Scale-Master Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 This will be a fictional version of the famous Gee Bee. Normally it should be red & white, but I am doing it in the colors of the Gee Bee Z, black and yellow, but still following the scallop design of the R-1. I found a Russ Heath drawing inspired by the Dave Stevens graphic novel and have drawn the Betty Page likeness and also will be making decals for the scallops : I’m not making an exact copy of the Heath art, but I intend to keep the theme and overall look. I started with the Williams Bros. 1/32 scale kit. It’s a little rough, but then it’s from the mid ‘70’s. Basic interior assembled as the kit provides; I added the suede-like seat surfaces using flocked plastic from an adult beverage vac-u-formed liner and painted it. (The very green velour was a bit too much for this application.) Most of the clean up has been done...
cobraman Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Wow ! A Gee Bee ( my favorite non war plane ) and Betty Page ( my favorite pin-up ) . I will be watching for sure. Great project.
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Yeah, Betty P. and a Gee Bee in the same pic...put a Pennsy S1 in the background, and you'd have my 3 favorite machines of all time.
Scale-Master Posted January 16, 2015 Author Posted January 16, 2015 Here’s the Betty decal I made. I went with fishnets instead of silk stalking’s.
atomicholiday Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Awesome idea. I love that plane and that graphic will be killer on it!
Scale-Master Posted January 16, 2015 Author Posted January 16, 2015 Yeah, Betty P. and a Gee Bee in the same pic...put a Pennsy S1 in the background, and you'd have my 3 favorite machines of all time.I'm not sure Bettie was a machine... But that train is the epitome of art deco and goes very well with the lines of the Gee Bee.
Scale-Master Posted January 16, 2015 Author Posted January 16, 2015 (edited) Primed and final sanded the main stuff that will be shot yellow. I'll put another light uniform coat of the light gray on before shooting the yellow. I'm not sure how well the yellow I plan to use covers different shades. Edited January 16, 2015 by Scale-Master
cobraman Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 I have seen Betty spelled Betty and Bettie. I believe Bettie is correct, no ?
Roadrunner Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Cool little project here. For some reason, the GB reminds me of the Russian I-16
GeeBee Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Great Start! Love those Gee Bees... Did someone call ??? Cracking subject, looking forward to seeing this one built ...
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 (edited) I have seen Betty spelled Betty and Bettie. I believe Bettie is correct, no ? Yes. But definitely worth a Google search, you know, just to make absolutely sure... PS. You guys know there's a full-scale flying replica of the R2 built in 1991, right? Also, the Lindberg / Pyro kit that is listed as 1/32 actually scales out to about 1/26 (only the pilot figure is 1/32). The L/P model has some glaring inaccuracies like ribbed wings, but it's a great starting point for a fine model. Edited January 16, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy
Scale-Master Posted January 16, 2015 Author Posted January 16, 2015 I have seen Betty spelled Betty and Bettie. I believe Bettie is correct, no ?Bettie is correct for Bettie Page. But look at the Russ Heath art. I'm pretty sure it had to do with legal issues...
Scale-Master Posted January 17, 2015 Author Posted January 17, 2015 The kit comes with plastic molded wheels/tires and these optional rubber tires and plastic rims. I sanded the seam off the tires and did some minor re-engineering of the wheel pants and wheels with brass tubing so the wheels can be installed into them after they are painted. The kit has the wheels being sandwiched between the pant halves.
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 Are your great "Betty" decals going to be available, or is this a one-shot deal for this model only?
Scale-Master Posted January 17, 2015 Author Posted January 17, 2015 I hadn't even thought about offering them for sale. I figured it was too esoteric of a subject to garner anything more than spectators at best.Plus, the scallop scheme seems to deter some people from building these kits.What's a Betty worth these days?
philo426 Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 The engine reminds me of the one in my williams Red Lion air racer.
Scale-Master Posted January 17, 2015 Author Posted January 17, 2015 Would not surprise me if it is the exact same 9 cylinder Wasp in both kits.
Scale-Master Posted January 18, 2015 Author Posted January 18, 2015 Base yellow, ready for the scallops…
Scale-Master Posted January 18, 2015 Author Posted January 18, 2015 The pinstripes and black scallops are on it…
atomicholiday Posted January 18, 2015 Posted January 18, 2015 Looks great! How did you do the pin stripes?
Foxer Posted January 18, 2015 Posted January 18, 2015 That's such a hot rod! Looking fantastic .. wonderful paint job!
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