Boeing B17F Flying Fortress by Ras Ambrioso - FINISHED - Hasegawa - 1/72 scale

[Ras Ambrioso]

A few years back a friend gave me this kit of a B17F bomber. He was building a B36 in 1/72 scale and wanted a B17 to compare sizes. At the time I was busy scratch building ship models and just put the kit away in the shop shelves

Then, after the disastrous accident I had with my “Freccia Celeste” motorcycle project, I needed to cool off. I decided to build this model as a "proof of concept" of a way to display airplane models in the walls rather than in shelves or hanging from the ceiling. My idea came of my collection of small booklets called “Aircraft Profiles” that presented the aircraft with profiles indicating painting and markings.The plastic models are offered in “flat” trees that resemble a Bas-Relief so I figured that I could lay the different parts of the aircraft in a “Shadow Box” display. During my online searches I found that I was not the only one with these ideas as several guys have done a similar job.

So, I went to Michael’s and purchased a nice shadow box. The back was painted to resemble a cloudy sky and I tested the arrangement using the kit’s parts. I intended to super detail the inside of the Fortress and to purchase etched parts to complement the kits details. 

Following are photos of the build in progress

I ordered the Edwards PE rear cabin details but, when I saw the size of the parts in the PE frets, I figured that 1/72 scale was way beyond my tolerance and decided to use the parts in the kit and some of the PEs to detail only the cockpit and the bombardier/navigator station in the nose of the aircraft.

 

 

The fire extinguisher was scratch built.

 

And this is the project as it stands today. I need to go back and retouch some of the outlines but, other than that, I am pleased with the results.

 

Be gentle with the magnifiers as I am not a very good painter. But, from the middle of room looking at the wall it will be fine. Tomorrow, I expect to mount it on the canvas and set it in the shadow box. It is going to go on exhibit at the Art Show our building is having next week. This is where we, old "f**ts, show our playthings.

 

Now a note for modelers:

 

While building this kit I used Vallejo paints and found they are difficult to shake by hand. So, I came in with a new tool: “The Ras’ Shaker” using a large prescription container.

 

I originally made this for rounding up wood ship's blocks when sandpaper is placed on the inside circumference .Works like a charm. Thanks for following.

 

 

[king derelict]

The display idea is really clever and very effective. Large aircraft take up a lot of real estate around the house. I must try to remember this when the time comes.

Your display is coming on nicely. The Eighth air force badge is a nice touch.

The Vallejo paints do seem stubborn to shake. I have some in my future so the Tax shaker may be borrowed

Great work

Alan

[yvesvidal]

Great idea. I love that presentation as it reminds me of the half-hull presentation for boats and ships.

 

Yves

[Ras Ambrioso]

Alan, thanks for your comments.

Ives, the ship's half hull presentations is what inspired me. Then, searching the internet I found out  I was not the only one: Here is another example of what can be done:

Amazing, isn't it?

Now the deadline, as much as I hate deadlines, is approaching. This is my project as of today. Glued the pieces in the canvas sky but accidentally dropped the roof window on the radio cabin. So everything is waiting for glue to dry before going into the shadowbox.

BTW, I want to share an idea I used today. I questioned drawing  pencil lines in the canvas for the positioning of the pieces. What I did was to take the measures from my display board and using ship's rigging lines laid them in the canvas and then anchored the lines and tensed then behind the board using Tamiya tape. I tried to keep the glue out of the part edges where the line passed and I expect to pull the strings out once the parts are solid on the canvas.

 

So, as of this morning this is my B17F: 

 

 

 

[Ras Ambrioso]

Moderator: 

Please correct the Kits manufacturer name to Hasegawa. Thanks

 

[Javlin]

This is to cool and I may do one myself of the B-17

[Ras Ambrioso]

The final results:

Project is now completed and the results of my "proof of concept" are satisfactory. Sorry that the glass in the shadowbox gets into the picture.

 

 

To Moderator, please label this topic FINISHED.

[CDW]

Oh yeah, I like this A LOT! Very unique way to give a visual tour of the model. Inspiring work, Ras!

[SigEp Ziggy]

Interesting way to display, Great Work!

[Ras Ambrioso]

Thank guys for you support. Next I am going to try to preset the model in four views: top, bottom, right and left. This will mean getting two identical kits. But, I also want to start on my next ship model. Decisions, decisions, decisions….?
 

 

 

 

[popeye the sailor]

love it!  the beauty of this is the dust issue..............I think you solved it!  great job!