Alan Sannazzaro Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Towards the end of 2014 I was asked to build the HK 1/32 B-17 in the markings of Yankee Lady with interior and exterior lighting, along with spinning propellers, which I completed just before Christmas 2014. Whilst my customer is having a cabinet built for it he asked if he could store it in one of the display cabinets at Modelair where I work. It’s been sitting there ever since getting lots of attention from our customers. It inspired my latest customer to approach me to build him the same kit, but this time in the markings of ‘Bit O lace’, and asked for the aircraft to be heavily weathered just as the aircraft appears in a lot of period photos of her found online. Once again with lights and spinning propellers. The first one took just over 4 months to complete, however with my newly gained knowledge of what can and can’t be seen even with interior lighting, I reduced my time to 6 weeks. I’m still impressed with this kitset. It’s a pretty straightforward build, but has the ability to fatigue the modeller, as the build can be overwhelming. The advice I’d give anyone attempting this model is – don’t sweat the small stuff, especially in the interior. The only repeat offending problems I had with both models is where the top of the fuselage joins to the fuselage sides, as the top part is slightly too wide for the fuselage, and requires a small amount of Mr Surfacer to remove the obvious join. The decals were printed by Kitsworld, which I was impressed with for a second time. They really conform well to the surface, and sink into panel lines very nicely. The Stars and bars I still think are on the absolute limit for size of a single decal, as once again one of them tore on me. However they are definitely more accurate than the kit offerings. The star and bar on the weathered wing panel is a decal, which was ‘peeled off’ using tamiya tape after the decal was dry. I was petrified whilst doing it, but was very happy with the results. The chipping effect was achieved by putting lacquer silver down first, then a coat of hairspray, then with acrylics- preshading, colour, then post shading. After all that had dried I attacked the acrylic with a water soaked hard bristled paint brush, and stabbed at the paint until it started to come off. I’ve never used the technique before, overall I’m pleased with the result, however if you’re about to try it, mask off the area you want hairsprayed before you apply it, because if you mask over it the hairspray will come up with masking tape, much to my frustration. Because of the sheer surface area of the model, I painted the whole model in Tamiya spray can AS12 silver to get colour coverage, then picked out major panels with Alclad colours, which worked out economical. I guess I’m lucky to have built 2 of these models, and was quite pleased to be able to photograph both together. Because of the space they took up I couldn’t fit them both onto the projector screen without the background showing through, so with that in mind, please forgive me for terrible photoshopping lack of skills trying to hide that problem. I hope you enjoy the photos. If you’re in Auckland NZ, be sure to drop by the shop to have a look, as it’ll be on display until it’s collected. 48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatboydim Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Absolutely superb. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawel Szczudlyk Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Just stunning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertie Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Well we may have won the cricket but you Kiwis sure do win the Gold Trophy for impeccable modelling. It's a delight to ogle at Thealuminium panelling paint work is gobsmakingly first class plus the delicate oil flow over the wings from the engines sets the whole model off. If you can buy me an air ticket from Melbourne I'll pop over to take a closer look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HL-10 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 That is a very impressive looking B-17! The weathering is incredible, especially the port wing outer panel, and you've built two! How about a third one in 306th BG markings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 They are stunning, no doubt they will look even better in the flesh due to their size too. Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 They both look fantastic. Ozzy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanW Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 They look awesome! Greart job with the paint-chipping... superb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bordfunker Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 They look absolutely stunning. The weathering is amazing. And they must be huge in 1/32! Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildeSau75 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Wow - I seldom saw a better B-17. very very nice Model of one of WWII sky queens. The pics are great too. Thanks for posting. Cheers, Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doozer1974 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Absolutely stunning work! Your customers must be very happy chappies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcode Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 stunning build looks fantastic. very nice job on the paint and the weathering looks great... I bet the person you built them for will be very happy!!!!! the are both are stunning, superb work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmcclure Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Bloody Hell! Fantastic work and you've achieved a truly excellent finish. Wow! Cheers, Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booty003 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Most excellent. The B-17 is such a lovely looking aircraft and you have captured the look perfectly. I love the attention to detail and weathered finish. I have the Revell 1/72 in my stash just waiting..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgos Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Love that staining on the upper wings and around the engines, so convincing and beautifully done - congratulations on two superb builds. Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Not my type of aircraft, not my scale... but it looks simply awesome! Chipping adds much to the realism. Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Lancaster Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 You must have some display shelf! Seriously excellent work there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny akes Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Majestic! If only I had the space... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spookytooth Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 I will not show the wife this, she will want one too. Excellent builds. Simon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Very nice indeed, both models look fantastic,......but do you live in a mansion or an aircraft hangar?? Cheers Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mooney Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Wasn't 'bit of lace' the airfix B-17 of many moons ago?? Great work there on much big scale, weathering looks top notch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnerdad Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Impressive, saw one built up for the first time at the Hornchurch show, what a kit (and a half!). Great builds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazza l Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Very impressive work on both B17's. gazza l Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xspace Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 So inspirational work ! thanks for sharing such a beauty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich G Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Very impressive, I bet your house is now the worlds most expensive display cabinet! Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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