Ab-38 Flying Fortress

[Orne M]

Boeing re-engineers the Fortress to take advantage of more powerful 2,000 plus hp Allisons and transforms its fabled strategic bomber into a long-range gunship in the Pacific theater.  The fuselage was stretched out to carry more fuel and ammunition for its forward cannons, and various aerodynamic changes made to increase both speed and range, including a greater span wing.  Brought back into service twenty years later, it's equipped with auxilary jet-engines, Sidewinder missiles, advaniced attack radar, and a Vulcan gunpod mounted on a belly-pylon.


http://groups.msn.com/InfinityReach/infini...to&PhotoID=1113

http://groups.msn.com/InfinityReach/infini...to&PhotoID=1114

http://groups.msn.com/InfinityReach/infini...to&PhotoID=1115


This model was originally started as a show-model for my Rebellion Creations' Allison engine conversion set back in the early nineties, but I decided to really go all out and build up the Monogram kit as a gunship.   All the turrets were removed and covered over, the fuselage extended with a scatchbuilt section behind the cockpit, and the nose modified with a scratchbuilt radome and cannon-barrel muzzles.  The Vulcan gunpod and Sidewinnders were from a F-5F, the resin jet nacelles were from an unidentified kit picked up at a swapmeet, and the tiptanks from an F-89.  The original tailfin was given a makeover, and the tailplanes are the outer wingpanels from an F-14.   The wing was cut apart along the main 'spars', reshaped, and extended with sheet plastic additions.  The camoflage was spraybombed through paper-masks, detail/weathering was done with acrylics, dry pastels, and inkpens; decals from the spares box.  Pinup nose art of Bambi Woods/"Debbie Does Dallas" was handpainted with acrylics.

[Dork the kit slayer]

One hell of a concept ,nice build to.   For my taste Im not keen on the "sidewinders",but if that floats your boat good on yer.  

[Brian da Basher]

Yowsa that's got to be one of the coolest B-17 conversions evah!!!! That last pic is totally the "money shot"! Astounding, Orne! Welcome to What-If!

Brian da Basher

[Rafael]

Impressive, Orne, simply stunning!!!  

Rafa

[anthonyp]

Very nice!  Gives me ideas for the SB-17 I've got sitting in the stash.

   

[Matt_S]

Nice work!

Also liked this:

MiG-31/F-62


Matt B)

[Eddie M.]

I like this a lot. Not only is the concept very well designed, the paint work really looks good to me. Good show! B)  
  Eddie  

[PanzerWulff]

Looks like something you would see over south east asia during the "Nam" era WAY COOL!!!  
"Panzer"

[Maverick]

Totally wicked Fortress, more Superfort than the real thing.  Neat models in the gallery too.

Regards,

Mav

[cthulhu77]

 Wonderful stuff!!!

[Sisko]

Nice Intro   and welcome aboard!  

[elmayerle]

Gorgeous work and quite an entrance.  Is this conversion now available and is there any chance of a companion B-39 conversion?  Too, any chance of seeing these conversions in 1/72?

[Orne M]

I'm not sure what is meant by a "B-39" conversion.   (Allison powered B-24?)  The set was based on the actual protoype B-17 version.  No plans for 1/72 version.

Matt, Phase III versions of MiG/F-62 underway - really went all-out on the Valkyrie II.  No longer a conversion, completely revised airframe.

[elmayerle]

B-39 = Allison W3420-powered B-29.  It's quite an elegant aircraft.

[lancer]

Amazing build Orne! One request though - Is it possible to see some up close pics of the nose art please?