HKM 1/48 scale B17-G Flying Fortress

[BarryW]

I promised to put up a build thread of this, the first of my heavy bomber builds. I also have the HMK 1/48 Lancaster and in 1/32 scale the HobbyBoss B24 and Border Lancaster all of which will get build threads when I get to them.

The kit is beautifully moulded, 254 parts in all, an excellent example of modern slide moulding.

The box lid


I will be using what, for me, is a lot of aftermarket.

Brass gun barrels, etch seatbelts and an etch cockpit set.

Most of the builds I have seen of this model are done in a natural metal finish so, I will be different and do an OD/NG scheme and, right now I am favouring Mason and Dixon of the Kits World set below:


I also prefer to, where possible, paint my markings for which I have a Montex set and for the transparencies an Eduard set.


The instructions are typically just shades of grey and a page of which is shown below.


Finally, a shot of my workbench all cleaned up and set up ready for the build.


Hopefully I will be cutting plastic later today.

 

[langy71]

I'm grabbing the front seat for this bad boy, always liked a B-17 since seeing 'Memphis Belle / Sally B at Duxford many years ago..
Pass the hob nobs and I'll have a standard NATO brew please...

 

[boatman]

I'm grabbing the front seat for this bad boy, always liked a B-17 since seeing 'Memphis Belle / Sally B at Duxford many years ago..
Pass the hob nobs and I'll have a standard NATO brew please...

SAME HERE

 

[adt70hk]

Hi Barry.

Looks very good. I have used Montex canopy masks a couple of times in the past to good effect.

I have recently purchased some of their Maxi Masks for some 1/72 scale bombers to try them out. I'm a long day off using them but wondered if you had any advice/do's/don'ts for the day I do take the plunge?

Thanks.

Andrew

 

[Valeron]

I'll be watching this one

 

[Tim Marlow]

Looks excellent, should be a good build, hopefully not coming in on a wing and a prayer (Sally Bs finale run through last time I saw her flying…)

 

[BarryW]

Hi Barry.

Looks very good. I have used Montex canopy masks a couple of times in the past to good effect.

I have recently purchased some of their Maxi Masks for some 1/72 scale bombers to try them out. I'm a long day off using them but wondered if you had any advice/do's/don'ts for the day I do take the plunge?

Thanks.

Andrew

Montex are not my favourites. The stiff material is easy to position but on curves they tend to lift. Consequently I have the Eduard set for any curved transparencies. The Montex set is mainly for the insignia and they are OK for that but, again because of the material, do not sink into the detail very well and even burnishing them into it does not really work. To avoid or minimise capillary action pulling paint down into the detail under the masks, it’s best to spray very lightly and avoid wet coats.

 

[BarryW]

I managed to grab a short time on the bench and made a start.

The pilot seats are put together.


And I have cleaned up a few interior parts. I will have to paint before long for to having to fit some etch some detail will need sanding off first

That is really it for today and probably won’t get back to the bench until Monday.

 

[Neil Merryweather]

OOh exciting!

 

[dave]

Looking forward to this one

 

[langy71]

Now why do i look at the pilots seats and instantly think of a umpire at wimbledon ?

 

[adt70hk]

Now why do i look at the pilots seats and instantly think of a umpire at wimbledon ?

Indeed.... Hadn't noticed that!

 

[Tim Marlow]

Now why do i look at the pilots seats and instantly think of a umpire at wimbledon ?

You cannot be serious………

 

[Jim R]

Looking forward to this Barry. PE seat belts can be awkward to fit although to be honest I've only used them twice. I'm sure with your experience it will be straightforward. I can see why you'd go for the M and D scheme

 

[stillp]

You cannot be serious………

Well the seats go in the 'pit...
Pete

 

[tigersteve]

I also have a soft spot for these old girls since my visit to Duxford a few years ago - lovely 'paintwork'

 

[BarryW]

I have been working on the cockpit interior, getting the parts ready for painting

I used Miliput to make some cushions for the backs of the pilot seats. These will be painted yellow and while not much of the interior will be seen, these will.


These will need sanding in a few hours when cured.

I have put cleaned up parts into pots with associated etch with detail, where needed, removed.


There are quite a few of these pots with etch and plastic parts prepared ready for painting.

I must be careful not to get them mixed up when spraying.

I have also been working on the bomb bay. The bombs are really quite poor with thick fins. That does not matter, however, as I have decided to close up the bomb bay. I will be painting them up, purely for the fun of it.

This really shows how small the B17 bomb bay is and how small the bombs are that it carries. Quite a contrast to the Lancaster.

 

[BarryW]

Further to the previous post. My references are divided as to how the floor should be painted. The instructions suggest a rubber black while other sources suggest wood.

To make it more interesting I will paint the cockpit floor itself the rubber black and the rest of the flooring and walkways wood.

Mind you, not much, if anything, of the floor will be seen!

 

[spanner570]

Looks interesting, Barry.

A question, if you don't mind.....
Doors or no doors between the various 'Compartments'? I ask because (A) I'm about to start a 1/72 B-17, which has doors moulded in. (B) I've looked on t'internet and all is totally confusing. Some have doors, some have not!

Any thoughts?

Ron

 

[stillp]

This really shows how small the B17 bomb bay is and how small the bombs are that it carries.

Smaller bomb load that a Mosquito I believe.
Pete