B-29 Superfortress

[Tabitha64]

Ever have one of those days that you could just kick yourself. Well having that moment. I have seen several B-29 Superfortress kits. And since I have been collecting P40, P51, spitfire, avenger, I really hadn't been interest in bombers until this last weekend when I found in great condition a B25B Dolittle plastic kit. The light came on and I realized the kit I had been seeing is the one to have. Very hard to find. I can find a plastic model but I really want the Guillow's kit. If anyone has any suggestions on were I can find one reasonable or plans that I can purchase and build from scratch. Thanks in advance for helping a fellow modeler out. Dumb but learning quickly.

[Tabitha64]

I was afraid you were going to say that. I haven't found any plans on it. I guess I will have to keep looking for a bargain.

[Tabitha64]

Here is a question, Can it be done Building a B-29 Super fortress by taking a plastic model and Kit bash into a balsa kit?

[datsun]

I have had kit on a burner for a long time. I had to repair the whole fuselage a while ago and its been covered and ready for paint . I have to start posting here more often. I generally lurk more than post as I have many hobbies and belong to a bunch of forums for vintage motorcycles, vintage snowmobiles, model trains, 70's datsun Z cars and of course model airplanes r/c, ff, and static wood and plastic.

I've been building, collecting and enjoying guillows kits for over 27 years. Sorry for the long introduction lol however I'd be happy to share the b-25 guillows plans if thats allowed here.

[Tabitha64]

Well if it is allowed that would be nice. I wish Guillow's would bring it back. I will keep my fingers crossed that someone will answer the question. Thanks.

[squirlye]

The B-29 superfortress plan is available at http://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/hpa_plans/index.php Also all of the 100 series plans are available, along with the rumpler C-5 and the De Haviland DH4 from the 200 series. They have almost all of the out of production kits there. The only catch is you have to join the forum, and have a certain amount of posts to be able to download plans. Also outerzone.com has a few out of production Guillow kit plans as well. There you don't have to join to download plans.

[Tabitha64]

Well I found my plane but it has non of the plastic parts, Anyone know where I can find replacement parts for the B-29

[Mitch]

Tabatha...

I would say it would be a very "challenging" to make ALL the plastic for the B-29...

I would suggest you buy the B-25... 1/32 scale twin engine bomber. I have one here (unbuilt) and can answer any basic questions, and I am sure others have built the model.

I think it would be better if you find a kit off the shelf, and build it from plans before making your own parts... Good Luck, Mitch

[SteveM]

The AMA sells the plans for $33 and has a 10% discount for members. I have ordered plans from them before and they are of excellent quality and arrived rolled up so you have no fold lines in your copies. They even scan in the instructions, decals, and other items that came in the kit. Seeing how the B-29 kit has an instruction manual my guess is that is why they charge so much for it. The B-29 plans are copyright 1993 and an old WWI kit is 1957. I'm no copyright expert, but I don't think you can legally, ethically, or morally download a copy of the B-29 plans for free.

Another source of plans is to buy a B-29 kit on eBay, make a copy of the plans for your own use (which could easily cost you $20 or more). Build the model without using up anything in the kit then sell it again on eBay when you're done. The plans have all of the wooden parts templates on them so the only challenge is the decals and plastics. Decals can be made on a printer or painted on, opaque plastics can sometimes be replaced with wood, but clear canopies are the big challenge. The best way that I know of to make a new canopy is to have an existing one, make a mold using plaster of paris, then vacuum form a new one. But by the time you've got yourself set up to vacuum form you'll have spent enough time and money that it just may not be worth it to you.

In the past few years I've purchased 4 of the B-29 kits. Paying as low as $80 and as high as $140 on eBay for one that was sealed in plastic. The $140 sealed kit was sold on eBay for a breathtaking sum when I noticed a bunch of people being stupid with their money and it took me a year to replace it for about $120. If you're willing to spend a year or more looking and biding then it can be done. The cheapest kit was purchased outside of eBay by someone looking to sell his dad's estate, so keep your eyes open for other opportunities.

[Bill Gaylord]

The B-29 superfortress plan is available at http://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/hpa_plans/index.php Also all of the 100 series plans are available, along with the rumpler C-5 and the De Haviland DH4 from the 200 series. They have almost all of the out of production kits there. The only catch is you have to join the forum, and have a certain amount of posts to be able to download plans. Also outerzone.com has a few out of production Guillow kit plans as well. There you don't have to join to download plans.

Outerzone just got the Rumpler plan. I didn't submit it, but I submitted my build photo and Steve put it up. One of my favorite little models.

I just joined Hippocket and started posting there. I'll have to look for the B29 plans, as I wasn't aware that they were there. I think people interested in the B29 should just scratch build it from the plan. Tube fuselages aren't difficult to build. The only parts that you won't get from cutting balsa are the nose glass and nacelles, which seem to be the main reason people want the kits. With a bit of effort, I'm sure some plastic bottles could be found, where the nose glass cap and upper front windows could be cut out from, if one doesn't have a vacuum forming station. I've still been getting around that problem by simple heat pulling sheet plastic over molds. The nacelles really aren't that bad, as once you build one, you have the technique down pat for the others. I'm sure some replacement cowlings could be found for some model, if not small plastic bottles, that would suffice for the cowlings.

The plans are out there now folks, waiting to be built from. Not long ago before Outerzone and Hippocket plans had a large library, I had to scratch build subjects from 3-views, where the plans for the subjects are now readily available. It doesn't get any better than that. I had about 10 days into this current M38 scratch build from downloaded Outerzone plans, at the point shown below. It's easy, get an exacto and some balsa and build the B29 from plans.

[Mitch]

I agree 100 percent with David... I have been kitbashing and scratch building lately...BUT... I use the plastic parts that are from the kits. To make your own plastic parts does not sound easy to me... Sounds like a whole other hobby, which is fine if you want to do that. I remember there were small vacuform machines as a kid, so I suppose you could find one or make one... BUT you will still need to make the piece you need in exact size and shape to form the buck for the mold.

If and when you ever do that you can reproduce the part over and over... then you can sell them to the rest of us!

I believe it would be easier and more satisfying to build what is currently available... after all this is suppose to be FUN! Mitch

[kittyfritters]

I was going to get some pictures of the real B-29, "FIFI", flying around the Valley this weekend, but I didn't see it. Read the paper this morning and found that B-29s still suffer from the problems they had during the war....grounded by engine problems. I'll try to get her leaving Burbank.

[Tabitha64]

I am getting the plastic model of the B-29. I will still make all the models I can find in Guillow's. I love making models. And to me it is fun.

[thor2013]

Afraid that I was one on the competators forthe B29 and did get also. Now the decision is what to do with it. I like the idea of it being a static but also of making it an electric flyer.
The Idea of using only the plans and reselling was interesting. I have several of the Gillows larger planes all none started other than the B17 and giant F4 Cousair. B17 will be static but not sure of the F4.