Joe's 1/72 Academy B-17F Memphis Belle

[flyjoe180]

Then once that was dry, I applied some medium green blotching, as you can see in the photo in the previous post. Had a few goes at this, had to settle for the effect I've got here. I had to take the flash off the camera or the blotches looked too bright which they are not. I used Humbrol 149, and referred to photos of Memphis Belle to get the approximate positions of the blotches. The real blotches are perhaps harder-edged but I'm happy with the effect. They too will darken under a gloss coat.


[ATTACH]109765.IPB[/ATTACH]



And then it was time for the deice boots. I find it easier to do this after the main painting, and I used a brush. Masking off all those rounded edges from the outer edges would have been far more difficult than masking from the inside.


[ATTACH]109766.IPB[/ATTACH]



[ATTACH]109767.IPB[/ATTACH]



Exhausts and turbochargers were painted, glossed and given a black wash. Turbochargers gunmetal, the exhausts bronze.


[ATTACH]109768.IPB[/ATTACH]



And then glued to the model.


[ATTACH]109769.IPB[/ATTACH]



Normally I'd paint the exhausts a gunmetal or dark colour, but references show they were a rusty metallic colour. This is the Memphis Belle prior to the commencement of her restoration when she was living outside and had been subjected to the weather, birds and vandals.


[ATTACH]109770.IPB[/ATTACH]

[flyjoe180]

Then I gave the Belle some feet. The fit of the wheels was not exemplary. I had to manipulate them to get them on the correct angle. It occurred to me afterwards that this was an effect of having altered the kit's wing dihedral (they had a toe-in look to them and would have been straighter if the original excessive dihedral had been left there).


[ATTACH]109771.IPB[/ATTACH]



Next up it's off to exhaust-staining camp and a nice gloss bath. Thanks for looking in.

[papa 695]

Awesome work there Joe


.I usually gloss then apply the exhaust staining with a thinned down paint you can control it better and if it goes wrong you can clean it up without ruining the top coat of paint

[Dave W]

Looking good Joe.

[flyjoe180]

Glossed and exhaust stained:


[ATTACH]109834.IPB[/ATTACH]



[ATTACH]109835.IPB[/ATTACH]



[ATTACH]109836.IPB[/ATTACH]



I used chalk pastels ground up to make a dark grey mix and smeared it on using a cotton bud.


The gloss coat should be dry this morning so I'll be applying decals today.

[flyjoe180]

You can see that the gloss coat has darkened the green blotches and the exhausts as anticipated.


[ATTACH]109837.IPB[/ATTACH]

[flyjoe180]

Update. The exhaust staining with no flash used on the camera.


[ATTACH]110300.IPB[/ATTACH]



[ATTACH]110301.IPB[/ATTACH]



Then decal time. Academy decals aren't always the best, but no had no major issues using Humbrol Decalfix. The white stars are perhaps a little translucent but not too bad.


[ATTACH]110302.IPB[/ATTACH]



[ATTACH]110303.IPB[/ATTACH]



[ATTACH]110304.IPB[/ATTACH]



[ATTACH]110305.IPB[/ATTACH]



Then it was time to remove the masking and assemble the gun turrets.


[ATTACH]110306.IPB[/ATTACH]

[flyjoe180]

The holes I drilled earlier were filled with the appropriate machine guns using white glue.


[ATTACH]110307.IPB[/ATTACH]



And using the white glue again, I set the remaining nose side glazing panels into position. These were often field-fitted and photos show they weren't always a prefect match for the surrounding panels and had different shades of Olive Drab on them. Some sanding was required to make them fit, even though an earlier dry fit showed an acceptable fit.


[ATTACH]110308.IPB[/ATTACH]



You can also see the bomb bay doors, which were sitting in place using tac underneath, are now open and set in position.


The nose glazing was then set into place. No problem here, a great fit.


[ATTACH]110309.IPB[/ATTACH]



Landing lights are in place, navigation wing lights are finsihed, the propellers are sitting in their engines (not glued), and final touches will bring this to a conclusion in the next day or so.


[ATTACH]110310.IPB[/ATTACH]



[ATTACH]110311.IPB[/ATTACH]

[flyjoe180]

PS, I also had to reattach each pitot tube at least twice; luckily they didn't fall into oblivion. Joe 1, Carpet Monster 0


A landing gear strut went AWOL on final inspection, no idea how that happened, and it has vanished. I have refashioned a new one from sprue. Joe 1, Carpet Monster 1

[papa 695]

Looking good

[Dave W]

The B17's looking really good Joe.

[aaron]

Wow this is really looking the part Joe, awesome stuff.

[monica]

liking this one Joe,great work you have done on the old girl,do real like the colors,

[flyjoe180]

Completed build thread here http://www.scale-models.co.uk/thread...s-belle.31275/

[monica]

fantastic work Joe,I think this is one of your best builds let,


real like how much attention to detail your done,from the exhausts,


and like wise great loving it,