OK, here we go with a photo update of the B-1B. The decal sheet that I used was from TwoBobs and the quality was excellent. Decals are nicely printed, very thin yet easy to apply. If you see a problem with the decals in the following pictures, it is the fault of the modeler rather than the product.
However, I do have one complaint for the guys at TwoBobs and that pertains to the instruction sheet for application. Now I know that I'm getting older and the eyesight isn't what it used to be, but a little help in identifying the stencils would be appreciated. How about like numbering the decals and including that number on the instruction sheet? Hey, I've already built Trumpy's 1/32 SU-27 using the Linden Hills decal sheet, which number about 250 individual stencils. No problem there because each was numbered and its location shown on the instruction sheet. TwoBobs forces you to identify each stencil by its text; I'm long past being able to read text in 1/48 scale, even with a magnifier. A challenge, yes, but not impossible to over come.
But I was confused by the rescue arrows and their application. The instructions show 3 applications, one horizontal on the left side of the aircraft and two, a vertical and horizontal on the right side. But the decal sheet only provides 2 arrows, one vertical and one horizontal. Well, me being the smart guy that I think I am, I figured that I would use one of the rescue arrows supplied by the Revell sheet. But I didn't stop to look whether it was the right side or left side horizontal that TwoBobs supplied and of course I got it wrong.
For an overall gunship gray airplane, these markings add a splash of color. Here'e the radome ans fueling indicator;
and a look at the fore and aft markings for 85-0084, Hard Rain out of Ellsworth AFB.
I also assembled the crew ladder. The Eduard PE directs one to use the plastic hand rails after removing them from the kit part. These looked too thick for my tastes so I bent some 0.02" brass rod and scratched some metal rails that look much closer to scale.
And finally, I started the Cutting Edge exhaust cans. Really nice detail here but pain to attach 12 individual actuator arms to each can. Took several tries to find a system to accomplish it neatly. But I do like the result. Here on sits on the wing with walkway decals applied:
Next up; some dullcoat to tone down the finish and then an overspray to blend the decals. I'm going for a slightly faded but not overtly weathered look and have already done some shading of the fuselage. After that, the bomb bays will get opened again and all the rest of the fiddly bits will get assembled and applied. After nearly 5 months, this monster is nearing completion.
Don