Monogram 1/48th scale

B-29 Superfortress

The Monogram 1/48th scale B-29 Superfortress is very much in the mould of their classic B-17G. I obtained my kit from EBay. Unlike the B-17G this bigger brother is not well served by the aftermarketeers. You may be able to use few generic items normally destined for the B-17G but if you want to detail the interior then you will need to brush up your super-detailing and scratchbuilding skills. However there a few items available:

Eduard colour photoetch USAAF WW2 Seatbelts 49-001
Squadron vacformed Canopies
KMC Propeller Blades
Engines & Things CW R-3350-23, -35, -51, etc ENT48087
Cutting Edge corrected Cowlings
True Details Boeing B-29/B-50 weighted resin wheels TD48032
Paragon resin flaps
Conversion to a turret-less version
True Detail TD41028 B-29 Paint Masks
Verlinden Crew Packs
Engines & Things ENG48091 CW R-3350-23 18 cyl long nose for B-29

Scale Aircraft Conversions white metal undercarriage (48002)
Iliad Design decals "Camouflaged B-29s" set 48021
True Details Propellers set 48543

Kit Photos

The Profile Publications Number 101 that comes free with the kit. Note the price on this - "Two Shillings"! I don't recall if this was how Monogram packed it or whether the EBay seller included it.	The Instructions for the Monogram kit shown in pictures. The PDF containing this information can be found here.	The Instructions for the Monogram kit shown in pictures. The PDF containing this information can be found here.	The original kit decals. Somewhat brief. The kit comes with Fat Man and Little Boy Nuclear Bombs but the Bockscar and Enola Gay decals are not included.

Sprue number one. As the kit is second hand all the sprues are de-bagged.	The same sprue from the other side. The detail is heavy but there is detail. Ejection Pin markings spoil some details.	The other sprues are silver but this one is black. Half the sprue goes unmentioned on the instructions.	The same black sprue from the reverse. It contains crew men and those two nuclear bombs.

Second sprue showing props, tail, bombs, undercarriage, engines and engine cowlings.	The same sprue from reverse.	The third sprue is essentially the same as sprue two but here we see the Cutting Edge cowlings with their corrected chin air intakes.	The same sprue reversed. Note here that these last two sprues appear to have blanking plates suitable for Enola Gay.

The clear sprue.	The upper and lower parts for the right wing which are separated from their sprues.	Same items from the inside.	The sprue that had contained the wings also contains a wing spar and bomb racks.

Same sprue reversed showing the undercarriage bay doors.	The final sprue which is largely a repeat of the last sprue with the left wing and the other wing spar.	Reverse of the same sprue.	A few loose bits found in the box. The kit does appear complete. Note the turret blanking plates.

Aftermarket Extras

Those Cutting Edge corrected cowlings with those revised chin intakes.	The Squadron vacformed canopies.	The True Details resin wheels - lots of them...	Scale Aircraft Conversions white metal undercarriage purchased in March 2010. A dissappointing copy of the kit undercarriage with no obvious improvement other than strength.