I built this model to
represent an RB-29A 44-61999 "Over Exposed!". I used the Airfix
kit as the basis for the model, which was built straight from the box. The
only modifications I made were to delete the turret guns (apart from the tail)
and add the 3 small camera ports underneath the rear fuselage.
The model is a
dreadful tail-sitter, so I packed the nose with a mix of Milliput, ball-bearings
and lead scrap.
The aircraft was
brush - painted with Humbrol enamels. Decals are from the kit, apart from the
numbers, which are from a Techmod sheet, and go on beautifully! The
entire model was satin varnished to protect the transfers. She is still
awaiting nose-art 9 years after completion. (!) This will be home-made.
I hand-painted the black
square and yellow letter 'F' on the tail fin.
The Airfix kit is
old, and sadly, it shows. I made good any imperfections as best as I
could, but there are some aspects of the model that I am still not happy about.
Hopefully these don't show up too much!
(This was only the
second model I built after a LONG absence from model aircraft - My partner
thought it would be a good idea to build models of crashed aircraft as they
would have appeared before their demise. )
Click on
images below to see larger images
The real 44-61999 was
involved in the Bikini atomic bomb tests, acting as a camera ship,
accompanying "Dave's Dream". She ended up in the U.K.
based at Scampton. On 3rd November 1948, while being flown by Capt
Landon P Tanner from RAF Scampton to BAD-1 at Burtonwood, "Over
Exposed!" crashed onto high ground in the Derbyshire Peak
District about 3 miles from the town of Glossop. There were no
survivors. Large amounts of wreckage are still present at the crash
site, which can be seen here: http://macr.moonfruit.com/#/rb29a4461999/4519391297 .
(I actually placed a very small piece of wreckage from the real aircraft
inside the model.)
Don
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