Thanks, Swanny!
Is the Paragon set still in production? I had only heard that Mr. Koster made a set, or at least, the nose glazing, to make the -E out of the Revell -F, but I think that’s long out of production.
Regards,
Brad
Both sets are readily availible direct from the source. For Bill Koster send him an email at wkoster2@comcast.net and for Neil Burkill (Mr. Paragon) send him an email at paragondesigns@hotmail.co.uk Either one of these guys will hook you up with what you want.
It was koster who did the D model conversion set for the revell F right? I’d like to do at least one of those.
Yes, Koster did the B-17C/D conversion which is reviewed in my article on the history of the 1/48 B-17 kits http://www.swannysmodels.com/B17G.html . More tinkering over the weekend, should be moving back to the middle fuselage area by the end of the week.
Thanks, Swanny, that’s great news! I thought Mr. Koster had retired. Thanks for the tip!
Brad
Bill keeps talking about retiring and is not making anything new but seems to be perfectly happy cranking out the existing stuff. I spoke to him a few weeks ago when he got back from Israel and he was looking for a new resin caster at that time. I have not spoken to Neil in a year now so not real up to date on what his shop is doing.
Nice job Swanny. Your keeping my interest going on my project.
For what it’s worth, I ordered a Paragon Open Bomb Bay and other stuff from Hannants in England. Should be here this week. I know your B-17 doesn’t have a bomb Bay, but I ordered 2 in case someone else would like to purchase one for their build. As soon as this stuff arrives, I will get back to my build. I decided to use real wood on the floors and tables.
Keep the updates and pictures coming Swanny.
Real wood? Do tell. I’m curious as to what, how etc…
Remember this shot of the scratch built radio compartment bulkheads and floor?
Now the Eduard details start to go in place
Looking Good.
I have to ask, What does the door in the floor go to?
I’ve seen on picture shot though a door window that had the hatch open and the radio man sitting at the end with his feet in the opening but can’t see what’s in there.
Eric…
I think they could mount a camera to record bombing results.
Moon Puppy is correct, there is camera equipment loaded down there.
Wow what a great project! Very ambitious and I have too much to say so I won’t bug you but I am lovin it! ( better than McDonalds)
Moon Puppy and Swanny, thanks for the info.[tup]
I always wondered what it was for.
Eric…
The floor-pan and bulkhead will need some expansion for the final fit so still a little work to do there. I definitely have to get a contour gauge and make this step a lot easier. Back in the nose things are getting finished off, here are some left and right side views.
Then back into the radio room the first of two seats gets worked over. Now you may be wondering why two seats. The YB-40 had a crew of 11, the extra guy was an ammunition handler and his station was in the radio room. All extra ammo was stored in the bomb bay area. Remember, this is a salvaged donor kit for this build, the first original flight crew seat was converted for use in the nose - here the second is overhauled for the radio operator.
I’m working my way towards the aft end of the aircraft and will soon be detailing the tail gunner’s position. I am uncertain just what I want to put back there.As we all know most B-17 Fs and Gs had a pair of 50 cals as a stinger however several different things were tried with the YB-40 and unfortunately documentation is nearly non-existent. The aircraft I’m modeling is ‘Seymour Angel’ ( have some very nice nose art for it) and there is no record that I am aware of that defines the armament. What I do know is that some aircraft were test fitted with 20mm, 30mm and 40mm cannons back here. Now I have to wonder what a 40mm Bofors gun would look like as a stinger? I’m thinking maybe a single gun slightly offset on the tail. What do you guys think? Does this sound plausible??? Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated.
Wouldn’t the tail gun area be a bit small (too cramped) for a Bofors? Also I would think that the axial recoil forces would be a bit severe for the airframe in such a narrow area. It would certainly look cool and if I were a Bf-109 pilot looking dowm the throat of a 40mm cannon, I’d think twice about attacking from the 6…
Brian [C):-)]
Yeah, I had considered the recoil issues along with loading and rate of fire but man, I bet that barrel would look terrifying pointed right at you and imagine if it was loaded with a timed shell - something like verticle flak?
Looking great, Matt! Love the round fireextinguishers and O2 tanks- “molded-in” types I hate, hate, hate! Gonna have to steal the animated gif trick for my threads- I use 'em all the time at work.
Cheers!
chuk
Hey Swanny,
From what I can find, the YB-40 had the same stinger as the B-17. I think the big question is if it’s the Cheyenne tail or not. Here’s the best picture I could find. I’m sure you already have this one.
Cheers