1/72 Memphis Belle Diorama

[tonyb]

Does anyone have any pics of the canopy arrangement and gun assembly for the radio operators area?
I want to make sure I don't stuff it up before I weild the hobby knife!
Cheers,
Tony.

 

[javlin]

This is looking good Tony Cheers

 

[tonyb]

Did some more weathering of the base including some muddy tyre tracks -

The Jeep will be parked where the tyre marks end -

Started work on a workman's scaffold,pics tomorrow hopefully.
Cheers,
Tony

 

[Wayne Little]

 

[Florence]

Does anyone have any pics of the canopy arrangement and gun assembly for the radio operators area?

From B-17G wallkaround -

 

[Airframes]

The hatch was different on the B17F compared to the 'G', and the gun mounting totally different again. The first mount was circular and complex, with a later, simplified mount, as fitted to the 'Belle'.
Bear with me and I'll scan and post some pics. Note also that, on the 'F', the waist window hatches slid sideways, inboard, on rails, to open.

 

[Airframes]

Here you go Tony, a few pics and drawings which might help a bit.
The interior shots of the radio room gun mount show both the early (circular) mount, and the simplified version as used on the 'Belle'.
(Pictures from 'B17 at War' by Roger Freeman, B17 manual and Squadron Signal 'B17 in Action').

 

[tonyb]

Wow! Sensational stuff Terry! many thanks mate!
Cheers,
Tony.

 

[Airframes]

You're welcome mate.

 

[Florence]

Apologies for the bum steer. Thankyou for the correction Airframes. As Dad always said 'Measure twice. Cut once.'

David.

 

[Night Fighter Nut]

Terry, you must be the keeper of all knowledge regarding anything that flies... I've never met anyone who has as much aircraft information at their fingertips as you have.

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Bill ! I think it's called 'hoarding' - been collecting books, pictures, magazines for a very long time!!

 

[B-17engineer]

His bed is really a stack of books and his pillow case is filled with them too.

 

[Peebs]

P.S. Where on earth are u going to keep a 1/48 Belle? That will be huge!

I'll worry about that, and the wife's reaction when its done!! lol

pete

 

[Peebs]

A size comparison with a spitfire....

 

[mikewint]

Same place I'm keeping my 1/48 B-29. On a back shelf, still have no place it will fit

 

[tonyb]

A size comparison with a spitfire....


View attachment 159326

That's a big sucker!

I'm having a problem deciding on the interior colours.It seems most B-17F's had either Chromate Green or Bronze Green in the pilot's,navigator's and radio operator's cabins.Bare metal finish was the order of the day for the other areas.
Would this be correct for the Belle? Should I go Chromate or Bronze Green?
Also,would the waist gunners floor be varnished plywood or would they have had black rubber matting?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Tony.

 

[tonyb]

Interior detailing set arrived today!
Nice mix of P.E. and resin,certainly enough to keep me busy!

Cheers,
Tony.

 

[drgondog]

That's a big sucker!

I'm having a problem deciding on the interior colours.It seems most B-17F's had either Chromate Green or Bronze Green in the pilot's,navigator's and radio operator's cabins.Bare metal finish was the order of the day for the other areas.
Would this be correct for the Belle? Should I go Chromate or Bronze Green?
Also,would the waist gunners floor be varnished plywood or would they have had black rubber matting?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Tony.

The Belle was an F and I am not aware of any E's or F's that did not have the entire interior corrosion protected (i.e no NMF or unpainted interior). Zinc Chromate Interior Green was the most common paint..

The plywood was generally sprayed with a sand/silica compound and painted black for non skid - no rubber matt anywhere AFAIK.

 

[dirkpitt289]

Outstanding work so far. If I may what PE and Resin kits did you purchase?