dlc_aec Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 here are some pics of my 1/72 yb-40. im using the paragon conversion set (dont know if it the only one or not). the basic b-17 is the memphis belle version from academy. after looking at all the b-17 kits, this one has all the windows and details in the correct spots of the vega b-17s that were converted. ive got aftermarket decals that will be going on for the tail/fuselage codes. this -40 will be from the 303rd bw. ive had to modify the ball turret too, to match the one found on the -40. also, the kit says to install the turrets when i stick the fuselage halves together. instead of working around the turrets, i glued card stock in where the turrets will go, and ill go in later and glue the turrets in. after the modifications to both the dorsal and ball turret, they wont turn, but not an issue for me. i am building a diorama with this as the centerpiece. i will be depicting loading the yb-40 before loading. i welcome any advise, comments, etc. dlc_aec@yahoo.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 here are a few updated pics. you can see the loading truck in the foreground of the last pic. it will be a heavily modified academy ambulance turned into a wc-52. thanks for looking. douglas dlc_aec@yahoo.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 Paint is just about all thats left. The turrets are just in for the pics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StevenJ Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I've never heard of a YB-40. It looks interesting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Steven, the yb-40 was a gunship version of the b-17f. before the long range fighters came along, the aaf needed some way to protect the bombers from german fighters. the answer, they thought, was the yb-40. they added a chin turret, a second dorsal turret, and doubled up the waist guns (2 per side). this brought the total of guns to bear to 16. they found that, while effective, after the b-17s dropped their bombs, they were faster than the yb-40's, because of the added weight from the extra turret, guns, and ammo. instead of bombs, the yb-40's carried extra ammo in the bomb bay. twenty yb-40's were modifed from b-17's, and sent to europe. after about 6 months of trials, its was decided they wouldnt work as well as planned. there was one feature that they kept on the later version of the b-17, the chin turret. and thus was born the b-17g. on a side note, they tried the same thing with a b-24, it didnt even make it out of testing. i cant remember its yb number. hope this helps, douglas dlc_aec@yahoo.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Griffin Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I've never heard of a YB-40. It looks interesting. For me too, I'll follow this usunual version with interest ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
richter111 Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Thanks for building a rare bird! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 the -40 is all but done. all ive got to do is paint it and add the non-od parts (tires, supercharges, windows) ive been working on the bomb truck and its trailer. the trailer is completely scratch. it took a LOT of scrounging to find the shapes i needed. for example, the "frame" is the name plate from the uss bunker hill model, i did plate the top and ends to box them in. the hitch is from a parts tree, i think. the i-beam on the truck used to be square tubing i cut in half and glued back together to resemble i-beam. when your a good 2 hrs from a good hobby store, you get creative. its hard to believe the truck started life wanting to be an ambulance. thanks for looking! douglas dlc_aec@yahoo.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 hello all, its been a bit, but here are the latest updates. everything has been primed, and ive even got the neutral grey on the -40 painted. that was a small ordeal. on the right wing, there was some sort of oily substance that came from the priming. had to have, i primed then painted less than 24 hrs between. and of course, the paint beaded up........ it looks good now, i re-primed the area and repainted the color. the plan is to paint the od, in the next couple of days. not much left after that. i began the personel too. not a big fan of them. they are a rubbery plastic. ive never been good with that. thanks again for looking. douglas dlc_aec@yahoo.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 well, here we are again. excellant work by steve getting things up and running again!!!! here are the latest pics of the -40. ive got the painting done. i used that yellow silly putty type stuff as my barrier and used tissue paper to span the putty. i had an emergency, but was able to get it somewhat corrected. when i primed the -40, i forgot to cover the forward top turret. i didnt think i had much issue until i peeled the tape off the windscreen. ARGH!!! i dug out a q-tip and cut the cotton off and dipped it in my paint remover and was able to rub most of the over spray off through the same turret hole. not much left but the decals. the plan is to future the -40 tonight and get going on the decals by the weekend. i was looking, and there arent that many......... thanks for looking and, have a good one, douglas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 well, here are my latest updates. ive got just a few more decals, everything on the tail. everything else is just about done, just wheels on the truck and trailer. the turrets are done, and ive got most of the detail painting done. in case your wondering, this is from the 303rd bg, 359th bs. and if it looks like thunderbird decals, you would be correct. i checked, and the code bn*u wasnt assign to any a/c in the spring/early summer of '43. since about half of the yb-40's are "undocumented", im using of of those s/n and assigning it to radio code u. while doing research, i found out that all vega b-17's had a larger star on the fuselage, and the microscale t-bird decals had one set of larger stars. the time frame also allows me to have to grayed out codes/stars, also in the t-bird set. thats about it. if you have any questions or comments, all are welcome. hopefully, next time i post it will be the finished pics. dlc_aec@yahoo.