B-36 Peacemaker Group Build

Okay, pasting the link doesn't work. Now I'll try (again) the "insert  image" method again that I have tried two or three times before.

Here goes another photo upload attempt. I'll try one by just including the link.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25391811@N02/10812384474/sizes/l/

I sent an email to Chris at Click2detail regarding producing blister window replacements for B-36J-III (Featherweight IIIs). I decided I want to blank out the top 4 blisters with disks and square windows and leave the lower blisters to build it as it came from the factory. Haven't come up with a good way to make the round and slighly bowed panels. I sent a sketch to Chris and await an answer. If I ever figure out how to post pictures, I'll post my drawing to (it isn't to scale, but gives a general idea of the concept).

Hey, has anyone tried PropBlur or the clear disks with airbrushed prop blur on them. Since I'll be hanging mine up coming in for a landing, I'm considering a prop blur. Just don't know if it's worth the effort. PropBlur has cost considerations. Or I can make my own clear disks and either inkjet print the prop blur or airbrush it. I don't know if it's really that big a deal for an aircraft hanging in my office.

Thanks for the new crew members. I'll try to keep their drinking to a minimum pre-flight.

I agree. I'm already abandoning that idea. Plus, I don't think there is a clean way of opening the other landing gear bay door (the one that closes once the gear is down). If I can't open that bay (which is currently molded), no one would see the crew man inside the wing kicking the gear down anyway. Ah, to dream.

Speaking of "Rounding the Prop tips", there was a question in my in box about what did that mean.

As you notice in the kit that the Props have square tipped blades. When the B-36 program was begun, the early ones produced had rounded blades as such:

Story also done by the local CBS station on this:

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/video/6124491-through-the-lens-museum-moves-b-36-bomber/

Later as the program developed and advanced, the props were changed to the square design for better efficiency. You can get the reasons for the switch explained in greater detail in the first few minutes of the dedication ceremony above. As the A`s & B`s were converted over to RB-36 D`s & E`s, they retained their round tips. The YB-36 was the first early craft to be converted to RB-36E, and from this picture taken in the early 1960`s when it was on display outside at the old National Museum of the AF, you can see this better

Look Reasoned... It`s a Luftwaffe plane!

Another question I have been asked is why was there never a B-36C?

Simple answer... It never made it past the concept stage. The C was going to be test to see how the B-36 would do if it was changed from pusher engines to traditional props in the front. An idea being advanced was figuring out had to rig it with turbo props ( much like the TU-95 later would have ), but with the Jet bombers in research, and Convair having to dedicate most of it`s resources into getting the B-36 as produced into full production... the idea was scrapped

Reasoned

$10!  Even I wouldn't pass that up……… I think. 

I see you got one of those two bladed props there laj, that will make an interesting fix, will be watching with great interest.

Since I have to round the blades, I`ll very delicately round the square tip of the broken blade before taking some packing styrophone sheets to rig up some sort of jig to hold it in place when I re-glue it back to the prop.

That sounds too hard....... I know an easier way!

I have about  12-15 of those kits ranging from unopened & pristine to someone else`s partially built one that is now nothing more than spare parts stashed off in a closet.  Since some kits will be built without the props. I think I *MIGHT* be able to find a spare in one of those kits 

$10!  Even I wouldn't pass that up……… I think. 

I see you got one of those two bladed props there laj, that will make an interesting fix, will be watching with great interest.

So here we go, I`m finally going to start that base build RB-36 that I have been saying for a couple of years to get a feel for this kit. This will be a basic "stock build" with nothing elaborate, and will only use parts that came with the kit - other than decals. No seem filling, no expensive painting, and no fixing of "errors" ( other than minor ones such as rounding the prop blades ) made by the manufacturer.

I`ll be building RB-36E serial number 44-92020 which began life as a B-36A.  This was the 19th B-36 frame built by Convair, and the 17th Production B-36 produced. It was  delivered to the Air Force in Sep `48 . In 1950, this craft was returned to Convair`s Ft Worth plant where it was largely disassembled and "remanufactured" into an RB-36. Since it was a conversion of an "A" model over to an RB it was classified as an "E" instead of a "D" which was orignally build as an RB. Most "B" models were sent to Convair`s facility in San Diego to undergo this same conversion, due to Ft Worth being at max production,  where they were converted over to the full "D" standard. Later this craft was updated to a class II Featherweight standard and remained in service with the 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Travis AFB until it`s retirement  in 1956. It was as part of the first B-36`s to be retired and sent to Davis Monthan for scrapping and reclaimation. A temporary dip in the economy which caused funding delays in B-52 procurments, and the need to have spare B-36 parts because they were needed for a few more years of service,  saved the eventual scrapping of this craft until late in Fiscal Year 1957 cycle. 

With the history out of the way, lets take a look at the kit being used.

I selected a 1989 kit I picked up at a yard sale for $10 ---- Yes Reasoned -- $10!

