Help needed on one-off B-29 Superfortress build

**Capt. Vick** · 07-20-2010 11:02 AM

As a future build I’m looking to make the one-off manned turret version of the B-29 in 1/72 scale using the Academy kit and I need a source for the two upper as well as the two lower (ball) turrets. I’m hoping that someone knows about an aftermarket set of that would include the turret glazing, the twin 50’s and some internal mechanisms so I wouldn’t have to buy a bunch of kits and spares box out the remainder. The ball turrets seem pretty standard and the upper turrets are the fully glazed (Martin?) type. Any information or suggestions would be appreciated.

In addition does anyone have scale drawings of at least the nose (say forward of the bomb bay) of the Superfortress? Ideally showing the side, top and front for use in mocking-up the oversized forward firing cheek guns?

**Airframes** · 07-20-2010 02:17 PM

This could be a tough one Vic. I didn't even know there was such a machine ! Not sure about the ball turrets, but there might be a vac-form set which includes top turrets, for such types as the Marauder, A20, B17 etc - they might be useful?
Have a look at the Squadron web-site.

**T Bolt** · 07-20-2010 03:28 PM

I've never herd of that. Do you have pictures of it Vic?

**Capt. Vick** · 07-20-2010 04:24 PM

B-29-25-BW (42-2444) with manned turrets

**Airframes** · 07-20-2010 04:30 PM

Great pic, thanks Vic. Didn't know of this, but looking at the turrets, I'd gues the vac-forms for the B26 or A20 would cover the top turrets, and there might be a B17 set including ball turret. The latter looks like the normal B17 ball turret.

**Capt. Vick** · 07-20-2010 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Airframes

This could be a tough one Vic. I didn't even know there was such a machine ! Not sure about the ball turrets, but there might be a vac-form set which includes top turrets, for such types as the Marauder, A20, B17 etc - they might be useful?
Have a look at the Squadron web-site.

That's a great idea (and should also resolve the canopy fit issue associated with the Academy kit) but I'm still only half way there. Does anyone know of any company that makes aftermarket 1/72 scale .50 cal. machine guns?

**hawkeye2an** · 07-20-2010 04:40 PM

Nice find Vic. I too never realized there was such a beast. Thanks for the pic and looking forward to the build. What's your plans for the two cheek guns?

**Capt. Vick** · 07-20-2010 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by hawkeye2an

Nice find Vic. I too never realized there was such a beast. Thanks for the pic and looking forward to the build. What's your plans for the two cheek guns?

Yeah it's pretty unusual, but except for the cheek guns, it's a pretty straight forward conversion. I think it makes the superfort look better. Less antiseptic and more war-like if you know what I mean.

I figure if I can get scale drawings of at least the nose (say forward of the bomb bay), ideally showing the side, top and front then I can work out profiles for the side, top and front of the cheek guns and carve/lathe one out of bass wood and cast them in resin. Hopefully I don’t find out in the process that they are “handed” and I can do this just once. Then putty away my friend!