1/72 B-52D with Big Belly Mod, Operation Arc Light

Hi, All,

Before these old brain cells atrophy, I decided to go ahead and write up instructions for scratchbuilding the revetment around my diorama. If any of you would like a copy, please PM me.

Cheers,

Russ

Striker8241

If you look at their model, the movable steps appear to be attached directly to the fixed steps so it's going to look odd if you show the platform in anything but the fully extended position.

Ahh, disregard this comment - I looked at the model at another angle and the movable steps are attached to the platform, not to the fixed steps.

Russ

Thanks for the info, I will keep that all in mind. I like to be as accurate as possible, but I think its often a case of keeping it within reason and being realistic as to your abilities. Its good to stretch them, but not to the point when you just trash what your working on. So I think I will get a couple of those ladders and compare them with yours and see what I think is doable.

I will be ordering from Hannants next month, so I think I will add one, and while I won't be building it for a while, I can at least see for myself what needs to be done.

Well, there are some things you could do, but I'm not sure it's necessary. Most people will not know the  differences anyway.

The lift mechanism and the platform are ok as is. You could remove the kit wheel assemblies and scratchbuild the leg assemblies and braces, and the tow bar, using my instructions. You would definitely want to re-use the wheels.

The ladder assembly is totally wrong. The real stands had three fixed steps and only a single movable step while this model has 4 fixed steps and 3 movable steps. You would have to remove the two top movable steps and one of the fixed steps.

The handrails are not right - the real stand only had a single handrail assembly while this one has two - and there are no guides for the movable step rods. If you look at their model, the movable steps appear to be attached directly to the fixed steps so it's going to look odd if you show the platform in anything but the fully extended position. You could get away with removing and attaching the movable part with handrails directly to the platform. I would reshape the lower handrails so they are smaller and closer in form to the upper handrails  - a scale figure grabbing those rails as they are would be at a 45 degree angle climbing up .

The hand pump was inside a rectangular box, not exposed as in their model, and had a straight handle or one with a kink at the end. You would need to add the hydraulic actuator and a hydraulic line connected to the pump.

Keep in mind this model is tiny at 72 scale. Modifying the stand would be lot easier than building my model and would save you a lot of time, but you would have to really be careful.

Russ

Ye, I wasn't sure if it was exactly the same, or maybe a modern replacement. Their site doesn't give any date for use as it does for some of the other items. I noticed that with the tow bars as well.

So you think if I bought these ones they could be modified  to make them more accurate.

I am not sure if these are available elsewhere, the company that makes them seems to have close links to Hannants.

Thanks, Bish.

Their model doesn't look bad at all. It almost looks like a derivative - maybe another US company or maybe European - rather than a model of the USAF B-4 stand. In any case, they left off the hydraulic actuator and line so that is kind of a serious omission IMHO. They do model the hand pump but it doesn't look like any I ever saw, but ours had a cover over it so maybe Hannants left it off.

The most striking difference is the leg assemblies that support the lower frame - they're not there. And the tow bar is too flimsy.If you built one of these for real, the front cross bar would bend or snap as soon as you made a turn while towing the stand. That's why the real B-4 stands had triangular-shaped tow bar frames.

But overall, at this scale, the model looks good and will be a cool addition to a diorama. Only those familiar with the actual stands will notice any difference. And Hannant's model will be a lot easier to build than mine .

Thanks again for the link, Bish,

Russ

Yep, no problem.

www.hannants.co.uk/.../GE72030

And if you click the link on the Hannants page, it takes you to the AIM site. They have some nice looking ground stuff but I haven't got anything yet. I had to check as I wasn't sure if theirs was the same platform you had made.

And you certainly have helped a lot. What you produced is sort of what I had in my mind all those years ago, though not so well detailed. Now I am certain I can do it justice. I am hoping to get a purpose built model shed next year with plenty of display space, and then the B-52 will be the first thing on the bench.

Hey Bish, could you post that Hannants link that has the B-4 stand? I searched the site but couldn't find anything about it.

Many thanks,

Russ

Hi, Bish,

Many thanks for the compliments, my friend! I'm happy if I've contributed something useful to your future project and I'll be looking forward to seeing it take shape - whenever that happens .

Cheers,

Russ

Russ, well done on the medal, more than well deserved. That dio is stunning. If mine comes out half that nice I will be well pleased. You have certainly given me a lot of ideas and I am so glad I didn't do this 20 years ago.

I was just looking at Hannants and just saw that someone has released a 72nd B-4 stand, I thought that about typical.

You're welcome, John, and many thanks for the good words!

Russ

Russ,  That build and diorama are absolutely, unspeakably incredible.  I have never seen better.  Thank you for sharing all of the details and the in process shots along the way.  WOW!

John

I have no doubt, Jim!  Everybody thought that was way cool!

Russ

It was the 781 that did it! 

Thanks, Ken!  It is awesome - I probably don't appreciate how awesome it is, this being my first contest. I should be glad I got any prize at all now that I see all the mistakes I made  .

