Matchbox 1/72 B-17G "The Black Bitch" Assembly Ship

[Mainly28s]

I agree they were more menacing. Alas there are few known black Forts during the war. I'm not even sure there were any black Libs.

LOL, the Luftwaffe had a few with black undersides...

 

[Airframes]

The 'Carpetbaggers' flew some black Liberators.

 

[dirkpitt289]

Time to make a mask for that big "J" for the tail of the "Black Bitch"

Using some plain old blue painters tape found at your local hardware (Home Depot) store I made the measurments

Once I had it where I thought it should go, I used a sharp exacto blade and cut out the "J"

With the mask in place I mixed up some Americana (Uniform Blue) and FolkArt (Look at Me Blue) craft acrylic paints till I got the color I wanted and applied several light coats using my airbrush. I did one-side, flipped the mask and did the other.

Thanks for looking

 

[nuuumannn]

The RAF's first LB-30s and Liberator IIs were delivered in black with standard upper surface camo on the wings and upper fuse.

That book is my bible.... Along with this

Oooo gotta get me a copy. Read that page, it's interesting.

 

[dirkpitt289]

The RAF's first LB-30s and Liberator IIs were delivered in black with standard upper surface camo on the wings and upper fuse.

https://static.thisdayinaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/tdia//2017/06/15651205420_c99f7936e9_o.jpg



Oooo gotta get me a copy. Read that page, it's interesting.

The link doesn't work

 

[Wurger]

The link doesn't work

Because of forbidden hot linking at the source site. . I've edited the post above and changed the URL tags for IMG ones. The image can be displayed here now.

 

[dirkpitt289]

The RAF's first LB-30s and Liberator IIs were delivered in black with standard upper surface camo on the wings and upper fuse.

View attachment 559740



Oooo gotta get me a copy. Read that page, it's interesting.

Sharp looking Lib

 

[Crimea_River]

Nicely done Dirk.

 

[dirkpitt289]

Time for some engine work. Here is where I need to be careful. With the ship being black I don't want everything else to get lost so... I need to choose my colors right in order to add depth to the project. I started by painting the engines a dark Charcoal. Then I dry brushed the cylinders with steel for highlights. Thee reduction gearbox was painted with a mix of Uniform Blue and Dolphin. Both are craft acrylics. Next I added a wash to blend it all

I recently saw a picture of the B-17G Nine-0-Nine just before her recent demise. In a close up of the engines I noticed a red hose that came off the 12 o'clock cylinder. While I'm sure there were not red hoses back in 1944/45 I felt that the red would add points of interest to the viewers eye and of course it breaks up all the dark colors. This next step is where the rivet counters may blow a vessel. I got this spool of wire from my local Hobby Lobby. I use it for all sorts of things such as spark plug wires on car builds and such.

First bit of color for the turbos and exhausts. I used craft acrylic steel. I'll let it dry and add some rust and other weathering.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my work

 

[Wurger]

 

[Crimea_River]

Looks good Dirk.

 

[Capt. Vick]

Totally agree. Good work!

 

[fubar57]

Nice looking engines

 

[T Bolt]

Great work, and good to see you back Dirk!

 

[dirkpitt289]

Great work, and good to see you back Dirk!

Thanks Glen, Its good to be back

 

[Gnomey]

Lovely work so far!

 

[javlin]

Nice Crate Dirk Kevin