'Memphis Belle' B-17f Revell 1/72 (Pic heavy)

[MikeW]

Thanks Simon and Stew! We went to see 'The Mother' by Florian Zeller last night... It's supposed to be a 'comedy' but I've learned from my trips to Shakespeare plays that this doesn't mean a bundle of laughs. A play translated from the original French (so no Donkeys, hee haw, hee haw*). For some 'artistic' reason they immediately 'replayed' each scene with slight differences that no one understood - bit 'highbrow' for me.

Words to live by. Used to think that if I did not understand it, it must be good, but I have learned a healthy distrust of the term 'avant garde'. In the 80s, spent a summer bumming around Mexico. Was on the university campus in San Cristobal de las Casas, right down near the Guatamalan border, when we were approached and it is insisted upon we attend their theatrical production that evening. Remember those 80s events - one guy on stage, generally dressed in black, and the only prop is a chair? It quickly dawned on me that even if the event was in English, I would not be understanding it. Very highbrow it was.

The other performance of note, was in the National Cathedral in Mexico City. Because of Apartheid, South African citizens were not permitted into Mexico. Well, didn't that just not sit right with my travel plans. After months of exhausting all legal channels for a visa, I ended up 'smuggling' myself south over the border with forged US birth certificate, notarized ( important to always have a few dodgy friends ) and the holiday began. I figured, if anyone should ask where I was from, I would say Holland, as I could speak Afrikaans, and that should be enough to confuse anyone in Mexico. So, while wandering through the Cathedral, a priest appears and soon enough, "Where are you from?". Holland I say with practiced ease. John Paul II has recently been elected Pope and is wowing the world, and the local priest apparently heard Poland, not Holland. Well, a compatriot of the Pope, nothing is too much trouble. We are whisked off for a fairly comprehensive tour of the place, getting to poke around in all the catacombs, and witnessing all the efforts to shore the gigantic edifice up as it is slowly sinking into the old lake bed upon which the city was built. After an hour or so ( all jolly interesting ) we are seated in some elevated area, and the choir is produced ( always wondered where he got the choir at such short notice ) and we are treated to some rousing choruses, quite the impromptu concert. I remember saying to my traveling companion, and now partner in crime "You do realize that we are going to go straight to hell for this".

[Stew Dapple]

p.s. - Ced - my apologies; I forgot to say two things:

1. The B-17 - looking nice
2. Proof of your undoubted taste in women: Gina McKee - phwoarrrrrrrrrr

Cheers,

Stew

[Biggles87]

The programme you were thinking of was GBH starring Michael Palin and Robert Lindsay.

We have visitors at the moment so I haven't had much time for BM, but they have taken themselves off for a walk and Mrs B is snoozing in the sun, so I am doing a little catching up, but you lot have filled three pages since I last looked, give a bloke a chance!

Looking good by the way.

John

Edited May 23, 2015 by Biggles87

[CedB]

Thanks Jon, Stew and John and to Rob for comments on the 'side notes', always welcomed of course!

On a side note (we are a fan of them here no?) After mentioning my bitterness at having left M&S earlier in this thread, a fire was put in me to have a look see if I could go back...my old boss responded within a day say he will have an offer at the end of the week! So I think I owe you some thanks or I might not have bothered

Enjoy the meerkats at longlet... They anything like these chaps
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xaPepCVepCg

Rob

Rob I hope the wedding went well and good luck with the M&S job - proper chaps will out!

Thanks a lot for the link to 'Walk on the Wild Side' - one of my favourites when it was on and I've watched all the YouTube videos following your link. Those guys crack me up. One of my colleagues, Alan, suffered for some time from 'Al, Alan, Al'. I may have to order the DVDs.

Longleat and the Meerkats (did I say they're my favourites?) was great. Of course I took far too many photos (again) but was pleased with this one:

They look so cute but are really little monsters. The keeper said you don't pick them up if you want to keep your fingers - when they have to handle them they use thick gloves and even then they can bite to the bone. Awwww bless.

