[snWcm]That looks awesome, I’m sure your friend will be thrilled. Wave to Modelcrazy and I as you pass through Idaho! LOL
Wow! I just now saw the completed pics. That is so well done! That second effort really paid of!
Wow! Just…wow!
Again…Stunning build. Love the shipping jig. I sell my models on ebay and you just gave me an idea to minimize damage in shipping. Thank you.
Glad you got an idea from my post, but I can’t claim credit. I found a nice post by Brian Leitch on the largescaleplanes.com site on packing a plane in a box for shipment. I had to modify it somewhat because the B-29 wingspan was too long to fit in the box except diagonally, but the basic concepts are there. I highly recommend it to you.
So far we’ve gotten to Sheridan, Wyoming with no sign of damage…but then I’ve just peeked in the box, haven’t unloaded it…
Cheers, Bob
I honestly just don’t have the words. [Y][Y][:D[[snWow]
Outstanding! [t$t]
Mike
I think I can say this build is now completed! I managed to deliver it to my friend in Oregon without any damage at all! The repair kit I brought wasn’t even needed.
DSC00598 by Robert Holcomb, on Flickr
DSC00596 by Robert Holcomb, on Flickr
Thanks to all who helped and encouraged me throughout this process, especially in the black days after The Crash.
thanks to all, Bob
After a couple of years of blood, sweat, tears, and money; I would say that you really put your heart into this project. Bob your friend has a real friend.
Beautiful build. Mustve been a moving moment to see a life-like miniature of a plane he once flew in.
What a heartwarming and generous thing to do RCH. My hat’s off to both you Gentleman.
Bob, your B-29 is very impressive, but so is the presentation. What material went into that case?
Well done. =]
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL model…and the acrylic presentation case with medals put it over the top.
Good recovery on the 2nd bird. As I was reading this thread, I almost shat myself when it came to the part where you dropped bird #1. Ouch!
Very nice work, man. 
Thanks to all.
Shipwreck, the base is a 27-inch square piece of birch plywood, with a small moulding nailed to the sides to provide a edge so the acrylic cover could sit inside and not slide around. I stained the whole thing cherry, and puttied the small nail holes and mitre joints where the moulding came together in the corners. The acrylic cover was made by J-Display Cases and I highly recommend them for the quality of their work; but don’t be in a hurry to get it! His email is jdisplaycase@fuse.net. They have been very helpful to me.
USAFASME7, thanks. I almost had the same reaction when I dropped it…it took me about three days before I could think coherently about it afterwards. My wife was concerned about my mental well-being for awhile. But I got over it and tried again. As you can see from the photo, my friend is not young and I did not have the luxury of wallowing around in self-pity for very long!
When I gave it to my friend yesterday, he went back in the back room and rummaged around for awhile, then brought out his own Distinguished Flying Cross medal in its original case from WWII. We’ve spent the last day and a half reliving memories from that airplane, and that has been worth the entire venture. The small picture in the display case is a photo take on Iwo Jima in June 1945 which shows that airplane sitting on the ground parked next to another. I discovered that photo by accident in my research, and my friend was not aware of its existence until I shared it with him. It adds a nice touch to the case.
Cheers, Bob
[Y]
[:D[[:D[[:D[
I really do not have the words for your efforts and results here. This is a true gift from the heart.
I have a sad update to report to this story. Last Monday, my friend Dick Baker passed away peacefully at home. He is to be buried in the National Cemetery in Portland with full military honors next Tuesday. I will fly out from Virginia to attend.
He had a little more than a year to enjoy the model and I think he did. He and I together concocted a new plan for it’s care before he passed. I will repack it in the box and drive it to Pratt, Kansas (near Wichita), where there is a small B-29 museum on an old Army airfield. It was a training site for the crews and the aircraft were test flown there. In the museum is a display dedicated to the 9th Bomb Group, which is where Dick saw his service in Sweet Sue. So the model will be going to a good home and hopefully can add some history to the museum, as well as to honor Dick and his crewmates.
I anticipate moving the model next August, unless Dick’s wife requests it to go sooner.
I thought the Forum would want to know.
Sadly, Bob
So sorry to hear of your friend’s passing. You are a dedicated friend! May the LORD bless you and keep you…
What a beuatiful memorial, great job!
Toshi
So sorry to hear of your friend’s passing, but you should be proud that he knew how much he meant to you. I love your plan to donate the model to a museum, and think that is a fitting tribute to your friend and mentor. May the angels come to greet him and carry him to his reward. May you and all of his family and friends know comfort and peace.
John