Another warning
I have alluded to this earlier but thought I would bring you up to speed on current events. The HKM kit has asymmetric waist gun windows which was not the most common fit to B-17Gs. The common fit you can see in the photograph of the aircraft earlier which has symmetrical waist gun windows and of a different type. As a result if you want to be accurate you cannot without extensive scratch-building use the decals for ‘A Bit O Lace’.
Some of you may have seen my teaser shots on Facebook of the build in progress and once seen I was well and truly hammered by the ‘experts’ who told me in no uncertain terms that I was in fact a cretin. Each to their own and one reaps what one sows but be warned if you want accurate – do your research.
The same individual also advised me that my aircraft was unrealistically weathered in that Aluminium doesn’t rust as I have shown. Just to be clear, I am trying to replicate the photo in the Haynes manual which shows some distinctive brown staining and wear especially in the fuselage. I think this is Suffolk mud but whatever it is, is there and I have tried to replicate this within my skill set.
My point is build the way that makes you happy because in anything else you will find a world of pain. I simply mention these issues as if you do build a B-17; at least you are aware that some of the decal sets, ‘A Bit o Lace’ included doesn’t work on this kit. I understand that a resin replacement fuselage halves set may be released next year but the price may be almost as much as the kit. I hope you find this interlude helpful but anyway on with my version!
The Wings continued
‘A Bit O Lace’ had a notable badly worn OD finish on her port wing. I particularly like touches like this and I think those of you familiar with the magazine and others like Jamie Haggo really love it and indeed excel at this sort of detail. Having already given the wing its base coat I used Maskol on a sponge dappled on the outer port wing panel before using Mr Color thinned OD overall. With the paint dry and the Maskol cleaned off what was left I think looks like a good representation of the real thing?
As I had the Tamiya tape and the Maskol out I used both to mask the inboard areas of all four engines which were painted in OD for anti-glare purposes. I followed the same principles I used for the port wing and was once again satisfied with the results.
Masking tape still in hand I also painted the leading edge de-icing boots and the flap interiors. It’s all coming along nicely so far.
