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Monogram 1/72 B-36H Peacemaker

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  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 8:19 PM

I think we all agree, the B-36 was the benchmark of engineering at that time. A complicated weapons system that could wreak death and destruction on a massive scale. A machine with both piston and jet engines, a carrier of massive nuclear weapons and a transistion of technology that meant business, yet was never used in war.

Even as a kid practicing "Duck and Cover'' in grade school in case of nuclear attack, it affected me even to the present in that I never got completely over the rational fear that mankind would use the unthinkable option of a nuclear weapons exchange. What were they thinking I continue to say.

I look at the B-36 as a milestone aircraft, the near ultimate weapon that impressed me as a kid both as incredible and on the other hand, just plain scary. Well, I was an impressionable kid and it did just that. What a machine and model, one of my favorites, a lesson in common sense and a great model to build and imagine what if.

Max

  • Member since
    May 2016
Posted by B-36Andy on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 7:02 PM

 

(On the other post is my story of Buzz Job----here it is if you missed it.)

You Tube has a video called "B-36 Buzz Job". This is the story behind it.

In October 1954, when I was 7, I was recovering from polio and at home in bed. I lived in Ft Worth, Texas at the time. One day I heard a B-36 take off from Carswell AFB, 3 miles away. I always liked the sound of those engines but didn't pay much attention. But this plane kept getting louder and louder! Within seconds the roar was shaking the bed, floor, pictures were falling off the walls, and the floor was vibrating. The window blinds were jumping up and down in my bedroom window. I thought "this guy is coming right down my street and is not just above the houses but between the houses, Wow!!!!!"(Of course impossible) I jumped out of bed, ran through the living room and out the front door in my jammies, so excited about the buzz job, but so scared I would meet the monster nose to nose in the front yard!

I ran clear to the middle of the street and looked all around. By then the engines were beginning to fade and it was though nothing had happened. I'd missed it!! Really mad at myself and so disappointed. It was hot from the afternoon sun and dead calm, and not a soul or car was in the street. I thought "Where are these people!!!!! They just missed the show of the century and nobody cares!!!!!!!(Actually the houses were full of young moms raising baby boomers and could have cared less---Probably upset at the racket that lasted for 10 seconds)

Throughout the years, this has been one of my great regrets of childhood. But, about 4 years ago, I found the 8mm film of the Buzz Job while surfing on You Tube---in 1954, the pilots wives had known before hand what was going to happen and filmed it!!!!!!!!!! Somehow it found its way to You Tube. So I did get to see it after all!!!Smile

In the film, it is interesting to note it was dead calm that afternoon, but the small trees, bushes are being blown by the monsters prop wash. The plane passed down the street next to mine. (I found the houses and street by looking at Google maps street view and matching to the film.)

Mom was upset the monster knocked pictures off the walls and broke dishes from the display rack----and really upset that I'd run outside at a dead run. But I didn't care---I had at least heard the monster. My dad who worked at Convair thought the buzz was really swell! He also knew that the CO at the airfield thought it was a nice touch!!!!

Ah---What a different world back then!

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 5:08 PM

Here's several B-36 stories in case you missed it. Quite the aircraft in the day. Everyone who heard one and saw one had a comment.

Max

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Friday, July 29, 2016 7:02 AM

Nice report from the past Mel. SE Kansas was in some flight path in the 1950s and B-36s were a couple of times a week event. The early refueling of B-47 jet bombers by propeller driven tankers occurred overhead a few times. I was in grade school and my uncle flew a B-47 and later B-52s and the SAC version of the F-111. All of this turned me into an aircraft and model nut.

I never saw a B-58 in flight but I did see one up close a couple of years ago (along with the ones mentioned above) at the USAF museum in Dayton. The B-58 is on my list to build. What a cool looking aircraft. 

Thanks for stirring up old memories and reminding me how I became "hooked!"

Max

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Lafayette, LA
Posted by Melgyver on Thursday, July 28, 2016 10:47 PM
I remember seeing, hearing and feeling a pair of B-36's overfly the town of Opelousas, LA back in 1958 or 59 heading East. I was 7 or 8 yrs. old. Serveral years later saw a B-58 Hustler hauling butt at about 500 ft. over Vermillion Bay on the Coast of LA. Thought of trying to scratch build a couple of the turrents in the open position. Would make a great addtion to the model.

Clear Left!

Mel

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by seastallion53 on Monday, July 18, 2016 8:29 AM

Got to do that on the USS Eisenhower and Connie almost every day for 9 mon.

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Putsie on Saturday, July 16, 2016 2:54 PM

You're right..........

 

That's the best part of an airshow....feeling the engines and smelling the exhaust and tires (on landing).

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Saturday, July 16, 2016 7:27 AM

Hey ss53, Improved audio would help the movie about the Strategic Air Command of the 1950s. Notice that on this post everyone who saw a B-36 fly as a kid remembers the sound. You "felt" a B-36 go over!

Max

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by seastallion53 on Friday, July 15, 2016 6:10 PM

I guess an awesome surround sound system might help.

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Rochester, New York USA
Posted by rocker286 on Thursday, July 14, 2016 2:29 PM

Now that's one fine looking B-36 you've got there! I like the scratchbuilt nuke too! 

If I ever come across this kit in a store or a flea market I'm buying it. I dig the way these big silver beasts look. 

4badges

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Thursday, July 14, 2016 6:18 AM

Hey John, Thanks! I did go to your site. Wow! What a nice collection. Keep up the good work.

