B-36 Peacemaker Group Build

Thanks for the link Teutonic. I was planning on scratchbuilding the plugs but this is a great alternative if I decide to go with a featherweight III. I wonder if there is any kind of a discount when purchasing a set of 6. I like the landing gear in flight. I suppose one could us a low tack cement on the wheels to be able to interchange the landing gear depending on if you want it on the ground or in flight. 

I'm currently scratch building the bomb bay racks and ribbing. Good thing I have lots of reference material. I will try to figure out how to post photos on this forum so I can show some of the progress I am making.

Dutch Holland: "Don't tell me you've rigged up this great big thing so it'll fly?"

Sgt. Bible: "Well if it doesn't, it'll be my neck."

Click2detail has 3-D printed Featherweight III radome plugs. I asked them to produce Featherweight plugs with the small rectangular windows and main landing gear with the proper droop (listed as "Landing Gear In Flight") about 3 years ago. They did a great job. 

The Featherweight III plastic is transparent so you can just mask off the metallic part of the plug and you'll have a window.

You can find them at https://www.shapeways.com/shops/click2detail?section=Monogram+B-36&s=0 along with a lot of other specialty B-36, NB-36H, and XB-36 pieces.

My photos are back in the forum dated around mid-2014 or a little later, I think. We moved about 3 years ago and I haven't set up my home office yet, so my B-36 is still packed in a special coffin case. I can't finish it until it's hanging. Then I can add the superdetails to the outside.

Good luck with your build. Great aircraft. Great forum.

I just came across this group build recently. I've been a B-36 fan for 25 years now and have collected lots of materials related to this great plane over that time. I built a nice Monogram B-36 in the 1990's but ended up selling it once I found out I had built a cross between a B and RB. In retrospect, I should have kept it since it was a nice clean build. 

All these years later I have 7 kits which are itching to get built. Thanks to this forum I have decided to build one of these kits. I want to build a true bomber version with open bomb bays. I have narrowed my choices to either a B-36H Featherweight II or III, or a B-36J Featherweight III. I plan on painting it with the post-1955 white undersides. Markings will be either 42nd BW, 95th BW, or most likely the late 7th BW markings. I would also consider using the 6th BW markings if someone would produce them.

I have already sanded off the forest of antenna fairings (except the three up front on each side), sanded the photo windows, and filled in the depressions behind the large forward radome. The larger bomb bays have been cut out and I will begin to scratchbuild the interior of the bomb bays. So far so good. I am taking my time on this because experience has taught me that haste makes waste.

When I finish this project, I would also like to tackle an RB-36H with 28th SRW markings. I already have a fuselage with the windows cut out. This will not likely be any time soon.

I would like to say thank you to all of you who have posted here for inspiring me to get this mamoth project off the ground. We need to have more Magnesium Overcasts hanging from our ceilings. Checklist complete!

I think I can help you with the decals you are looking for B36 Fan.  Shoot me a PM and I'll confirm I have these in the "decal dungeon" :)

-Derek

Hello, all.

I've posted elsewhere on the forum about my attempt to build a Monogram B-36 model in honor of my father, who was a mechanic on the aircraft at Ramey and Fairchild in the early 1950s. 

I'm looking for a bit of assistance.  I want to identify the plane as one from the 92nd BW at Fairchild. 

I recently located an old decal set (SM28) which includes three tail numbers (492032, 492072, 492084) and squadrons (325th, 326th, 327th).  I would like to match the tail number to the correct squadron.

Here is where the issue begins...

492032 crashed 3/29/54 at Fairchild AFB during takeoff practice abort. 7 killed, 3 survivors  (not the best example for my model)

492072 was actually assigned to the 42nd BW at Loring AFB.

492084 was in the 92nd BW, but I can find nothing that identifies which squadron.

I saw earlier on this thread that some folks were using the 72002 decal set, which includes markings for several B-36 versions. 

That set includes tail number 492065.  The decal instructions misidentify that plane as belonging to the 42nd BW, but it was a Fairchild 92nd BW 326th bird. 

If anyone who purchased that set did not use those decals, I would be willing to buy them from you.  I hate to pay $20 for the entire set, when I only need a couple.  All I really need are the 'W' with tail number and the red/yellow flashes. 

Thanks in advance!

B-36Andy

Also could ya'll check the buzz numbers on that beast, from that You Tube vid? I think I know what it is but I need to see if my eyes actually see what you see----???

