Down from the attic B-29

[centaur567]

Since I can't start the Twins campaign yet, I though I'd try to restore Monogram's 1/48th scale B-29. It's been up in our attic for the last 18 years or so. It was originally built sometime in the late 70's. I have decals for a USAF bird from my spares box. They will be fictitious/good enough. It needs a lot of work just to get it to the display mode. Gary S.

 

[moon puppy]

Poor ol' Thumper! Nice you have the bits to rebuild.

 

[centaur567]

For some reason, I was under the illusion that I had all 4 props. I'm missing 3 props, 3 bomb bay doors, 2 gun turrets and a waist gunners bubble. I do not remember breaking off the landing gear or the props and closing the gear doors and one of those is missing too. Sucks getting old. I guess I'll just assemble what parts I have, give it rattle can paint job, basic decals and call it a day. At least it will be better than shoving it back to the attic.
This AM, I re-attached the wings (the left one was loose and the right one broke off while the left one was being worked on. The lower fuselage was reglued also. Oh well, it keeps me off the streets but not out of the loonie bin. Gary S.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I built one of these back in college when it first came out. I remember the canopy to fuselage did not fit for flip. The one I built was for a friend and I got a kit for myself by doing it. I had forgotten just how big the finished plane was.

 

[Rhino]

The "Phoenix" rises from the (attic) ashes! Have fun, my friend!

 

[centaur567]

An idea that came to me in the middle of the night. Why not make silicon molds of a turret, waist bubble and prop hub. Then use epoxy to make what I need. I used it to make a spare tire and extra gas cans for the SAS jeep last month. It worth a try at least. Thanks for looking, Gary S.

 

[centaur567]

I'm thinking about painting it in the 46th Recon Squadron colors similar to the "Kee Bird" aircraft. Gary S.

 

[moon puppy]

Nice!

 

[Sharkmouth]

I want to find a small kit kit with these decals as an available option!

 

[centaur567]

Way cool!! Gary S.

 

[centaur567]

The two missing gun turrets are made and the bomb bay is closed up with some ancient plastic I forgot I had. The fuselage seams are mostly sanded. This is going to be a "good enough" rebuild. Gary S.

 

[moon puppy]

That'll work.

 

[centaur567]

A red nav. light was missing so I made one by gluing a piece of clear plastic and then grinding it down to shape. Smoothed it out with sandpaper, gave it a coat of clear and use metallic ref for the color. The tail was painted orange over a coat of white. This has now been masked off and a coat of gloss black to be used on the rest of the wings and fuselage today. Gary S.

 

[moon puppy]

nice job!!

 

[Rhino]

"Up from the ashes! Up from the ashes! Up from the ashes, grow the roses of success!"
Gear up or down? Didja fly it around the yard yet?

 

[centaur567]

It's gonna be gear up. Can't fly it around the yard because there's no crew on board and I don't want to be committed. Gary S.

 

[Rhino]

How can you possibly evaluate the paint scheme from every angle in natural sunlight without flying it around the yard?!
Not everyone lives in the country.

 

[centaur567]

To be honest, it did do some crazy aerobatics in the driveway when the rattle can black was sprayed on. Gary S.

 

[centaur567]

I used Rustoleum shiney chrome in the rattle can. Looks good to me. Now for a coat of futyre then decals. Making the prop blade is turning out to be a challenge. Gary S.

 

[moon puppy]

NICE!! Sorry I missed your previous update. Looks smooth Gary