Seymour Angel

[Swanny]

Mention has been made of a 1/48 YB-40 I have been building, here it is. But first for those who don't know what a YB-40 is it is a pure gunship B-17. These aircraft, or at least a dozen or so, were actually built and put into service during WW2 with lots of fuel and lots of ammo and bunches of armor but no bombs. Only one was lost in combat and that was to flak. So why would I post this build here as a Whiff? Here's why, documentation of these aircraft was spotty at best and many different configurations were attempted including 20mm stingers in the tail and various multiple gun placements. Some good pictures of a few of these aircraft do exist but for the majority we have only a tail number and maybe a ship name. That is the case of Seymour Angel. No one knows if or what kind of nose art it might have carried and its exact gun configuration is unknown. This is what is known of this aircraft, tail number was 42-5734 and it was assigned to the 91st BG in July 1943. She returned to USA Jan 25, 1944 then was transferred to RFC Ontario, CA May 18, 1945. My Whiff take on this will be my own nose art (or body art in this case) and gun configuration. This build has been in-progress for over a year now. Here is a full body shot just before the fuselage gets closed up.

And a couple of detail shots for those who have not already seen the feature on my site.

The view into the forward crew hatch

A complete scratch built radio room

I know there is some crazy a$$ detail I could put into the tail wheel but don't really plan on having this flipped over for inspection so not bothering with that this time around.

[John Howling Mouse]

Aiyee, that's some manic detail you've got going on there, Swanny.  Love the "Life" magazine.
Your work transcends "hobby" to become legitimate art.

[Eddie M.]

Thank you for posting this over here. For some reason, these photos won't download for me at your place, so this is a real treat!!

[Taiidantomcat]

I love where this is going! Excellent work as well, superior craftsmanship 

[tanktastic43]

ef me, you're good. 'nuff said. 

tt43.

[Swanny]

Well, the fuselage is closed up. I placed the upper fuselage sections, trimmed the wing lock tabs and slid them into place just for a looksee and all I can say is ..... I love B-17s!

[NARSES2]

Tremendous work

[Weaver]

Stunning detail - if I'd done that I don't think I could bear to seal it up! 

[Swanny]

Stunning detail - if I'd done that I don't think I could bear to seal it up! 

Yeah, it was hard to do but I am setting up both upper turrets to be easily pulled improving the view inside plus with all the hatches open it does help. All the detail was done to give the impression of a really busy place when you looked into any hatch or window. I think it worked 

[nev]

Zoinks

[philp]

Hmmm...
How to whiff a YB-40 to a more practical design for its mission.  For starters, more powerful engines so it can keep up with the bombers after they drop their loads.

And Swanny, I know this is not a What If build but maybe someone else wants to take that on.

[Swanny]

While waiting for putty to dry around the fuselage insert for the aft upper turret I am working on a wing beginning with some landing gear strut enhancements. I have a set of Scale Aviation metal gear struts for this but the plastic kit pieces actually look a littler better so I'm using them. Various brake lines are added using fine magnet wire.

Now with the gear assembly installed in the wing the closed flap has been cut out and the kit external bomb mount holes have been filled with white plastic rod. Originally I was going to use the Paragon flaps but now have the Eduard flaps and they look much better plus I can close the wing then install the flaps. I have installed the Paragon blanks for the wing inlets as well.

[NARSES2]

Zoinks

If I may borrow the phrase and double it ... outstanding 

[Taiidantomcat]

Great job with that wire 

[Swanny]

Slight distraction today, a UPS box was waiting for me when I got home.


And then a little something to satisfy the AMS.