Thanks Mike for the comments on 'avant garde' plays (shudder) and for the interesting story about Mexico, Holland, Poland and the Pope (wow, you certainly don't need to get out more). The concert sounds great.

The sinking edifice reminds me of the time we lived in Salisbury (Wiltshire, not SA) when they found that the cathedral, the tallest spire in the UK, might have problems with the foundations - it's built on marshy ground. They carefully excavated down to the foundations and found... woolsacks. They had compressed to a firm foundation perfectly fitted to the surroundings that moved with changes in the water table. Of course they have no modern materials that do that and 'woolsacks' don't meet modern building regulations (!!??) so they filled the hole and walked away.

Anyway, some progress in the next post.

[CedB]

This is the bit I like least. Fill, sand, repeat. I must improve my techniques (or be less bothered by gaps). I might try Paul Bs technique with CA and have bought some CA gel to try.

Here's the bottom with the awful fit on the 'missing turret':

I like the Humbrol filler because you can work it as it starts to go off. And then Vallejo PP for finer gaps. In the first photo you can see the hole that the orders say to carefully cut out... and then nothing goes in it. There's another on the top where the 'G' has an aerial. Future builders should ignore the order to cut these holes in Step 11, unless you like filling holes. Also note that the orders have the hole for the ?aerial? jumping from side to side and then (in the paint scheme) in the middle. This photo shows the correct (and only) correct fit - I've checked reference shots.

I started looking at holes that need masking before the primer and noticed a big one - the bomb bay. I decided I'd use the doors as then they'd get painted too. These have lugs on that, if you're having the doors open as I will, make sure they're at the right angle, but they stop you using the doors as a mask so I cut them off after separating the doors:

I reckon I can get the doors on straight later (famous last words?). I've just noticed the gaps after seeing that shot close up - I don't want a primed interior! WWND? Blobbed some Maskol on it (any paint defects will be touched up later and labelled 'chipping').

Wings checked and filled /sanded (very little to do except between the engines where that weird part spoiled the fit) and rear cowlings fitted (thanks Andy for the tip and the warning about the inner engine cowlings being different numbers). Empennage assembled:

Note no jig! You cannot believe how happy it made me when the tailplanes clicked into place. Note to kit manufacturers - please ALWAYS do this.

Note the floppy elevators (as Andy also noted). If you're building wheels down then this will be the natural position (I guess) so remember to push the control sticks forward in the cabin.

How do you build this wheels up? Guys? The tailwheel needs to be addressed I think (assume this was retractable?) and the main gear chopped about. Anyone else done this??

That's it for tonight - thanks for looking!

[Stew Dapple]

It's looking proper Ced

Can't help with the undercarriage I'm afraid, the tailwheel is retractable but I don't remember how; the last B17 I built was the ancient Airfix one when I was about 13 - I think the undercarriage actually retracted on that model, but that could be my age playing tricks with my memory... again. I do remember the Airfix B24 had a retractable undercarriage, I think that kit is the one still in the catalogue...

Sorry, I rambled myself OT there

Cheers,

Stew

[Spookytooth]

It's looking proper Ced

Can't help with the undercarriage I'm afraid, the tailwheel is retractable but I don't remember how; the last B17 I built was the ancient Airfix one when I was about 13 - I think the undercarriage actually retracted on that model, but that could be my age playing tricks with my memory... again. I do remember the Airfix B24 had a retractable undercarriage, I think that kit is the one still in the catalogue...

Sorry, I rambled myself OT there

Cheers,

Stew

I think you are right about the B 24 and her undercart I remember building it as a kid.

It looks like the old kit.

Sorry about that Ced.

Your B17 is looking great.

Will follow on to the end with this one.

Simon.