And thanks Joe, the Catalina project looks fun. I checked one out at the Navy Air Museum in depth. Interesting aircraft.

Max

PS--we are having a fun discussion on the Scratch Build part of the Forum about the B-36s weapon and other nukes.

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: MOAB, UTAH
Posted by JOE RIX on Thursday, July 14, 2016 12:08 AM

That is awesome Max. You did a beautiful job on it, that's for sure. I'm afraid I have never built this kit and it will likely remain that way. The space I'd require to display it is earmarked for my Pro Modeler 1/48 PBY-5A Catalina.

"Not only do I not know what's going on, I wouldn't know what to do about it if I did". George Carlin

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 11:15 PM

Very well done, the canopy is especially nice.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 3:33 PM

What a movie! That along with my uncle Col. George Wells being in SAC when I was a kid pushed me over the edge. With B-36s flying over the house and my uncle hauling nuclear weapons around in B-47s, I was hooked. He later changed to B-52s and later yet became the squadron commander for SACs F-111s. I still have to build the F-111, got the B-36/47/52. I actually saw a SAC F-111 at the Barksdale AFB museum in Louisiana and made some notes. A special version was built for SAC with longer wings and other mods. Anyway that's my excuse for being an airplane nut.

Max

And no, the movies sound didn't resonate your whole body as the real B-36 did!

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by seastallion53 on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 3:07 PM

So i guess the movie Strategic air command just does'nt quite capture the sound?Big Smile

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 8:16 AM

Oh wow, that's amazing!!! Great job on her! 

And awesome that you've got someplace to display her since I wouldn't! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 6:58 AM

Hey Chris, I'm envious on setting in the seats. Wow! Cockpit lists are important in life (for us airplane nuts) and I've been working all my life on it. There's also a touch list and inside list that I work on! All fun!

Thanks everybody for your comments!

Max

PS--Everyone who has seen a B-36 fly can remember that sound--Goose bumps!

  • Member since
    May 2016
  • From: Canyon Lake TX
Posted by wildcat13 on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 6:25 AM

VERY NICE!

  • Member since
    August 2013
Posted by Putsie on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 5:31 AM

Nice job.....six turning and four burning.......saw one in the air as a kid....I can still hear it in my mind today....mine is on a shelf with a B52...47.....58...and a XF85...Piper J3....and a Pitts under the wings........the overall image is interesting.........

See ya!

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • From: the redlands Fl
Posted by crown r n7 on Monday, July 11, 2016 8:37 PM

nice job on that flying cigar !

 

 

 Nick.

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Central Nebraska
Posted by freem on Monday, July 11, 2016 8:25 PM

Got 'er in the stash too!  Going to move to a bigger house (all the kids are gone so that makes sense) so maybe I can build all those Monogram B- kits. 

Several years ago the Strategic Air Command Museum, then at Offut AFB in Bellevue NE had a day when you could get inside some of the planes. Got to sit left seat in a B-29, B-17 and the B-36! Definitely a kid in the candy store event if there ever was one!!

BTW outstanding build!

Chris Christenson

 

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Sunday, July 10, 2016 2:03 PM

Hey JD, sub-assemblies fit on my building desk so I nibbled away at it and stored them for the final attack. I cleared a place in the garage (not as bad as it sounds--heat and air!) and did the final assembly and most of the painting with Model Master spray cans. Lotsa area to try and cover with my airbrush. You'll get excited when everything starts falling into place! I had already been through another monster 1/72 B-52 which helped develop the system. I'll try to post it soon.

Just get after it, it's a fun one to do!

Max

PS--I keep looking at the 1/48 B-29 but I'm about out of ceiling space. I even have a 1/1 motorcycle hanging in the living room. Art is to be enjoyed!

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Sunday, July 10, 2016 12:58 PM

I also remember the sound of those beasts.  There is a big difference between a multi-engined bomber of that vintage and a flight of fighters of the same number.  By that time the bombers had synchronization aids, so the prop rpms were pretty close in a way that never were with individual aircraft.

I built a kit back in the days when they were still flying- I think it was a Monogram kit.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Western PA
Posted by JDHammer on Sunday, July 10, 2016 12:57 PM

Max, you've climbed the Mt. Everest  of plastic model aircraft, it must feel great.

I keep looking at my unopened B-36 box, yes, no, yes , no. Please tell us how you got started.

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Sunday, July 10, 2016 10:21 AM

Max, nice work indeed. Thanks for sharing this...

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Sunday, July 10, 2016 6:54 AM

Hey thanks gang! And Toshsi, the 1/72 B-25J kit is a Hasegawa. It is a really nice kit with great detail and weaponry. Highly recommended! I'll try to post some pictures soon. 

Max

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Sunday, July 10, 2016 4:52 AM

You did a great job with the NMF!  I'd love to see more of your B-25 Mitchell you have displayed on the side for size reference.  Is that the Revell/Monogram kit?  Very nice indeed!

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by seastallion53 on Sunday, July 10, 2016 12:22 AM

Is'nt it's nickname aluminum overcast?There is an RB-36 at Castle air museum in central Cal.She is a big ***.

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Saturday, July 9, 2016 9:45 PM

Very nice work indeed Max, having built one myself I consider it a rite of passage in the modeling world.  Did a great job on the canopy and I really like the nuke...boy does that sound bad.

 

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

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