Strategic Air Command (SAC) Group Build II

The FB-111 served SAC as a medium range bomber, which is the same role that the B-47 filled. As with any medium range airframe air to air refueling was a must. SACs doctrine was changed to a long range only mission. The FB-111 was retired as the AF acquired the B-52s replacement, the B-1. The AF also found that high altitude supersonic approach to a target was not going to be as successful as once thought, so the low and slow avenue was the tactic of choice. Bombers and special electronics warfare aircraft or systems onboard selected bombers would allow penetration of the enemy's defenses to strike targets deep inside its borders.

The B-1s design and mission roles changed...the B-1 was found not as successful as its predecessor the B-52, hence the B-2 was introduced. Capacity and stealth were designed to allow it to strike deep as it approached low and unnoticed. It costs its major detractor.

Thought the B-52 has been rebuilt numerous times as well as upgraded with the lates technology it still remains strong...though its days are numbered. The B-52 will no doubt out live its replacements...both the B-1 and B-2. 

Dymo tape...

Found this image on Google..from Hyperscale.

I'll also use flexible steel rulers, draftsmen eraser guides anything that I can hold securely to the surface either by itself or with the assistance of masking tape. There are also templates available from aftermarket sources for many aircraft for the more complex shapes. But be prepare to spend a few bucks.

Pavlvs wrote:

I finished cleaning off the detail set for the triple cockpit. Does anybody know of a source for color pictures of the inside of the cockpit and wheel wells of the B-58? That would be most helpful.

You could do what I always do..........Google!

As far as tangible books, I've got none. But I'm positive that there has to be some good stuff out there. I'll concede to the guys that know better here

Pavlvs wrote:

Thanks, Desert Rat I finished cleaning off the detail set for the triple cockpit. Does anybody know of a source for color pictures of the inside of the cockpit and wheel wells of the B-58? That would be most helpful. I think I am going to sand off the raised panel lines and inscribe them. I've never done this before. Any tips on guiding the cutter?

here's my favorite cockpit site, in this case a little minimal:

http://uscockpits.com/Jet%20Bombers/Jet%20Bombers.html#B58

And here's a great site for ejection seats, which in the case of the Hustler are a significant feature:

http://www.ejectionsite.com/eb58caps.htm

Pavlvs wrote:

Does anybody know of a source for color pictures of the inside of the cockpit and wheel wells of the B-58? That would be most helpful.

 Some good shots here at the USAF Natl. Museum site:

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet_media.asp?fsID=382 

 Some more here, type B-58 in the search box on the right if they don't show up.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=b-58&btnG.x=17&btnG.y=10 

 Here's a pretty good walkaround:

http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/mark_soppet/b-58_walk_1.htm 

  Do some Google Image searching. There's a bunch more out there.

I just found some more good pics here too:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/b-58/b-58_all.shtml

 I wish the FB-111 was so well documented. So far, the only resource I have found is here (although it is a good one):

http://www.fb-111a.net/Site.html

Bumped for interest

30 days until the start date

Spike, I'm there with the F-82. In the meantime a few GBs to finish. How's it going buddy?

Just had new meats put on my four wheel drive, new brakes and a new brush guard, makes me think "Desert rat".

Yep! That'll do it, Bill! Of course the whole package just wouldn't be complete until you spend the afternoon pulling out the cholla cactus out of the sidewalls of your tires! Good times....

I've been pretty good. Since the end of Three Kings Day, it's been pretty busy. Needless to say I'm really racking up on the mileage of these Danners here. But hey, it comes with the job

Been a little touch and go for me here too. Not just because of the hours, but the wireless connection too! Believe me, when you are out on your back patio with your laptop in one hand, coat hanger in the other, and coming up with all sorts of incantations and awkward positions just attempting to get a signal, the neighbors sure look atcha funny!

I'm making slow progress on my rehab of the KC-135A which is being converted to a C-135A...the clear parts are a write off so they are going to get replaced with decals. I have asked Greg at Draw Decal to for some assistance it getting the glass as decals, he says he can...you guys might want to drop him a note to show your interest too. Also with the reissue of the AMT -135 family by Italeri I suggested he look at doing a decal sheet which would give builders the ability to select the tailbands and unit markings for the tanker unit they want to replicate. Being as I served with two...the 301st and 305th AREFWs I am eager for the checkered flag of the 305th and the mountain silleouette of the 301st.

