B-36 Peacemaker Group Build

I've been watching Ebay for B-36 kits... why is that 90% of them that show up on there are the first issue of the 1/72 kit... and they seemed to go way over my budget...

I got into a hole with my wings and horizontal stabs for my kit, with the heat damage, and the amount of damage inflicted by me scribing the panel lines they are pretty much trash. I've been trying to get a kit from ebay to replace them but I'm on a small budget... but ill keep watching

And if i get impatient, I'll put more consideration into doing the paint scheme that's on page 112 of Magnesium overcast. the colorful paint job they did on a couple birds at Kirkland. according to the book they used it to calibrate optical sensors on a missile range. maybe i can hang it from the ceiling in my shop and calibrate my motivation for other projects once its done...

Hi Sparks,

Did you read my "How To" on buying/selling these things on ebay thats posted early in this GB? And have you used the RB-36 Peacemaker & RB36H tricks?

RIght now there is an overabundance of 1980 kits because the SEALED pristine ones WERE going for around $100, and now every Tom, ***, and Harry who bought the kit ( and never built it ) thinks that their long opnened, weathered box, with trashed decals kit is worth $100

Which then makes those with a `97 or `08 kit think that theirs is worth $75 because they slso see the `02 kits selling for $70 all day long when they get listed.

If you havent read my ebay FAQ then read it, and hang in there to get a kit that falls through the cracks

Spark84

And if i get impatient, I'll put more consideration into doing the paint scheme that's on page 112 of Magnesium overcast. the colorful paint job they did on a couple birds at Kirkland. according to the book they used it to calibrate optical sensors on a missile range. maybe i can hang it from the ceiling in my shop and calibrate my motivation for other projects once its done...

Someone already beat you to that.

I thought that would be a cool example to have 'hanging around", but it looks like the colorful paints are on the fuselage, which doesn't help my situation anyway. the fuselage is actually coming along very nice. Im sure all the more rare paint schemes have been done at some point.

Thanks for reminding me on the Ebay tips & tricks. ive only been searching 1/72 B-36. i knew better too, Ive been around ebay for at least 15 years and used to pride myself of the stuff i would find falling through the cracks. seems i forgot how that works.

Hi Spark,

What you need is a full color/paint build. Here is a couple options for you:

Both are theoretical situations btw:

A. Build it as a WWII bomber in either a USAAF or RAF color scheme to hide the repairs to the wings.... Ive seen one built as an RAF bomber assigned to the RAF in exile flying out of  Canada to bomb Europe in a theoretical situation where England was overrun, but not one as a WWII USAAF

B. Build it in a mannor that implies the B-36 was kept in service well into the Vietnam years and paint it in a nice Camo Scheme ala the B-52`s of the Linebacker I & II operations. Ive seen one conversion build of this  where the builder built it as the B-60 implying that the B-60 was selected over the B-52. I have also seen a B-60 conversion where it was built in a mannor that it was in modern day use as the B-52H currently is.

All of those would use ALOT of paint, and for the most part hasnt been done by anyone.

If neither of those work for you, send me a PM with the exact parts you need and I`ll check it against the inventories in my scrap kits.. I should have everything you need. The only parts I wont part with are the greenhouse canopies as those are hardest parts to find.

I just remembered  I happened to have purchased a vintage photo taken during the " Open House" when those two optical test B-36`s were introduced to the public..

lajntx

Hi Reasoned, are you just going to use two different silver-ish shades of  "rattle cans" on the next go round?

 

PS... and if you need any replacement parts post clean up -- just let me know, and I`ll go pull them from "The Boneyard" LOL

Sorry la, just saw this post.

Yeah, I think I'll give the Alclad a break on round 2 and use MM Metalizers on this go around...... and I hope not to have any "parts" mishaps but glad to know where to turn if I do.

You guys are turning out some great work.  If I could have found a good deal on a 1/144 GRB-36D FICON I would have joined up but every kit out there is going for more than I wanted to pay at the time.  Maybe I'll try to trade on the other web forums for one one of these days.

Any of y'all ever get to see the one that was parked on that hill in Arlington, TX?  I remember my dad taking my brother and I to see it a couple time when we were kids.  What a giant!

