HKM 1/48 scale B17-G Flying Fortress

[BarryW]

Coming along nicely Barry. I assume the nose and tail walls are not visible once assembled? Bad move from the kit manufacturers to add part numbers to The surface detail otherwise. Totally unnecessary on a modern kit really.

True, it’s their logo, but none of this will be seen hence not bothering to remove it.

[Jim R]

Coming together really well. Certainly nothing which is not easily sorted. Cockpit looks great. The wing to fuselage fit is often difficult to deal with but this is perfect :thumb2:

[Andy the Sheep]

A nicely detailed cockpit and a neat build, Barry.
It's incredible the difference in cockpit space between USAAF and RAF bombers; a Lancaster bomb aimer would have needed a map not to get lost in the nose of a B17!:tongue-out3:

[BarryW]

I have attached the tail pieces and the cockpit roof.


The fit of both was OK. I will have a little filling and sanding on the tail.


I am holding the roof on with electric bands. As you can see below there is a gap on one side However, I do t think it’s as bad as it looks and it passes in Once the cement is fully hardened on the other areas I will use c.a. and press the side in and hopefully that will do it, perhaps with only a little extra thin to finish it off

[BarryW]

The nose and tail are attached. A good fit with only a little bit of filling and sanding needed.




I have used my new MRP scribers for the first time and they are great, very sharp and I recommend them. I thought I would try them out given how their paints are of the very best quality, unbeatable and these tools are up to the high standards MRP have set.

[Mickc1440]

The nose and tail are attached. A good fit with only a little bit of filling and sanding needed.




I have used my new MRP scribers for the first time and they are great, very sharp and I recommend them. I thought I would try them out given how their paints are of the very best quality, unbeatable and these tools are up to the high standards MRP have se

Those scribers look really good

[dave]

Good Progress and interesting to follow

[BarryW]

I have been working on the mid-upper and ball turret assemblies and the components are painted. These will need weathering before assembly. The tail wheel has also been painted.

Also I have sprayed a primer coat on the fuselage.


The primer has done it’s job and highlighted some seam areas that need a little more work.

I will get the seams done and finish the turrets before moving on the wing assembly.

[BarryW]

I have sprayed the underside Neutral Grey

Here is a pic of the mid-upper and ball turrets.


I have started work on the wings and they go together well. Quite simple construction these but nicely detailed.

[BarryW]

I have plugged on with the wings, no real problems with just a little filling and sanding.

I have also painted them and finished painting the fuselage, applying the decals. No drama at all really. The kit decals are Cartograph from which I used the insignia while the aircraft specific decals came from Kits World, also no issues.





The most observant and knowledgable among you might be able to spot the deliberate error!

[BarryW]

I have done a pin wash and then sprayed a matt varnish so I am ready for more weathering and OD really does weather!




I have painted the 13 gun barrels

These will be among the last of the final fittings to be attached.

There really is very little to write about with this kit, no dramas at all. Fit decent but not perfect, nice but not great engineering. All in all it fits that gap between Tamiya’s engineering and fit perfection and a poor to mediocre fitting kit.

[BarryW]

When it comes to weathering I have Googled to find photos to act as a guide. Clear photos of the actual aircraft showing weathering patterns are not as easy to find as I thought they would be.

I have this selection to work from








If you have anything better please show.

[BarryW]

I have sprayed two of MRP’s clear colours, Exhaust Soot and Smoke.

The smoke looks a little glossy while the other is very flat. I am thinking g that I need to Matt down the Smoke a little.

Some pics




Matting it down will help tone it down a little. I think I will use a semi matt to give texture contrast to the rest of the wing.

[langy71]

Wow Barry, I love it, it's perfect, subtle enough to give a contrast but not overdone as if it's 'sat in a field' for years, you're really turning out a beauty here..

[Jim R]

Looking really good. Chris is right regarding the weathering. Certainly sounds as if HKM have done a fine job with this kit.