B-17 guy Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 (edited) Meh, not really. I'm not getting as much done as I'd like. I forgot how long it takes to open all the airscoops under the wings, especially for 2 aircraft. Hopefully today I'll have landing lights done and at least prop tips painted, maybe more. We'll see. Still trying to figure out the D models cowls. I've put in a call to the head research guy down at dayton, hopefully he'll call back. Edited February 1, 2011 by B-17 guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 progress is progress! Im gluing in a window a day, lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Here is a picture of a couple of the cowls from the Swoose I found at AFM site: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 Shawn, I hear ya brother, one thing at a time. The research I'm putting into the swoose build is taking up a lot of time. Karl, I found that pic too, unfortunately it doesnt give me what I'm looking for as far how many cowls there are. And also the floating ring sitting on top there. I would think it would come apart in multiple sections, just cant figure out how many and where I would scribe a seam. Putting pics to plastic is a PITA. Good news though, I figured what the hell, and called the AFM yestarday, I left a voicemail with a guy who I guess is head research fuy there. I got a call back but missed it, a differant guy left return call info so I called him back, left voicemail. Phone tag is on! I'm ask a few questions about the cowls and see what I get. Also gonna ask for pics of few areas and what I get there. I wanna wait to start building today till I talk to this guy, then go from there. Wish me luck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 (edited) On many airplanes, that forward cowl is one piece. It doesn't have a split in it and can only be removed when the prop is removed. B-25's are that way and that is what appears to be the case here. Can't help you with the number of pieces for the removable part. EDIT: I started looking at those pictures and noted where the Dzus fasteners are close together. That is where the cowling pieces would meet. Doesn't quite look like it goes a quarter of the way around, so I would guess there are either five or six pieces of removable cowling. The B-17G fixed cowl is in 5 sections aft of the cowl flaps (well, there is a forward and aft fixed cowl so in total there are ten pieces per engine) FWIW. The cowl forward of the cowl flaps (called the ant-drag ring) is in three pieces. It will be interesting to find out what you learn from the AFM. As I re-read this, I think I have confused the issue. My apologies if that is the case! Edited January 27, 2011 by 100th BG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 Ok, just got of the phone with the guy for the AFM. He's gonna send me pics in email of "D model aircraft", so we'll see where that gets me. I was asking specific questions but he really couldnt answer, didnt seem to knowledgeable on the aircraft other than saying "she really is a bastard aircraft". Appearently she has wings from an F, landing gear from an E and tons of other mixmatched parts. So, I'll just wait till I get the pics, and go from there. Now back to the bench! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Very, very interesting stuff. I think by the time this GB is done, visitors wont be here for the models we make, but the reference material, and information this GB has dug up! Hahahaha... I'll still be here for the models though... Hopefully those pictures get you some good information though. Cheers, Mark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Does this help? Just got my Squadron book today and saw this in there. It doesn't look like the cowls change for the later models according to the book. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 That might actually help I think. I'll get back to ya kris. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Army_Air_Force Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 It doesn't affect this project, but the next cowl shape change was on the B-17F when they introduced the paddle blade propellers. The larger chord blade required the cowling to be shorter to allow the prop to feather without fouling the cowling. I can't recall what book I read that in, but the info is out there somewhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 It doesn't affect this project, but the next cowl shape change was on the B-17F when they introduced the paddle blade propellers. The larger chord blade required the cowling to be shorter to allow the prop to feather without fouling the cowling. I can't recall what book I read that in, but the info is out there somewhere. I read that in the Squadron Signal book the image above is from. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I read that in the Squadron Signal book the image above is from. Yea there's a section about the differences to the props. Didn't notice a change to the cowls though. Haven't read the book yet as I just got it yesterday. Pretty interesting book. Wish there were more interior pictures. I'll have to get another one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I agree, the lack of interiors is startling! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I agree, the lack of interiors is startling! Do you have the "walk around" book? I saw that one but didn't win the auction on it. Might have to pick it up but am wondering if it's even worth it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Do you have the "walk around" book? I saw that one but didn't win the auction on it. Might have to pick it up but am wondering if it's even worth it. no actually, with all the love I have for the fort I only have 1 book on it... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kid Charlemagne Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Are you building the B-17D as "The Swoose"? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 Are you building the B-17D as "The Swoose"? That's the current plan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 That would be superb! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Got a little more done tonight. I srcribed the panels in the cowls, dont know how correct they are but I did what I could off the pics I had. Played with the rear half of the swoose, got them cut out, sanded and aligned, I just hope I can get the horizontal tail to line up right. I wanna add some rib and stringer detail in the waist, cant have it too bare in the there. The oil cooler air scoops should be done in the next day or two. Also, I'll be making an announcement (hopefully no later than monday) on a new product that might interest B-17F fans who want to model something other than what comes in the box of the revell F. And I dont mean decals. I'm excited about this. Cant say what it is before I get a complete kit and use part of the one I already have. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Got a little more done tonight. I srcribed the panels in the cowls, dont know how correct they are but I did what I could off the pics I had.Played with the rear half of the swoose, got them cut out, sanded and aligned, I just hope I can get the horizontal tail to line up right. I wanna add some rib and stringer detail in the waist, cant have it too bare in the there. The oil cooler air scoops should be done in the next day or two. Also, I'll be making an announcement (hopefully no later than monday) on a new product that might interest B-17F fans who want to model something other than what comes in the box of the revell F. And I dont mean decals. I'm excited about this. Cant say what it is before I get a complete kit and use part of the one I already have. I R Excited as well! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Dude! Get back to work! Still bustin' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted March 12, 2011 Author Share Posted March 12, 2011 Lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just caught that you posted this now. I know, I know, I need to to get back to work on my forts. I could give a bunch of excuses but you'd bust me anyway. I've just been slack'n. One word of advice....when someone says they are moving, dont volunteer to help. Sounds cruel I know, but man can things go south in a hurry! I'm perfectly willing to help friends out but I hate moving! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 Lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just caught that you posted this now. I know, I know, I need to to get back to work on my forts. I could give a bunch of excuses but you'd bust me anyway. I've just been slack'n. One word of advice....when someone says they are moving, dont volunteer to help. Sounds cruel I know, but man can things go south in a hurry! I'm perfectly willing to help friends out but I hate moving! So i guess i cant count on you in June to help me out in moving !! Dang lol cant wait to see more progress Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 Ok people, I am alive! I do not have any progress pics right at this moment, but as soon as I get up after typing this I will be going to sit down at the bench. I plan to close up the fortress III's fueslage today and hopefully the D's forward fuselage. I will say however that I will not be doing too much with the interior and am not really striving for accuracy as the bulk of it wont be seen when closed up, so screw it. Update with pictures tonight! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dirkpitt289 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Great work so far. I love the POW 'stangs and thanks to you have ordered Strangers in a Strange Land Vol 2. I look forward to seeing more of your builds. I also like your workspace. SWEET! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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