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THE FINAL HURDLE!... 1:20 scale scratch built B17G


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Morning fellow modelers!

 

I have been doing  the laborious task of making up the entire interior with all the ribs etc!....this was only achievable by listening to all my favorite bands on my player ...taking the occasional paracetamol when my head started to ache from staring at hundreds of little pieces of plastic!!....and having the time on my hands to get through it!!..........still needs must and all that!

 

I'm so pleased that this phase is over because from now on the build becomes more interesting ....and hopefully for you guys as well!.......so here are the photos of all my effort!

 

First I glued strips of plastic onto the yogurt pot walls representing the vertical ribs ...and then  I had to cut hundreds of pieces of plastic representing the horizontal ribs.... so that I could glue them between the vertical ribs .....this sounds as boring as it was!

 

Interior_floors_and_walls_construction.j

 

So here we go then!.............

 

Interior_floors_and_walls_construction_(

 

Interior_floors_and_walls_construction_(

 

Interior_floors_and_walls_construction_(

 

.....a week later it was time to spray the base interior green!

 

Interior_floors_and_walls_construction_(

 

Interior_floors_and_walls_construction_(

 

Interior_floors_and_walls_construction_(

 

Interior_floors_and_walls_construction_(

 

Interior_floors_and_walls_construction_(

 

PHEW!.................

 

I decided to prepare the balsa wood fuselage for skinning with the aluminum sheets ,which I will do at a later stage...(it also strengthens the fuselage)......so to that end I covered the fuselage with tissue glued on with PVC glue and then brushed on shrinking dope. Now its as tough as old boots and I am as high as a kite!😉

 

Interior_floors_and_walls_construction_(

 

Interior_floors_and_walls_construction_(

 

This afternoon I will have a go at preparing the riveting on the dorsal fin and then maybe spray it tomorrow!

 

Probably one more post to go for a while as I'm off to see my wife in UK....due to this Pandemic I have been stuck here in Bulgaria and haven't seen her since last March!

 

See you on the next post!

 

Cheers

 

Fozzy

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Fantastic work!  Hate to say, though, that the interior was most likely bare metal.  Do you have photos of your particular aircraft to verify?  Of course, your level of desired accuracy may be less than mine.

Edited by Slartibartfast
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51 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said:

Fantastic work!  Hate to say, though, that the interior was most likely bare metal.  Do you have photos of your particular aircraft to verify?  Of course, your level of desired accuracy may be less than mine.

 

Verification coming up.....just for you!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmwT8XDU8o0

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1 hour ago, Slartibartfast said:

Fantastic work!  Hate to say, though, that the interior was most likely bare metal.  Do you have photos of your particular aircraft to verify?

 

I think this is being based more on the Lyon Foundation's "Fuddy Duddy" that the 447th BG actual 42-97400 that flew from Rattlesden. Certainly more color reference pics to go by if the intent is depicting the modern warbird.

 

Even in the early stages it was amazing enough to get a little highlight in the 447th BG newsletter. I can't wait to feature it more prominently when it is completed (are they ever really finished?!!) By the way, the current 447th BG association president is the son of Navigator George Hoidra with the Peters crew flying Fuddy Duddy at Rattlesden.

 

Awesome work -- awesome work!!!!

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Thanks again guys for your input!

 

8 hours ago, Ol' Scrapiron said:

 

I think this is being based more on the Lyon Foundation's "Fuddy Duddy" that the 447th BG actual 42-97400 that flew from Rattlesden. Certainly more color reference pics to go by if the intent is depicting the modern warbird.

 

Even in the early stages it was amazing enough to get a little highlight in the 447th BG newsletter. I can't wait to feature it more prominently when it is completed (are they ever really finished?!!) By the way, the current 447th BG association president is the son of Navigator George Hoidra with the Peters crew flying Fuddy Duddy at Rattlesden.

 

Awesome work -- awesome work!!!!

 

Yes you're correct!.....this project is based ...roughly!... on the Lyon Foundation "Fuddy Duddy" and when finished will be displayed

permanently in the  The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum in Carlsbad California...... not a stones throw away from the Lyon  Foundation Museum!

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Hi guys

 

Well this will definitely be the last post before I return to the UK for a month or so....I will be returning back in September to continue with this project!

 

What I wanted to do was get as much done as possible with the tail /rudder and dorsal fin before my break and so first off I sprayed the tail unit yellow. This was more difficult than I thought as my airbrush decided to give up the ghost!...when I turned the outlet valve on the compressor to send the air flow to the brush the blasted thing kept spraying and I couldn't stop it! the only way was to turn the outlet cock off to stop spraying! I have had the air brush for many years so I am not surprised to be honest. I think the air in let valve is knackered...thought it might be blocked with dried paint but that isn't the case.Any way I will buy a replacement when I'm in the UK.

So I manged to cope with the yellow paint being half sprayed on the model and half all over the place!.....here is the tail unit now sprayed!

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit.jpg

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit_(1).jpg

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit_(2).jpg

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit_(3).jpg

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit_(4).jpg

 

Now came the tricky bit!.....no decals in 1:20 scale so I had to make them all. The base colour of black/white was sprayed in the appropriate place and then I made the markings by cutting out the numbers/letters from some sticky back Teflon....you can see I am in the process of doing this in this next photo........