[andymoore]

This kit really is quite frustrating - you pile all your effort into the interior, close the damned thing up & then it's like a different kit - loose elevators, dodgy fitting ailerons, a very dodgy fit for the nose, and the tail wheel appears to be a conundrum up or down. It's weird, everything goes together so well on the inside.

Edited May 25, 2015 by andymoore

[rob85]

Lovely work Ced and great pic of the meerkat he does look cute bit don't like I idea of a finger being bitten too the bone! Glad you had fun!

The wedding went well but was hell as there was an unlimited free bar, but I was driving.... I mean! What the hell!!

Don't have a clue about the wheels up ability of the kit so cannot help! Sorry.

I will let you know if there is a good offer on the table this week... Have your fingers crossed chaps.

Rob

[CedB]

Thanks Guys!

A late post after celebrating my birthday tonight (a bit early, but the girls are working during the week now, of course) so this post may be 'in vino veritas'...

You will remember that I'm looking forward to an easier build for my next one? Well my thoughtful girls may have provided a solution with their present:

It's 1/12 scale (1/12 of WHAT?) and not WWII but it is in Europe... Can I WiP this? Can I Dad, can I?

[Nigel Heath]

Well I certainly give it my blessing. I look forward to the construction experience. (!!)

Regs,

Nigel

[philp]

Some helpful info to do wheels up.

http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34437

And some pics showing the real world in action.

http://www.danielsww2.com/images/cathcart_B-17_1_.jpg

http://www.b26.com/img/misc/sweater_girl.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Boeing_B-17F_42-29513_in_flight%2C_1943.jpg/800px-Boeing_B-17F_42-29513_in_flight%2C_1943.jpg

[Stew Dapple]

...

It's 1/12 scale (1/12 of WHAT?) and not WWII but it is in Europe... Can I WiP this? Can I Dad, can I?

I'll look forward to seeing that Ced, but make sure you get the correct paint - Aardman Red* - the rivet-counters go nuts if you get that wrong

Cheers,

Stew

* n.b. there really is not, as far as I know, a paint called 'Aardman Red'

[Procopius]

Do a WHIF in RAF colours.

[CedB]

Some helpful info to do wheels up.

http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34437

Thanks Phil - perfect! I shall use all those links for reference and let you know how it goes of course. Also interesting to see the ball turret 'resting position' and I'll try to remember that when she goes on the ceiling with her escorts - two red tails (I know this may never have happened but hey, it's my ceiling!)

Well I certainly give it my blessing. I look forward to the construction experience. (!!)

Thanks Nigel! My next WiP then.

I'll look forward to seeing that Ced, but make sure you get the correct paint - Aardman Red* - the rivet-counters go nuts if you get that wrong

Cheers,

Stew

* n.b. there really is not, as far as I know, a paint called 'Aardman Red'

Stew thanks for the warning It does come complete with its own little Humbrol pots, a 'vintage' tube of poly cement and a rubbish brush.

Do a WHIF in RAF colours.

PC what a great idea! Sort of like the BoB Tribute Tiffie! Now, where's my decal stash...

[Christer A]

Ced, you have a blistering pace!

I was at an event all weekend long and was knee deep in plastic parts, but didn't get anywhere on my Typhoon... (no entirely true though) but in the same timeframe you've almost got the main construction completed!

Great job!

Can't be too long before main painting commences, can it?

(and I was this close to buy a used Revell B-17...terrible good price too)

[CedB]

Thanks Christer - very kind... but I think it's more tortoise than hare! I'm spending a lot of time on slow, fiddly jobs.

Like the masking of the cowlings which, if you remember, I decided I would stick on with latex glue for the painting and then fit the engines later. I cut some Tamiya masking sheet with my new circle cutter (great tool) a little oversized for the inside of the cowlings, then cut some foam from an old Scotch pad and stuffed it in the back. Also filled the u/c bays and put some Maskol on the landing lights.

Now I think about it, would have been easier (probably) to fit the clear parts and mask those.

I have no reason to delay the priming now so off to the garage later. Thanks for looking!

