Sonic Modell (HobbyKing) 1875mm B-17 "Liberty Bell" remade into "Sentimental Journey"

[crxmanpat]

So here's my latest acquisition and build. This is the gold old Sonic Modell B-17 with an 1875mm (74") wingspan. I got this one from General Hobby, and it's one of the last of the original V1 kits. Supposedly, Sonic is retooling this for a V2 (it would be awesome if MRC could carry it!). The kit is of the Liberty Bell, and I'm going to redo it into Sentimental Journey, which is currently stationed here at the Mesa CAF. I did the FMS B-25 up as Maid in the Shade, which is also here at the Mesa CAF, so I had to do their B-17 too!

Here's what the stock kit looks like:



I hope to have it looking like this when finished:



The kit itself is pretty good, but there are a few things that I'm changing for preference. Those are:

- Cutting a larger battery hatch for easier wiring access.

- Stripping off the unnecessary decals and repainting as needed.

- Installing a retractable tail wheel using the FMS Bf-109 1400mm tail wheel unit that I got from MRC.

- Adding a chin turret for the G model.

I got the kit on Monday, and have tinkered with it a little here and there. My tail wheel assembly should be arriving on Monday.

Here are some pics of it so far.

[Aros]

Subscribed!

I really enjoyed mine. I turned her into the Aluminum Overcast. Liberty Bell is another sweet livery. Once I got past the over exaggerated panel lines, I really enjoyed the model. Never had problems with the gear. Had an issue or two with the stock bell motors but I got replacements and then she was a *****cat. Flies nice and scale.

Looking forward to your progress! If I could, I would steal RCG's popcorn eating emoji and put it here -->

:)

[Alpha]

Gorgeous, can't wait to see the finished model up close in person this April!

[xplaneguy]

Pat - You're off to a quick start. I have to ask....why the hatch mod?

[doctormike]

If only there were a way to get that true polished aluminum look on a model. After experimenting with everyting under the sun, I'm settling for Krylon metallic paint on my C-47 conversion back to a DC-3. What's with those exagerated panel lines on foamies? They make an otherwise beautiful scale plane look like a toy. Doc

[Aros]

Flite Metal is the closest I have seen to replicating that true aluminum look on RC warbirds...

[doctormike]

Is Flite Metal a laminate or paint? What a beautiful, realistic job!! That's what I want my DC-3 to look like! I'll look it up. Thanks, Doc

[Aros]

Here's an article that digs deep into what it is and how it is applied...I had a sample sent to me and it's fantastic. Think of it as a thin aluminum sheeting that has an adhesive backing to apply like a decal. It's incredibly realistic.

http://www.modelairplanenews.com/blog/2013/12/18/scale-finishing-techniques-pro-tips-for-applying-flite-metal/

[Aros]

As for application on foam, heed Eddie P's advice:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=30549777&postcount=2

[doctormike]

It appears that Flite Metal may not really be practical on foam, because of added weight of fiber glass and the laminate. Of course burnishing it onto foam would mash the foam. Now, my question is ...What about compound curves, like wing tips. No one mentions that on Youtube. Thanks, Doc ps. I just looked at your first article, but would like to see a video of a wing tip being done.

[crxmanpat]

Pat - You're off to a quick start. I have to ask....why the hatch mod?

Personal choice. The wing will come off for transport, and having that extra space opened up on top makes getting the wiring in and out so much easier.

[TSHobbies]

Is this the same one ? wasnt sure,since it says 1600mm

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__63178__B_17_Flying_Fortress_silver_Super_Detail_1600mm_PNF_AR_Warehouse_.html?strSearch=B-17

[F106DeltaDart]

Is this the same one ? wasnt sure,since it says 1600mm
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...strSearch=B-17

Nope, that is the freewing version. Great mods so far, looking forward to the end result!

[Grossman56]

Great B17! I like the idea of an 1800mm size, but how is it for transport?

Grossman56

[xplaneguy]

Personal choice. The wing will come off for transport, and having that extra space opened up on top makes getting the wiring in and out so much easier.

Gotcha.... :)

[XF-15DCC]

Subscribed!
crxmanpat, Is or was sentimental Journey out at Falcon Field I have tons of pictures of it somewhere. When stationed at Williams we would go out to that air museum and check out the aircraft when beer money was low........

Kevin

[crxmanpat]

Kevin,

Yes, SJ is here in Mesa at Falcon Field (our local CAF base). In the winter, I typically see her, and the B-25 Maid in the Shade, flying around the valley on the weekends giving rides. I need to pop over there one day and get a bunch of good walk around pics.

[crxmanpat]

I've got a lot of little details done now, getting close to final paint and decals.

Got the tail wheel from MRC on Monday, and got it installed and verified operating properly. I painted the strut and wheel hub with silver.

Got the wing painted, including all the black covers over the ESCs and wiring. Remove and painted the main struts silver along with the wheel hubs. All the wing needs now is decals.

No pics right now, and I had to clear it off the table for now as I have a bunch of housekeeping items to do for my fleet for an event coming up this weekend.

[wvrailfan]

If only there were a way to get that true polished aluminum look on a model. After experimenting with everyting under the sun, I'm settling for Krylon metallic paint on my C-47 conversion back to a DC-3. What's with those exagerated panel lines on foamies? They make an otherwise beautiful scale plane look like a toy. Doc

If you are looking for a very shiny polished look, check out the chrome polyester film form Oracal. I have used it a few times and been pleased with the way it looks. It is very thin and about 7 grams per square foot. I filled cast in panel lines with light weight spackle before wrapping.

[crxmanpat]

Update on the build. Got the FMS B-25 hubs in today (thanks MRC!), so the build will continue now. About all that's left to do is get the fuse painted, and then add decals.