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit_(5).jpg

 

Once the paint had dried I took off all the masking and here is the end result......

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit_(6).jpg

 

There are two greenish stripes that also have to be sprayed on the tail but need to have the two half's completed and skinned before I can do that.

 

So the tail is now virtually complete (a few more minor details to add later). Of course there is all the interior parts to be scratched yet ,which is what I will look forward to do in September!

 

I needed to take a look at the whole thing to see how she was looking so far!....by doing this you can also see if there are any headaches to sort out down the road. So to that end I got the completed front section out of it's box and temporarily attached it to the rear section and took a few photos.....what do you think so far?....

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit_(7).jpg

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit_(8).jpg

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit_(9).jpg

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit_(10).jpg

 

spray_and_markings_on_tail_unit_(11).jpg

 

Its huge!...the model that is!...like a meter in length....don't quote me on that....but it's ...HUGE!!

 

OK....So I will continue with this beast in September and so until then happy modelling and stay safe guys!

 

Cheers

 

Fozzy

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The lettering on the tail is most excellent! You are one precise modeller!  :thumbsup:

And the whole assembly looks GREAT!

 

I hope your airbrush issue is just a broken seal ... my Paasche is over 40 years old and still works lover-ly! Albeit, with some minor seal replacements!

 

Enjoy your break and we'll all see you when you return to this terrific project!

Pete

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12 minutes ago, K2Pete said:

The lettering on the tail is most excellent! You are one precise modeller!  :thumbsup:

And the whole assembly looks GREAT!

 

I hope your airbrush issue is just a broken seal ... my Paasche is over 40 years old and still works lover-ly! Albeit, with some minor seal replacements!

 

Enjoy your break and we'll all see you when you return to this terrific project!

Pete

 

Thanks Pete.....when I get back to the UK I am buying a Paasche air brush as it happens!:thumbsup:

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  • 2 months later...

Good morning chaps!

 

How are you all getting along?...still staying safe in this bl##dy pandemic I hope!😷

 

Long time no modelling!......I'm back from UK now and back in Bulgaria to start once again on this mammoth task I have given my self!.......after a such a long period away from scratch building it seems to have taken me a few weeks to get my act together!

 

mhe-002-zpse812vddx.jpg

 

That's me trying to get my act together!!

 

How ever.... I decided to start off again with something simple...although I still had problems with super glue not setting (Bulgarian!)...and the white glue hardened in the tub (Bulgarian!) I thought I would get the walkways done.

 

Here is a photo of the main walkway that runs through the rear of the fuselage down to the rear entrance door. I used a thin sheet of balsa wood and covered it with simulated wood courtesy of Mr B+Q (paper wood examples!) and then glued a sheet of wet and dry emery paper to that!

 

WALKWAYS_(1).jpg

 

Here it is in the base of the bottom half of the rear fuselage......

 

WALKWAYS_(1).jpg

 

WALKWAYS_(3).jpg

 

A crawl way was then placed at the rear to allow the rear gunner to access the rear turret and a another floor was placed near where the tail wheel housing will eventually be......

 

WALKWAYS_(2).jpg

 

With the two halves together this is what it all looks like......

 

WALKWAYS_(5).jpg

 

WALKWAYS_(6).jpg

 

WALKWAYS_(4).jpg

 

OK....so now that I have re started this B17G.....I better buckle down and get as much done before the Xmas break!

 

Thanks for having a look guys 🙂

 

Cheers

 

Fozzy

 

 

Edited by Fozzy
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Hi there guys

 

My mojo has returned!

 

I'm in the middle of scratch building a auxiliary DC generator for the rear section. I have seen photos with the generator in the rear and I'm defo going to put it in mine as it looks fun to build and will make the rear section look more busy! This afternoon I sprayed it with my new airbrush (Paasche H... as my old Badger gave up the ghost before my summer break)...and will post it on my next update!

As for now I will give you a quick update on the trailing antenna mechanism that I have made for the rear section.

 

It was a bit fiddly due to the size but here are some photos.......

 

TRAILING_ANTENNA_MOTOR.jpg

 

TRAILING_ANTENNA_MOTOR_(1).jpg

 

This next photo shows the tube that the line feeds to the outside of the aircraft.....made from a Biro pen...

 

TRAILING_ANTENNA_MOTOR_(2).jpg

 

...and here are the two parts attached...

 

TRAILING_ANTENNA_MOTOR_(3).jpg

 

...and just to show you the scale......

 

TRAILING_ANTENNA_MOTOR_(4).jpg

 

Here is the electrical box that operates how much cable leaves the aircraft....

 

TRAILING_ANTENNA_MOTOR_(5).jpg

 

All finished and all wired up.....

 

TRAILING_ANTENNA_MOTOR_(6).jpg

 

OK......that was a short post!

 

So the next post I will show the DC generator!

 

Until then....thanks for looking in!🙂

 

Cheers

 

Fozzy

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Afternoon all!

 

This post is likely to be a bit photo heavy of building the Auxiliary DC generator for my B17!