[Biggles87]

I think I must have skipped a page in my hurry to catch up the other day and didn't see the reference to Gina Mckee. I'm with Stew, she always seems to look quite sultry! She's probably a quiet suburban housewife in real life.

Cheers

John

PS did you have to buy more Berna clamps for this project?

Edited May 25, 2015 by Biggles87

[CedB]

Thanks John. Gina McKee as a quiet but sultry suburban housewife? Now that's a film I'd like to see (ooh, behave!)

I have found an excuse to delay spraying Belle - I've started a WiP on Gromit* here. I shall, of course, be progressing with Belle's engines (and Gromit) while the primer goes off. Oh, and mowing the lawn.

Have a great Bank Holiday Monday lucky Brits!

* Now that just sounds wrong.

Edit: Sorry John, missed the question about the clamps - I already had four small and one large clamp, essential for Valom builds!

[rob85]

Nice use of sponge... Bob would approve

Looking forward to seeing primer on. Always feel better at that stage as I makes my poor work appear neat.

Rob

Of to see your BofB gromit... A stunning idea fro. Mr p

[Biggles87]

We said goodbye to our visitors this morning ( who live in Glastonbury, Ced ) so we're planning a nice quiet afternoon, probably sleeping, to recover from all the extra activity and booze.

It's also a PH here, the first time I remember a French one coinciding with a British one since we arrived, our PHs are held on the date, not the nearest Monday so if it falls on a weekend, it's just tough luck, you don't get a day in lieu, or anywhere else for that matter. Lieu -Looe, geddit, oh please yourselves.

I also like the use of the sponge.

Have a good day

John

PS forgot to say that I'm also looking forward to the W&G build.

Edited May 25, 2015 by Biggles87

[CedB]

First off apologies to Stew for messing up his post that 'quoted' the Gromit picture I've now moved. My CDO* didn't let me have two copies so it went into the new Gromit folder. Oops! I tried to copy it back - just for you Stew matey - but the filename has, of course, changed forever and I can't edit your post I don't think, sorry

Nice use of sponge... Bob would approve
Looking forward to seeing primer on. Always feel better at that stage as I makes my poor work appear neat.
Rob

Thanks Rob - see below!

Thanks John - Gromit will progress this afternoon because Belle's primer is drying off... Like the loo joke and I'll be 'joining you' in your siesta (in mind, not in body!!)

So, out with the Halford's Plastic Primer and into the garage 'spray booth' (cardboard box):

Look at that seam on the fuselage - gaaaahhhh!

Is it me, or the Vallejo filler colouring the primer, or what? I was sure that was 'done'. What's the approved method for correcting 'steps' in the seams? I fill the lower side and then try to feather it flat(ish) as I don't want to flatten the fuselage profile. What's your method chaps? All I can see from other people's posts are lines of green/ white stuff and then ta da!

Anyway, I have developed one method that is easy, fool proof (so ideal for me) and hides the seams perfectly:

Courtesy of Photobucket's GIF maker.

24 hours for the primer to go off so I'll be working on Gromit. And having a siesta, of course. Thanks for looking!

* Like OCD but with the letters in the order they should be in.

[Stew Dapple]

Eh no worries Ced, I can't even remember what I wrote but it was undoubtedly the usual guff and therefore of no consequence

Nice priming mate

I usually use the 'thumbnail test' on my seams, run your thumbnail perpendicular to the seam, if you feel it 'click' as you pass over the seam, sand it again, if not then you know it is an optical effect... or my other method: to sand it as long as you can be bothered and then think "The hell with this; life's too short anyway"

Cheers,

Stew

[Procopius]

my new circle cutter (great tool)

My circle cutter is useless, what brand did you get?

[rob85]

Now that is a cunning plan Ced. I always paint the seams so know how far into the filler I go... Don't know if it helps but its what I do... I always think there is a step because of it but once the paint is down, all goes well.... Enough

Rob