RB-50G Elint

Dakota Rebel

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the modeling hobby, I'm recently retired and have some time on my hands.

I would like to built a RB-50G Elint model.  My Dad was with the 343rd and flew out of

Yokota Japan.  AC was Capt O'Kelly and my Dad, 1st Lt Sanderson was Raven #1.

They were shot down July 29,1953 on a mission over Vladivostock,USSR. 19 

crewmembers on board, the co-pilot was rescued by a US Destroyer, NSA intelligence

believes 6 other crewmembers made it to a lifeboat dropped by a SAR-B29.  Those men

were then  captured by Soviet Border Patrol boats and taken to Vladivostock. They 

were never returned. 

My brother and I would like to build this model as a tribute to our Dad and the crew

of that RB-50G from the  55th SRW-343rd Forbes Air Force Base Tobeka,Kansas

                                                                                       Bruce

                                                                               a son never forgets 

 

Welcome to the forums Bruce. I am very new as well. So, if you have any questions that you do NOT want the answer to, then feel free to contact me. Har-Har! :-) Seriously tho', many of the guys in your new modelling community actually are experts about the forums and modelling.

I have found that modelling can be very cathartic and help make memories more concrete and approachable. Then, when some feelings are put into a modeling project, you can complete the mission and set it aside on a shelf. And then move on. Of course, one will respectfully remember the 'why' of that particular project every time you see it. And you'll fondly remember the care and thought you put into that project and so honor with renewed pride the memory of your dad. And for me, the process offers satisfaction and a strong need to do something, anything!, for friends - and enemies - dead and gone. I like to think that their spirit knows when i work on a project with them in mind.  

Good luck on your project and enjoy. It may take a few tries until you get it the way you want it - or not. But, you're the only one that has to be satisfied with the outcome. I am sure your dad is already satisfied with his son, a son that remembers and honors him.

Sib

Welcome to the Forums! Hope your project is successful; it is a very interesting one.

Bruce,

 Academy made an RB-50G version of their 1/72nd scale kit.  There are two on Ebay right now.  Good luck!

Dave

Hi, Bruce! Welcome to the world of modeling. That sounds like a very interesting build that you're wanting to do. I didn't realize that we had an ELINT version of the B-50. Hope that you find everything that you need to build it. Good Luck!

Regards,

Gary Mason

Welcome to the Forums Bruce!  Glad to have you aboard!

Jim  

Hello Bruce!

I'm sorry for your loss.

To build an RB-50 would be a very interesting  project. There is a nice 1:72 kit of the B-50 from Academy. The problem is how to get all those top-secret mods to show on the model. Do you have any family photos? They would also help you with the markings. You could draw your own decals and let them be printer by a professional decal company. Still, the biggest point IMO would be to get an idea about what the variant you want had onboard - additional antenae, cameras, windows and stuff like that.

Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł