SaminCam Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 (edited) *** Slightly better photos added Feb 2021 *** Still struggling to get really good snaps of this big bird but at least the lighting is a better in the photobox. Enjoy! Hi all, photos of my finished Academy 1/72 B-29, sorry for the distinctly mediocre picture quality, haven't really figured out how to photograph big models like this... The scheme is "Celestial Queen" with decals from warbirds and I also added the Eduard etch set. She's painted with various shades of Alclad - it was a bit of a battle at times as I was pretty much learning how to airbrush and how to do NMF as I went along. I enjoyed detailing the cockpit and scratch built a few bits and pieces like a lamp, map and headphones for the radio operator. The front of the fuselage is held on with little magnets so you can take it off to see the detail inside (looks better in real life than in the photos!). This works quite well but if I was doing it again I'd make the whole upper half come off so the joins appear along panel lines rather than on top. I also put quite a lot of effort into the bomb bay with doors open and all those bombs to decal! It took me most of 2018 to get done but in the end I'm really happy with it and it looks pretty cool alongside the B-17 with matching red wing tips! I learned absolutely loads along the way, thanks to those who provided help and encouragement, the WIP is here: Enjoy! Edited February 14, 2021 by SaminCam New photos added 62 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Dapple Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Lovely job mate, she's a beauty Cheers, Stew 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Joyce Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 The time spent building it was well worth it. Great detail work, and the NMF shading and the weathering are outstanding! I like the idea of being able to remove part of the fuselage in order to see the interior craftsmanship. Cheers, Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unfinished project Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Superb SuperFortress 👍👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 23 minutes ago, Stew Dapple said: Lovely job mate, she's a beauty You're right,nose art isn't bad either...Beautiful job SaminCam..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 A real beauty,great finish. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Brilliant. We don't see enough B-29s.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAAMAN Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Nicely done One problem, the Academy kit is of a Renton Washington built B-29A (where all B-29As came from) not a B-29 as represented by your build. The only B-29 in 1/72 is the Airfix Superfort. There are differences between the two types. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Superb finish 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted January 13, 2019 Share Posted January 13, 2019 Beautiful Superfortress Sam - looks really good! And yes it looks really nice next to the B-17 - an interesting comparison. Cheers Malcolm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted January 14, 2019 Share Posted January 14, 2019 That is a super build! Would never have known you were a newby to airbrushing or NMF's. I've had the Academy kit (the Enola Gay version) in my stash for a long time and your build shows how good it can be. Love your choice of decals from the aftermarket too. A brilliant job all-round. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaminCam Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 Thanks everyone for the kind words! Next up is Airfix's 1/72 He-111... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmerboy Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Smashing, you have done a great job, great build and finish! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 That's lovely, I like the removable roof! Cheers John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazza l Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Very nice work, it looks great. gazza l 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark4700 Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Don’t see many of these getting built. I remember building the Airfix version years ago. Yours looks superb. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 As FAAMAN pointed out, the Renton-built B-29A was different from the Boeing Wichita and Bell and Martin-built B-29's. The B-29 wing was built in two sections; the B-29A wing was built in three sections and was 12" longer in span. In addition, B-29A's had a four-gun front top turret instead of the two-gun B-29 turret. I don't have an Airfix B-29 kit, so I can't comment on whether or not it has a one foot shorter span than the Academy kit. B-29A wingspan is 142' and the B-29 is quoted as being 141' Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAAMAN Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 To the best of my knowledge 72modeller I think you'll find that the four gun turret was a B-29 only feature. Quote; "Early combat experience indicated that the B-29 needed more protection against fighter attacks coming from the front. The forward dorsal turret armament was increased to four 0.50-inch machine guns on Boeing-Wichita production block 40. Bell-Atlanta introduced this innovation on Block 10, and all Martin-built B-29s had four guns in the top turret from the beginning." So no B-29A (Renton, Washington 'BN') had the four gun top turret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Cracking work, looks very nice indeed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaminCam Posted February 14, 2021 Author Share Posted February 14, 2021 There have been a few fantastic looking B-29s posted recently and they encouraged me to take some new snaps of the one I built in 2018 - scary how time flies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Brantley Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 Yes, that is so nice; you've done a brilliant job on that one. I especially appreciate the removable section-that's a neat idea. 😀 And I love the pic with the B-17! Bravo all around sir! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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