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1/48 Monogram B-29 Washington


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Hello

Another one of my recent builds, the Monogram 1/48 B-29. Our model club was donated this in early 2015 by one of the local British Legion and I picked up the task of building. I think every part was loose in the box, after a stock take surprisingly most parts where there with only the pitot tubes missing and a few broken bits that could be easily repaired.
It turned out to be a fairly epic process, detail in places is quite nice - sadly inside where you can’t see most of it - and elsewhere quite crude. Despite myself, I did get some aftermarket - new props (hideously warped), Eduard Wheels and some Eduard external PE. First full scribing of a kit I have ever done, I did a part a day to spread out the load and it wasn't too bad in the end. I had issues with the parts holding when glued (Tamiya extra thin), never had this before, but numerous times I had seams popping, including after the final metal finish :weep:.
The decals were wrecked when I got it and after some research decided I wanted to do an RAF Washington. I was just about to get some masks cut when a I found the new set of Costal Craft Decals at SMW :winkgrin:.
I painted the top with the AK Xtreme Metal and I have to say these are a revelation, after using these I will all but ditch my Alclad, for the simple reason that Xtreme Metal actually let me mask over it with impunity something that make life so much easier.
Please excuse the aerial lines, I ran out of easy line and used fishing line instead, I think may man-cave was a different temperature last night when I did it, they were tight then, but have sagged now, I will replace with easy line when I get some more.
To say it was a tail sitter is an understatement, it has a huge amount of lead in the front, in one of the front turrets and I still had to jam more lead in the engine intakes when I realised I hadn't allowed for the angle of the main gear, so I had calculated the COG a bit further back. Even now its basically neutral and will balance on just the main gear...
Thanks for looking.
Ian
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Hello,Ian - My compliments to you on a fine looking build of your 'Washington'. It's great to see another fine model from the Monogram Label on the Ramp. I love the quality and detail of the paint and finishing work and she is a resplendent tribute to the type. All the best for the New Year,Paul.

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Hi

Thanks, it's huge way larger than anything I would wish to build again. It's about 2.5 feet by 2 feet. Storage - same as all of my kits, in the loft. I normally box them, this won't fit in anything I have so just under a sheet.

That is hugely impressive. I love the internal detail and the finish is superb for the natural metal. Out of interest, how big is the kit and where will it be stored?

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Now that is a brilliant model - it looks fantastic, and also confirms my theory that all American aircraft look better in RAF or FAA markings :)

Nicely done sir!!

Jonners (wondering if there was a sense of humour at work in the Air Ministry naming the B29 for America's most famous Englishman...)

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Big and shiny, I really like it. As far as I remember the nose glazing was a tricky part of the kit, it looks like you have done a perfect job.

Geno

Hi Geno

Yes, the canopy was a pig, the fuselage doesn't describe an accurate circle so fitting the front glazing required some manipulation with masking tape to the shape of the fuselage, conscious that too much pressure would crack the clear main part and also trying not to pop the rear glazing joint out as well. I did buy the squadron vac formed ones as I had hoped to provide a better view into the cockpit, but it basically had the same challenge plus the requirement to try to butt joint incredibly thin vac parts, at least the kit plastic had some leeway, so in the end the kit ones won.

Ian

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Gorgeous

I did the same aircraft in 1/72 earlier this year, but to see it in 1/48 built this well is fantastic. Despite the challenges, you won hands down. The rescribe and detailing, not to mention the paint job has really paid off :)

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Gorgeous

I did the same aircraft in 1/72 earlier this year, but to see it in 1/48 built this well is fantastic. Despite the challenges, you won hands down. The rescribe and detailing, not to mention the paint job has really paid off :)

Thanks, there are precious few builds of a Washington, your work certainly inspired - did I see it at SMW as well?

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Thanks, there are precious few builds of a Washington, your work certainly inspired - did I see it at SMW as well?

It was on the BC Sig stand, so quite possibly, cheers. Hope to see this in the flesh (plastic? !!) some time, will you be talking it along to any of the shows?

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No idea I'm afraid as I was just shovelling it in at the end! I filled the top turret with lead shot and what you can see in the picture underneath (no room for he actual turret just the visible part). Then I pushed loads into the engine intakes when I found I had got it wrong. What I should have done is put some weight inside the engine nacel for the inboard engines as there is a load of room but thought I didn't need it. It shouldn't cause issues as its in line with the spar for strength. You need the c of g about 1 cm in front of the main gear leg holes as the gear leans forward when fitted.

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