Warbird Information Exchange

And So it begins.....and we look forward to the Hack by step reconstruction of the winged wonder of Bombers.

_________________
Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Yeah, Gary---I've gotten all the easy stuff done now. Now I have to start modifying the modifications.

Scott

Here's a before and after of the cockpit/upper fuselage--the aircraft I'm building didn't have the commander's blister. I told you I had to modify the modifications!



I just had to cut the fuselage halves out in order to test-fit them, and they are a near-perfect match to the Monogram fuselage. I've built quite a few vacuform models and Koster gets my vote for the best I have experienced so far.


Scott

Awsome! Keep us up to date on the project.

I'll have to post some pics of my 1/72 B-17C project. Fortunately, I'm starting with a kit of the correct variant (but that hasn't stopped me from scratchbuilding the wheel wells, casting new engines, and lengthening the kit cowls!)

SN

Looking Goooood Man, what is the difference in the addition or absence of the commander's blister? and what about that B-24 in the background?
Also, I have been trying to find a website from which to order the Koster C/D vacuform any leads?

_________________
Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Steve,

Do you have any ideas about substitute MLG tires for the Academy kit? There is something about the profile of the tires in all the B-17s they make that doesn't seem right to me. I've got one of those kits pretty well glued together to act as a quick-reference for the 1/48th scale project.

Gary,

They moved that blister around on the different variants. The airplane I'm building didn't have the blister at all.

The B-24 will someday be "Harper's Ferry" from the 449th Bomb Group.

As for the Koster conversion kits, I did a bit of surfing and didn't find much information on sources for them. I have seen the B-17 and B-24/Privateer kits on ebay many times, but there must be other hobby shops that still have stocks of them. I bought mine directly from Mr. Koster many years ago at an IPMS Nats. I wish I'd bought several.

I temporarily assembled the wings and #2 engine assembly to see how my nose job turned out. The prop lines up with the aft nose window just where it should. (Whew! Measure twice, cut once really worked this time.)


Scott

My plan is to use the True Details resin replacement tires, with a styrene disc covering the hub. I may fill in the tread, though..operating off grass, the Brits usually used smooth tires (or tyres.)

Does the Koster set give you parts to adress the nose window issues, or are you gonna have to modify the kit parts?

SN

Koster thinks of most everything, Steve. Here is a photo of the clear parts sheet (less the cockpit enclosure).

The fillers for the cheek positions are on the left side just below the Cheyenne canopy. It's a shame I won't be using most of the clear parts for this project. One thing about this conversion that I'd like to have done differently would be to use a Revell "F" nose rather than this one. I'm going to have a more difficult time converting the "G" nose to what I need. Nothing that time and patience won't overcome.

Scott

Too bad you couldn't have waited just a bit..the old Revell F is now being re-released!

I see Koster molds the clear tail stinger in halves (only real way to do it in vac)..do you plan to use it? I think I'd probably get a section of clear acrylic rod and sand an polish it to shape.

SN

I probably have a Revell kit somewhere in the storage, but this will work fine. Monogram did a little better on the engines and landing gear anyway.

The acrylic rod tail stinger is definitely the way to go. I'll just chuck it up in the lathe and turn it to the proper shape. That is about the only thing lacking in the mod kit. Even the aft entry door has the internal structure.

Scott

I got an email from Bill Koster, he is currently in Israel until
Mar.10th, and after that date he said he will be able to fill orders.

_________________
Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Thank you, Gary--I'll likely have an order for some more kits from Mr. Koster.

I did a little on the project this weekend, so here's a short update. I got the nose windows sealed up and the new windows located and cut in the left side of the fuselage. The Koster kit actually has the filler piece for the cheek window on the clear sheet, but I elected to fill with .030 styrene since I had to do so with the others anyway. I also removed the astrodome fairing and filled in a few other unneeded holes in the front of the airplane:


Next I started on cleaning up/modifying the wings. First I filled the intercooler and oil cooler openings in the lower leading edge with resin as a plug:

Then I got rid of the unsightly turbochargers under the nacelles by grinding off the excess plastic and filling the low spots with more resin, then a nice coat of filler:


This is the final right-hand lower wing after modification. The #3 engine and cowling are mocked up in this photo but still need lots of work, along with the front of the nacelles. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to lower the flaps or not--most photos show them raised, but they wouldn't be hard to drop if I decide to. Heaven knows I am familiar with that part of the Fort after being buried in TRs left flap well for two days!


One wing to go
Scott

That Dude, is looking great. just great!!!
I have a few articles in my man cave that I have got to dispose of, buy a new commanders seat for the desk, pick up some paints and adhesive stuff, and will get back to building.

_________________
Kind Regards,
Gary Lewis
J.A.F.O.

Seeing just one person pick up the X-Acto knife again is worth my posting of these updates! This is the first project I've done any real work on in four or five years, and I got re-started by reading threads on this forum too.

Scott

Poll time:

Should I drop the flaps and open the bomb bay doors and both entry hatches? I can't decide how I want the finished product to look--flightline ready-to-launch or in an opened-up state. I've got the reference material to do the interior but don't know if I want to do more cutting.

Scott