Chris  

Hi Again Chris

That ebay source still has that kit with a qty of 10. It is the only known source out there for it - anywhere, right now. The price is as they say "pricey" - $44.00 BIN & $26.70 Shipping

Hobby Craft 1/144 GRB36 Ficon USAF Bomber New 1273

www.ebay.com/.../330693176385

The B-36 you in Arlington, TX you are alluding too was actually the last B-36 Produced and was retired as a display piece at the old Great Southwest Airport in Ft Worth  which closed due to the opening of DFW-International across the highway, and the plane was removed in the early 1970`s when the airport was destroyed. It is now the B-36 on display at PIMA in Tucson, AZ because the Air Force Museum moved it there due to the multiple failed attempts at opening a museum for it in Ft Worth

Here is a link to the story, and some pictures from the time of your childhood that might bring back some memories

http://www.cowtown.net/proweb/last_one.htm

http://www.airfields-freeman.com/TX/Airfields_TX_FtWorth_NE.htm

Spark84

One was to omit the jet engines, build up a in air refuel receptical and paint it with some cool nose art. This would be, the war doesn't end, we don't get jet technology, and we make fast progress on air refueling so the 36's leaving from the us could take off with More bombs, then refuel via kb-29s. .

It sound good, but I think in reality you would run into the same problems the USAAF had and the same conclusions they came too in 1943 when they tried to do the same thing with B-17`s being refuled by B-24 tankers.....

http://www.amc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123133645

1. Your war industries are already maxed and it would disrupt production to to start producing tankers and bombers with recepticals... Then  the manpower issue as you have to train them.

after all those bugs are worked out you still have problem #2 to deal with....

2. The KB-29 could only carry so much fuel in order to take off which would still not be enough to fill up the B-36 sufficiently to make the range extension worthwhile... Now if you had 2 Kb-29`s per each B-36 it might work, but that goes back to problem #1.... Production capacities and manpower issues.

lajntx

Spark84

One was to omit the jet engines, build up a in air refuel receptical and paint it with some cool nose art. This would be, the war doesn't end, we don't get jet technology, and we make fast progress on air refueling so the 36's leaving from the us could take off with More bombs, then refuel via kb-29s. .

 

It sound good, but I think in reality you would run into the same problems the USAAF had and the same conclusions they came too in 1943 when they tried to do the same thing with B-17`s being refuled by B-24 tankers.....

http://www.amc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123133645

1. Your war industries are already maxed and it would disrupt production to to start producing tankers and bombers with recepticals... Then  the manpower issue as you have to train them.

after all those bugs are worked out you still have problem #2 to deal with....

2. The KB-29 could only carry so much fuel in order to take off which would still not be enough to fill up the B-36 sufficiently to make the range extension worthwhile... Now if you had 2 Kb-29`s per each B-36 it might work, but that goes back to problem #1.... Production capacities and manpower issues.

You're right, I'm sure something like that would have been an unprecedented feat, but that's the great thing with "what-if's" you can push the bounds of fantasy if you want to!

But i also think if there was a strong enough need for something like that, they would have found a way. nothing beats good ol' fashion ingenuity.

Spark84

You're right, I'm sure something like that would have been an unprecedented feat, but that's the great thing with "what-if's" you can push the bounds of fantasy if you want to!

But i also think if there was a strong enough need for something like that, they would have found a way. nothing beats good ol' fashion ingenuity.

True, but that is why it is called fantasy.

The real issue here is when it is 1943 and it comes to  B-29`s, B-32`s, & B-36`s, it`s like a Highlander Movie... There can be only one!

There is a reason why the B-36 came out with so much magnesium and was pushed back as much as it was.... The B-29 was the priority aircraft & the B-32 was the backup leaving the 36 program with the scraps ( materials, testing, engineers, etc ) of what was left. For the 36 to have beome the front runner due to a stiff and stubbord defense by that Japs,  that would have left the B-29 as a low priority build meaning you most llikely wouldnt have seen a KB-29 due to matierial and manpower shortages. Due to the need for the amount of fuel, you most likely would see a KB-36 Tanker somewhat similar to the TAMBO concept the Air Force tinkered with in the mid 50`s. That way the 36`s could operate out of the Hawaiian Islands and be topped off somewhere between Guam & Midway for the inbound & outbound trips

Found this on YouTube today. you've probably seen it, but thought id share anyway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV_gjAkP1Ng

Thats one of Don Pyeatt`s films. Ive seen that one before and a few of the picrtures he has. The problem with that small of a  probe ( and it`s design ) is how do you manuver 2 B-36`s close enough to drop the probe down and hit the refuling receptor with avoiding the Bubble Canopy to account for?

I really dont see this working unless it is done something along the lines the Russians came up with for the TU-95, which of course would have required a complete rework of the forward fuselage, and deletion of the front turret.

