1/72 B-52D with Big Belly Mod, Operation Arc Light

Thanks, Lee!   BTW, how are things out there in the big pond?

Russ

Pretty calm now that I am retired. But it still gets a little crazy when I take the family out in the bay on the boat.

Cool! I didn't know you were retired - thought you were still out on that sub tender. Hope you're enjoying your retirement.

Cheers,

Russ

Well, I just finished the last major task - I completed the revetment around the aircraft, and what a job that was! Not particularly difficult...just never-ending! I still have some figures to complete and some last-minute details like windshield wipers for the aircraft (since I'm not using the kit cockpit canopy, I have to scratchbuild them) but I've started assembling the diorama and I'll do these details as I go. I'm hoping to have everything finished this weekend.

Cheers,

Russ

Hard to believe you have this huge project so close to completion already!  You have put in a lot of hard work.  I can't wait to see it!

Ken

Thanks, Ken! It's been a long, hard road but thanks to you and Dom and Jim and the rest of the guys here, it's been a lot easier, and a lot more fun

Cheers,

Russ

Well, I had better get a move on.  I owe you a 781, maybe 2 of them.

Hi, All,

Well, after a year and 3 months, my Arc Light diorama is finally complete (not necessarily finished ). Below are a few pictures to show the various maintenance scenes. I'll add some detailed shots later. Excuse my photography - I just have a small mini-camera and it causes a lot of distortion.

The first picture below is a shot of the third clip being moved into the loader by the MMS guys.

This next picture shows the bomb loader from the other side of the wing. Note the MMS tech with the control box for the bomb loader.

Here's a view of a nav tech working on the navigation radar antenna inside the chin radome.

Here's the second half of the MMS team loading 750 lb bombs on the left pylon. Two engine repair techs wait off to the side for MMS to finish.

BTW, I miscalculated here - I originally planned to have the techs working on the engine but then I realized there wouldn't be enough room to do that safely with the loading operation going on. I should have put the display engine on the outboard engine.

[Update: I've replaced the display engine with a nacelle bulkhead and two detailed engines with the covers removed, and moved them all to the left outboard nacelle position. Pictures in later posts.]

Here's a shot of the second jammer picking up a bomb from the bomb truck.

On the other side of the bomb truck, you can see two ECM techs offloading chaff magazines from their van in preparation for lifting them up into the 47 section.

Finally, here's another couple of MMS techs working on the gun turret. One tech is moving a B-4 stand under the gunner's hatch so he can check out the system when power is restored.

Inserted 8/15/19

And here are the windshield wipers - these were a bit tedious...

Many thanks to all of you who have looked in or followed this build.

Cheers,

Russ

Fantastic job Russ!  I feel so lucky to have been able to see this from the start!  All of your explanations and details have been top notch all the way!      This just looks awesome!

Ken

Thanks, Ken!  You've been a pillar of support and help all the way, and I do appreciate it!

Cheers,

Russ

Russ, that is a beautiful display! Great job!

Glenn

Thanks, Glenn!

Russ,

Lookin good my friend!! Makes me wanna get my AMARC B-52 dio done..... I apologize for bein almost non-existant here for a while. Dads in the hospital and Im up to my  I-balls with mowing and fixin stuff. Oh, and a couple weeks ago I bought a pair of  Trumpeters 1/32 F-105Gs..... Now if i could just find a 1/32 F-105D.... Keep up the good work Russ!!!

Majer Kong

Wow! I'm speechless! This was a long, yet highly worthwhile project that just screams Master! Watching this throughout the build has kept me motivated to complete my big project: a 1/72 scale Dora rail gun. I am very close to completing it and a lot of that is because of your perseverance on this project here. Way to go!  

buffjock

Russ,

Lookin good my friend!! Makes me wanna get my AMARC B-52 dio done..... I apologize for bein almost non-existant here for a while. Dads in the hospital and Im up to my  I-balls with mowing and fixin stuff. Oh, and a couple weeks ago I bought a pair of  Trumpeters 1/32 F-105Gs..... Now if i could just find a 1/32 F-105D.... Keep up the good work Russ!!!

Majer Kong

Thanks, Allen!

Man, I'm itchin to see that dio! Post some progress photos when you can. Sorry to hear about your dad. Hope he's getting better.

Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy. Hey, wait a minute... I thought you were a buff guy only... .

Cheers,

Russ

Thanks, Duke! . I appreciate the good words and your support. 

I'd love to see that rail gun when you get it completed. Please post some photos here or post a link to it.

All the best,

Russ

Here are some additional shots of the aircraft and items of the diorama.

Here's a peek inside the gunner's compartment.

The chin radome is stored on a trailer out of the way of traffic while the nav troops work on their radar system.

Finally, this one's for you, Jim

Russ,

My modelling is based on low expectations during the summer months...... (low + no...) Been meanin to see the doc about this F-105 thing... Just wanted to build one or 3 for someting different. I built my first 1/32 earlier this year, a F-22 for my brother. ( Shhhh, between me and you Ive always thought the 105 was a bad bad buggy, and dang sexy too!!)  Im so sorry Ive let everyone down but dang thats an awesome scale to build in. I can do that scale without me glasses!! i will knock out a coupla "G"s and I will be alright. I need to find a "D".

