Radleigh Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 (edited) I'm looking forward to seeing it completed... and then it's about time you got yourself another vac project... I'm desperate you convert you to the darkside Already done, check out my sig More on that later though Edited September 17, 2012 by Radleigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broady Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Gob smacked. The amount of work is astounding. Good luck with the build but think it will not be needed . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted September 24, 2012 Author Share Posted September 24, 2012 I've been tinkering away with the B-29 whilst not working on other builds. I've scratched the rear crew area, where the master fire controller sat as well as two side gunners/observers who sat next to the blisters on the side of the fuselage, again using plasticard, Evergreen strip and Milliput, as well as a few spare resin items from the spares box. I've dropped the floor adjacent to the blisters, as the observers' seats had a distinctive foot well and the main floor was higher. I've also scratched the two 'walls' immediately behind the lowered floor, and made the various shelves that will later be furnished with radios and electrical boxes. The raised gunner's seat will be immediately below another large blister on the roof of the fuselage, which he used for sighting the guns - this was made from parts raided from the spares box, plasticard and Milliput. I've kept the interior to a minimum here, as after a test fit of the blisters everything is very distorted and not much will be visible, especially once a coat of paint has darkened the interior. Also, and perhaps more importantly, is the need to keep weight aft of the mainwheels to an absolute minimum, as she's going to need tons of weight in the nose as it is! Here is the rear crew area in its current state: The tunnel that connects the forward and aft compartments slots into the bulkheads, and once glued will hold everything nice and rigid: A dry fit into the fuselage reveals everything fits as it should: A taste of things to come... the crew tunnel sits nicely along the upper part of the bomb-bay: These last few shots give an idea of the interior as it will be viewed through the 'greenhouse' - the loose detail parts have been left out and as this is a dry fit there are a few gaps, but these will disappear once everything is glued into place: Finally, an overall view of the fuselage: I think I'll tackle the tail gunner's area next, before work can commence on the bomb-bay. Tom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickR Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Truly wonderful stuff!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motley Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Woww this is just amazing, modeling like this always amazes me as i dont know how you can manage to do it but hats off to you. Will have to keep my eye on this now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratcher Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Superb work. Neat, sharp and thoroughly researched. I envy the skills involved in creating such detail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murdo Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 MAN!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christof Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Fantastic work so far. How big is the beast once complete? christof Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HL-10 Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Incredible work! Just amazing, precise work. How are you going to glaze the cockpit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickershaft Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Again amazing work just amazing I can't wait for the next update Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNoAF Aerobatic Team Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Outstanding!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Great work Tom, I'm admiring your work, especially as it's a huge Vacform model, way beyond anything I can do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 Incredible work! Just amazing, precise work. How are you going to glaze the cockpit? Thanks - and the cockpit will be glazed by adding internal framing and clear acetate cut to shape and dropped in. I have two options for this: 1) Use the glazing supplied by Tigger Wilkes, and simply cut out the individiual windows which will be curved or... 2) Use flat clear plastic as the real aircraft has flat window panels. I'll experiment when the time comes and see how each looks... Fantastic work so far. How big is the beast once complete? christof Thanks - it will have a span of 54" (about 1.4m if you're metric) - large! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuprar Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Outstanding work as ever Tom, this is going to be a monster fella Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave A Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Fab work. Are you going to do anything to suggest the radar compartment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 Fab work. Are you going to do anything to suggest the radar compartment? Many thanks - and no, probably not. Very little of the interior will be visible anyway, plus it's all extra weight. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted September 26, 2012 Author Share Posted September 26, 2012 (edited) I've done a bit more tonight - the tail turret has had its basic structure completed. First job was to remove and line the windows for the rear gunner: Next, using parts from the spares box including left over resin items, I've added the gunner's seat, console and gun sight: The large gap on top of the turret is where the rudder was. When the fuselage halves have been joined this will be remedied by adding a plastic card roof which will be blended in with filler. The framing will also be improved by adding further details when all the joins in this area have been made good. Now it's the part I've been dreading most... the bomb bay. Tom Edited September 26, 2012 by tomprobert 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Now the majority of the crew compartments are done I have turned my attention to the bomb bay. The first and most important job is the main spar. Being such a huge model this must be a rigid as possible, as just like the real aircraft the entire structure will rely on it being able to support its own weight as well as keep everything strong. Rather helpfully, there is a main spar provided in the kit. This was removed from the backing plastic, and widened and strengthened considerably using 2mm plastic card: When dry, I cut apertures in the fuselage to allow the main spar to pass through, and check that everything is nice and level. Thankfully, it was: With this done, the next job was to scratch the details found on the inner part of the spar. This was done using reference photo's of Enola Gay's bomb bay, as well as images from the B-29 'Doc' and 'Hawg Wild' at Duxford. Each is slightly different, so I've gone for a generic spar. Lots more piping and control wires etc. will need to be added once it is 'in situ': Another test fit showed everything lining up nicely: Finally, I've got a coat of primer on this evening, and I must say I'm pretty pleased with how it's come out: It also felt really good to get some paint on the model. Now I'll be able to continue with the remainder of the bays. Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troffa Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Simply stunning stuff, and a truly inspiring thread! Thanks for taking the time to document this awesome build, great photo's too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex77 Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 This is really great! Some outstanding work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 In awe ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Adams Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Almost inspired enough to take up vac form modelling - on the other hand I know I'm far too lazy.. Hats off to you.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richdlc Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 nice one, looking good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moeggo Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Epic Build! This is going to be killer once completed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 When you have finished it Tom, just make sure you don't drop it like you did with the Grizzly. "Avoid stairs at all cost when carrying models" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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