B-21 Bomber "Mini-Fortress"

[John Howling Mouse]

Go back a page to read some excellent tutorial text from Kitnut617.  I've made a few decisions:
- I'll work with this Airfix kit as a beta-test; learnings will be transferred to better kits later;
- I'm going to stick with tricycle landing gear (removal of the chin turret fairing is next);
- I moved the wing back per Robert's suggestion (more difficult to fair in the leading edge of the wingroot than the rear but relocating the wings back does allow me to go to tricycle landing gear;
- I've decided to square off the wingtips, tailfin and stabs----gives it a more modern look like an A-26 on steroids;
- I've removed the tailgunner position as I've read was done with a lot of B-25's but the waist guns stay (I have to make a new, staggered gunport on the starboard side)

Turboprops and/or counter-rotating props would be a cool feature but that will have to come on a future kitbash using a better kit once I've learned how to properly make the cuts Kitnut617 suggested.

[jcf]

Something else you may want to consider is to reduce the size of the horizontal tail.

Jon

[kitbasher]

Something else you may want to consider is to reduce the size of the horizontal tail.

Nah, keep the tail and call it a Boeing Tornado!!
Nice whiffing, by the way.

[John Howling Mouse]

Something else you may want to consider is to reduce the size of the horizontal tail.

Jon

Yeah, even clipped, it still seems a bit wide.  Which is fine for it's big brother, the lumbering Fortress, but not so great for this more nimble Mini-Fort!

Edit: Okay, they're snipped down another scale 18.75 inches.

[jcf]

Maybe use the proportions on the Model 298 drawing as guide to reducing the horizontal tail size?


This is one I've been thinking about doing.


Jon

[B777LR]

Hi Baz!

This would be nice in Vietnam! Even better, make some custom markings, making it a "rogue soldiers air force", breakaway air force for soldiers tired of fighting for the goverment! (aka kellys heroes)

[Brian da Basher]

You know, with that huge tail it's going to look a lot like a Douglas B-23 Dragon.



Brian da Basher

[John Howling Mouse]

I swear this model kit hates me as much as I hate it.  Will be interesting to see which of us prevails.

Wheel well cutlines (gear rotate forward to be partially embedded in the aft part of the engine nacelle):



After they're drilled, cut and filed to shape:



Waist gunner positions get some interior details you won't be able to see once the fuselage is (hopefully) closed up.  There are little gun mounts on short tables that come out from the fuselage walls.

[Eddie M.]

It is very satisifying to see Master Baz working his majic!
   Eddie

[John Howling Mouse]

That's how I feel looking for everyone else's posted updates, too.

Made a tiny bit of progress tonight on about four subjects, one of them this bomber:



The wheel well box-ins are extremely basic.  Doubt you'll see much once it's down on its gear.  But it beats having wide open holes under there.  I think....

[kitnut617]

Kitnut617 sent me some fantastic "how-to" advice which I'm hoping he won't mind me sharing here on the forum.  In fact, his pics and text should be turned into a full-blown article (I'd be happy to submit this on his behalf as long as he's okay with it).  His method is really the only way this will stand a chance of success, so I think it's time I pull out that great little Matchbox kit and use it instead of the Airfix one I've already butchered (incorrectly).

The method is for you and anyone else to use as they want Barry, feel free and I'm only too glad to be of some help.

Robert

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Enuff of all this fantastic chopping'n chanelling, what we really all want to know is simply this:-

"Mr. Shrieking Rodent....... do you keep a new clean cutting board just for taking pictures or are you one of those truly irritating folks who just dont make any mess ?"

Ian

[ysi_maniac]

^^^^ You are right IHG ... 

What I know is that 'he does not make mess with models, anyway'

[John Howling Mouse]

Enuff of all this fantastic chopping'n chanelling, what we really all want to know is simply this:-

"Mr. Shrieking Rodent....... do you keep a new clean cutting board just for taking pictures or are you one of those truly irritating folks who just dont make any mess ?"

Ian

Weird, you must be psychic.  Tonight, just before reading your post, I looked over at my modeling table and thought "What a mess----I should upload a picture of THIS to show the What If guys just how bad it gets."

[Scooterman]

There's something wrong with that pic.  Where is the beer bottle?



And why in most pics that have the youngin' in them, she has the look that she just heard something that she shouldn't have and is about to say "I'm going to tell mommy!"