ThomasProbert

I've been working on this project for the last nine months, and have been able to apply the finishing touches today. A full build thread is here: http://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/651-132nd-scale-b-29-superfortress/ This started life as a basic vacform from the old ID Models range (now available from John 'Tigger' Wilkes: The 'small' fuselage in the above image is the 1/48th Monogram B-29 which I used to guide me throughout this build. There was absolutely no interior with this kit so it has all had to be made from scratch. The tools of the trade were simply Evergreen strip, plastic card and Milliput, plus plenty of good references. Here's the cockpit under construction: And when painted: The whole interior received this treatment, along with the bomb-bays and wheel bays. I chose to finish my model as "Kee Bird" which crash-landed in the Arctic after the crew became lost and she ran out of fuel in 1947. Laying undisturbed for nearly 50 years this aircraft was sadly lost during a recovery attempt in 1994. Due to her long range snooping over the former USSR, "Kee Bird" was fitted with four long-range auxiliary fuel tanks in the bomb-bays; these too had to be made from scratch: There were no engines or propellers in this kit so the engines were castings of the ZM Skyraider engine, and the props came from a Vintage Fighter Series P-47, which after a little re-profiling fitted perfectly: The cowl flaps were made from drinks can alloy to gain a scale thickness: The kit's transparencies were used for the observation/gunner blisters: The clear nose was also the kit's, but for the other windows I simply dropped clear acetate into the apertures I cut earlier in the build: (Part 2 to follow)

Well, she's finally done. Clear nose has been detailed and painted along with the propellers and final details such as aerials and guns. The finishing touch was a scratch-built crew ladder, added to the nose wheel bay. Here's a sneak preview... More pictures will be uploaded to 'Finished Work' soon. It's been a long journey, and thank you for you kind words of encouragement along the way... it's been a pleasure sharing my progress with you all! Tom

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement... It's been a pleasure sharing my project with you.

The part I had been most apprehensive about came next... the dreaded glazing... and there's lots of it! I started with the tail gunner's turret. The frames I had built into the window apertures allowed me to drop clear acetate into the frames and secure them in place with 'Formula 500' canopy glue. The side windows were standard clear plastic, but the rear window was added from tinted yellow plastic to replicate the tinted, bullet proof glass on the real aircraft: Next came the flight deck windows. The frames were painted dark grey to replicate the rubber seals on the real aircraft, and then flat panels were cut from clear plastic card and dropped into the windows. I then sealed them in with more Formula 500 which has acted like putty on a real window to hold them securely in place. The real aircraft also has flat window panels so this proved an ideal way of doing the glazing. This picture shows the process underway: You can also see I've added the final interior details such as the pilot's escape handles on the windows, front gunner's gun sight, bombsight and other various hoses and pipes. When all the glue had set, I was pretty pleased with how the windows have come out. You can also see the aerials added to the nose here, too: [/url] Considering the complexity of the glazing on the B-29 and the amount of work having to go into making these windows, I feel they are as good as I am going to get them! I'm also pleased that the many hours spent scratch-building the interior haven't been wasted as you can still see a lot through the extensive 'greenhouse' of a nose. With only final details to add, such as the nose transparency, props, guns and a few more little aerials, the next time I update you may be the last and the beast finished Until next time, Tom

I've made the most of the Bank Holiday and made some more progress on the B-29... I scratch-built some more hydraulic actuators using the nails and cotton-bud method, and then added them along with the doors I'd made earlier as well as some final details to the main landing gear bays: I've also applied a little weathering to the model. Studying photo's of the Kee Bird showed these aircraft to be clean and well maintained, but B-29s in general threw oil at an alarming rate. This great picture of 'Thumper' shows these oil leaks to good effect (photo used for illustrative purposes only): I've attempted to recreate this on my model, using AK's 'engine oil'. I didn't go over the top here, but just added some 'oil' thinned with white spirit and blew it back across the wing in the direction of the airflow: Kee Bird also had a set of 'Rebecca' aerials on either side of her nose (picture used for illustrative purposes only): I made these using Aeroclub's wing struts drilled and then added the thinner, vertical aerials from stretched sprue. Another aerial is here too, ready to be added to the top of the fuselage: More to follow...