Russ

Striker8241

Thanks, Dom. Mine was one of about 4 silvers  in that category, and I don't think anyone won the top prize, but unfortunately, we had to leave before the awards were finished. It was nice to win but the prize doesn't matter -  I just wanted to participate.

BTW, here's a picture of the medal - It's really very nice, and kinda neat since it has a B-52 on it .

 

There's a regional IPMS show next May somewhere around here so I might attend that one.

Cheers,

Russ

Big time congratulations Russ!!!         That is just too cool!      Your very first contest and you bring home a silver medal!  How awesome is that!! 

Ken

Buffirn

Russ,

I don't think I have said this but thank you for sharing this journey with us.  It has been exciting to see the final project come together.  I think it is fair to say that you have inspired some of us to build even if we  don't go to the lengths that you did.  Once again thank you for sharing this with all of us on the sidelines.

Jim

Wow, thanks for that, Jim! Thank you, and everyone else who inspired me with comments and encouragement. It wasn't a journey alone, you were all with me and you all contributed to that medal.

Thanks to all of you for coming along!

Russ 

Buffirn

I looked on their website and they were using open scoring.  That means there isn't the standard 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.  The medals are given out based upon a scoring standard.  So you get so many points for seams and paint and decals, etc.  A silver means you did pretty darned good, but had some flaws.  Since you built it, you know what you would change or improve.  Still, a silver is really good.  Congratulations and what's next?

Thanks, Jim!

There are a number of things I would improve. I made the mistake of joining the two halves of the fuselage with super glue, which later cracked on me after I had painted it. I managed to repair some spots but there were visible seams on the belly and on top. Next time I'll use epoxy. Also, the paint job was mediocre but I hope to correct that in future. I feel like the judging was very fair and I'm happy to have achieved the score I did.

As for what's next - I'm going to hit my Combat Talon model hard and try to have it ready by May. That'll be pretty ambitious since I'm doing a lot of detail. Then, models of the other planes I worked on. I'm also getting the urge to do another B-52 diorama - this time a C model  being loaded with nukes like we discussed. If I have time, I'll cut the grass and take my wife out to dinner .

Cheers,

Russ

Russ,

I don't think I have said this but thank you for sharing this journey with us.  It has been exciting to see the final project come together.  I think it is fair to say that you have inspired some of us to build even if we  don't go to the lengths that you did.  Once again thank you for sharing this with all of us on the sidelines.

Jim

I looked on their website and they were using open scoring.  That means there isn't the standard 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.  The medals are given out based upon a scoring standard.  So you get so many points for seams and paint and decals, etc.  A silver means you did pretty darned good, but had some flaws.  Since you built it, you know what you would change or improve.  Still, a silver is really good.  Congratulations and what's next?

Thanks, Pawel!

I didn't take any detailed shots of the diorama at the show since I've already posted a series in the Arc Light thread. They start on Page 26.

Cheers, my friend,

Russ

Congratulations, Russ! Now how about a few overall shots of the diorama for our viewing pleasure? Thanks in advance and have a nice day!

Paweł

Thanks, Dom. Mine was one of about 4 silvers  in that category, and I don't think anyone won the top prize, but unfortunately, we had to leave before the awards were finished. It was nice to win but the prize doesn't matter -  I just wanted to participate.

BTW, here's a picture of the medal - It's really very nice, and kinda neat since it has a B-52 on it .

Cheers,

Russ

Russ:

If Silver is the highest award in Dioramas category, then you won the category

CONGRATULATIONS!!!  

Those are great little kits you picked up, Monogram and Revel both cheated on the

scales back then. (yeah, I got 'em....)

If you won the top prize at that show, I would suggest to keep going,

if you're interested in showing, great work.

Dom

Right you are, bud. It was great to meet other modelers and trade lies .

Russ

You can't be unhappy with a silver.  I am glad you had fun.  Afterall, that is the point, isn't it?

Hi, Guys,

Just got back from Orlando. No, Jim, didn't even come close , but I had a lot of fun anyway. I did win a silver medal in the Dioramas category and since there were no gold winners in that category, I guess silver isn't so bad. I think if I had been able to use my air brush and do a better paint job, I would have scored higher. The show was kind of small and not all the tables were filled.

NOTE:  I decided (regretfully) not to allow people to use the mirror trailer to view the underbody because there was just too much detail that could be damaged by a careless hand.

Below are some pictures of the show. The first one is my diorama with my Commander in Chief standing guard .

The next is a shot of the display area. My model is behind the guy on the far right in the yellow shirt and funny hat. I was kind of located out in the boonies...

Here's the vendor area...82 vendors - lots and lots of stuff!

I managed to pick up an Italeri B-57B Canberra and a Monogram RB-66A, both for around $10 each. The Monogram kit is a really old kit -1967.

Cheers,

Russ

Russ,

Did you win it all?  Cleaned up in all the real categories?  Tell us!

Lol, thanks Dom!  I sure hope so

Russ

Jim, that manual looks great!

Good luck with the show Russ, your diorama

may cause a bit of traffic congestion around the table....