MPC 1/72 B 29

[GLMFAA1]

Hi, I'm not a really into building planes and I got this kit off of Ebay for  a friends son as a Christmas gift. Could you kind people help me on the lineage of this kit, Is it an Airfix? I know this was in the General Meals MPC era kit. How difficult is the build? I don't think they will paint it but will build it as a family project.

 

greg

[habu2]

scalemates.com says it is a rebox of the Airfix kit.

Edited December 19, 2016 by habu2

[Steve N]

It's definitely a reboxing of the Airfix superfort.  MPC boxed a lot of Airfix kits in the mid 70s. The "Profile Series" was particulary cool, because you got three choices in markings, which left plenty of extras for the spares box (since I didn't have acces to aftermarket stickers in those days.)

 

The B-29 is a straightforward kit, with a simple but adequate cockpit.  Bomb bays have bomb racks and bombs, and the signature communications tube connecting the front and rear pressurized compartments..however the prominent wingspar carry-through is absent.  Landing gear looks nice, but there's no wheelwell detail. Engines and props are quite nice, and the clear parts look pretty good as well.  

 

Main letdowns are all the raised rivet detail (the Superfort was almost completely flush-revited.)  Also, as I recall the main landing gear hangs straight down from the wing (when viewed head-on.)  This leaves the gear splayed out slightly when the wing dihedral is introduced.  Probably the biggest shortcoming is way the kit was engineered to include operating features, leaving huge gaps along the control surfaces, and some unrealistic, clunky hinges on the bomb bay doors.  As I recall, the landing gear is designed so it can retract, but there's no way for the doors to hinge.  I don't recall ant major issues with the fit, but I was only 13 when I built it..nearly four decades ago.

 

SN

[Charlie D.]

FSM had a great article in the mid or early 80s on building this kit as the Eddie Allen nose art bird. 

[DonSS3]

If the boy isn't a dedicated model builder, I'm sure he won't be worried about the inaccuracies or lack of detail, I'll bet he just enjoys having it on his shelf once done. Remember where we were as model builders when we were kids? Depending on his age and experience, though, the B-29 may not be the best choice. If he's got a few models under his belt, then fine, but I wouldn't give it to him as one of his first models.

Edited December 19, 2016 by DonSS3

[Trojan Thunder]

I built the Airfix boxing of this kit in about 4 hours as a 12 year old  I was not worried about buildability at that age!

Edited December 19, 2016 by Trojan Thunder

[GLMFAA1]

Thanks for all the replies, May you all have a Merry Christmas, I know a young boy who is really going to be surprised on Sunday morning

greg

[Steve N]

I remember how awesome it was when I got the Monogram 1/48 B-17 for Christmas when I was 11.  Of course that was 1975..the year it first came out!