PGB Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Finally had a chance to get cracking with the Revell 1/72 kit... Not much done today, but it's a start: All the best, PB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Prop Duster Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Finally had a chance to get cracking with the Revell 1/72 kit... Not much done today, but it's a start: All the best, PB Well PGB that is a good start, they LOOK like engines. Will be looking fwd to see the rest of the parts as you get to 'em Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PGB Posted July 1, 2011 Author Share Posted July 1, 2011 (edited) A couple of older photos showing the paper test print for the markings while I sorted out the sizes: And here's my references for the particular B-17G I'm attempting to build. B-17G-40-VE 42-97947 Suffered Category 3 damage as a result of a taxying accident at Denver Municipal Airport 14th April 1944, just two days after delivery to the USAAF, Leon H Pringle of the 6th Ferrying Group in command. 94CBW PFF aircraft. Allocated 401st BG, 612th BS, as SC-U on the 7th August 1944. Suffered unspecified damage in a ground accident whilst parked on the 5th February 1945, repaired and flew as High Squadron lead aircraft on the following day's mission. Transferred to 615th BS becoming IY-U at the end of February 1945, all the 401st's PFF B-17s were concentrated into the 615th at this time. Transferred to 305th BG in August or May 1945 for Project Casey Jones. Looks like a OD and grey replacement cowling on No.3 engine in this photo. Something odd seems to be going on with the colour of the cowl flaps too: TTFN, Paul Edited August 21, 2011 by PGB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Very cool. Are you going to add the Mickey as well? I don't think anyone had a Mickey yet in the gb. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PGB Posted July 1, 2011 Author Share Posted July 1, 2011 Yup, APS-15 set roughly drawn up already, but whether it's worth adding to the radio room I'll decide later. Radome primed, ready for the first coat of antique white sometime over the weekend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Nice! love the decals! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Hi, Very attractive markings, nice job on the decals . I'm somewhat amazed: while the picture clearly shows that the waist gun positions are unstaggered, Vega is supposed to have started producing B-17G's with staggered positions with block -35VE. A quick google search did not show anything but "-40VE" for 42-97947. Definitely a special aircraft. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PGB Posted July 2, 2011 Author Share Posted July 2, 2011 (edited) I get the impression Vega introduced the staggered waist postitions at the end of Block 45-VE. All the best, Paul Edited July 2, 2011 by PGB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dirkpitt289 Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Great work. Nice skill to be able to make such great decals Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PGB Posted July 2, 2011 Author Share Posted July 2, 2011 Ta Dirk, I'm using free software for the job. OpenOffice Draw for the graphics, then import it straight into OpenOffice Writer to lay in the lettering. Usefully, you can specify dimensions manually to get everything to scale. The font is a free download too, USAAF Stencil. I'll be using another free font editing download to tweak the individual letters to remove the stencil bars before printing them out with a colour laser printer. I usually use clear decal paper, but in this case I need to keep the yellow bright, so I'll use white decal paper. The nose art's going to be a bit more difficult I fear. I'll most likely just do the artwork and lettering on the PC, the blue background will be painted. All the best, PB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 (edited) Looking good Paul. Where did you find the download of the USAAF stencil font? FWIW, I show the Vega birds with the staggered waist windows starting at the -50 block (Roger Freeman's "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" pg 56. Also the first of the Detail and Scale books on the 17, pg 55). Edited July 2, 2011 by 100th BG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PGB Posted July 2, 2011 Author Share Posted July 2, 2011 That makes sense, making the staggered waist one of the "tipping points" than ended Block 45-VE and began Block 50-VE. For the font, try HERE for the current version. The one I was using is a previous edition, the new one means I don't have to edit the bars out myself. :D All the best, Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Hi, Karl and Paul, Thanks for the update on the block numbers for the staggered waist positions. When the Revell kit came out last year, I attempted to calculate how many of the 8680 B-17G's had the unstaggered positions. I found there were at least 2404 of those. That was reached by adding the numbers for the blocks prior to BO-50, VE-35 and 25-DL. With the new info on the Lockheed Vega production, I'll have to add a couple hundred. :) Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PGB Posted August 19, 2011 Author Share Posted August 19, 2011 Shamefully small progress report: Props, interior and scanner radome painted. Sorry. I'm still undecided whether to paint or foil the thing, so until I go one way or the other all I can do are the detail bits. ;) PB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 GOOD start and love the decals. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PGB Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 Test exterior foiling started, using household budget cooking foil with diluted PVA glue. I've done a couple of fuselage sections and am leaving them for a couple of weeks to make sure they don't lift or peel. Photos to follow soon. ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rightwinger26 Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 I did that on a monogram p-51, and it stuck down great. That being said, I will never do that again, it looks fantastic if done right (mine....not so much) but oh the headache. Maybe your more paitent than me Look forward to seeing it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.