I`m begining to understand more in depth why Convair & the Air Force just threw their hands in the air and admitted defeat on this issue with the B-36 as every attempt solve the issue created more problems

Hi all,

I was at a show in Yate, here in the wet 'n' windy UK, and saw a few B-36's built up and displayed together. They looked real good lined up, with a B-47, KC-97, C-130 and F-111 parked around them.

I got chatting to the club members who built them, and was amazed to see that none of them had glued the wings onto the fuselage, making storage far easier!!

Well, I bought the magnesium Overcast book, and found a 1980 kit for £30, around $45. If this GB really has no end date, I may well join in if that's OK?? I particularly like the idea of cutting the wing roots out to make it all more accurate. I just love cutting kits up!!

Regards

Nige

Hello & welcome Nige,

You are correct that there is no end date for this GB because this kit does require one to take a break from time to time.

One thing you might want to do though is check your stock decals for hairline cracks as it seems with those decals being 30+ years old I`ll give you 50/50 odds they`ll disentegrate the minute they hit water.

Warbirds puts out some nice aftermarket sheets which can be found at the front of this GB if that becomes the case for you

lajntx

Hello & welcome Nige,

You are correct that there is no end date for this GB because this kit does require one to take a break from time to time.

One thing you might want to do though is check your stock decals for hairline cracks as it seems with those decals being 30+ years old I`ll give you 50/50 odds they`ll disentegrate the minute they hit water.

Warbirds puts out some nice aftermarket sheets which can be found at the front of this GB if that becomes the case for you

Len

Thanks for the tips guys. I never intended to use the stock decals. The sheet is the size of a cigarette packet!!

I'm gonna buy some warbirds decals the next time i make an order from Hannants.

Do any of you guys not glue the wings on?

Nige

Here is a great buy on a 1989 issue "scrap kit".. Thought about buying it, but decided to give those onthis board looking for a reasonable buy a shot first..... You have 72 hrs before I buy.... If it`s still up, and close to the end... Send me a private message & I`ll hold off longer..

May the fastest buyer win!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Big-Bad-Beautiful-B-36-Peacemaker-Vintage-Model-Airplane-/261083895488?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc9d016c0

Nige

Thanks for the tips guys. I never intended to use the stock decals. The sheet is the size of a cigarette packet!!

I'm gonna buy some warbirds decals the next time i make an order from Hannants.

Do any of you guys not glue the wings on?

Nige

The ones I have built.... long ago in another life.... I glued them on. On my current builds I still plan to glue them on and construct a proper travel box for it because leaving the wings unglued makes the props more likely to be broken due to mishandling or an accident.

I know what you mean  there... I'm now considering gluing them on??

Well, I finally made a start, now I have the detail and scale book. I thought I'd start with removing the camera windows and stuff. I've now started on correcting the wing root area.

I thought long and hard on how I could ensure both wings moved down by the same amount. This is what I did, I cut the lower wing and then opened up the cut into a slot 1mm wide with a cheap sanding stick. This will guarantee both wings go down by the same amount.

This is the cut out piece placed back in the hole,.

Another angle

You may notice i've left some of the fuselage at the centreline, and have sanded the bulge off so the top of the fuselage is straight,.

Nige

Hi all,

Well, after much trimming, sanding and adding plastic card, I've got the wing roots fitted. In this picture they're just placed in. No filler or glue yet.

I can't decide whether i should glue the roots to the fuse now, or glue them to the wings??

Hi Nige

Nice job, If you are wanting 100% acuracy be sure to take a little off the top of the wing spar becaue if you leave it stock then that will have the fuel tank you will see through the open bomb bay doors hanging too low... Of course if you are going to do doors closed, then there is no reason to worry about that and you`ll have a whole larger set of problems to contend with on making those doors look right...... Aint that right reasoned?

Hi Iajn,

I don't understand... if the wing spar is in the wings, and you move the wings down to the correct position, then surely the wing spar will also be in the correct position?

I intend to have 1-4 bomb bays fully open with all the detail in them. i guess I'm gonna need to build the gun bays as well, as they can be seen through the ends of the bays?

Nige

Nige,

Here is the problem --- you are lowering the wings down, ... as you do, you are bringing the spar down as well.. The part of the spar that is visible is a fuel tank... it is now down lower inside the fuselage by however much you lowered the wings. You can correct this by sanding off the same amount off the top of the spar to keep it in proper position

As far as opening up all four bomb bays, let me find my work on that, and I`ll post that later today.

By gun bays are you refrering to the actual 20MM M24A1 Turret cannons or the gun sights the gunner would be aiming with through the blisters?

