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1/32 B-17F "Memphis Belle" (HK Models)


dominic_2005

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Finally, after a 3 hour process (not including wait times between) the fuselage is together reasonably well.

Top (removable) section has a snug fit so far, just some more work to do at the front so it just sort of drops in.
 

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Edited by dominic_2005
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Tail gun and tail cone in place, windows masked. Top part windows fitted, which is the highlight of this kit. The glassware is superb. Sharp, crisply molded, nice raised rivet details, and the fit is just incredible. All the glass parts just drop into place and in most cases hold themselves, particularly the three piece front wrap around window. (They weren't glued in until after I masked them).
 

Work will stop on the main fuselage for a bit whilst the nose section gets done.

 

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Edited by dominic_2005
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Nose section is semi complete. Not the easiest part of the build by any stretch.
 

I tried to simulate the plywood deck as best I could, and added a WWII map and photo to the desk.
 

Getting the position of the ammo box and belt on both sides was tricky as had to part be done before assembly so was a challenge to align, I think I got it about right.

I'd have preferred to fit the barrels after painting and final assembly as I just know they are going to get knocked at some point.
 

Fitting the nose to the rest is going to be tricky, as the diameter of the nose is slightly too small for the lip on the fuselage. I may have to remove the lip to get it to fit and try and get a really secure bond. That's a task for later on though.

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Edited by dominic_2005
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I used an old kit as a paint mule to test out how I am going to do the primary colours on this. (ignore the rubbish on the paint job, was a quick n dirty session)

I'd like some opinions please as I am struggling to get the pseudo camo colour (darker green) correct. I think I am pretty close with this though...

PS: I've also gone through and fixed my images. Apparently using my public Facebook page as an image host isn't reliable lol. Now it's OneDrive so they might be sluggish to load, but they do load...eventually lol.

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Very nice work with the interiors, Dominic! I think your test panel of paint looks very good, but I'll leave the question of the right colour green to those more knowledgable on Fortresses than me

 

James

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Hello Dominic,

 

Like James, I consider your paint test to be very conclusive. And your choice of shade for the 42 green is very close.  This green remains quite dark despite exposure to the sun, olive green washes out a lot and then leaves the green patches looking very dark.

 

Between you and me, I despair because you're moving very fast for a 1/32 B17.

 

Regards,

Eric-Snafu35

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17 minutes ago, Snafu35 said:

Hello Dominic,

 

Like James, I consider your paint test to be very conclusive. And your choice of shade for the 42 green is very close.  This green remains quite dark despite exposure to the sun, olive green washes out a lot and then leaves the green patches looking very dark.

 

Between you and me, I despair because you're moving very fast for a 1/32 B17.

 

Regards,

Eric-Snafu35


Hi Eric,

Thanks for giving me some confirmation. It was really tricky using photographic references as the shades and tones really change depending on the lighting, (outdoor/outdoor sunny/outdoor cloudy/etc) and state of the aircraft, (original in-service/preservation mode/etc).

I had noticed the washed out appearance though, and made a mental note that that is something I will need to address, either before the pseudo-camouflage is applied or after as a sweeping measure across the whole thing. I've not yet decided how to approach this as yet. Previously I used a combination of post-shading and an overall coat of a highly thinned white, but even this ended up much darker than I intended.

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That's looking mightily impressive, Dominic! Out of curiosity, have you got somewhere large enough for it to be on display permanently, or will it live in a box with the wings off unless it's at a show?

 

James

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1 hour ago, 81-er said:

That's looking mightily impressive, Dominic! Out of curiosity, have you got somewhere large enough for it to be on display permanently, or will it live in a box with the wings off unless it's at a show?

 

James


It will be mounted on the wall using the included (yes, INCLUDED) wall mount.

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1 hour ago, dominic_2005 said:

It will be mounted on the wall using the included (yes, INCLUDED) wall mount.

That's actually a very thoughtful inclusion by HK, and a great way to display it

 

James

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Very nice, Dominic :) You're ok with swastikas in historically appropriate places (kill markings, on the fin of Luftwaffe aircraft etc) here, so you don't have to worry about blurring them out in any other photos you take of the model

 

James

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I believe that the good people who make the Britmodeller Massive appreciate historical over political correctness. When a historical subject carried a swastika or a red star, they should be depicted in the model unless the builder him-/herself doesn't decide against that. I, for one, could only add red stars as kill markings but not build a subject carrying such markings. Really.

V-P

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The 'Belle looks fantastic with colour done .... and the picture taken on the block paving really does indicate the size of her! 

 

Keith 😁 

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