B1B Bomber Project

Thanks! You've convinced me. I think I will try the 3 tone camo scheme. Never thought of the raised masks. I saw an article about using blue tac underneath the mask for a "soft edge". I'll give it a shot!
Have a good one!

Wolf, the panel lines for the fwd hatches are correct. I've got some pics that my B-1 mech source sent me on a CD. It has a pic of the pilots hatch removed from the aircraft. I'll try to go through them today before I leave for the weekend.

Painting the three tone scheme isn't that bad. I used raised paper maskes on mine, & I'm very satisfied with the results.





Chris Ish

I was planning to use the 3 tone camo scheme on one unit. Depends on how ambitious I feel after the first!!
Do you know if the hatches over the pilot area open as per the panel lines on the model? I'd like to show off the interior and that's the reason for showing 1 side open. Can't find any details for obvious reasons.... probably no need for them to be open unless you're leaving at Mach 2.0!
Thanks for the interior shots. Nice work!

I got this info from a B-1 mech a few years ago. The hatches can be opened during maintenance procedures, but they can only be opened so far. There is a pin that breaks if you open it too far during a non-ejection sequence. The pics I’ve seen show the hatch opening only enough to let in a flexible air conditioning duct.

I”d recommend using Eduards PE set for both cockpits. The kit aft pit panel is wrong for a current a/c. The Eduard kit also comes with a color inlay for both instrument panels, which stands out pretty well. Take a look at the pic of the two aft panels side by side, with the Eduards on the left, kit on the right.

Here is a close view of the Eduards aft instument panel

This is the only pic I have handy that shows the front inst. panel.

The metal noseweight is fom Terry Dean Castings, & is very worthwhile to have & inexpensive to boot. If youi look closely enough, you can see the throttles on the center consoles, & the carpet in the front pit. I used scale model carpet flocking for cars to do the carpet. I was just messing around with it. Cant see it when the other side is glued on.

At one point, I had 5 of these kits, but now I'm down to three, with one still up for sale.

Are you planning on doing one of them in the three-tone Strategic Camo scheme?

Chris Ish

Thanks yet again.
Great links with awesome pics.
4 kids! Wow.
That will keep you busy no doubt!
This is a great forum. Support is excellent. Much appreciated.

As far as ejection seats go, try The Ejection Site:

http://www.ejectionsite.com/

Good luck, quite an ambition undertaking. You got more guts than I. But I have four kids, too...that cramps the modeling budget/time/space.

Mitch

QUOTE: Originally posted by yardbird78 There were four B-1A prototypes. The first three had the escape module like the F-111 where most of the front fuselage separated during ejection. #4 had individual ejection seats. I am not sure how the B-1 works, but on the B-52, those overhead hatches were only open if blown off just prior to ejection or in the case of serious, in depth maintenance. They were not opened on a routine basis. Darwin, O.F.

Yes the hatches on top blow off only when a seat is ejected... Oh man I got really tired of building my ONE B-1 let alone 3 of them. Of course it could be because mine is warped from years of sitting in a garage. If you need any pictures, go to www.aircraftresourcecenter.com and go to walkarounds. That's where I got a bunch of my photos!!!

Appreciate the input. I have completed everthing but the cockpit and
front fuselage assembly and will post pics when done.
Not sure where these monsters will find a home when complete.
Yes, size does matter!!

There were four B-1A prototypes. The first three had the escape module like the F-111 where most of the front fuselage separated during ejection. #4 had individual ejection seats.
I am not sure how the B-1 works, but on the B-52, those overhead hatches were only open if blown off just prior to ejection or in the case of serious, in depth maintenance. They were not opened on a routine basis.

Darwin, O.F.

Also note that while the Revell kit gives you the option to build it with "hatches open" above the cockpits, on the real thing there was a single crew access hatch on the underside of the fuselage. And the B-1A may have had a crew escape module in place of ejection seats, like the F-111... I don't remember if the prototype had the module or not.

Thanks! The bottom pic of the rotary is what I needed.
Now back to the job at hand..... building it!

This may help it was on the board a few days ago its on page 3 now.

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=46813