YC-97 1/72 conversion Airmodel kit by Carmel Attard

 This is basically the Airmodel kit No 185 in 1/72 scale molded in white soft styrene. The cockpit canopy and also the refueling bulging aft gondola are in clear vac form acetate. For this conversion the bulging aft gondola is not required. I did not go for any of the liveries suggested as these depicted a later type that went into service as a refueling tanker but instead went for a YC-97, a prototype/early version known as Stratofreighter serial number 595588. The rest of kit parts come from a surplus Flying Fortress B-29 Airfix kit, which shared identical parts. Propellers I cast in aluminium alloy, and for undercarriage legs I used SAC set No 72013 which is sturdier than the Airfix kit parts.

The high tail fin and rudder were cut from the Airmodel vac fuselage as this was that of later version found on KC-97 and was replaced with one from the Airfix B-29, this time using super glue for a firm joint. Area was smoothened with filler. Reference was made to scale plans located in Aircraft of the Fighting Powers. The rest of kit assembly followed that of the Airfix instructions.