It`s a good price, but as you can see the stock decals are yellowed & trashed due to age and improper storage.

Oh well, thankfully Warbirds has the replacement on one of their sheets

Moving right along into the physical inspection of the nearly 25 year old kit.

Only One prop is broken..... Not bad.

These little guys were so happy to be free they had themselves a breakdance party!

Soon they will join their comrads and be on their way to Teutonic222.

Next session: Adding support to the wing spar

Teutonic222

Thanks for the background on the mod. Is it possible to thin down the Click2detail bay before installing it into the wing? I guess unless the Click2detail bay has a lot more detail beyond just the port, it might not be worth it.

It has the inner wing detail, but you are probably going to better off by crafting those details with materials you can build into the wing " as is " to replicate them. It just seems very time consuming to do that major of a surgery, then only have to replace the lost details on the landing gear dimple on the wing.

The simplest way is to open a photobucket account, upload the pic on there, then copy & past  the direct link URL into the insert picure box. Time consuming at first yes, but you get the hang of it quicky, and you also build a safe free way to save your pictures from loss.

Not sure how to explain (because I'm a tech noob) but when I use Flickr, I have to make sure I click on the photo, then in the far lower right of the photo screen, there are icons and one that looks like 3 dots (furthest to right)- if you click on it it has multiple choices, choose "view all sizes".  Once the photo is in the "large 1024" format, copy that URL link (which is a heck of a lot easier for us Mac users).  Hope that helps. 

Okay. What am I doing wrong. I go into "Use rich formatting." I click on the "Insert Pic" icon. I get the pop up window to paste in the URL link to my photos (3 total). The links show up in the box. I click on "Post" and I get nothing but the text above.

Here goes my second attempt at posting pics. I'm using Flickr, so I hope that works.

Thought I would share some photos of my completed International Space Station and docked Space Shuttle Endeavor. The Shuttle orbiter at least had five motors; a lot more than the B-36 if you count the control thrusters too. (Forgive the broken office window -- the mower nailed the outer glass with a really big rock - or - it could have been a meteorite). I hope my photo posts below work.

That's what I thought I did the last time. I'll try it again.

Yeah, trying to post pics here can be a challenge, you have to post link after clicking the "insert image" icon in the "Use rich formatting" section.

How do you post photos on in this forum? I intended to write a New Post for this Group Build and include some photos of my ISS & Space Shuttle model. However, I found out New Post does not create a new post within the Group Build forum. Secondly, I followed their instructions and linked to my Flickr page with the appropriate URLs to get the photos, but they don't show up. This seems to be a very technically awkward forum from my experience.

Thanks for the background on the mod. Is it possible to thin down the Click2detail bay before installing it into the wing? I guess unless the Click2detail bay has a lot more detail beyond just the port, it might not be worth it.

lajntx

Teutonic222

Thanks lajntx. For added realism I thought about sticking one crew member in the wing looking for blown fuses or kicking down the landing gear. Now that I typed that last line, the concept of peering up into the main gear bay and seeing a guy in there isn't a half bad idea. Bet there isn't anyone else who's modeled that concept.

What you might do is send an email to Chris at click2detail. He makes a piece you add to the upper wings for the 110"  wheels that has the wheel well details and the port hole which crewmen would crawl out of to inspect the landing gear. It would require MAJOR amputation surgery on the top part of the wing to install it. You wouldnt need the lower wing part because you are keeping the roller skate wheels and not doing a big wheel build.  Not sure what he would charge for that though.... Doesnt hurt to ask if it interests you.

I made it home tonight, and it looks like that idea isnt a really good one because those XB/YB conversion pieces are for a conversion of the kit to the 110" main landing gear. The piece ( with major surgery & grafting  will fit and give you that inner detail you are looking for

BUT.........

You lose the big dimple on the topside of the wing, that had to be added when the roller skate landing gear was adopted

Here is the stock wing showing both sides ( Ignore the lower larger wheel well part that is being shown ) :

Now with the part sitting on top of the wing in the approximate position that will have to be removed to install:

Thanks. I'll reach out to Chris and see what he says.

Sounds like you ought to ask Chris at Click2detail to redraw the whole model on AutoCad and 3D print the kit. It is a beautiful airplane, even though its take off run was on par with a Canada Goose. I think new aircraft are a lot like new autos, they all look the same nowadays (I'm sounding like an old guy and I'm not that old). The Cold War era and earlier seemed to have more style. Unfortunately, design optimization for aerodynamics and performance will tend to make everything look similar after a while.

