I believe that one is the ‘Tampa Tornado’. And yes, it does appear to have the twin 50s in it but I know from documents that they did install the heavier guns on a few aircraft. They tried several different armament configurations looking for the most effective mix. Obviously the heavy cannon ideas did not work out but still would look cool. I think I’ll work more towards a pair of 20mm units in the tail for this one.
I was just kinda watching and learning as I had nothing useful to add. I did think I read somewhere and can’t find it where the tail turret of the B-29 evolved from the YB-40 tail experiments. May be an option?
I don’t think that the heavier tail armament of 20’s to 40mm’s would have ever left Eglin as it would involved structural issues. Even though the 73rd and 77th BS’s B-26’s were modified with up to 4 20mm’s in the nose, but this was done in the field, probably at Elmendorff. The tail was not a Cheyenne tail, but looks like an original version with metal framing that has been modified for more vision. The B-29 was already in production before they started the YB-40.
More likely that is developed from the B-17G Cheyenne modifications. The YB-40 used the same basic tail configuration as the E and F. The Cheyenne turret did not show up until a year or two later when it was added to the G models already in production. Many changes that were implemented in the G did indeed come out of the YB-40 program such as the chin turret and the staggered waist windows.
The chin turret started in the F-BO-100 block for Boeing built aircraft.
Edit: The heavier guns mentioned were probably from field mods done on regular F’s and G’s by the 97th and 385th BG’s.
The only info I’ve ever read about 20mm guns in the B-17’s tail said it was a failed experiment. The recoil from the cannon actually popped some of the rivets in the tail section, and that was one gun. So I cant imagine two 20mm’s being possible. I havent seen anything other than the twin 50’s in the tail., well except for that one that just mentioned.
Here is the first bulkhead made with my new contour gauge - really was a fast and easy process.
Here is the mostly complete radio room. The only things left to do are the upper fuselage walls. I’m not wasting a lot of time on wall detail because with the YB-40 turret assembly the interior view is seriously restricted even when the turret assembly is pulled out.
And now I can move into the waist area with the twin 50s.
Need to start working on the ball turret soon also.
Swanny, great touch with FDR on the cover of LIFE!!! You never cease to amaze me!
Skunk Lab-Works does a whole series of 1/48 magazine decals that come in really handy for stuff like this. Glad you like it.
Matt,
That picture of 41-24341 is not “Tampa Tornado”. It is the XB-40, the prototype, which is the 2nd F-BO-1 built. “Tampa Tornado” was 42-5736 which belonged to the 303rd BG, 359th BS. For more info, check the 303rd BG website: 303rdbga.com.
I know why I confused it, Tampa Tornado is the one they did all the pictures with the little kids around it. My mistake.
If they experimented that much with different configurations I think you’d have a free hand, with in reason, to arm as you see fit.
I’m stalled on the waist guns so started working on the ball turret until I feel motivated to get back into the waist. I debated just how much detail I would put into the ball and ended up just adding a few canvas pads, one inside the ball and one on the inside of the door.
Nice! How’d you make the pads?
The pads are simply folded pieces of paper towel soaked in clear parts cement and painted khaki.
I just found this thread, and will follow it has I am about to start on my YB-40, with the same Paragon set, any progress?
First off, Swanny excellent work on it! In doing my own research, not all of the YB-40s had the small windows in the nose. Of all the pics I’ve seen, only the XB-40 had the small windows, though the pics only covered 6 different birds, not including the XB-40. The one I am going to model had the same window configuration as depictated on the Revell -F. Got a picture of her nose close up.
Reading through the thread, in regards to the tail configuration, they did experiment with different arangements. I read about the canons and they even tried the configuration of the B-29 with the rapid fire 20mm and two thirty cals underneath it. They all failed causing structure damage to the airframe so they left the tail stingers the same as on the production models. They tried other variations as well, I think they even tried a tail turret from a B-24 or Lancaster, but I’ll have to consort my book on B-17 variants to be sure, so don’t hold me on that.
I can relate to the TD sets. I got them for the current B-17G I’m going. I didn’t use the rear section, except for the part where the guns mount. I had a terrible time getting the cockpit and nose floors to fit into the closed fuselodge. I will not be buying this set again. The Main wheel set they have for the kit is great on the other hand.
Progress is stalled at the waist gun hydraulic systems. Ran out of steam and diverted to another project for a little while. May be back to this very soon though.
One of my books has a good shot of the waist guns from the inside showing the hydraulic lines, I can scan it in if you like. If I remember correctly I believe the photographer was standing at the ball turret and looking aft.
Mel,
That bare metal B-26 was probably assigned to the 22BG’s 19th Bomb Squadron (aka The Silver Fleet)
Ray