Had Rutan designed the B-17...

[OldHooker]

Brand new here....

...... was pointed in this direction from a friend over on the FSM forum who thought you all might enjoy seeing my latest project.  

There was a parody photo floating around on the internet of a B-17 in a Canard configuration, but I didn't think it had quite enough of the classic "Rutan" qualities to it, so I dug out an old Revell 1/72 "17" that was in pieces at the bottom of my spares box, and gave it a little Face-Lift, what do you think?   B)


(original parody photo)


After two weeks of cutting, sanding, melting, filling, rubbing, priming & painting...


The Contra-Rotating system and drooped wingtips just seemed the way to go!  


Engine intakes and extended main gears.


I made my own Nose-Art decals and christened her: "Magic Carpet Ride"


Here you can see the drooped wingtips and extended flaps.


Came a long way baby!  B)

Hope you enjoyed seeing it, and thanks for allowing me to share it.

Take care,
Frank

[anthonyp]

Now that's a cool looking plane!   Good work!!

 

[Mike Wren]

 fantastic!  

an awesome job there, Frank    

[John Howling Mouse]

Sooooo cool.  A friend of mine and I have been discussing the B-17 Rutan-style.
This is the best version I've seen yet: really captures the concept and a lot of hard work obviously went into it!   More, sir?

     

[Ollie]

Amazing!!

Welcome aboard, eh!

       

[OldHooker]

Thanks Anthony, Mike, John, and Ollie.

  I had a ball doing it, and benifited from all the scratch building techniques required to make such a modification.   I used only spare parts and items found around the house to make the modifications.    Doing it this way makes little problems on production kits seem less intimidating.  

  Here are some of the in-process pictures I made:


The engines/props are from an AMT YB-35 that got
stepped on a couple years ago.


I made the underwing engine/gear fairings from
the clear plastic found on greeting card boxes.


I made the 2nd vertical fin from a piece of Balsa.


Here you can see the inboard engine intakes
and gear strut attachment.


Finally got the wings attached... here you can see
the underwing fairings.


Here it is after the waist bubbles and weathering
had been applied... the next day I applied the decals
and finished it.

Thanks again,
Take care,
Frank

[Patrick H]

     

I am speacheless,
wonderfull job and despite the  unusuall look it somehowe just looks right.



Patrick

[lancer]

First off, welcome to the mad house, you'll fit in well around here. Secondly, BRILLIANT work on the B17, great concept and well executed.

[Leigh]

Amazing!

Even if it weren't a kitbash it would still be an incredibly built model.

Amazing!

[The Rat]

WOW!!!  

Absolutely wondrous, my hat is off to you Sir!

But I thought most old hookers did needlepoint? Oh, Frank, okay, so you're an old rugby player?  ^_^  

[OldHooker]

Thanks everyone for your kind words.  

Rat:     Not a retired prostitute or Rugby player, but as a (Retired) Army Aviator in Chinooks.   ie: Hooker, but an old one, thus OldHooker.  

Thanks again all,
take care,
Frank

[elmayerle]

Gorgeous work, sir.  My hat's off to you.

[Sisko]

Oh my god that looks so cool.

It is amazing what can be achieved with some putty sand paper and a whole lot of imagination.

 

[dragon]

Well done, Sir!  Could we interest you in applying the same Rutan treatment to a B-29?  That would be something to see! B)  

[OldHooker]

Thank you kindly, elmayerle, Sisko, and dragon...  

Could we interest you in applying the same Rutan treatment to a B-29?

Well... now that the idea has taken form with the B-17 rebuild, I was kind of hoping others might venture out with their own interpretations... sure would make for an interesting group project, wouldn't it?  

It's a lot of fun, and makes a unique conversation piece, but of course you fellas know all about that, being the "What-If" forum!      

Take care,
Frank