Saab B 5 - Special Hobby
Kommentit
78 12 September 2020, 11:17
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I love a nice detailed build write-up, top class! Following with interest
14 February 2022, 16:53
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wow this is going to be beautiful. The kit is my stash, I really like the plane 🙂
16 February 2022, 13:24
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Hm, where have I been when you started this one Thomas? 😛
Wanna build the white one too.
PS. Remember, A-Model doesn't give a damn (me thinks)
16 February 2022, 18:14
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You surprised me with the advancement of this project (alike Łukasz), Thomas! Following with pleasure and interest, of course 🙂
18 February 2022, 10:54
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The resin nose section is a definite hurdle; it's a big chunk of resin that needs to be slightly sculpted with various electric tools (cutting disc and a grinder head) to fit. It's not easy, but without a Dremel it would be hell. I still managed to end up with some pretty nasty gaps on the underside that now will take several filling sessions to be filled.
18 February 2022, 11:17
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You are putting a lot of work into this project. It is coming along nicely.
18 February 2022, 19:49
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Finally I fixed the part I that was most dreading, replacing the sliding hood of the pilot's canopy with the bulbuous vac-formed version for the Swedish B 5. It was a bit nerve-wrecking to cut apart the only provided canopy, but thankfully it worked out just fine.
19 February 2022, 12:05
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I somehow missed the start of this. Looks great so far. Extra points for the plastic surgery!
19 February 2022, 13:48
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Thanks mates! But plastic surgery is not an option with this kit - the box has has injection-molded styrene, resin, photo-etch and vac-formed plastic, and you need to use them all for the model.
19 February 2022, 14:23
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You'll get your Surgery Licensure at the end of this build. Humans next!?….
19 February 2022, 17:00
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Very nice job so far and good accurate with the canopy, Thomas! 👍
Is it possible that the gunner's canopy lacks side frames?
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19 February 2022, 18:15
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Cuajete, you are absolutely right - some pretty sharp observation skills! Yes, the B 5 had frameless rear canopy side windows. I am still pondering whether I should try to sand them off, of just simulate the rear canopy being pushed inside the middle, opaque piece.
19 February 2022, 18:36
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I am still trying to figure out how the rear gunner (of the B 5 and the Northrop A17) could fire his 30-cal machine gun from inside the rear cockpit. I understand the gunner's canopy could slide forward, but what about that rear end? Anybody who might have insight in this?
19 February 2022, 19:52
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Thomas, I am not sure but I think the canopy may have been unmounted on the ground before the machine gun could have been placed there instead.
19 February 2022, 20:17
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I can't see anything clearly either. Perhaps one of these photos can suggest something with the rear gunner's canopy. Is it possible that it slides back, inside the solid part of the cockpit so as not to collide with the pilot's cockpit?
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19 February 2022, 21:07
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Quite a challenge of a kit this version especially...
Following with interest 👍
20 February 2022, 11:59
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Thomas, perhaps that site about Dutch DB-8 would help you answer your gunner questions:
kw.jonkerweb.net/ind..-douglas-db-8a-3n-uk
20 February 2022, 20:00
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Łukasz, thank you, yes, I have also checked that page. I think I get it now, the machine gun was mounted on a swiveling frame, but was normally stowed with the barrel protruding slightly downwards and inside a special compartment behind the rear cockpit. The gunner's seat was equipped with a ring construction so the gunner/observer could stand up and use the machine gun. However, the rearmost section of the gunner's canopy would need to be removed first, which was done on the ground.
21 February 2022, 11:34
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I was kinda wondering about that on-the-ground rear canopy removal. But, what a goofy way to do it! In any case, great progress on this one Thomas 👍
21 February 2022, 12:37
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Starting to add the underwing resin parts. No location marks at all, so reference photos are absolutely mandatory.
23 February 2022, 15:29
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This is going to be another masterpiece from your hands, Thomas, no doubt here...
25 February 2022, 18:10
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Robert & Cuajete, I will certainly do my best, but man, this is one tricky kit. Not because it is badly designed, but there are just so many pitfalls.
25 February 2022, 22:23
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it is unanimous this is a very cool, amazing and any other words to that affect build
26 February 2022, 18:53
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Cuajete, yes, but in hindsight I could have done it much better by building the bomb rack from thin metal rods instead and superglue them into holes drilled into the fuselage. It would have been much neater and far less fragile. I definitely recommend that approach for anybody building this kit.
1 March 2022, 19:19
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I gave up on the seven wing pylons that should also have four metal struts each: that is 28 microscopic metal pieces bent in very specific angles without breaking. I am usually pretty confident with PE, but that is way beyond my skill set.
1 March 2022, 21:17
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Charlie, yes, that was the general idea. Come in high over the target, roll over, dive at 60-70 degrees, release bombs and pull up before the blast zone. Nasty business.
2 March 2022, 06:14
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but the German ju 87 stuka was worse it had two small propellers on the landing gear and when the plane was diving the high speeds on the small propellers created a dreadful high pitch noise that frightened the living daylights out of the people on the ground
but the propellers had no brakes on them and the siren would start up in flight making the pilot and the gunner nerly go mad
2 March 2022, 07:37
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do you know why the main bomb is mounted on a swinging rack
because if it just was released it would go through the propellers and the propellers would not miss it the rack swings out and the bomb falls harmlessly past the props
2 March 2022, 07:39
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Charlie, thanks for the info! And just as a tidbit, the bomb cradle was added afterwards, as Northrop originally did not approve the airframe for dive bombing. However, the Swedish engineers calculated that within certain angle and speed ranges, the max structural limitations would not be exceeded. The aircraft actually turned out to be surprisingly precise although the only aiming aid were painted grid lines on the windshield.
3 March 2022, 14:07
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Wow... Fantastic heat discoloration effect on exhaust.
Smooth glossy sheen and propeller looks very nice. Good progress, Thomas! 👍
7 March 2022, 19:27
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Lovely. Is your desk that clean or is it just set up for the photo? 😉
8 March 2022, 08:41
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Łukasz, nope not just for the photo. I really need to have a clean and organized workspace with boxes and labels and wall shelves for everything, or I will just be frustrated and annoyed.
8 March 2022, 08:53
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Yesterday evening I started with the decals; it is always such a relaxing part of a project. The Special Hobby decals are beautifully opaque, but they are still thin and go on very smoothly. Once a few applications of Mr Mark Softer Neo has been added, the carrier film almost totally vanishes.
8 March 2022, 11:34
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Looks fantastic already. It's real pleasure to watch your build reports, Thomas.
9 March 2022, 20:38
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Your compliments mean a lot to me, since you are all model builders of a very high standard. Thank you friends.
9 March 2022, 21:51
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Excellent work Thomas, I like it a lot. The antenna attachments are superb, you have that mastered 👍
As far as wheel masks go: I recommend getting a plotter and cutting your own masks. The pain of painting wheels went away for me since I got mine.
12 March 2022, 12:40
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Wheels and wire antenna added, and hereby I declare this project finished. More photos will come as soon as I get back from my holiday!
12 March 2022, 14:33
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Fantastic result and very nice pics.
Good job!
Have a great holidays, Thomas!!
12 March 2022, 19:35
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A real great model Thomas ! And great pictures taken too - with the hangar in the back it looks very lively 👍.
13 March 2022, 20:55
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Also enjoyed your Youtube-video very much. Thanks, that's great modelling from you as always!
30 March 2022, 20:09