In case you haven't decided yet, the buzz number looks to me like 046, but I could easily be wrong. The video is rather grainy

viking73

I'm also still filling and sanding the prop hubs 

What for? When I built mine, I did not do anything of that sort.

Thanks for the kind words Tony.

Okay, now that the tail radome is ready to go, I've turned my attention to the front gun turret bay.  The Pavla resin set is quite nice and worth the $$$ in my opinion.

Here is the kit all laid out after I washed it to remove any mold release agent still on the resin:

I'm not going to add any of the turrets or interior bits until final assembly.  With that in mind, I shot the "pit" with some interior green and gave it an oil wash:

Now this is where things get interesting.  I am ready to cut the fuselage behind the cockpit to add the gun turret pit.  I checked the location but placing the lower cockpit in place the gun turret pit right behind it.  Here's what it looks like:

As you can see, the turret pit is a little off in relation to the molded in gun bay doors on the Monogram fuselage...  I thought about removing some of the cockpit floor so that I could move the back wall a bit farther towards the nose.  The only problem there is that there isn't much room - too much and the wall interfere with the sighting blister opening.  I don't see many other options.  Perhaps the resin gun turret doors will hide this fact when they are placed open on the model.  I need to study my reference photos a bit more and decide how to proceed.

In the meantime, I've glued all ten wheels together and shot them with some tire black.  I need to paint the hubs but it's been so hot here in Texas this week.  I'm also still filling and sanding the prop hubs 

Thanks for looking.

-Derek

Nice work Derek.

Cheers

Tony

Hi Group,

It's been while since I posted anything here but I've dusted off my B-36 recently and I've been tinkering with it on the bench for the past week or so...

I went ahead and ordered this part from Click2detail:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/DVF3ZF2JM/1-72-xb-36-and-early-b-36-apg-3-antenna?productConfiguration=64896305&etId=186642155&utm_source=automated-contact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=order-shipped&utm_content=5

It arrived a few days ago and it's pretty nifty I must say.  Here's a few photos.  It's a nicely 3D printed single radome for the early RB-36F I'm doing.  It's a bit rough of course, so I'm sure it needs some careful sanding and maybe a coat of Mr Surface primer.

One must remove the portion of the tail under the rudder for the new tail radome piece to fit.

So using my Dremel tool, razor saw, sanding sticks, and files I removed the portion of the port fuselage half to check the fit.

And here's a shot with the 3D part in place.  This looks great and will look even better once it is faired in and smoothed over.

That's about it for now.  I've just glued together all the props and I'm about to fill and sand the seam between the front and rear prop hubs.  Which looks fun...

-Derek

One day I would love to have the HPH kit, as the mighty B-36 has always intrigued me. sadly the $500+ price tag is a bit hard to overcome. hopefully I can see pictures of one finished soon.

Hi guys!

I got my B-36 back in January and have been wondering how to tackle this kit! Thanks for posting!!

A little background on some of it----HpH used the Russian plans that came from ??? (possibly lifted during the 50s?) to do their detail parts and place details on the wings, etc. Also the large parts of wings and fusalage may be from their old molds that were done a few years ago when they didn't have the good Russian plans. These Russain plans may be innacurate in some areas as is reflected in the oil coolers. Also the leading edge air intakes were of different shape and width and this is not reflected in the kit---they are all the same width. Maybe we will find more inaccuracies as we build.

Keep in mind that ANY plans of the B-36 were rare and hard to get throughout the years. I thought I would scratch build a model 3 years ago--- contacted General Dynamics and their archives could not locate the wing rib profiles for the 36. Good plans are almost non existant. 

As I fly sailplanes, I know HpH makes fiberglas glider wings for different companies throughout Europe. The whole wing and fusalage assembly of the B-36 model is a miniature glider wing assembly! Very cool!!

As a kid, we drove by 100s of B-36s everday for about 3 years---some were as close as 30 feet away. You get very familiar with these birds as a kid-----and remeber lots of details! I could hardly wait for that drive each day!

I am blessed to have kit #1 as I began writing to HpH when they were just thinking about doing this model.

I want to do a model of ship 1345 that was based at Carswell AFB in 1954 and buzzed my house one Fall afternoon! Its on You Tube "B-36 Buzz Job", caught on film by the pilots wives!

