Very old REVELL B52 WIP

This is what comes in the box.  

I thought it was complete, but I discovered that the rear canopy (correct terminology?) is missing.  Any ideas?  I have some .015  acetate sheets.  I wonder.  

Also, I have no military paint at all.  I want to do this plane in a military grey.  Can anyone suggest the "correct" paint for this vintage?  Also, if the top of the plane is grey, would the bottom also be grey, or be a lighter shade?  

Any help is appreciated.

Mark

As far as the colors  pattern ,you'll have to decide which era B-52 you want to build. My suggestion is that you research on google B-52 images and the specific AFB and go from there.

there are many after market parts you can get online for the rear canopies. I suggest ebay for a start or many online hobby shops ( google that too )

I hope this helps. At least it will give you a start in the wonderful world of model research.

I don’t believe that the tall tail B-52’s served into the gray scheme era. Only the later short tail versions did. They either were in the original bare metal over white scheme, or the later SAC camo colors over black scheme. As far as the gunners rear canopy goes, you could use a piece of clear sprue cut and sanded to shape, then polished to make a replacement plug. 

Nicely done, I’m looking forward to more of your WIP.

Your friend, Toshi

Thanks for the responses Jay Jay, stikpusher, and Toshi.

Based on some research, your responses, and trying to 

jar dad's memory, I will be going with a natural metal over white.

Thanks for your help.  I now have a positive direction for this build.

I appreciate your input and assistance.  As far as the rear canopy goes, I'm still working on that...

Off we go...

You're very welcome Mate. We're modelers, it's what we do

Very nice B-52.  You just don’t see kits like this anymore.  As you progress or dive in, I’ll be following closely to see the progression of this build.

You friend, Toshi

I'll be watching this project.  My dad was a SAC B-52 and B-47 pilot in the late 1950's and early 1960's.

One of these days I want to tackle the Hasegawa B-47.

Thanks for looking guys.  I have moved forward a bit and learned a few things. 

First off, this model is NOT 1:144.  It is probably "box scale".  Who knows?  I assumed it was 144 because the C135 I built actually was 144, (stated on box) and this model was in the same size box and from the same Jet Commando series.  Anyway, as it started to come together I noticed just how small this model actually is.  The B52 is bigger than the C135 in real life and this model is SMALLER than the C135 model I did previously.  Lesson learned:  If the scale is not stated, you don't know what it is.  

Next, I noticed that there is a notch on the INSIDE of the wing that you cut out so you can mount the fuel tanks.  Simple enough.  Small issue.  I noticed this AFTER I had already glued one of the wings.  Hilarious.  Thats OK.  There was a faint outline on the outside that I could go by.  I got my caliper out and measured the exposed slot and was able to get the slot cut correctly.  Lesson learned:  PAY ATTENTION to the directions.

This will do...

Next I noticed that the fuselage had some detail along the top.

Once the two halves were glued, I noticed a high side and a low side.  

This is where it went south.  I decided to lose the detail on the top and try to even the two halves.  The main objective is the paint scheme, so the model looks like something dad remembers.  Then it hit me that the kit only gave me the decals for the tops of the wings.  I guess they want you to paint it camo like the box.  If I don't do that where will I get correct decals since I don't know the scale?  Ruminate.  Vacillate.  Perseverate.  Aaaahh the madness!!  I decided I'm going forward as planned.  I'll figure out how to print the US Air Force decals for the side of the fuselage in the right scale later.  So I leveled out the top, losing the detail.  Lesson learned:  Don't worry about it too much.  It's just a model and you'll figure it out as you go.  Just keep picking away at it.

Once I got to the underside, it was the same situation.  Knowing that grinding down half the model is probably not the way to do it, I decided to try to apply some putty to the low side and build it up.  So I moved on with the gluing for now.

Once the gluing proceeded I noticed that the vertical stabilizers on the tail don't fit flush.  That's OK.  I'll do some putty.  The wings don't fit perfectly flush into the fuselage.  More putty.  The engine pods are off alignment.  Trimming and putty.  Lesson learned:  Don't sweat it.  Just do it and see what you can learn.  

So this is the progress for now.  I'm actually enjoying myself.  Each task has challenges to overcome and lessons to be learned.  I can either think that "This is a beating and nothing is working", or "Let's see what I can learn today." I am determined to work my way through and learn and improve.  I'll keep you posted.  Thanks for looking.

Cool I remember that kit . when I built it  rushing and brushing pactra paint skills what skills lol thanks for the memories but so far so good !

Thanks for looking Nick.