If it is the turrets-- then yes along with all the air tanks, bomb racks, bomb hoists, etc as those were all in the non pressurized bomb bays... The Gunners sights were inside pressurized compartments, and not visble.

Also, you are going to have to find a wooden dowel or plastic tube to recreate the entire run of the trolley

Part 1

How to turn a 1/72 stock RB mold into a 4 bay bomber version..

For detailing in part 2, I`ll find Lucien`s old post on how he detailed his XB-36 bays and link to that

You will need the following important things and to read the warning before proceeding:

Patience

Time

more Patience

alot more Patience

Did I mention you`ll also need LOTS of Patience?

Note: If you are additcted to caffiene, nicotine, or any other substance, then it is highly suggested that you get you fill of that before attempting this. Also, remove any annoying spouses, children, or pets from the premisis before begining. Failure to do so will cause the builder to speak in jibberish, slang French, and could lead to property damage and or injury to the model or builder leading to arrest, divorce or possible deporture by authorities.

Now that the inconsequentials are taken care of, let`s proceed with the items and materials you will need:

1 Xacto knife with an assortment of blades you like to cut with

1 large can of play-dough or 2 small cans... Clay is not recommended as it will break the prongs inside of the fuslage whe being applied

1 roll of electrical tape - any color

1 cheap jewelers necklace box - or light piece of wood the same size

1 metal ruler with Centemeters marked on it

sandpaper or file to smooth out the bay opening cuts

Note: In the pictures being presented this is from by B-36 carrier plane that took the B-58 airframe to Wright Patterson "piggy back" style. Your build will not involve the removal of the lower radome and Bay 1 will be more forward & just aft of the lower radome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxrwpur_Op8

The cutting measurements are as follows:

To cut out Bay 1.. measure forward 6.8 CM from the opening of Bay 2 of the fuselage half

To cut out Bay 4 measure back 7.4 CM form the opeing of Bay 3 of the fuselage half

Using the ruler very carefully draw on your cutting lines on the fuselage halves

Insert playdough in the fuselage half you are going to be cutting in what will become Bay4, and in Bay 1. I also recomend based on experience to fill the cockpit area with playdown to avoid breaking any of the support tabs that will be used later when the cockpit assembly is added.

This picture shows the ruler being mounted... Ignore that ( for now ) and use the picture as a guide for play dough application... and remember to fill in the cockpit area with play dough as well

In the next step you will need to mount the support block for the ruler that will be used as a cutting guide... If you are 100% confident you can cut a straight line without help... then skip this step

You will need to mount the support so the ruler can be placed on it to cut a straigh line on the cutting lines... use the stock opening to mount the support block with the electrical tape as shown:

After the support block is in place... Useing the electrical tap... Install the metal ruller so it is in position to allow you to make striaght cuts on the cutting lines

Using the ruler as a guide run the Xacto blade over the cutting lines until you have cut deep enough to snap the pieces off

Repeat other side of fuselage same as above

Suggestion: Save those pieces as later they can be used to contruct the division pannel between the fore & aft bays

When finished put both havles together and use Xacto blade to make both sides look even and sand/file edges to a smooth finish

Again... the model being demonstrated is for the B-36/B-58 combo build and a bomber build will not involve the removal of the lower radome and Bay 1 will be slightly more forward by using the proper measurements of 6.8 CM for forward  Bay1 & 7.4 CM for Aft Bay 4 as well

I think I have shown this picure before which gives you an idea of the size of the Bomb Bay of a 4 bay B-36 bomber.... This is the same fusealge used for the the B-36/B-58 combo - but the bomb has since been converted and RE-CUT to the actual measurements found described above, and you can see just how close bay 1 is to the lower radome when looking at the hole and where the bay begins

Inside the Bay is a 1/72 B-25 which is being buit as Jimmy Dolittles B-25 that bombed Japan in 1942.. To the right is the fuselage of a 1/72 B-29 that is being built as the Enola Gay that dropped the A-Bomb

Note the differences both in size and bay payload capacities.... Just imagine for a minute if these things actually dropped conventional bombs on Germany or Japan and the devasation just one bomber could have done

I moved the center wing section and tank/spar as a unit and the distance it all comes down in the bomb bay is very slight, it didn't interfere with the truss at all.  There are photos back in this GB where I did that.

John,

You are correct that it doesnt interfer, but Nige is going so far as to sand off the RB panel lines and rescribe them with Bomber ones... and wanting to acurately detail the full 4 bombays, just a suggestion that he might want the proper placement... Not that anyone would know- other than him

BTW... How`s your build going?