 

The generator was built by looking at just a few photos I found  and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed making it!....I used scrap plastic and wire as materials and I have taken a photo of each stage of the build.

 

First off....this is a photo of a real generator that I am trying to replicate......

 

on4113-02.jpg

 

So I built it by stages and hope the photos explains how I got it together.....here goes......

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR.jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(1).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(2).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(3).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(4).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(5).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(6).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(7).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(8).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(9).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(10).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(11).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(12).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(13).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(14).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(15).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(16).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(17).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(18).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(19).jpg

 

AUXILIARY_DC_GENERATOR_(20).jpg

 

OK....so now it's time to paint it ...the best part!.....but not before building the frame that it will sit on in the rear of the fuselage..

 

DC_GENERATOR_SUPPORT.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

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So here it is all finished........

 

GENERATOR_COMPLETE.jpg

 

GENERATOR_COMPLETE_(1).jpg

 

GENERATOR_COMPLETE_(2).jpg

 

GENERATOR_COMPLETE_(3).jpg

 

GENERATOR_COMPLETE_(4).jpg

 

...and up on it's frame......

 

GENERATOR_COMPLETE_(5).jpg

 

GENERATOR_COMPLETE_(6).jpg

 

GENERATOR_COMPLETE_(7).jpg

 

GENERATOR_COMPLETE_(8).jpg

 

GENERATOR_COMPLETE_(10).jpg

 

GENERATOR_COMPLETE_(11).jpg

 

As I said ....really had a lot of fun with this generator build!....excuse the amount of photos!

 

Onwards ever onwards!....to getting the tail wheel assembly built......till then

 

Cheers once again for looking in!

 

Fozzy

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Good day all!

Hope all is good where you all are and that everyone is staying safe from this virus!...2020 has been a terrible year for us all and the sooner it's all over with... the better! Lets hope and pray for a better 2021!

 

So on with the next part of this project!.....the tail wheel section!.....I have been kind of dreading this next part as there is lack of information and photos of this area of the B17. If you look for photos in books or the internet it's always the same.The whole area is covered with tarpaulin blocking out all the parts you want to see! Enthusiasts go for visits to see the B17 armed with their cameras and they can crawl all over the fuselage snapping away but the tail wheel well area is nearly always out of bounds!

I believe this is because the area is so confined that visitors would have to get on there belly's to crawl through and for health and safety issues. Well of course this doesn't help us modellers!

How ever I did managed to find a few photos of said area after hours of searching...(although only seeing certain angles on most of the photos)  which meant I had to use my imagination for the areas that I just cant see!....the usual artistic license had to be got out of the draw!

So as you know I am building this fuselage in two halves....top and bottom ...so I have started with the bottom half.

 

I had to make the tail wheel tub that the wheel retracts to and this was molded from plastic food packaging.

 

Here is the balsa wood plug that I made....

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1.jpg

 

After heating up the plastic and using the plug (plug and mold procedure) and ended up with this. You can see that I have added some detail with strips of plastic

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(1).jpg

 

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(2).jpg

 

The wheel well floor was then made from plastic card.....

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(3).jpg

 

...and from the underside...

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(4).jpg

 

The wheel tub was then glued into position...

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(5).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(6).jpg

 

Now for the wheel.

I hate making wheels!...I find it difficult!...I usually make them out of balsa wood and this time it was no exception!...it's my own fault as I haven't invested in a mini lathe....but that is all going to change soon....going to look for one!....meanwhile this wheel was whittled to shape by eye!

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(7).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(8).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(9).jpg

Time to paint the wheel tub area....

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(10).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(11).jpg

 

Here is the tail wheel strut...

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(12).jpg

 

Here is the tail wheel assembly fork head attached to the wheel....

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(13).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(14).jpg

 

The rest of the frame was then made from metal and electrical cables were added from wire...

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(15).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(16).jpg

 

Here you can see that I have placed the tail wheel onto the tail frame.....

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(17).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(18).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(19).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(20).jpg

 

I then glued the painted tail wheel strut onto the frame.....

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(21).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(22).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(23).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(24).jpg

 

The tail wheel area was in fact covered with a fitted tarpaulin and I thought about leaving it off because it would cover all the detail and at the end of the day this project is all about showing the workings of the B17G ....so I then I had an idea of making a cover and having it pulled back so a mechanic could get at it to inspect!

 

The tarpaulin was made from a painted sheet of tissue paper....the eyelets made from small cuts from a piece of wire insulation and the tie cord was made from thread from the wife's sewing box and threaded by one of her needles....that took some doing I'll tell you!...I broke off the Wheel strut in the process and had to re set it!

Here is the cover......

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(25).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(26).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(27).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(28).jpg

 

TAIL_WHEEL_PART_1_(29).jpg

 

So that is the lower half of the tail wheel area complete.

 

I have started the upper half of this area and it involves the re tractor  motor and gears to bring up the tail wheel....and if I thought that this lower half was difficult I thought wrong!.....but we will leave that till the next post!

 

So until then ...Thanks a lot for looking and following this non stop build!

 

Cheers

 

Fozzy

 

 

 

Edited by Fozzy
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