Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: finsrin on November 04, 2012, 05:29:00 PM

Title: PBH-417
Post by: finsrin on November 04, 2012, 05:29:00 PM
Started in Spring after the F-138 build.  Left to languish on model table when outdoor landscaping and car activities, etc called.
Some how hobby stuff accumulated on table over the Summer until seaplane was no longer visible.  After a fair effort to remove upper layers from table the seaplane parts became visible again.

So its back to building PBH-417 flying boat.
PB cuz thatz what flying boats are designated. H-4 for 1/200 Hughs H-4 core model. 17 for 1/72 B-17 2nd in content.  B-17 tail and upper fuselage.  Building to be 1/72.

Had a Lancaster nose turret and radome above it figured out and fitting or nearly so.  Now can't find them. Hope I do.
Engines are undetermined. Likely the next step.
With masking tape help you see basics of PBH-417.
Soon to leave on 10 day or so West coast road trip.  Be awhile until can do much.
Like to finish by year end.
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: GTX_Admin on November 04, 2012, 05:32:25 PM
Watching this one intently...
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: taiidantomcat on November 05, 2012, 05:10:43 AM
I like that!  :)
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: arkon on December 05, 2012, 02:26:18 PM
anything further on this? i like flying boats n my granpa was a radar bomber on b-17s so this has got me twitchen in alotta ways!!(allgood)
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: raafif on December 06, 2012, 03:29:04 AM
sure looks interestin' :) :)

   update please.
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: finsrin on December 07, 2012, 05:06:37 PM
Appreciate the interest.
Finally got enough clutter cleared (not that clutter is "cleared") and began work this week.  Making progress now.
Many distractions from model building like: garage redo to park GT500 and GT500 modifications, kitchen flood from broken dishwasher and shopping for replacement, computer quit running (not on mine right now), more.....

Should have progress pictures next week.
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: taiidantomcat on December 08, 2012, 03:40:07 AM
Rotten luck!
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: Litvyak on December 12, 2012, 11:22:37 AM
Looks very, very promising - can't wait to see it done!
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: finsrin on December 17, 2012, 04:49:30 PM
Progress photos.
B-17 tail section is glued on and now filling-sanding.
Going with engines from 1/72 Revell Lancaster.  Inside engines will have bay doors open to show two depth charges or bombs.
Radar dome mounts on front of B-17 cockpit and gun turret in nose.  With AN/APS-115 or AN/APS-137 radar a Harpoon can be under each wing.
Is satisfying to be building again.
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: taiidantomcat on December 17, 2012, 11:19:33 PM
Keep on keepin on  :)
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: apophenia on December 18, 2012, 03:25:45 AM
This one looks very promising!
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 09, 2013, 04:15:34 AM
Any updates?
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: finsrin on January 28, 2013, 04:10:59 AM
Any updates?

Not finished.  Lot of other callings plus the builder (me) had a malfunction by grabbing wrong spray paint can :-[ resulting unintended results and exclamation of "DARN IT"  :o
Build is continuing..............
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: finsrin on October 21, 2013, 12:02:34 PM
Took long enough.......  Finished PBH-417.   Well almost - yet to mount missiles on outer wing hardppoints.
It all started by finding 1/200 Spruce Goose at a swap meet for $5.  Gee, thatz large enough to become 1/72.
After the usual rummaging around thru kits for ideas & parts it came to this.
Briefing sheet lists kits involved, but will describe it here.
B-17 > upper fuselage structure and rear 1/3 of fuselage
B-24 > cockpit canopy glass
B-29 > siting blister is searchlight cover
Lancaster > engines and front turret
PBY > Side blisters and interior bulkheads
Tip tanks found in drop tank box.  Decals are random from decal box.

Bill
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: Cliffy B on October 21, 2013, 12:08:08 PM
If that doesn't look the part!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Better late than never man  8) 8)
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: Brian da Basher on October 21, 2013, 04:13:22 PM
Wow is that one fantastic flying boat! It's amazing how you managed to get so many diverse parts to all fit together like that and look sooo right!

Well done, fins!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: taiidantomcat on October 21, 2013, 10:28:42 PM
That is an incredible job! well worth the wait  :)
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: Logan Hartke on October 22, 2013, 01:05:21 AM
I have to be honest, I was really skeptical about this in the earlier images, but this really came together and showed me how little I know.  It looks great!  You've done a wonderful job bringing all the pieces together into something unique and impressive.

Cheers,

Logan
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: Gingie on October 22, 2013, 01:44:46 AM
Mucho Likey!
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: GTX_Admin on October 22, 2013, 02:17:13 AM
Nice. :)

Another to view in person the next time I am down your way.
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: finsrin on October 22, 2013, 04:36:15 AM
Appreciate your comments - Thank you - good to hear you guys like it.
When I found the point where cross sections of H-4 and B-17 rear fuselages were a close match, just had to go with B-17.

