Building an B-32

Hi, wolvesmind, and welcome to the forum!

I think you're off to a good start.  You might want to track down a conversion kit that was made to convert the Monogram B-24J into the Privateer that developed from the basic Liberator design, for the US Navy.  The single rudder from the Privateer is pretty close to the one on the Dominator, if I am not mistaken.  I think the kit was made by Paragon, though I might be mistaken.

You might want to look at Swanny's website, www.swannysmodels.com, too.  He's a member here in the forum (currently working on a YB-40 conversion of the Monogram B-17), and he has more info at his website about the kits and aftermarket supplies for them.

As you get started, please post pics so we can follow along!

Regards,

Brad

You ought to seriously consider this kit in 1/72:

http://www.anigrand.com/AA2083_B-32.htm

These people make beautiful model kits that go together really well.

In 1/48 it would be a real challenge. The wing is not the same as the B-24 at all, it's about 25 feet wider, 50% larger area. The tail is emphatically not a B-29's. The fuselage also bears no resemblance to a B-29, nor are the turrets, which include bizarre things like rearward facing guns behind the engines. Also the gear retract into the inner nacelles, not fold sideways into the wing.

About the only 1/48 parts I think you could use would be R 3350s from the B-29, and probably the props.

But the resin kit would do him proud. I'll bet he enlisted really  early in 1942. Our old soldiers need to be kept in our minds, and your idea is great.

Bill

It is possible to build a B-32 in 1:48 scale using b-29 and B-24 kits. It was done by Gerald Asher - Scale Aircraft Modelling August 2000.

To start with you will need.

Two Monogram B-29 Kits

Two Monogram B-24 kits

One 1:72 sc ale B-36 kit.

The fuselage, from the cockpit aft, is made from sections from two B-29 kits, the diameter being about the same as the B-32. The rear, including the fin, is from the B-36 kit. The fin from a PB4Y Privateer is not suitable. The nose and cockpit requires the making of a mould so it can be vac-formed.

The wings require two sets of B-24 wings. The outer section made from a full span B-24 wing minus the engine nacelles. The inner section includes the B-24 root and extends to just inboard of the no 1 and 4 engine nacelles. Engine nacelles are based upon the inboard B-29 nacelles. The landing gear also  built from a B-29's. You then need to find suitable turrets.

bondoman wrote:

You ought to seriously consider this kit in 1/72: http://www.anigrand.com/AA2083_B-32.htm These people make beautiful model kits that go together really well. In 1/48 it would be a real challenge. The wing is not the same as the B-24 at all, it's about 25 feet wider, 50% larger area. The tail is emphatically not a B-29's. The fuselage also bears no resemblance to a B-29, nor are the turrets, which include bizarre things like rearward facing guns behind the engines. Also the gear retract into the inner nacelles, not fold sideways into the wing. About the only 1/48 parts I think you could use would be R 3350s from the B-29, and probably the props. But the resin kit would do him proud. I'll bet he enlisted really  early in 1942. Our old soldiers need to be kept in our minds, and your idea is great. Bill

Didn't Koster sell a 1/48th Vacuform kit awhile back?

gary

It's all true about the prototype having the original tail of the B-29 but in operational models they found the tail wasn't enough, so the B-32 came out with an taller and slightly narrower tail.

I was thinking the B-24 for the davis wing and the B-29 for the body and possablie the engines, granted the nose and the tail would need extesive re-working but thats one of the challeges of model building,

I've scatch built a DO-X in 1/72 scale and build several automotive and armor diamara (sorry for my spelling).

The B-32 has haunted me for the last several years.

But I still am not sure which way I'll go.

bondoman wrote:

...The tail is emphatically not a B-29's...

I have to disagree, respectfully, at least as far as the prototype is concerned.  If I'm not mistaken, the prototype used a B-29 tail (vertical stabilizer), though for the production model, I agree, Consolidated used a different tail.  But comparing photos of the production B-32 and the Privateer, the tails appear very similar in outline.  If it's the case that both aircraft used the same vertical stab, could the Koster Privateer conversion serve as a source of a tail, or at least, a source of a pattern to scratch the Dominator tail?

And I think this is a great idea for a project in 1/48, it shows some ambition.  Imagine the satisfaction on completion!

Regards,

Brad

Wolfie, what references do you have to help you with the project?  There is an excellent book on the B-32 that is invaluable (recommend search on Amazon to find it - Consolidated B-32 Dominator: The Ultimate Look, from Drawing Board to Scrapyard by William Wolf (Hardcover - Feb 2006) - Illustrated), being chock full of information re: the development and lots of engineering information.

