UberDaveToo Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 I'm a newbie here. I've had a few friends who posted here and thought I'd give it a try. I made a commitment to start this project in a B-17 group build at Brit Modeler, it seems to me that most model manufacturers, and even builders believe that there were only two types of B-17s, the "G" model and the Memphis Belle. I recently stumbled on and snagged the ancient Rare Planes kit and figured I'd dial it back to the beginning. I've heard from some who have picked up one of these, but the clear parts were missing or yellowed. But mine are clean and pristine. I had recalled the engraved details as rather heavy, but it's really as good or even better than some modern injection kits. So I've started chopping her apart. After a minor hurricane scare and some domestic work issues, I got a little time at the model desk. I built up the Academy B-17D interior to wedge into the Rare Planes kit. It took a bit of grinding to make it fit, I used the modern method of building up, then painting. That's new to me, I'm used to the old fashioned method of painting as you go. The Academy parts may not be exact, but it's easier than having to scratch build as they did when the kit was first released. While building up an interior for the YB-17 I started this one too. Again, I used the modern method of building up, then painting. That's new to me, I'm used to the old fashioned method of painting as you go. This one is intended to be a movie plane. The "Mary-Ann" from: Will post updates as they occur... Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UberDaveToo Posted September 7, 2023 Author Share Posted September 7, 2023 Wow! Tough audience. Over 60 looks, no one chimed in. I guess I need to show some progress. I hacked apart the right wing (please excuse the political implications.) And hacked loose some of the clear parts. I taped the fuselage for a test fit. the wings turned out nearly perfect without tape. A slightly different view. You might notice the Sharpie marker ink, I've learned that out lining the parts prior to cutting exposes the plastic that should be removed. Rather than spending a week scrubbing the thing on a sheet of sandpaper, I took a rotary tool a drum sander and ground off the bulk of the exposed white plastic. I followed up with a sanding block and things fit like a glove... More to come, Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted September 7, 2023 Share Posted September 7, 2023 You're a brave man for tackling a vac-u-form kit, best of luck with her. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UberDaveToo Posted September 7, 2023 Author Share Posted September 7, 2023 Just now, A-10 LOADER said: You're a brave man for tackling a vac-u-form kit, best of luck with her. Steve Amen, brother! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VG 33 Posted September 7, 2023 Share Posted September 7, 2023 Hello I am always impressed by modellers who manage to build vac formed kits. Patrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted September 7, 2023 Share Posted September 7, 2023 5 minutes ago, VG 33 said: Hello I am always impressed by modellers who manage to build vac formed kits. Patrick Agree. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UberDaveToo Posted September 7, 2023 Author Share Posted September 7, 2023 Thanks from middle GA, y'all... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JackMan Posted September 7, 2023 Share Posted September 7, 2023 I too have a great deal of respect for those who build vacuform kits. Keep up the good work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted September 8, 2023 Share Posted September 8, 2023 Pretty smart idea to utilize the Academy cockpit. Fits well after your encouragement. Like the others have said, vac kits have always been something I've stayed away from. So we're all anxious to see what beauty you can make from yours. -Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Xboxman523 Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 Is it possible to get a view of the instructions so we can read all the words? I'm looking to be drawing the YB-17 in the future and the instructions would help a lot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UberDaveToo Posted September 30, 2023 Author Share Posted September 30, 2023 (edited) On 9/28/2023 at 2:35 PM, Xboxman523 said: Is it possible to get a view of the instructions so we can read all the words? I'm looking to be drawing the YB-17 in the future and the instructions would help a lot. Let's see here... Looks like I'll need to work on this... Edited September 30, 2023 by UberDaveToo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Xboxman523 Posted September 30, 2023 Share Posted September 30, 2023 Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UberDaveToo Posted September 30, 2023 Author Share Posted September 30, 2023 20 minutes ago, Xboxman523 said: Thanks Were you able to read that? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Xboxman523 Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 Would it be possible to get a few pics of the words on the right half of the pic? Like the words pointing to the markings on the plane. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted October 9, 2023 Share Posted October 9, 2023 (edited) On 9/6/2023 at 8:22 PM, A-10 LOADER said: You're a brave man for tackling a vac-u-form kit, best of luck with her. Steve What he said! Braver than I to tackle this one. But you are making wonderful progress. As to the order of building vs painting, I don't see that it makes that much difference, except if you intend to show much detail. Carry on! Oh, like you avatar, BTW. Edited April 27 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J.C. Bahr Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 On 9/6/2023 at 7:09 PM, UberDaveToo said: Wow! Tough audience. Over 60 looks, no one chimed in. I guess I need to show some progress. A slightly different view. You might notice the Sharpie marker ink, I've learned that out lining the parts prior to cutting exposes the plastic that should be removed. Rather than spending a week scrubbing the thing on a sheet of sandpaper, I took a rotary tool a drum sander and ground off the bulk of the exposed white plastic. I followed up with a sanding block and things fit like a glove... Hey Dave, sorry, I've gotten used to Tapatalk forums where one can click a quick emoji type "like" without commenting. Like your idea with the rotary tool drum sander, will have to try that. Great work so far, keep going. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UberDaveToo Posted October 13, 2023 Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 3 minutes ago, J.C. Bahr said: Hey Dave, sorry, I've gotten used to Tapatalk forums where one can click a quick emoji type "like" without commenting. Like your idea with the rotary tool drum sander, will have to try that. Great work so far, keep going. Yeah, I noticed that. I was just thinking of discussing that with the management... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UberDaveToo Posted October 13, 2023 Author Share Posted October 13, 2023 On 9/30/2023 at 8:11 PM, Xboxman523 said: Would it be possible to get a few pics of the words on the right half of the pic? Like the words pointing to the markings on the plane. I will work on that soon, I've had a few trying days... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UberDaveToo Posted October 15, 2023 Author Share Posted October 15, 2023 On 9/28/2023 at 2:35 PM, Xboxman523 said: Is it possible to get a view of the instructions so we can read all the words? I'm looking to be drawing the YB-17 in the future and the instructions would help a lot. It looks like I'll have to scan them, I can't get a clear enough photo... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted October 29, 2023 Share Posted October 29, 2023 Building a vacuformed model is one level of insanity - the fuselage and wings and all that stuff. But how in the TamiyaExtraThin(or choose other appropriate deity) are You going to build vacuformed propellers? I'm keeping my fingers crossed for You! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Planegeek Posted October 29, 2023 Share Posted October 29, 2023 The Academy 1/72 kit includes extra propellers and early horizontal stabs IIRC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UberDaveToo Posted December 17, 2023 Author Share Posted December 17, 2023 I've had a few rough weeks, I fell and got dinged up a bit... ...In the meantime, I stumbled on some goodies. A nice Iwata top loader air brush... And some hard to find Testors paints. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
UberDaveToo Posted December 17, 2023 Author Share Posted December 17, 2023 Update on the Fortress kits tomorrow... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 Dave any updates? I am interested to see your progress. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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