Why did it take so long to build?  Cuz when about 3/4 done held fuselage to tight which popped off wing and B-17 front structure.
&%@*# >:D   All the sanded putty etc let go leaving an ugly scene.
Must admit it was operator malfunction on my part  :-[
Set PBH-417 aside and started on gun boat and SBDJ which was pleasantly simpler.  Then got into construction of HQ building + bought 1959 Lincoln Continental.
Might move kits into HQ this weekend.
Now its back to gun boat and B-10 builds as time allows.
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: kitnut617 on October 22, 2013, 05:44:46 AM
I really like how you got the bits to join together Bill, it looks 'just right'

The string of 'stars' dropping down from just in front of the windshield, they look like some decals from a Hobbycraft F-89 kit ---
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: father ennis on October 22, 2013, 06:50:25 AM
A truly outstanding build.   :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: The Big Gimper on October 22, 2013, 08:25:28 AM
Bill: I have now crowned you: Sir Bill of the Royal Order of Gloss Sea Blue. 

Awesome build.
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: Nexus1171 on October 22, 2013, 10:14:50 AM
Beautiful aircraft... I've looked into the USN's manufacturer letters and I've found the following letters that were unused at the time: A, X, Z; also since this design has some boeing components B could be used
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: finsrin on October 22, 2013, 11:45:49 AM
Good research on designations.  I always found the alphabet soup of Navy aircraft designations perplexing.
Where as Army/Air Force P-26, P-40, P-47, B-24, B-25, B-26 type designations made sense to me.
So I contrived PBH-417 this way (if you missed it)
PB > Patrol Bomber   works for PBY PBM
H-4 > Hughs H-4 core model of build
17 > Lotz of B-17 content
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: Buzzbomb on October 22, 2013, 11:53:09 AM
that's a ripper... terrific job

Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: Tophe on October 22, 2013, 12:09:57 PM
Going with engines from 1/72 Revell Lancaster.  Inside engines will have bay doors open to show two depth charges or bombs.
With just engines on starboard, this asymmetric flying boat is very unique. You could save the 2 extra engines for another model and keep this one as twin-engined, no?
Well, you had a serious project for inside engines, but say: one engine on port side and 2 engines on starboard remain possible... ;)
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: Nexus1171 on October 23, 2013, 11:31:05 AM
finsrin

Quote
Good research on designations.
Thank you...

By the way, here's the link.  I know wikipedia is often thought of as stupid, but the aviation section is improving in quality.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1922_United_States_Navy_aircraft_designation_system (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1922_United_States_Navy_aircraft_designation_system)

Quote
I always found the alphabet soup of Navy aircraft designations perplexing.
It's not as intuitive as the Army or Air Force system but there is logic to it, but it has itself some troubles
Quote
So I contrived PBH-417 this way (if you missed it)
PB > Patrol Bomber   works for PBY PBM
H-4 > Hughs H-4 core model of build
17 > Lotz of B-17 content
Okay...
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: ericr on October 23, 2013, 02:54:42 PM
this is a beautifully done hybridization, congratulations!

(the hull is from the original Spruce Goose, right?)

Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: finsrin on October 23, 2013, 04:32:09 PM
(the hull is from the original Spruce Goose, right?)

Right,,, approx front 2/3 of fuselage and all the wing.

Was a challenge to build with my medium skill level.  Though did manage to build interior bulkheads and floor which can be seen thru side blisters.  Reworking front of fuselage to accept rotating turret and fitting B-17 cockpit did result in comments to self of "now see what you got yourself into".
Increases my appreciation of effort the rest of you put into your builds.
Thanks all......

Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: ysi_maniac on October 30, 2013, 02:00:37 AM
Not only fighter are beautiful. Good!

I like your creation!!! :-* :-* :)
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: ChrisF on November 17, 2013, 10:12:13 AM
I have to be honest, I was really skeptical about this in the earlier images, but this really came together and showed me how little I know.  It looks great!  You've done a wonderful job bringing all the pieces together into something unique and impressive.

Cheers,

Logan

Exactly what Logan said ! IMPRESSIVE kitbashing sir !!
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: PR19_Kit on November 17, 2013, 10:16:48 AM
I've just seen this, and it's SERIOUSLY impressive! Lots of good thought and plastic engineering went into that, very impressive.  :) :D
Title: Re: PBH-417
Post by: finsrin on November 18, 2013, 04:55:36 AM
Thank guys for the flattering words.  Certainly largest kitbash to date and among most difficult.
Find it nice to switch back-n-forth between more difficult to less difficult builds.
PBH-417 and Slowy Jet were the most challenging builds.