Ive relegated my camera to "EUO" status..  Emergency use only. Im gonna have to upgrade a bit and this whole postin on here has been a bad deal for me.  I may send ya a couple of the AMARC "E" Ive been working on here in a few days. If the WX is good, Im outside gettin er done. Rainy days I usually snuggle up to a great mattress and snooze....

Dude, Im tellin ya that Dio is awesome!!

Majer Kong

Russ, very nice shots! Again, your dio is something special! Good luck finishing it and have a nice day

Paweł

Thank you, Pawel!

buffjock

Russ,

My modelling is based on low expectations during the summer months...... (low + no...) Been meanin to see the doc about this F-105 thing... Just wanted to build one or 3 for someting different. I built my first 1/32 earlier this year, a F-22 for my brother. ( Shhhh, between me and you Ive always thought the 105 was a bad bad buggy, and dang sexy too!!)  Im so sorry Ive let everyone down but dang thats an awesome scale to build in. I can do that scale without me glasses!! i will knock out a coupla "G"s and I will be alright. I need to find a "D".

Ive relegated my camera to "EUO" status..  Emergency use only. Im gonna have to upgrade a bit and this whole postin on here has been a bad deal for me.  I may send ya a couple of the AMARC "E" Ive been working on here in a few days. If the WX is good, Im outside gettin er done. Rainy days I usually snuggle up to a great mattress and snooze....

Dude, Im tellin ya that Dio is awesome!!

Majer Kong

If you are still looking for a 1/32 F-105D, there is one on eBay with a "Buy It Now" price of $100.00.  Here is the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/F-105D-MiG-Master-1-32-by-Hobby-Craft-/121155125599?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item1c3568815f 

It is a Hobby Craft kit which is a re-boxing of the Trumpeter kit.  All of the sprues are still sealed.  Looks like a pretty good deal.

Ken

buffjock

Russ,

My modelling is based on low expectations during the summer months...... (low + no...) Been meanin to see the doc about this F-105 thing... Just wanted to build one or 3 for someting different. I built my first 1/32 earlier this year, a F-22 for my brother. ( Shhhh, between me and you Ive always thought the 105 was a bad bad buggy, and dang sexy too!!)  Im so sorry Ive let everyone down but dang thats an awesome scale to build in. I can do that scale without me glasses!! i will knock out a coupla "G"s and I will be alright. I need to find a "D".

Ive relegated my camera to "EUO" status..  Emergency use only. Im gonna have to upgrade a bit and this whole postin on here has been a bad deal for me.  I may send ya a couple of the AMARC "E" Ive been working on here in a few days. If the WX is good, Im outside gettin er done. Rainy days I usually snuggle up to a great mattress and snooze....

Dude, Im tellin ya that Dio is awesome!!

Majer Kong

Thanks again, Allen! Don't blame you about the F-105. It was a big, bad airplane. Some pilots loved it; others hated it. The NVA feared it.

Cheers,

Russ

I'm kinda sorry that you finished it, I have enjoyed following this build from the first. But it turned out to be truly outstanding. You get a Navy signal 'Bravo Zulu' from me.

Awesome!  You have done an excellent job here.  I love the wrinkles on the skin of the fuselage, that is spot on.  I logged over 2000 hours on this at Carswell AFB, TX before we switched to the H model.  I have to say that being a gunner on the D model was the best time of my life!  Can't find camaraderie like that anywhere else.  C'est La Vie!

That's certainly one hell of an impressive scene there. It has been great to watch this grow. And I know its certainly given me a lot of ideas. I am so glad I didn't do this when I first had the chance.

Thanks for a great build and all the tips and advice.

Congratulations Russ!

I agree with my associates, it has been a real pleasure watching your build progress!

It looks fab!

Dom

Many thanks, Sub for your loyalty and support!  I'll probably be making some updates (like a new tarmac) and some additions down the road. For example, I still feel there should be more transporter trailers in evidence to make the scenario accurate (there should be at least three with empty clips). Got to get molding those wheels....

Cheers,

Russ

B52Gunner

Awesome!  You have done an excellent job here.  I love the wrinkles on the skin of the fuselage, that is spot on.  I logged over 2000 hours on this at Carswell AFB, TX before we switched to the H model.  I have to say that being a gunner on the D model was the best time of my life!  Can't find camaraderie like that anywhere else.  C'est La Vie!

Thanks for the good words, Gunner! . Great to touch base with a real gunner. It always amazed me how you guys could manage being cooped up in that narrow compartment for hours at a time. I've chased a few waveguide and wiring problems through there and it was no easy task.

You guys filled a unique niche in Air Force history - the last of the real tail gunners.

Cheers,

Russ

Bish

That's certainly one hell of an impressive scene there. It has been great to watch this grow. And I know its certainly given me a lot of ideas. I am so glad I didn't do this when I first had the chance.

Thanks for a great build and all the tips and advice.

Thanks for the compliments, Bish. And you're welcome, my friend. I appreciate your staying with the build and for all your comments and support.

Cheers,

Russ

Bockscar

Congratulations Russ!

I agree with my associates, it has been a real pleasure watching your build progress!

It looks fab!

Dom

Thanks for the good words, Dom! And thanks for sticking with me throughout the build, and for your always positive and humorous support .

Cheers,

Russ