Variable Geometry: the Swing Wing GB

Aggieman, you should go ahead with your desert camo scheme.  As pordoi said, it can be a "what if" build.  My build is gonna be kinda of a "what if" build too.  Its a "what if Revell molded the correct details" build.  If you are a glass is half full kind of guy, it would be a "what if the plane really looked like this" build.

I can't really say anything bad about Revellogram though.  No other company would even attempt molding the aircraft they do in this scale.  They make some of the best auto models on the market too.

Aggieman

I'm researching Bones in desert scheme since this is what I've planned to do my B-1 in.  All the photographic evidence I'm finding seems to be that B-1A's were painted in the desert scheme; I've yet to find a single photo of a B-1B in this scheme.  I've seen some B's in a two-tone scheme of what appears to be dark gray and dark green but for some reason I am really fixated on this desert scheme consisting of light gray underside, a tan, dark brown and dark green upper side.  Has anyone seen any B-1B's in such a scheme?

    I believe that the desert scheme was limited to 2 of the 4 Bone prototypes; these were B-1As.  But why let that stop you.  It is an interesting camo scheme and you could do a "what if" build.  Alternatively, in its role as a strategic bomber, B-1Bs were painted in a dark gray/olive drab with dark gray/gunship gray on the underside.  And this scheme would be consistent with the nuclear payload that is provided with the Revell kit.  About the time that the START negotiations eliminated the nuclear mission of the B-1, the aircraft were painted in their current gunship gray.

Don

I'm researching Bones in desert scheme since this is what I've planned to do my B-1 in.  All the photographic evidence I'm finding seems to be that B-1A's were painted in the desert scheme; I've yet to find a single photo of a B-1B in this scheme.  I've seen some B's in a two-tone scheme of what appears to be dark gray and dark green but for some reason I am really fixated on this desert scheme consisting of light gray underside, a tan, dark brown and dark green upper side.  Has anyone seen any B-1B's in such a scheme?

I did see something interesting with reference to how it gets the nickname "Bones" - it's official nickname is of course Lancer.  B-1 = B-One = Bone.  Perhaps it's the Aggie in me but that never clicked until I saw it spelled out like that.

I was gonna post the sprue shots too.  The box has long been opened since I bought it a few years ago.  All the sprues are still in the sealed bags but a few parts have been knocked off the sprues.  I think everything is there........

morefirejules08

my F-111 is on order so hopefully it'll be here next week and although it wont be started for a while i may post up some sprue shots!!

Chris,

      That was my plan, too; to post some pre-build sprue shots when this GB is officially started.   Look forward to seeing your photos.

Don

my F-111 is on order so hopefully it'll be here next week and although it wont be started for a while i may post up some sprue shots!!

cheers, chris

Wingman_kz

Sorry, don't want to complicate things. With the price they have on some of these kits they're hard to pass up.

And they're the only shop in town that stocks Tamiya paints.

Hey, I use the same line on my wife    Oh, and this extra kit?...  Uhh, the owner threw it at me as I was leaving, saying something about what a good customer I've been.  ....  Really!  I swear!! 

Don

Sorry, don't want to complicate things. With the price they have on some of these kits they're hard to pass up. And they're the only shop in town that stocks Tamiya paints.

Tony

Alright, seems to be a consensus to go with the revised version.  I'll re-size and add it to the intro message on page 1.  When builds are completed, you can go there and grab a copy of the Badge for your signature line.  But please host it on your individual accounts.  Thanks.

I'll also update the Introduction page to ensure that it is current.  Although Wingman seems to be finding new kits everyday, so that may be a challenge... .  OK Wingman, put your hands in the air, take a deep breath, and slowly step away from the Hobby Shop...

But it's great to see the enthusiasm to get started.  Got to admit though, I have already opened the B-1B box and layed out all the sprues and aftermarket stuff on the bench just to look at for a few minutes.  It's those Eduard PE burner cans that are most intimidating...

Don

Hey, I found another one today. lol  1/72 Hasegawa for either Italian camo or Marinefleiger. Hidden under a bunch of other stuff at the shop. Also an RoG Eye of the Tiger version but they wanted too much for it. Just about got all the paints together and am ready to roll.

Looking forward to this and seeing the builds progress. I think the badge looks good.

Tony

It looks better without the "the".   Good job.

im liking without the "the"

So it looks like we'll have some action right from the start.  That will be good.  And Wingman appears to have plans for a few really fancy aircraft with lizard camo, etc.  That will be a fun one to watch.

