tomprobert 6,171 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 I've been working on this project for the last nine months, and have been able to apply the finishing touches today. A full build thread is here: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234924637-132nd-scale-boeing-b-29-from-the-id-models-vacform-finished/ This started life as a basic vacform from the old ID Models range (now available from John 'Tigger' Wilkes: The 'small' fuselage in the above image is the 1/48th Monogram B-29 which I used to guide me throughout this build. There was absolutely no interior with this kit so it has all had to be made from scratch. The tools of the trade were simply Evergreen strip, plastic card and Milliput, plus plenty of good references. Here's the cockpit under construction: And when painted: The whole interior received this treatment, along with the bomb-bays and wheel bays. I chose to finish my model as "Kee Bird" which crash-landed in the Arctic after the crew became lost and she ran out of fuel in 1947. Laying undisturbed for nearly 50 years this aircraft was sadly lost during a recovery attempt in 1994. Due to her long range snooping over the former USSR, "Kee Bird" was fitted with four long-range auxiliary fuel tanks in the bomb-bays; these too had to be made from scratch: There were no engines or propellers in this kit so the engines were castings of the ZM Skyraider engine, and the props came from a Vintage Fighter Series P-47, which after a little re-profiling fitted perfectly: The cowl flaps were made from drinks can alloy to gain a scale thickness: The kit's transparencies were used for the observation/gunner blisters: The clear nose was also the kit's, but for the other windows I simply dropped clear acetate into the apertures I cut earlier in the build: (Part 2 to follow) 8 Link to post Share on other sites
crobinsonh 1,047 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 One word - STUNNING 1 Link to post Share on other sites
tomprobert 6,171 Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share Posted May 29, 2013 Here follows some general detail shots as well as some pictures of the completed model in its entirety: The guns came from Aeries: The nose-art was my own doing: The elevators and rudder were scratch-built: All paints were automotive acrylics straight from a spray can. This picture also shows my scribing efforts to good effect - there was no surface detail whatsoever on the model: And to give a sense of scale to this model... this is a 6-seater dining room table! Although it threw some challenges my way, this was by far the most enjoyable and fulfilling build I've completed to date. Many thanks to those who helped me out with the engines and main wheels - you know who you are! As always, your feedback is welcome - good or bad Tom Probert, 29th May 2013. 8 Link to post Share on other sites
richdlc 236 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 just to reiterate what I said on the LSP forum... absolutely brilliant Tom, been a pleasure following this build! Can't wait to see what you tackle next... Hope to see the B-29 in the flesh soon Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 6,566 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Absolutely brilliant. Probably one of the most impressive models I've ever seen. Cheers John. Link to post Share on other sites
woody37 11,167 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 It doesn't seem like 9 months in the making, but it was well worth the wait, beautiful Link to post Share on other sites
nicE1 241 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Wow! that's really nice! Link to post Share on other sites
mike romeo 2,463 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Tom, I have some bad feedback for you: you're too bl**dy good! Lovely build, sir. Some really high class modelling in there. Now, where are you going to store it? regards, Martin Link to post Share on other sites
johnny akes 1,495 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Epic, both in execution and the result. Something to be proud of. Link to post Share on other sites
sean 3,119 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Stunning build, the quality you have achieved is inspiring, Sean Link to post Share on other sites
John_W 2,705 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Watched this awesome build on WIP. Outstanding. Link to post Share on other sites
batcode 3,533 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 fantastic work, the cockpit is so detailed ,great job Link to post Share on other sites
Spikelhund 280 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 One of the best and most enjoyable builds I've had the pleasure to follow, absolutely fantastic skills and finished model. Cheers... Link to post Share on other sites
tomprobert 6,171 Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share Posted May 29, 2013 Thanks for the kind comments folks... much appreciated Link to post Share on other sites
bentwaters81tfw 6,756 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 9 months? I've been following it that long? How about a 1.32 B-52? Link to post Share on other sites
tomprobert 6,171 Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share Posted May 29, 2013 How about a 1.32 B-52? Don't tempt me... Link to post Share on other sites
rmcclure 390 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Wow wow wow. I followed the WIP with great interest and what an inspiration it's been. What you've managed to create from a "kit" with so few parts is really outstanding. Bloody well done. Cheers, Roger Link to post Share on other sites
Simon Cornes 489 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Stunning - where on earth will you keep a machine like that? It looks like something a museum would love to have! Incredible!! Cheers Simon Link to post Share on other sites
jonbru1 99 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Absolutely stunning, especially in the light of the starting point. Superb demonstration of patience!!! Link to post Share on other sites
gazza l 2,816 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Very impressive modelling. gazza l Link to post Share on other sites
snapper_city 3,186 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Been following the build also. She looks stunning now finished. A leviathan of a model with absolutely no issues storage wise as far as I can see. Thumbs up. Btw a 1/32 B-52 really would be something. Link to post Share on other sites
russ c 10,186 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Awesome Build !! Well Done Link to post Share on other sites
brianthemodeller 693 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 I have really enjoyed following this build. You have created one of the best models I have ever seen - even Mrs BtM was impressed! Thank you Brian Ps what's next?? Link to post Share on other sites
Julien 8,546 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Very impressive modelling. I enjoyed the WIP thread as well. Julien Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 2,813 Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 It's a bit of a bittersweet moment. While it's lovely to see it finished, now I don't have your next wonderful bit of modelling wizardy to look forward to. Link to post Share on other sites
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