I have several kits in the 35 inch wingspan range and will probably build a cabinet to hold them.   Also have a 1/48th scale Millennium Falcon and it is going to get a coffe table built.  

Too much to build not enough time. 

Thanks, Paul.  I did see your review on the HPH kit.  Given that I had to build a custom cabinet to hold the Monogram kit I don't see the HPH kit on my bench.  If I didn't have so many other models of good size I still want to build it might be more attractive, though.

Hey John!  That is a nice looking B-36 you built there.  My old Monogram kit is "someplace" at this point and with the new kit I just got it will probably stay there.

As to the "NEW" kit it is the HPH monster.  If you are interested there is an out of box review I posted at Modelers Alliance.  Here is the link  http://www.modelersalliance.org/forum/news-reviews/153902-giant-hph-b-36-in-1-48th-scale

Howdy Everone, so I finally get out of the hospital and what'sup with photo bucket? and is everybody else still watching this when I first started my conversion? I started on the fuslage rear retractable tail wheel assembly, what a monster this is i'm trying to make it functionable. I finally found some wheel/tire assemblies that I can make resin copies of. So long for now Magoo  

Thanks to all of you for your answers and advice. Very useful remarks about the built.

I will try to get some of the books for further reference but I might get back to you when I am finallly ready to get started on the Behemoth.

Ingo

Hello Ingo,

A few more points. I'd also recommend Convair B-36 Peacemaker: A Photo Chronicle by Meyers K. Jacobsen and B-36 in action by Squadron/Signal Publications (Aircraft No. 42). 

Page 53 in Jacobsen's book has a good underside photo of a B-36H so you can see the white/metallic areas.

Page 32 of the Squadron book shows some of the ECM antenna on an RB-36H. Also, I believe your kit has the bra-style (i.e., two cone) rear radome. Some B-36H and all B-36Js as far as I know had the later AN/APG-41A radome (a single wide style rather than two separate cones). FYI, the Squadron book on page 32 shows the radome designs. Your safe using the two cone radome unless you want to build a B-36J.

Good luck

I think the best references are the books authored by Dennis Jenkins on the B-36.  Here are two that I found useful.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/899208.Magnesium_Overcast

https://www.amazon.com/B-36-Photo-Scrapbook-Dennis-Jenkins/dp/1580070752

Hi Ingo,

Welcome to the forum. I've been absent for quite a while due to a move (which isn't quite complete yet). I've superdetailed a B-36 (photos are posted in this forum). Here are some answers to your questions.

1. The wings were also painted white on the undersides, but not completely. I dont' have a good picture to post, but a search on the internet will uncover some good shots of what is white and what is natural metal.

2. The bomb bay is completely wrong. Click2detail has a 3D printed replacement (doors closed). I just checked and their website is undergoing some long term maintenance, but you can contact Chris at click2detail(at)click2detail(dot)com.

3. If you decide to do a featherweight, I had Click2detail create window panel conversion plugs. However, I recommend leaving the aft lower observation bubbles in place. Most commanders wanted someone to physically see the props and flaps while flying if needed.

4. If you decide to show the aircraft with wheels down, but still flying, I also had Click2detail create new landing gear that have the proper droop. You still supply the wheels.

5. I assume you are talking about the little oval shapes along the fuselage. They were for ECM antennas/transmitters (if my terminology is correct). They were on B-36H as well as, I believe, all versions. However, they were not all the same. I'm not sure that anyone other than rivet counters would ever know which ones were on which version. The info is out there, you'll just need to check for your particular version. I can recommend an easy upgrade that will make your model look better. Wherever you want to have the antennas drill a small hole. Cut about a 1/8" long portion of a plastic oval-shaped toothpick and sand the cut edges a little rounded. Dip the narrow end into CA glue and stick it in the hole so about 1/16" sticks out. Paint it white. My earlier photos don't show those because I won't install them until I hang my model.

6. Yes, the B-36H bombardier's window was plated over. The center circle should be black (with a silver frame). The small circle to the starboard side of the center circle should be metallic. And the top-most trapezoidal in the second ring of windows on the starboard side should also be metallic.

7. The canopy blister on  top was for navigation. It is clear, but has a large metallic frame around it.

8. There are lots of additional details you can add. I went a little nuts and made some of my decals for extra things that are covered in the aftermarket decal sheets. I also added the formation lights along the wings and fuselage (white and blue). Model railroad shops carry the right size. 