It was now time to address the bomb-doors and their actuators... The doors were removed previously in the build, so it was simply a case of detailing them and I did this by adding the internal skins from plastic card. Archer rivets also added a little extra detail: I then had to make the hydraulic actuators for the opening and closing of the doors. These were made from the following: And after some cutting and detailing: All the components were then painted: And then installed on the model: And that more or less brings you up to date. Currently, she looks like this: [/url] I've been running a thread on Britmodeller since August 2012 (when this project started.) If you'd like to see more detail the link is here: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234924637-22513-update-132nd-scale-boeing-b-29-from-the-id-models-vacform/ I will now update this thread as I add to the model. I am currently working on installing the main landing gear doors and working on some final interior detailing before I add the glazing to the windows. I'll keep you posted Thanks for all your interest so far! Tom

The bomb-bay was the next area to receive attention... I had finished the bomb-bay interior as far as could prior to painting the exterior. I now added my previously scratch-built bomb-racks: I then had to tackle the distinctive oxygen cylinders. These provided breathable air for the crew at altitude. Once again I had to improvise and make my own, with some 1/48th 1000lb bombs coming to the rescue! The fins were removed from the rear of each bomb and the shape improved by some sanding. The rear area of the cylinders wouldn't be seen so the exact shape wasn't essential here. 'Bombs' before painting: After painting and further detailing - they look more like the oxygen cylinders now: I then installed them in the bay. B-29s had many variations as to where they were positioned, so I went with the Monogram 1/48th guidance and positioned them beneath the main spar: The Kee Bird was fitted with four ultra-long range auxiliary fuel tanks in the bomb-bays for her snooping over the former USSR. Again these tanks had to be scratch-built. Here they are in a real B-29 (picture used for illustrative purposes only:) My method was to create the ends of the tanks from thick plastic card, and then wrap thin card around them to form the body of the tanks. This was an early experimental effort and wouldn't be used. The shape is off and it's twisted, but it gives you the general idea. After a few more attempts (seven in total!) I was happy with four of them so painted them up and added them to the bays: More to follow...

Another update... Once the decaling was complete I could start to add the smaller details. The first step was to add the previously completed landing gear: Next came the gear doors. I used the parts removed from the kit earlier in construction, but added the linings and other details from plastic card: The nose gear doors were painted and added to the model; the main gear doors were put aside for adding later on in the build: I then scratch built the tail skid, painted it and added it to the underside of the tail: The turrets were tackled next. Here's how they come in the kit: Once removed from the backing sheet and sanded to shape, I removed the section of the turret that elevates and drilled holes in preparation for the guns to be added later: They were then painted and added to the fuselage: The de-icing boots were also painted matt black and then polished with micro-mesh to give a satin sheen and a 'rubbery' look to them: More to follow...

Yes you're correct - they had rubber seals which acted as the 'putty'.

I have inserted a framework into each window to sit clear acetate on. The real aircraft had flat window panels (I presume to reduce distortion) so it will make life easier! Tom

The decaling process followed next... For the main US insignia, I used a 1/32nd Hellcat decal sheet which provided stars and bars of the correct size: The tail serial numbers were put together from an Xtradecal sheet: And I made the Kee Bird nose-art myself: The last job was a coat of Satin varnish to reduce the shine of the aluminum areas and the high-gloss of the black and orange areas. I think it is very important to keep glossy finish 'in scale' and a bright, gleaming finish would not be accurate for an aircraft in service in a harsh environment such as the Arctic: In the next update I'll show you how I went about the smaller details such as the bomb-bay details, turrets, gear doors and elevators etc. As always, you thoughts and opinions are greatly received - as well as some constructive criticism if necessary Tom

Thanks once again for the kind words I'll now explain how the model was painted. The first job was to prime all the surfaces and check for any imperfections: I was pleased with the results, and my scribing efforts came out much better than I had initially anticipated! I use automotive paints (Halfords for UK readers) regularly for my builds, and decided to go down the same route with this project. They cover large areas quickly (this model has plenty of large areas!) and a match for almost paint colour can be found in their range or you can have specific colours mixed as required. For the main airframe I used Halfords Aluminium: For the distinctive centre-section shades I used 'Mercedes Machine Silver' to highlight the different shade of metal for the B-29 main spar area: And then 'Ford Carnival Orange' which is an exact match for the Arctic Orange the Kee Bird carried on the tail and outer wing panels: [/url] The upper surfaces were then carefully masked: And then the undersides given a coat of gloss black: [/url] More to follow...

