1/48th Scale B-17C/D Conversion

[The Inspector]

Show us more of that sweet lookin' bomb trailer! I see lots of detailing stuff in just the one photo-

[Second Air Force]

Here are a couple more in-progress pictures of the bomb trailer. I've always wanted to update one of these. Monogram did a fair job of the basic outline but the detailing (other than the rear tires/wheels) always disappointed me. Since I've got a real one parked next to the shop it was pretty easy to do the research. Most everything on the model is styrene sheet or aluminum tubing with some copper springs and a brass screw thrown in. The front suspension links are old Monogram B-29 main gear scissor links that I modified.





The hardest part of the whole thing, next to scrounging parts, was opening the vent holes in the wheels. I opened them up and made new "brake drums" that'll show through when it is all assembled. Once it warms up a little I'll shoot some paint on it. I've still got to get the material to make the rails for the bed, too.

All in all it's been a good stress-reliever. Eventually I'm going to do the same thing to a Cletrac from the B-24 kit.

S

[B-17 guy]

Real thing? And no pics of that? I for one would love to see that.

[The Inspector]

Lookin' good! looks like you've raided the hot rod parts stash drawers too-

B-17guy, there's 8 pages of his bomb trailer restoration over in the RetroAviation Maintenance Hangar forum-

[B-17 guy]

Oh, sorry. I was not aware. Carry on now

[Second Air Force]

No problem--here's a couple of pictures of the 1/1 scale version for reference:

[Second Air Force]

I completed and painted the interior of the #2 and #3 nacelles and finished the flap close-out panels. Both wings are finally ready to join. While the Metalizer was drying I started on the bulkheads and frames for the aft fuselage. This first one is strictly for rigidity. The next one forward is at Bulkhead 8, just behind the waist gun openings. The chemical toilet was aft of a zippered curtain at 8.


Next is to finish the openings for the gun blisters and the window and door at the front of this section. Then it'll be time to install the rest of the frames, former rings, stringers, floorboards, etc.....

While the airbrush was out I threw a coat of paint on the trailer. Lots yet to do, including getting the material for the rails on the bed. I just stuck the wheels on for the picture.

[B-17 guy]

The bomb cart looks great! Looks much better than what revell did with it.

I will be watching with great interest as you go along with the interior of the aft fuselage.
I just started throwing some of the ribs into mine tonight. I'm not gonna get carried away with it though, just the basics, at least for now.

[Second Air Force]

Perhaps now would be a good time to show the tailwheel installation for the YB. It was pretty simple, just drilled a hole in the horizontal carry-thru and inserted the strut into it.



On the YB there is a canvas boot that covers nearly the entire wheelwell so not a lot of detailing is necessary. On the B and later models you can probably use the Monogram strut by trimming it and attaching it to the stabilizer.

[Django]

The bomb trailer is looking great! Are you going to modify the tires or look for something that doesn't look like it's from a Nylint toy?

[The Inspector]

Aw, come on Django-
imagine the fun of driving a cleatrac towing a trailer with 4000# of bombs on a slick, half frozen muddy British airfield @ 0445 and the trailer is running M&H drag slicks!!

[Second Air Force]

What's wrong with the tires? I clearcoated them with three coats of gloss........gol!

Actually I haven't gotten around to that part yet. I've got a pair of originals in the shop but I don't know if I will find a 1/48 duplicate. I've thinned the nose tires to the right width but the mains will take some effort.

[The Inspector]

How about lugged tires from another/different scale truck or Jeep? Or, be very, very careful with your DREMEL tool and a sanding cone-

[Second Air Force]

I've gotta dive into the parts boxes again. Fortunately I built cars, armor, airplanes, ships, blah, blah, blah when I was a little guy and saved most of the parts. I could probably get away with the old trick of making everything all muddy..... Maybe the bomb truck or Cletrac driver wandered over to see his buddy at the other bomb dump?

[the330thbg]

I've gotta dive into the parts boxes again. Fortunately I built cars, armor, airplanes, ships, blah, blah, blah when I was a little guy and saved most of the parts. I could probably get away with the old trick of making everything all muddy..... Maybe the bomb truck or Cletrac driver wandered over to see his buddy at the other bomb dump?

gosh I wish I had your forward thinking when I was a tike.

I always blew things up or melted them down when I was through that phase of modeling!

I built Aircraft, then tanks, then ships, then back to aircraft, then cars then back to aircraft.., Fourth of july meant death to my ratted out models. Ships were hit by torpedo bottle rockets.., those 'snakes' used to light up and melt through the decks to hit the 'black cats' in the belly. Kaboom!

I had saved one 1:48 scale figure from my Monogram B-24 kit from the 70's. It was the lone pilot figure who had the 1,000 yard stare and held a cig in his hand. He was cool and well painted (by my older brother). I had kept him for 20 years and had him in my office and he was perfect.., then some idiots slammed a couple of aircraft into the adjacent buildings about 10 years ago and the fools we had clean the debris out of our offices sucked him up and he was gone!

A parts box is an awesome idea and one I have mandated with my son.

Best,

Smis