Never used putty before, but tonight I will get started and see what I can learn.  Fingers crossed. 

Mark

This kit is perfect for learning techniques on. You learn more from the hard ones than the easy ones. And if you want a 1/144 B-52 to match your KC-135, Minicraft makes several different versions. 

Another lesson to be taken away is:  test fitting before gluing is necessary.  At least you won't be suprised after the parts are together.  Look for mismatched surfaces and details that will need work.  Maybe getting rid of the locating pins is all that is needed.

Anyway, we've all been there and started out like you are right now.  Don't get discouraged.  It takes some time.  Visiting forums like this will shorten the time greatly.

Keep going!

Thanks for commenting stikpusher.

Yes you're right.  "Smooth seas don't make for skillful sailors."  Need to remember that as the project continues.  I'll check into the Minicraft B52.  Thanks for the tip.  While this plane will serve its intended purpose, it lacks the kick in the pants of a larger one.

Thanks for commenting kensar.  

In hindsight, I think you're exactly right.  Removing the guide pins would have gone a long way.  It's a good thing this model only has a few pieces.  

This is me on every single model I do, lol.  It can be overwhelming at times, but I usually just walk away for a bit, then come back and figure out a solution.  You will learn a lot along the way.  I know I have, and I'm still learning with each build.  I still have tons of room for improvement, but I'm aslo a long ways from where I started.  I'm learning right now that I hate gloss paint, lol. 

You have a great attitude, keep it going, and you'll have a finished model in no time!

Thanks for the comment Keyda81.  I appreciate it.  

I'm just going to keep picking away at it.  

Managed to do  a little bit before bed.  I'm using Tamiya white putty thinned with acetone per the Barons instructions.  Need to get my respirator out of the package.  Whew.  Strong stuff, those two.  Anyway, I just slapped a little bit on and tried to smooth it a bit.  I tried not to cake it on.  As I understand, there is shrinkage so I will need to reapply.  

I must admit kensars words were going through my head "Maybe getting rid of the locating pins is all that is needed."  Yes sir, for sure. 

No problem.  I'm still having fun.

Another putty to try is Perfect Plastic Putty.  It's the easiest stuff to use.  You can smooth it out with water, it sands great, and as far as I know there isn't any shrinkage.  I love the stuff. 

Hey thanks Keyda81.  I'll check into that right now.  Need to save those braincells.  Don't want to get loopy on putty fumes.  I appreciate the tip.

That’s the best attitude; “I’m having fun”!  If you’re not having fun, this nor any Hobby is not the Hobby for you.  You’ll do well as you’re moving in the right direction.  There’s  a fantastic support group here for you to assist you in anyway!

Your friend, Toshi

Hello all.  Some more progress.

I have been sanding away at these engines.  They look a little better.  They feel much smoother.  I am trying to get the smoothest feel I can get before applying primer.  Then I will start the process all over.  

This is pretty crude.  I tried to improve the appearance.

This is the result.

It is marginally better, but I think I will go at it again.

This is the underside of the engine pod.  It is also better than before, but could still improve some.  

Here is something that caught my eye.  Can you see the tiny nubs? 

I wondered what the deal was, then I saw this picture.  This is what I think is the same model as mine, only a very old one from the 50's.  Can you see where it says United States Air Force?  Very interesting.  

A little massaging and the nubs are gone.

Top of the fuel tank.  Needs work.

For this I used Tamiya liquid surface primer, to see what it would do.

Turned out OK.  I think it is ready for spray primer now.

Another engine pod.  Looks OK.  Ready for spray primer.

Fuselage needs some attention. 

I used the same liquid primer.....

and it turned out OK too.

The rest of the topside looks OK.

This was really fun here.  Keyda81 suggested using Perfect Plastic Putty, so I decided to give it a go.  Thanks Keyda.  I watched the instructional video and it seemed pretty cool.  I ordered the syringe kit too.  It comes with three tiny needles.  I picked the right size, then gave it a squirt right in the gap.  A barely moistened Q-tip was used to run across the top of the seams.  Almost too easy.  I am a fan for sure.  The large smear you see on the right rear stabilizer was me wiping up some moisture.  The white showed up when the bulk of the moisture disappeared.  An even less moist Q-tip got rid of that.

The other side was just as easy.  

The residue on the fuselage was easily wiped off with my dry fingertip.  So far I am a big fan of PPP.  I will use a knife edged piece of sandpaper to try to finesse it, but it almost looks as if it would pass as is.

I will keep you posted.  Thanks for looking.