If you've got tailband markings you'd like to see done...email pictures of them to Greg or to me and I'll see that he gets them.

Bumped again for interest...

The build starts in one week, and I for one am a little anxious to get started! There's still plenty of time for additional submittions, and of course late entries are always welcomed too (if you find yourself with nothing to do later on this year)

I apoligize that I haven't been posting in the last week or two. Between late hours, shift changes and a "bomb bay" full of overtime, I've hardly had any time to eat/sleep/etc. much less anything else. But rest assured that I'll be there cutting styrene with the rest of all y'all on the 1st!

I guess that it is about time to make a committment to this GB.  I will be doing the 1/72 Hasegawa SR-71A in markings of one of the 1990 retirement birds.  I have done several SR-71s using the Italeri/Testors and the Monogram/Revell kits, so I want to try one of the Hasegawa offerings.

Darwin, O.F. 

yardbird78 wrote:

I guess that it is about time to make a committment to this GB.  I will be doing the 1/72 Hasegawa SR-71A in markings of one of the 1990 retirement birds.  I have done several SR-71s using the Italeri/Testors and the Monogram/Revell kits, so I want to try one of the Hasegawa offerings. Darwin, O.F.

Now that does sound like an awesome project! I actually didn't know that Hase made a Blackbird kit until ya mentioned it! I'll make sure that the list is updated...

5 days to go!

This is the first Hasegawa kit, issued in the early 1980s

This is the second Hasegawa kit.  It has the same plastic as #1, but also has the D-21 drone

This is #3 kit from Hasegawa.  Same plastic as #1

This is # 4 kit.  It has a gorgeous decal sheet that has the NASA birds, 17951 disguised as a YF-12C and the 1990s NASA birds plus the 1995-1997 USAF reactivation birds.  Same plastic as #1

Darwin

YB I have the top one in the stash. It has about 10 parts, but maybe that's ok and I have never really looked it over to check for accuracy, although I wouldn't know a rivet from a nail, compared to you.

I'd say this though- this particular a/c might be a good subject for that kind of thing; more to do with an immaculate airframe and an exercise in paint and markings.

I built the Revell one about 40 years ago and it didn't go together very well, but after all I was a teenager....

"AAAH TENNN HUUT!!!!!"  You now have 9 hours 40 minutes left before launch time.  Get your b _ _ _s to the work bench and begin.  I WILL be watching.

edit: We are now at T + 39 minutes and go for orbit insertion, ( aka commence work on your project). 

"Daddy SAC"

yardbird78 wrote:

"AAAH TENNN HUUT!!!!!"  You now have 9 hours 40 minutes left before launch time.  Get your b _ _ _s to the work bench and begin.  I WILL be watching.   "Daddy SAC"

Now THERE'S  a salty old aviator for ya!

DesertRat wrote:

Now THERE'S  a salty old aviator for ya!

A lot of people had less complimentary names for General LeMay than that.  Personally, I admired him very much.  He was hard as nails, but fair.  As long as you did your job, you were fine, but God help you if you screwed up.

Darwin, O.F.   

yardbird78 wrote:

"AAAH TENNN HUUT!!!!!"  You now have 9 hours 40 minutes left before launch time.  Get your b _ _ _s to the work bench and begin.  I WILL be watching. edit: We are now at T + 39 minutes and go for orbit insertion, ( aka commence work on your project).      "Daddy SAC"

Are we beyond the Failsafe points?

Group Captain Lionel Bondomandrake.

Well, the BUFF has made the trip from storage room to workbench.  I cant believe the size of the box.  Revellogram must have been trying to impress, the kit itself is swimming around inside this huge box, which is even larger than the B36 Box, even though the B52 is smaller.

I will be diving in tonight.

Didn't this GB start 12 days ago?

Where is everybody?

Does AFR 35-10 apply while working on models for this GB?

Darwin, O.F. 

Ya know, even after all of these years, I could probably pass inspection...if I shave off my beard...but it is only a winter feature anyway. I think you'd have a hard time enforcing it if it was.

A little nostalgia.

Darwin, O.F.   

A little, (OK, a LOT), of retribution.

Darwin, O.F.