I modified the badge; here's the original and new version (without the "the").  Any preference?

original:

revised:

Don

The Tornado is sounding like its gonna look pretty slick.  I have been itching to start this thing for a few days.  I had a few car models that were half done when this GB idea came up.  I have since finished them and started another car because I can't stop building.  I can finish a car in like 2 weeks so the timing should work out pretty good.

I'm ready to start right now. But I'm waiting. My first one is gonna be the RoG 1/72 Black Thunder Tornado but there's decals in the kit for a version with the Luftwaffe Lizard camo and that's the one I'll be doing. I think there are some weapons that are compatible with that version in the GR.1 RAF kit. I have that one on hand also so hopefully I can get a correct loadout for both between them. I'm undecided on whether to do the RAF version or the Boelcke 50th anniversary second. Been practicing with the airbrush trying to get ready for the paint scheme on the Boelcke version and it's going to require a lot of practice with masking and color matching. That's pretty much been the extent of my research so far, finding the correct colors.

They're supposed to be nice kits and look it, I just hope they go together well. I'm fairly new to aircraft and this will be my first group build. I signed up for one between 2 and 3 years ago and wasn't able to participate. I'll do better this time. I hope to get a couple Tornados built, maybe more. I'd like to do the Italeri Black Panther version too. Then there's Israeli and Italian camos, Tigermeets...

Tony

PS...I'm partial to the Tomcat badge...

My build will start late cause i'm working on my MV-22 Osprey and going on vacation in June. I did however already order the and recieved the decals for my Cat. Just need to order some detail and wheels. I'll try to get on it as soon as I can though.

Don, I will probably get out of the gates fairly quickly.  I started a target build today of a German King Tiger tank, but it's OOB and probably will be done before the first of June.  But like everything else, that depends on how much time I can actually get at the bench.

My plan is to do the Tornado first because it is small and should be a real quick build, then start on the B-1.

    OK.  Tell you what; the file is on my work computer (I did it during lunch break!  I swear!! ).  I'll tweak it to move (or remove) the "the" and post for your approval or disapproval early next week.  After all, you are the guys that will be displaying the badge, so chime in now with suggestions or new ideas.

    We're about 2 weeks away from starting.  I know that several of our colleagues have already stated that they need to finish existing projects before starting on this.  I'm really looking forward to following everyone's projects and I'm especially looking forward to see the P-1101 from Bish, the aircraft that started the swing wing technology.  But, I'll have to wait for that.  As for me, I'm ready to go on June 1 with all the aftermarket fiddly bits and decals for the B-1 already here.  Anyone else planning to make a fast break from the starting block?  How 'bout you other Bone heads?  Will we be following three B-1B builds simultaneously?  We also have several Tomcats on the agenda, and a couple of Tornados (or is it tornadoes?... No political jokes, now...)  

    Only thing left to do is to try recruiting some MiG fans to represent the Soviet swing wingers....

Don

Medicman, being in Houston I have to figure you've run into a few Aggies.  To be an Aggie requires thick skin given the fact that we are the butt of a lot of bad jokes (many started by Aggies too).  So no offense taken ... and I already pointed out that I actually like Pordoi's better than mine too!

I like Pordoi's as well. No offence Aggieman. I like how it shows the wings in the different angles. So that's my vote.

That's a tough call.  I like Aggieman's because I plan on building the B-1 Lancer.  I like Pordoi's because the F-14 is my favorite jet.     I can't decide.   I like them both the same.

I like both, but I like the F-14 one, cause that is what I am building.

Actually I like Don's better too. 

pordoi's gets my vote although the "the"  looks a bit odd and out of place

well thats my anyway

Beat me to the punch, Aggieman.  I was working on a badge also; thinking along the same lines as you.  came up with this:

Let's see if anyone else chimes in with other ideas, then let the group decide.

Don

I haven't seen a GB badge yet so I put one together for the group's evaluation.

If the group elects to use it, I only ask that each member host it themselves for their own signature lines.

raptordriver

Sorry I had to ask if this would be fun or not, I can't tell you how many GBs I have seen ruined cause of bad leaders.

So you were saying The Pressure's On.

Hey, I'll do my best to keep things lively and moving along.  But always open for suggestions of there's something you think can be improved. 

Don

Whoops I forgot, you have assumed correctly the Tomcat is 1/48.

Sorry I had to ask if this would be fun or not, I can't tell you how many GBs I have seen ruined cause of bad leaders.

So you were saying The Pressure's On.

raptordriver

If you promise this will be a fun GB, then put me down for a Revell F-14A.

Not be fun????  How can it not be fun if you're already drivin' an F-22?  We welcome your F-14A.  What scale?  Assume 1/48?   You're already on the list.... pressure's on..

Don