How to dent fuselage skin.

Look at this link:

cs.finescale.com/.../149616.aspx

It's in the diorama forum, but the builder did a great job modifying the B-52 to show the 'stretched skin' that one sees on these things.  My view of the sample pictures starts on page 4 of this thread.  You might also search around a bit for 'B-52' or 'Buff', as that's a relatively common modification.

HTH.

Gene Beaird

You could run a baggage loader or the jet bridge into the side of it.  That's how they do it here at US Airways.

Take a look here:

www.clubhyper.com/.../stressedskineffectkh_1.htm

Thanks for the link. What's he say? Don't rush

Boy, that's one worn-out B-52. Probably in the air all the time. Thanks

As a side note to weathering B-17's and B-24's, I have a friend that was a mechanic with the 8th airforce during WWII. As a young mechanic, I asked him about 100 hour inspections on the bombers. With a very sad, serious look on his face, he said they usually never lived that long. Pretty deep when you think about that, isn't it?

One thing I don't think I've seen here on the forums is how to model a fabric patch on control surfaces. I would think there would have been lot's of fast fabric repairs.

They would/should have been largely invisible; the edges of the patch were teased out, by the removal of a few of the threads, giving an  edge (sort-of) reminiscent of a ragged bird's feather.

The patch would then have been doped on, usually with clear dope, followed by red, followed by the camouflage colour, with the edges of the dope being brushed out, to feather that in, as well. There might have been a slight hint, but that's all; larger patches would have been cut back to where the fabric was stitched, making them just as invisible.

Patches and dirty spots are okay, but be very careful of "dents".  Dents may affect aerodynamics and strength of an aircraft structure, so any significant dent would likely have been repaired quickly.  WW2 aircraft did not have the flexibility of later aircraft, so the natural wrinkling of skin that you see on B-52s and such would not be visible. In fact, when an older plane like that had wrinkled skin that was a sign of it having been seriously overstressed and it would have been removed from service.

I would confine weathering to surface appearances like dirt, stains, paint chips, etc.

This is the kind-of wear I'm talking about. Small dents & dings from normal wear & tear. It's like watching & older dated movie & all the cars have been restored & look better then new. Throws everything off. You know they had to do patches all the time.