The previously noted article by Gerald Asher would be a good source of inspiration.  I saw his model at the IPMS/USA national convention in Dallas, TX a few year back, and it was most impressive.  The description provided using B-29, B-24 & B-36 (1:72) kit parts is certainly workable, as this was how he did it.  You can also create your own vacuform masters from wood, etc and make vac shell parts, but given the size of the components, it would require real effort to build a large enough vacuforming platen and practical tooling.  Alternatively, you can use the masters to create fiberglass parts using the materials from the "RC aisle" of the hobby shop.  These would result in parts that are light, hollow and rigid, plus you'd learn some valuable techniques.  'Glass mold making is a great way to get into using the resins for modeling.

Also occurs to me that you can make the components from ESP foam, aka "blue" foam.  And of course, the previously recommended plank on from is a time-honored method.  I've seen a 1:48 B-17 constructed this way (pre-Monogram kit days...) where half-frames were mounted on a board just like building a balsa model, and then planked with plastic strips.

I suppose you are only limited by your imagination re: the scratchbuilding method and of course how much time you wish to devote to the project.  Don't want to "run out of steam" after all!

Good luck with it!

Regards, Robert

The Privateer tail is too small to do the job - it would require serious 'plugs' to expand it to size, which with a vac piece is pretty tricky.  I checked it out, and it is better to use the B-36 kit tail as Gerald Asher did in his project.  Nice, thick plastic, that!

Regards, Robert

bondoman wrote:

I'd love to see you take it on. And seriously, are you thinking about the B-36 in 1/48th scale? That'd be awesome.

Since the Fuselage diameter of a 1:48 scale B-36 would be 4 inches, a piece of 4 inch PVC drain pipe would be an excellent mold for the fuselage.  Have to molded using the inside diameter since it is too large on the pipe OD.  Figure saw down the length to form two halves, apply a shim to account for the removed saw kerf, then lay some 'glass. Viola!  Fiberglass tube to support the rest of the beastie!

Regards, Robert

If only Koster had done a B-32 - what a beaut that would be!  His Fw200 is still champ (I'm turning my Trumpeter kit into a airliner version - with lots of putty!)

Regards, Robert

Wolfie, check out the following link for info on a B-32 turret restoration that is being done in Dallas-Fort Worth:

http://www.contrails.us/caf_dfw_wing/Newsletter/2008/November_Propwash_Color.pdf

I was able to contact those fellows who put me onto some pretty cool images of the stripped out turret.  This is one area the B-32 book I recommended is lacking (the reprinted manual diagrams are fairly light and cluttered, making it hard to figure out the bits in the 'crazy ball'.)  If you would, email me and I'll see about digging up the downloads, or at least the link - though as I recall it was one of those photobucket, or flikr type image archives, so they may not be available any longer "out there".

Regards, Robert

Wolfie -

I just stumbled across this thread, and thought I'd chime in (better late than never) - I was curious, nearly three years into the thread, how the progress was coming. I decided to change the markings on my own B-32, and just finished the decal art to do serial 42-108530 "Direct From TOKYO." I should probably post some photos of my beast online - if you want, I can email some jpegs to you for reference.

All my best,

Gerry Asher

FOX 3 Studios

Hi, Gerry!

Welcome to FSM.

Thanks, John.

Here, try this on for size - I finally got around to postingimages online of my monster:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13935339@N05/6969339725/in/set-72157629188504120

I looked through your pictures, Gerry.  Impressive body of work!

Welcome, Gerry, nice to meet you through the forum, and thanks for the link for your photos.

No progress for me, I'm afraid.  RL intrudes, eh?

Robert

I tried that link, and it got me to a flicker site, but a general site.  How do I find the pictures of the model?

It still takes me to a page with 2 images of his B-32, when I click the link.

Ah, today it worked fine!  Don't know what the glitch was yesterday.

Anyway, an amazing model. I have always wanted to do a B-32.  While I don't mind scratchbuilding, the 32 is a bit too much for me to consider that one.  I keep hoping to find a kit.

Anyway, beautiful model- congratulations!

I just remember someone using a piece of PVC pipe for the fuselage, and thinking, "Why didn't I think of that?"  I'd love to see this kitted in 1/48, but that's not too likely to happen.

i saw this article the other day; it looked amazing!