Hope this helps. Enjoy the model and try to maintain your sanity. It can be very frustrating at time.

Hi Group,

I have aquired a Revell/Monogram RB/B-36 which I think is the 1997 edition. Although it is not yet the time to start the kit, I have already begun to gather some stuff for it - and information. As nearly always with kits and aircraft I am not too familiar with the question pile up rather quickly.

Here's what I got so far:

The kit as mentioned - complete but the decals heavily yellowed.

Squadron/Signal B-36 in action

Pavla Front gun turrets and compartment

Warbird decals 72-003 (walkways a.s.o.)

Warbird decals 72-031 (various Peacemakers)

I am sorry but I was not able to read the nearly 30 pages here and so it would be nice if may be someone could point out what needs to be done to get the kit as accurate as possible.

I want to make a B-36H because the bomber version of the kit is labeled as an "H".

My Warbirds-sheet has B-36H 50-1086 "Miss Featherweight" on it but as far as I understand the Featherweight aircraft had the guns removed, so I think this one's out (of course I want to install the Pavla set)

Another one is the  EB-36H 51-5726 Test Group (Atomic). Would that be an option or is there something special about the EB-36? And I must say I would prefer the large US AIR FORCE writing on the fuselage plus white undersides....

The rest are an RB-36E and a B-36D...hmmm....may be some other B-36H can be made from the existing decals of the sheet.

Things I wonder about:

- White undersides: Is it only the fuselage and horizontal stabilators or the wings as well?

- Bomb Bay (I will have it closed). Looks strange in the kit, only one bomb bay.

- Canopy blister (on top). Is that not a 'real' blister to look out of? It seems so flat and according to instructions is to be painted over.

- all the little antenna mounts that line the fuselage sides. Are they (or some) used for a B-36H or are they only for the RB-36?

-should the bombardiers round window be 'plated over' on a B-36H?

This is how far I've come by now but of course would appreciate any further information about what needs to be done to correct the kit. That is, to the best of my ability

Mostly, I worry about the aircraft to chose. When buying Warbirds' 72-031 I did not think about all the different versions it contains...

As you can see, I would appreciate any help I can get for this built. I tried to get the "Detail & Scale" about the B-36, but no luck yet. I am off for a model show over the coming weekend so may only be able to reply here on Monday. May be I get the 'Detail & Scale" there or may be the Warpaint issue for the Peacemaker. I found the "...in action" to be only of limited use so far. But that may change when I know where to look and what for.

Thanks and bye for now,

Ingo

-

Reasoned

Andy, fascinating story on your close-up childhood encounters with the B-36. As far as finish goes, I haven't mastered Alclad yet but those who have get an excellent finish with it.  I used MM metalizers (aluminum, magnesium, etc.,) from rattle cans on my build because it’s easy to shoot, they hold up well after sealing and that's what I was used to. I've attached a picture which shows the various color variations.

 

Note: 1/72 scale Spit for size comparison.

 

Below: B-36's final resting place...my son's BR ceiling.

 

 

Hey Gents,

I saw a great file photo of a B-36 in a news story

about a guy finding a lost nuke:

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2016/11/07/canadian-man-may-have-found-cold-war-lost-nuke.html

;D

Andy,

Now that sounds interesting. The bigger the better for me as I don't do very good in the now smaller 1/72 scale. Maybe I could make a 1/48 visually more presentable.

Cheers,

Roger 

Thanks roger for the heads up!

I think I've heard that a Chech company is making a fiberglass kit with resin detail.

It may be released in 2017. 

Hi,

I seem to remember reading on the internet that this is a completed model and not a kit for building. Price wasn't given but I think it was available from Japan.

Roger

Hey Reasoned!

Thanks for the reply! I am now sanding leading edges and learned to use super glue for this. This has been a super learning experience!

B-36Andy

I have a couple of questions----Did you use MM non buffing metalic colors? Also what did you use for a clear coat over the silver? I would like to try your technique for a finish. Are the rattle cans the same paint as the bottled stuff? I would like to airbrush.

 

Yes, I used the "non-buffing" version and used the MM Metalizer Sealer over them. I'm not sure it's a whole lot different than the Glosscote product but the cost was about the same.  The reason you need the sealer is although the Metalizers go on well, they have a tendency to easily rub off.  I would think the AB version is the same as rattle can but again, I'm lazy and don't like cleaning the AB.