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Looking good so far, next step must be the dull coat. Wil have to see it in person soon....bringing it to the contest March 28th? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin_sam_2000 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Looking good. I have this lined up in 1/48th but it is a pretty daunting task. i am planning to convert the "G" model as it is the closest to the modified ones. what aircraft did you do it up as(I don't see any nose art) and where did you get the decals?? Sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 david, yep, the next step is the dull coat!! i just finished the tail markings. i had to change plans a bit, to get the correct numbers with what i had, i had to go with one that was documented (but not very well). im thinking i might be at the show, one of my other hobbies is collecting/shooting ww2 rifles. there is a m1 garand match in okc the same day.......... sean, i didnt find it that bad, the cut for the aft dorsal turret was right on existing panel lines (i used the academy kit). everything else was standard b-17 construction. i thought the memphis belle academy f model was more correct. the windows on the nose is what made me go with that f model. questions about the correct looking version could be caused by the maunufacture of the b-17. depending on which one (douglas, vega, boeing), the g might look like the correct version. the only thing that i could find that the academy g offered, was the cheeck guns being pushed out, (wasnt found on all yb-40s) and the fact that the chin turret was already molded on. in the end, i went with a true f that had the vega window configuration. i used the s/n from a yb-40 that was named the chicago, i only found one site that had that info, no pics though, so i wont have any nose art . the chicago's s/n was the only number i could make (within reason) out of the decal set i had. i was going to do a 92nd bg plane, as thats where most of them started, but nobody makes 92nd markings. i couldnt find just a plane set of letters either, so i had to find a premade set. when i went to the 303rd, there were a few more options. i went with microscales thunderbird set (72-870) because it had the correct letters, the larger star on the fuselage, plus both were "grayed out". if i had the perfect set of decals, it would include the 92nd bg 327th sq codes, with the red ringed star and bar. if you would like, i can send you some addition info, maybe even a pic or 2 that i found, and i can point out differneces....... well, back to it...... so close..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin_sam_2000 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I have done quite a bit of research myself..which is why I was asking where you got the decals. I am leaning towards Tampa Tornado myself..but it looks like I am going to have to get the decals custom made. Its too bad a manufacturer doesn't make a set and bundle them with the Paragon conversion. your -40 is turning out nice!! I can't wait to see it with the clear peices on!!!! Sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 sean, yes, a full set of decals would be GREAT, or even information about what decals to apply. and the only clear piece that isnt on is the nose cone..... well, that and the turrets. good luck on your conversion. this was the first time ive used a modification set, and i was a little concerned, but i think it is working out great. have a good one, douglas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
klimmer Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Your build is coming along very nicely. Fantastic work on a very interesting subject. :D Ted Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 ok, so i lied. i decided to post a few pics of some of the fidley bits and the bomb loading truck. thanks for looking, douglas dlc_aec@yahoo.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 ok, didnt know there was a limit to how many pics i could upload..... here are the rest of what i was planning to do last post. thanks, douglas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 almost there. no pics this time, im savin' 'em...... i can say that i have only 15 more pieces to attach (4 props, 3 windows, 4 guns, 4 barrels) all turrets are in, wheels are on..... its time to warm up the engines, this bird is ready for a raid on the reich. i dont think i mentioned what i used on this build..... academy b-17, quick boost barrels (AWESOME), paragon yb-40 conversion, and microscale decals. it was a first on all accounts. the b-17 kit went together without many issues. the barrels couldnt be better if you had a shrinky dink machine. the resin conversion kit was perfect. no holes to fill, excellant detail. and the decals were the best ive ever worked with. before i flatened the -40, i couldnt tell were the decal sheet ended. if all goes according to plan, the -40 will be done tomorrow night. and i think i might have a future project....... i have found pics of the yb-41. its the destroyer escort version of the b-24. after this, it wont be hard at all. anyway, thanks for looking, and see you all tomorrow. douglas dlc_aec@yahoo.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 ok, here it be. the yb-40 is done. enjoy! ill post these also in the finished thread. thanks for looking, douglas dlc_aec@yahoo.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dlc_aec Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 here are a few more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drhornii Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Looks great, now you need to do a diorama (or photoshop) of the YB-40 in front of the Tulsa Douglas plant where it was manufactured. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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