I then scratch-built and detailed the elevators using Archer rivets: I did the same with the rudder, and added some scratch-built hinges: I then scratch-built the gun-sights: And attached the superb kit blisters: I then added the final few external details such as the cowl fasteners: Wing tip lights: A resin DF loop: And finally she was ready for some paint: In the next update I'll explain the painting and decaling process. Until then... happy modelling! Tom

The detail on the cowlings was limited, so I decided to add some additional detail by making my own cowl flaps to enhance the appearance of the exterior. To do this I used thin aluminium from a coke can - this worked well on my 1/32nd B-24 build so I thought I'd give it a go here. The first task is to cut strips of the drink can alloy to the required width: The natural curve of the can makes this job much easier! Then, starting from the centre and working out, each cowl flap was cut to size and attached to the nacelle: Once complete, they were given a light sanding to create a key for the paint when it was applied: You can also see in the above picture that I have added the exhausts and vents to the underside of the nacelles. These were again scratch-built and made from plastic card and Evergreen strip and tubing. A more detailed shot: And the engines with a test fit of the props: The Kee Bird also carried a H2S radar scanner on the undersides, and this too had to made from scratch. Step 1: Make a Milliput mold: Step 2: Use my school's vacform machine to create a copy: Step 3: Cut it out, sand it to shape and attach it to the model:

More details on the B-29 build: Now my attention turned to the engines. There are no engines in the kit, and unfortunately no suitable engines are available in the aftermarket scene, so thankfully a fellow member came to the rescue and did some resin copies of the ZM Skyraider engine which would be a perfect substitute: Once they had been cleaned up and assembled I added some push-rods from stretched sprue: And then gave them a coat or two of paint: Propellers were another headache as again there was nothing readily available to me. I have the Vintage 1:24th P-47, and the Curtiss Electric prop (which were kitted to the Kee Bird) was a very close match (give or take 2mm) to a 1/32nd B-29 prop so I got in contact with them and ordered a set of four. Here is one being test fitted to the engine: And compared to its Monogram 1/48th counterpart: The engines were then put to one side and my attention turned to the cowlings. The first job was to remove the openings and intakes on the engine fronts: Then the engines were attached to the fire-walls: After some further detailing, the cowlings were slid over the engines and secured in place: Then it was on to the cowl flaps... more to follow.

Thank you for the warm welcome. There is a link to my B-24 here over on LSP: http://www.largescaleplanes.com/Photostory/TomProbert/b24j/b24j.php I didn't do a full WIP back when I built this, but the article gives you the general idea. This was a Combat Models vac and was much the same work as you're seeing with the B-29. This model now resides in an aviation museum at the old RAF Bungay, and my model depicts a Lib based there in WWII.

The landing gear has to be scratch-built as there is none supplied with the kit, and unfortunately no after-market company has felt the need to produce any for the B-29 in 1/32nd scale... but that would spoil the fun anyway Therefore, the tools of the trade were some solid wooden dowel for the core of the legs to support the substantial weight of the model, some plastic tubing of varying thicknesses and the trusty Monogram landing gear to guide me: Each leg had it's basic structure built from the tubing etc. and the other details such as the oleos were made from plastic card. The B-29 experts amongst you will spot that my axles run through the leg, but on the actual aircraft they sat forward on the leg. I was worried about attaching them securely enough and the model collapsing under its own weight, so went for the safer, but not necessarily accurate option. I hope you can forgive me! I then drilled the main spars to attach the legs securely with their characteristic forward rake: The retraction gear was then made by raiding the spares box (old F-14 parts of all things!) and sprue: The nose gear was a similar scratch-built affair, and I've made it steerable to pose it in different directions: Again the retraction struts were made from sprue and the like, with the wheel hubs coming from spare modified Trumpeter P-38 Lightning wheels: I sourced the main wheels from Jerry Rutman, who had produced a set for the ID Models B-17, and seeing as the B-17 and B-29 had identical main wheels, this was the ideal solution: I then painted and weathered the scratch-built landing gear, and I must say I was pretty pleased with the outcome: The finished gear was then put to one side for installation after painting. That's it for now; in the next update I'll show you how I tackled the engines and their cowlings. Your feedback is always welcome, both positive as well as some constructive criticism! Tom

The fit of the wings was fine on the upper surfaces: But the lowers were a little more problematical: Once the wings were securely slid over their spars and allowed to dry for 48 hours, I began filling the gaps with plastic shims from the left over backing plastic: Car body filler was then applied, and the surfaces sanded and micro-meshed: My attention then turned to the stabilisers. As my kit items were missing, I turned to spare set of Combat Models' B-17 stabilisers I had lurking, and modified them accordingly: Even these are huge, being well over 12" in span: Once I was satisfied with them I added a wooden spar and attached them to the fuselage, with more P38 filler being used to blend them in nicely: After re-scribing the detail lost in filling and sanding, they came out well: And at last the model was structurally complete and the back of the build broken: A cold one to celebrate... and another useful size comparison! Next my attention would turn to the landing gear...