I've been lucky to have worked on a lot of military aircraft and spacecraft in my time; more than most  (F-15, F-16, F/A-18C/D, F/A-18E/F, F-22, F117, F35, B2, C130, C5, A-12, A-29, E-8, X-29, AH-1S, CH-47, UH-60, AH-64D, AW109, Lynx, International Space Station, Space Shuttle, and lot of satellites, to name a few). Starting with the JSF they started to look alike. I was even involved with a concept to begin producing an up-engined version of the P-51 as a fighter aircraft for developing nations. I suspect the biggest problem was that when they started the new more powerful engine the plane almost wanted to flip over due to torque.

Teutonic222

Thanks lajntx. For added realism I thought about sticking one crew member in the wing looking for blown fuses or kicking down the landing gear. Now that I typed that last line, the concept of peering up into the main gear bay and seeing a guy in there isn't a half bad idea. Bet there isn't anyone else who's modeled that concept.

Teutonic222

I remember building a B-47 model when I was a kid, but don't think it was a Hasegawa. It seemed to go together rather easily. I actually saw one fly at Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico in 1972. In 15 minutes, 7 different aircraft took off including a B-47. Didn't even know they were still flying them then, but found out recently that was either the last year or just about so. Didn't think the thing would clear the trees at the end of the runway. The best part was that I was standing just outside the taxi way watching it all. The benefits of having a brother in the Navy Air Corps.

What makes that kit hard is you have to get the wings attached perfectly otherise you`ll have one wing higher/lower than the other, and since the model rests on the outrigger wheels on the wings... If that balance isnt right, you`ll have a model that leans to one side and doesnt look good. Also, if you dont put the fuselage together perfectly.... Forget about getting the wings right. Pretty much it`s once you mess something up ( like putting the wing spar in upside down LOL!    )..... The rest of the build from then on will be off and the final product will sit lopsided.

The B-47 was used by the Navy as a test bed craft until 1976, with the Air Force phasing them out  starting in 1963 with most operational aircraft out of service by 1965. The last USAF B-47 was grounded in 1969. The final flight was in 1986 with one of the Navy`s retired ones when it was decided it was easier to simply make the craft flyable and fly it to the museum rather than disassemble it  to move and reassemble it at the museum.

I picked up 3 of those kits for a song and a dance a few years ago at an overstock place for a song and a dance. I looked at one, dry fitted it together...and havent touched it since. I gave the other two to Chris at Click2detail so he could use them to make parts for some aftermarket kits he`s going to put out.

Thanks lajntx. For added realism I thought about sticking one crew member in the wing looking for blown fuses or kicking down the landing gear. Now that I typed that last line, the concept of peering up into the main gear bay and seeing a guy in there isn't a half bad idea. Bet there isn't anyone else who's modeled that concept.

I remember building a B-47 model when I was a kid, but don't think it was a Hasegawa. It seemed to go together rather easily. I actually saw one fly at Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico in 1972. In 15 minutes, 7 different aircraft took off including a B-47. Didn't even know they were still flying them then, but found out recently that was either the last year or just about so. Didn't think the thing would clear the trees at the end of the runway. The best part was that I was standing just outside the taxi way watching it all. The benefits of having a brother in the Navy Air Corps.

Teutonic222

lajntx. I think I sent you a message (or started a conversation) with my address. Let me know if you don't get it and I'll go back to the drawing board on how to send a message in this forum.

Regarding realism, I thought I might add some lighter fluid to an engine nacelle and periodically set it on fire to get that realistic B-36 look.

I got it, and will get those out via USPS as soon as I can in the next couple of weeks. I dont think that will be enough realism though. Though the B-36 was often referred to as : "Six turnin` & 4 burnin`" the inside joke with many that were around them was it was really: " 2 turning, 2 burnin`, 2 chokin`, 2 jokin`,  & 2 smokin` "

Reasoned

Teutonic222

Hey Reasoned. I'm glad I offered some inspiration to get back working on the paint removal. Have you tried Earl Scheib?

Ha!  Not yet but I've thought of (or tried) just about everything else.  My advice after going through this is……Don't!  

Looking forward to seeing some action in here to inspire me to push this across the goal line.

Now, Now, This kit isnt THAT bad....Not easy, and definately not for the casual builder. But like I said in an earlier post..... If you have a saddistic side an really want to torture yourself with a kit that mocks you with insults every step of the way, then this is the one.....

The first Mocking you will get is under the US Air Force Jet Bomber it claims to be " Easy to assemble" 

Ive thought about at some point doing a GB of that and calling it: " Inside the Belly of the Beast Build " 

Teutonic222

Hey Reasoned. I'm glad I offered some inspiration to get back working on the paint removal. Have you tried Earl Scheib?

Ha!  Not yet but I've thought of (or tried) just about everything else.  My advice after going through this is……Don't!  

Looking forward to seeing some action in here to inspire me to push this across the goal line.

lajntx. I think I sent you a message (or started a conversation) with my address. Let me know if you don't get it and I'll go back to the drawing board on how to send a message in this forum.

Regarding realism, I thought I might add some lighter fluid to an engine nacelle and periodically set it on fire to get that realistic B-36 look.