Johnny_K Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 This project took 9 months and 8 sheets of Bare Metal Foil to complete. This is a large model with a 36" wingspan and weighs-in at over one pound. It is an older kit originally made by Monogram and it is loaded with engineering issues that make it a challange to build. It is the fifth model that I have finished using BMF. The cylindrical shape of the fuselage really highlights the grain and metal finish of the BMF. I used two colors of BMF, Matt Aluminum and Improved Chrome to add visual variety to the final finish. Following are photos of the finished model. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 Nice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 excellent job on the bmf! Geoff M Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dekon70 Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Outstanding! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny_K Posted December 19, 2017 Author Share Posted December 19, 2017 Thanks for the kind words. I like my sunglasses too Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IAGeezer Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Just... Wow. Outstanding build and finish! Smile! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Stunning! That's what a BMF should look like. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny_K Posted December 19, 2017 Author Share Posted December 19, 2017 There are three tricks to getting a good BMF finish: 1. The Matt Aluminum foil is too shiny (IMHO). To reduce the shine I spray the entire sheet with Simple Green cleaning spray and then immediately wipe it off. I also use Improved Chrome on a few panels for visual interest. I do not spray Simple Green on this foil 2. When BMF is first applied it has a funny pebbly looking texture. To get rid of the texture it is necessary to BURNISH REALLY HARD with paper stumps. These are compressed paper sticks and they can be found in craft stores. The harder you rub the smoother the finish will become. It is almost impossible to tear the BMF using a paper stump. 3. After burnishing, I gently rub the BMF with 0000 steel wool. Do this only once in a single pass! This will add a nice grain to the BMF. I alternate the direction of the grain to add visual interest. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Falconxlvi Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 (edited) Fantastic build! That’s amazing work. Thanks for sharing your techniques too. Steve Edited December 19, 2017 by Falconxlvi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K5054NZ Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 That's a great-looking model, and man is it big! Bravo! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny_K Posted December 20, 2017 Author Share Posted December 20, 2017 This is a photo of the ready to assembly 1/48 B-29 next to a 1/48 P-51 Mustang. This gives you some idea as to how large the B-29 is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 Outstanding work! Well worth the effort. Gives me courage to keep going on my NMF project, SNJ-5 Texan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny_K Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 4 minutes ago, Dutch said: Outstanding work! Well worth the effort. Gives me courage to keep going on my NMF project, SNJ-5 Texan. That sounds like a nice project. Please post pics when finished. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bravosierra001 Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 That bad boy must have been so bright ya had to wear shades!!!! That looks really awesome. I admire your patience. Not sure if I would have enough to tackle a project like that. Brandon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Jonny, Now that's one really impressive B-29. The NMF really makes it pop and would be a attention getter for sure at any convention and contest. Well done, Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny_K Posted December 22, 2017 Author Share Posted December 22, 2017 9 hours ago, Bravosierra001 said: That bad boy must have been so bright ya had to wear shades!!!! That looks really awesome. I admire your patience. Not sure if I would have enough to tackle a project like that. Brandon I had to wear shades, I was blinded by the light! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny_K Posted December 23, 2017 Author Share Posted December 23, 2017 I just started on my next BMF project, an older 1/48 scale Monogram B-58. How times have changed, next to the copyright mark on the inside of the wing are the words, "Made in the USA". When is the last time that you saw those words on a model? Those huge flat wings will look awesome finished in BMF. What is really weird is the plastic is this goofy silver color with swirls in it. Very 1960's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 (edited) 18 hours ago, Johnny_K said: I just started on my next BMF project, an older 1/48 scale Monogram B-58. How times have changed, next to the copyright mark on the inside of the wing are the words, "Made in the USA". When is the last time that you saw those words on a model? Those huge flat wings will look awesome finished in BMF. What is really weird is the plastic is this goofy silver color with swirls in it. Very 1960's. Johnny, Please, oh please do a build blog on the B-58. I've been promising myself to actually buy the old Boy and do the best I can on it. Why not one company has decided to kit this classic makes no sense to me. Made in the USA from concept to completion is just unheard of these days. I wonder just where the kit is actually molded and boxed? Joel Edited December 23, 2017 by Joel_W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny_K Posted December 23, 2017 Author Share Posted December 23, 2017 The kit is dated 1985. At that time Monogram was located in Morton Grove Illinois which is a suburb of Chicago. The kit was designed and manufactured in Morton Grove. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bravosierra001 Posted December 25, 2017 Share Posted December 25, 2017 Looking forward to it!!! Brandon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mingwin Posted December 26, 2017 Share Posted December 26, 2017 awesome B-29! i'm looking forward for the B-58! those two are in my "toDo" list of BMF projects also. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ichitoe Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 Stunning B-29! Hopefully, you'll consider doing a WIP for the B-58. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny_K Posted December 28, 2017 Author Share Posted December 28, 2017 Thanks for the nice comment regarding the B-29. Yes, I plan to do a WIP on the B-58. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SBARC Posted December 29, 2017 Share Posted December 29, 2017 Wow...that turned out very well....it is a massive project. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny_K Posted December 30, 2017 Author Share Posted December 30, 2017 This is a photo of the B-29 and my P-47. The P-47 was my first BMF project, and the B-29 was my fifth (most recent). Notice the size difference between the two planes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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