lancaster (one of which I have in my stash). So here goes........ I am going to build Revell's 1:72 B-17G, in the livery of the 91st Bomb Group 'Little Miss Mischief'. The box contains a medium size decal sheet and large clear sprue. There are also 7 silver coloured sprues (although I think there is supposed to be less, and one had broken in half). These have a fair amount of detailing, and a little flash (they are pictured here drying in the bath). My aim is to build this straight from the box, with its gear down. Let the fun begin.....