|
Back in the "Heavies"
Group Build I completed a Monogram 1/48th B-17G with (to me) stunning red
checkers on the tail and red stripes on the wings. I was rewarded with a nice
little kit: a very similarly-marked B-17G in 1/144th! I instantly decided to put
them next to each other for display!
The kit itself is not the best. The wings fit fine if you don't mind one
drooping at a very noticeable angle (you must glue it in properly then fill the
gap this creates), and symmetry problems with cabin deck, and shapes of the
clear pieces. I will be honest: I thought it would be a "toy" kit,
that it wouldn't be worth displaying when done.
Here's the progress of the build, from start to finish:
Click on
images below to see larger images
I had to putty in the cockpit clear piece,
and then sand the putty flat. The fit was too bad on this kit piece, less
bad on others. The left side of the cabin slopes differently than the
right (design flaw). I airbrushed the kit black, as I had read this brings
out the sheen when applying metalizers over it. In this case I also
airbrushed MM enamel "Aluminum."
I almost believed this wouldn't amount to much until I got a second wind
of inspiration and made it into a nice display piece. I painted all the
windows on the kit with black enamel and the finest-tipped brush I had.
This not only covered the interior (nothing there) but also allowed me to
paint on the many missing windows on the nose that kit and instructions
omitted. I used the Monogram 48th kit as a guide on the windows.
I also
used clipped copper wire for gun barrels.
The finished product looks worthy of standing by the bigger sister!
All it took was a lot of free-hand painting all the black details
(definitely not my modeling strength) and it took no additional parts or
tools. It only took a little extra effort to take this kit from
"budget, back-of-shelf" to "decent display piece" (or
at least "conversation starter"). I enjoyed this quick build,
warts and all, and take it as a reminder that even kits that look sad on
inspection can turn out pretty sweet in the end.
Here are the finished photos:
Click on
images below to see larger images
I included a comparison photo to show the vast
size difference between this and the "big sister" she will sit by
(maybe "sit on"!).
Mark
P.S. Yes I know the star is on the wrong wing on
the larger plane.
|