Thank you for the warm welcome and kind comment everyone! Here's some more pictures and information regarding my B-29 build - this time how I tackled the wings... The first task was to remove the wings from the backing sheet using my usual method of scoring around the parts and breaking them free, then finishing them off with some good old fashioned sanding, with special care being taken along the trailing edges to get them nice and thin. I then taped them together for a test fit - and then the sheer size of this thing really starts to hit home... here is the B-29 along side a 1/48th scale B-17 to serve as a useful comparison: Then, once again using the Monogram kit as a guide, the fist job was to remove the main landing gear bays: Further test fitting ensured that the main spars ran through the rear of the bays, as the landing gear would be attached to the spars later as on the real aircraft: The wheel bays were then boxed in and I began scratch-building and adding the basic internal structures: I took special care ensuring each was perfectly symmetrical and identical: When this was completed I spent a good few evenings scribing all the surface detail on to the wings. It is much easier to do this whilst they are in their component parts! The various vents and openings on the nacelles were also added at this point, as well as other prominent surface details: The wing halves were then joined, filled and then I could think about joining them to the fuselage...

Thank you Jamme... Tigger Models has a large selection of 1/32nd scale vacs, but they are all as basic as you see here. The holy grail of 1/32nd scale vacform are kits are by Echelon (EE Lightning and Hawker Hunter) but both are hard to find and cost serious amounts of money when they do appear. My honest advice would be to have a go at cheap, old vacforms and build up your skills, and then move on to something you want to make a really good job of! My first efforts were appalling, but they taught me the basic skills and what not to do! Some of the best vacforms on the market now are by Dynavector and Welsh Models. They are not cheap but go together as well as an injection molded kit once you've removed them from the backing sheet and are great kits. The key is don't be afraid to have a go, take your time and above all enjoy it! Tom

Many thanks for your kind words... Yes, having built a Combat Models B-17 in 1/32nd scale it's a mere tiddler in comparison The undercarriage was scratch-built... stay tuned for further updates and you'll see how I got on! Tom

Before joining the fuselage halves I added some detail to the nose-wheel bay roof, as this would be hard to access once the fuselage was buttoned up: A serious amount of lead was added to the nose: And then the fuselage halves were joined. This was a long and slow process of gluing a small section, checking the alignment, gluing some more etc until the whole fuselage was perfectly straight. I also built the framework for the clear nose piece at this point from more Evergreen strip: Then it was filling time! For projects such as this I use P38 car body filler. It dries quickly and sands beautifully and is ideal for scribing. It doesn't shrink either so makes life alot easier. It does stink though, so if you don't want to get in trouble with her indoors it's best to use it in the shed! After everything has been left to cure for a good few days, the whole model was rubbed down and then scribed - which took an age! The Monogram and Academy kits were used as a guide, as well as many plans etc that I had as resources. The she was given a coat of primer to check for any imperfections: I also added the tail turret fairing for the guns, made the fabric covering from Milliput and inserted a couple of Airies gun breaches ready for the barrels later on in the build: The fuselage was then as complete as it needed to be at this point. That's enough from me tonight, so I'll add the build of the wings at some point in the near future Thanks for stopping by, Tom

The interior of the bays were lined with this plastic card to additional strength, and then the ribs and stringers were added to the interior of the bays: I spent many further hours making the bomb-racks as well as the strengthening strips along with their numerous lightening holes: When the detailing was done, the whole bay area was given a coat of aluminium: And the crew areas some dull green to represent the insulation padding found on the real aircraft: Everything was given a final test fit before the rest of the interior was painted: Forward crew area: And the rear: It would soon be time to join the fuselage halves...

The next job was the main spar. Being such a large model, this has to be rather substantial in order to support its own weight. Helpfully, there is a basic spar provided in the kit, but this was strengthened considerably using more 2mm plastic: Apertures were then cut into the fuselage sides and the alignment was checked and checked again: The central spar box which would be visible in the open bomb bay was then detailed: It was then painted in aluminium, and put to one side for installation later: I then had to tackle the pressure bulkheads. These were done with half a ping-pong ball and some plastic card, along with more of my trusty Evergreen: Then it was on to the bomb-bay itself...

Once the bulkheads were done I could start adding details. Unfortunately this would all have to be done from scratch as there is no interior supplied with the kit. With builds such as these you have to have references galore, and after careful studying of them I began work. The forward area of the flight deck is very visible through all that glazing so I had to add every detail: These details were all made from Evergreen strip, plastic card, bits and bobs from the spares box and Milliput. It takes many hours, but it is most satisfying! The rear crew area would not be as visible as the big blisters distort everything, so I just covered the basics here: The crew tunnel was made from plastic piping of the correct diameter and detailed with Evergreen strip. This also had the advantage of being nice and strong and holding everything together: The tail gunner's windows were then removed and the interior detailed also: Not every detail is perfect or 100% accurate, but it looks ok and you have to draw the line somewhere...