Side-by-Side B-17G Beta Build

[deckape]

Ron
Looking Good Sir, these parts fit very excelent, like you said the detail parts are time consumeing but it is worth it.A model this size can use all the detail the modeler can throw in.I am proceeding aft and I will have most of all the fuselodge assemblies done today and proceed with the rudder assembly doing a great job. with the Commander in cheif the build will get done A HARDY WELL DONE SIR.

[deckape]

Ahoy Fellas
Still at it, work is progressing. So far in the update pictures I have skins 2,3,and 4 assembeled together the fit is good no fit issues. alon with the formers in place, on skin section NO.4 the horizonal stabilizer slots were cutted out to except the spar. Also the tail wheel well has been cutted out, On the kit there is a tail wheels well box assembly that fills in the opening of the tail wheel. it has been installed. Still working out the bugs out of this delightfull beta build., the next assembly will be the verticle stabililizer the rudder, this is the next assembly this will give you the propper installation of the Cheyan tail gunners compartment., after this assembly I will close in the fuse;lodge with the remaining 3 skins the bombadiers compartment, there is a slow down on this assembly due to part 11 being a slight over size, Ron is on it now to check and corect the problem wich is no sweat, Like I mentioned befor communication is very important without it your shooting in the dark. in overall as to the build she is slowly looking like a Flying Fortress. Here are the update pictures.

[deckape]

Ahoy Fellas
Waiteing to find out from Ron on part NO.11 I am not going to let that stop me there ismuch more work ahead. after following the sequence of the buils. I constructed the verticle stabilizer. Like billy mentioned the Right rudder is a tad bigger then the left. I made some adjustments by matching the two pieces together trace the good size to the oversize, then cutt out. Made certain that both sides are the same. I was satisfied then I procede with the tail feathers spars glued them into position let dry and assembled same.on the leading edges of the rudder i made an inverted V as a conector tab to except the other side of the assembly when glueing. touched up the edges with a black felt tip marker.The verticcle stabilizer assembly consist of 12 parts part NO. N and T are the base for the rudder assembley. The rudder assembly has to be glued on to these there is a dotted line on on the placement for rudder base N this is a vericle spar that holds the tail inplace and gives it additional strength when attaching to fuselodge. Now on the tail gunners compartment is a later modification boeing incorperated later durring the war instead of the earlier designe for the tail gunner it was modified to the Cheyann type . the back section part NO.35 is the cheyann tailgunbners frame work assembly From what I see and figured how it is done on the model is that this assembly has to be installed into the rudder before the rest of the Fuselodge sections part NO.5,6,and 7 along with the 2 formers former L and K last part is NO.7there is also a enterier for these asseblies as well that has to be installed this will be the next step afdter the assembly of the tail rudder section here are some pictures of the dry fitted tail section.

[Ron40]

Boats,
You must complete the fuselage sections,including the tail gunner
windows before determining the placement of the vertical stab
and rudder. Laminated former parts N and T need to be glued to
the positions indicated on the top of the fuselage. The complete
vertical stab and rudder will be installed as an assembly down
over the laminated former parts. I am still working on the panel line
misalignment between shin sections 9 and 11. You need to slow
down. I cannot keep up with you and make changes. We need to
make one change at a time and hold the build until that can be
accomplished......Ron

[deckape]

Ok Fellas
The update attachments of the tailgunners encloser. As you can see the tail assembly and the assembly of the tailgunners encloser the cheyann frame work for the tailgunners compartment. I installed two laminated base plates on top of the rear fuselodge part T and N . with these two assemblies installed gives exceots the vertical stabilizer skins to be glued on along with a spar that is installed vertically with the rudder unit. the tailgunners compartment on this build has to be completed before anything is glued down. with this assembly it will determin how to install the rudder assembly on the attachments show only the vertical stabilizer sitting on top of the fuselodge not glued down gives you an idea it is a B-17. there are 12 parts that makes up the tailgunners compartment.

[Ron40]

Boats,
Here is some photo's of the panel line problems between skin sections
9 and 11. In the first photo's I have installed three layers of card stock
in the area above the cockpit instrument panel which is missing a
connector strip in that area. The other photo's show the panel line
mismatches. I will change the panel lines on skin section 9 to match
skin section 11. With the shims installed the skin section 11 is still loose.
A way to determine or obtain a snugger fit on part 11 is to cut the
lower connecting strip joining part 11 in two and and make small
tapered angled cuts from the back of the part to the fwd side. Thus
making a small V. Then make another connecting strip and glue part 11
back together and see if it tightens up the fit. This may also change some
panel lines......Ron

[Ron40]

Ahoy shipmates,
I have put the B-17 build temporarily on hold until the
panel line misalignment between fuselage sections 9 &11,
the misalignment of the left hand fuselage insignia and
the leading edge of the vertical stab differences. I will
personally build and correct the discrepancies before
releasing to the Beta builders updated model sheets
before continuing the build......Ron

[Ron40]

Hello guys & gals,
I have corrected the panel line mismatches and fit problems
between fuselage sections 9 & 11. I also changed the line
size of the forward entry hatch to reflect the true size as
it should be. Mike (Bomarc) has sent me the updated sheet
2 insignia alignment correction. I will be check build this area
today and if that is on the money I will proceed to the vertical
stab size differences and correct those. The photos are of the
fuselage sections 9 & 11 after the changes. Go ahead and
criticize the photo's........Ron

[deckape]

Originally Posted by Ron40

Hello guys & gals,
I have corrected the panel line mismatches and fit problems
between fuselage sections 9 & 11. I also changed the line
size of the forward entry hatch to reflect the true size as
it should be. Mike (Bomarc) has sent me the updated sheet
2 insignia alignment correction. I will be check build this area
today and if that is on the money I will proceed to the vertical
stab size differences and correct those. The photos are of the
fuselage sections 9 & 11 after the changes. Go ahead and
criticize the photo's........Ron

Ron
Looks great nothing to criticize about the photos says all looks good cant waite to continue the build the B24 is keeping me company. I,ll Pm you my first mate has a honey due list to do I will get back to you Sir,

[KCStephens]

Originally Posted by deckape

Ron
Looks great nothing to criticize about the photos says all looks good cant waite to continue the build the B24 is keeping me company. I,ll Pm you my first mate has a honey due list to do I will get back to you Sir,

Boats I sure know about those honey do lists...My first mate is given me an earfull right now as I type...Gotta go!!!!