I am posting this on the Bomber Build page as well, but some wanted to see progress on this one. I am building the Monogram B-17F for a local vet who was a ball turret gunner on this plane…but interior detail on the F is lacking. Luckily I have built a -G in the past that I hate to look at-- so instant solution [;)] I ripped open the G and stripped it of all the good interior details and will add them into the -F instead.
Here are some of the latest progress shots:
And here is my first real attempt at scratchbuilding LOL I am opening up the bay and the doors are null for detail-- so break out the styrene!! Just gotta add some color to it! Also-- since he’s a ball turret gunner, I opened up the Sperry turret and will add a seat and some other detail as well…
Coming along nicely. I was able to check one of those ball turrets close up when I walked through Aluminum Overcast. Wow are they tiny, I could almost put my arms all the way around it. I’ve always been astounded by the guts those guys displayed. I’m sure he’ll love it.
There used to be a ball turrent in the exhibition hall at the CAF, and I was astounded by how tiny it was. I forget the maximum hight allowed for the gunners, but it was something like 5-foor-5. The best detailed ball turrent you’re likely to find is the one in the AcMin TBM. Looks great, though they still haven’t figured out that age old problem of completely hiding the seam, though it’s done as well as can be. Most of the seam disappears upon painting. Hey, I wonder if it’s similar to the B-17 ball turret, and if they are interchangable?
Thanks to Dan, Rick, Madda, Pix, Dan, Brian, Joe, Thad, scott, shark, and Frank for the comments!! It has become a labor of love these last few days. I finished the other bay door last night and it came out much better than the first! Also cut down the map some…
Pix-- Dave from Meteor let me know that PYNED-UP (?) is supposed to be coming out soon with a whole series of B-17decals…and Idiot’s Delight is among them…although a friend who is a whiz at Photoshop actually made me up a custom pic to use so I will go with that!
shark-- the turrets were not the same. The bombers used Sperry ball turrets, while the Avenger’s rear turret is much more flat at the sides…don’t know the exact name of it, but the shape of the two is quite different.
Congrats, looking great so far, Mike !
one thing i’m learning about scratchbuilding
is that the 2nd or 3rd try at making a part almost always comes out better…
so the hard part is really keeping urself from gluing the 1st one 2 the model, lol !
also, using cardboard 2 make templates often saves a lot of styrene !
my poor Fort is sitting in limbo, waiting 4 me 2 get back 2 work…
i am a rotten goldbrick of a crew chief, i think… [:(][:D][;)]
Pretty impressive Jeeves. The idea of having the ball turret open will certainly give special significance to your “Vet” friend. Looking forward to seeing your progress, it’s a challenging effort. semper fi, mike
