B-36 Peacemaker Group Build

Reasoned

Thanks for the great info la!  Wow, I'm not looking to do much in the way of surgery on this thing, pretty much OTB since it will be hung from my youngest son's BR ceiling but somewhat accurate will work for me.  So I guess opt #1 with bomb doors wrong and ecm's wrong

You`re luckier than you think! - In more ways that one -- and I was a little off on that one too in reguards to the bomb bay configuration

1. That plane actually still exists and is the one currently on display at  Castle Air Museum

2. It still has the old style RB bomb bay

3. The lower ecms were closer in like a D, but they are no longer on the craft due to being lost during the transfer from Illinois

Looks like Jeaton is your new best friend 

Thanks for the great info la!  Wow, I'm not looking to do much in the way of surgery on this thing, pretty much OTB since it will be hung from my youngest son's BR ceiling but somewhat accurate will work for me.  So I guess opt #1 with bomb doors wrong and ecm's wrong

Reasoned

Well now that you mention it, what can I build with the OTB decals and sheet 72003?

not having done any B-36 research yet

this kit

OK, sit down and take a "deep breath"

Here is your stock decals:

The first thing you should do with that sheet is *ANYTHING* which says: USAF, U.S. AIR FORCE, or small script UNITED STATES AIR FORCE that is colored insignia blue & not black should be removed for another build ( or trashed  ) . The good news is that Warbirds #72003 which you purchased has the USAF & small script UNITED STATES AIR FORCE in the proper black coloring.

That being said, the model kit allows two builds:

1. RB-36H, 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Ellsworth AFB, Weaver South Dakota - The Triangle S build

EDIT: Upon further review this plane did indeed have the smaller old style RB bomb bay and was never upgraded to what was the newer RB configuration. Goes to show that there are always exceptions to everything!  This particular build allows one to build the current RB on display at Castle Air Museum.

http://castleairmuseum.org/convair_rb36h.html

The downside to this build is as instructed it would be built historically inacurate due to the model being molded as an RB-36D as discussed in my earlier thread. This leaves you with the following options: 1. Build "as is"  if something like that doesnt bother you,  2. rescribe/redo the bombays & position the aft lower ECMs in their correct place, or  3. Do a closed bombay build and rescribe the bomb bay door lines and position the aft lower ECMs in their correct place.

2. B-36H, 7th BW (H) Carswell AFB

This is the one on the box art. Its already a major fail due to this being a "bomber" and the artist has it drawn as an RB... with historically inacurate Isignia Blue - "U.S AIR FORCE" markings. - though the build instructions have the bomber version with the lower ECMs being deleted

This one is already a major fail out of the box due to the script being the wrong color, the fuselage is an RB- 36D, and not a bomber. You would either have to reconstruct the bomb bay - or do a closed door build and rescribe the lines. Even then you still have the wrong color on the lettering

A good color drawing of this particular plane can be found at on page 27 at:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/51639302/Squadron-Signal-Aircraft-No-42-B-36-in-Action

also, see page 32 for the correct tail gun radome for each specific B-36 model

The best option if you didnt want to do very many mods is to get Sheet #72002 and do it as the 2nd build with the Circle X on the vertical stabilizer. A good color drawing of this plane is also on p.27 on the above referenced book at the top if the page.

RB-36E, 44-92020, 72nd BS, 15th AF, Travis AFB

In short summary, the things that would have to be addressed to make it historically accurate are: 1. Removing one of the flight engineer stations/seats in the cockpit and doing some mods to the flight engineer panel. 2 The bomb bay should only have photo flash bombs in BB#2 and an auxiliary fuel tank in BB#3. However the lower ECM`s should stay closer to the bomb bay as described in the instructions.The tank details can be seen in the youtube video below being dropped in a drop test over the ocean. 3. Build the correct tail radome 4. the two clear windows just under the small script UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ( see book drawing ). 5. The UHF antenna on the nose  ( see book drawing & p.12 ). 6. the radio compass sensing antenna on the undercarriage ( see book drawing ) is mounted on the left bomb bay door just to the left of the bomb bay center line. 7. the stick ecm`s on the side as displayed in the drawing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ethVLMyxA7M

The other option on sheet #72002 that is " kid cool" due to wing emblem of a caveman riding a purple dinosaur ( that`s not Barney )carrying a bomb coiled in its tail. Last one with the circle W. This is also in the same above book as the others on P.26. Dinosaur is purple on the decal sheet, but an aqua blue in the book

B-36D, 44-92065, 326th BS(H), 42nd BW, Loring AFB.

The things that would have to be addressed to make it historically accurate are: 1. Removing one of the flight engineer stations/seats in the cockpit and doing some mods to the flight engineer panel. 2 The bomb bay should be redone as a bomber or have the lines rescribed on a closed build to show this. 3. Build the correct tail radome. 4. The UHF nose antenna as described above. 5. the stick ecm`s on the side as displayed in the drawing

 That should be a good reference place to " just get started" LOL!

Well now that you mention it, what can I build with the OTB decals and sheet 72003?

not having done any B-36 research yet

this kit

While I am waiting to hear back from Warbirds if they can sell to us at a group build price, I thought I would post the application instructions and go over the sheets ( 72002 & 72003 ) in case anyone loses theirs, finds a great ebay buy on a sheet that is missing them, or wants to see a good picture of what they would be buying before purchasing,  etc

First Sheet # 72002

Building Options:

B-36A, City of Ft Worth 44-92015, 7thBG(H). 8th AF, Carswell AFB, 1948

RB-36E, 44-92020, 72nd BS, 15th AF, Travis AFB

B-36B, 44-92028, 7th BG(H), 8th AF, Carswell AFB, 1949

B-36D, 44-92605, 326th BS(H), 42nd BW, Loring AFB

Sheet # 72003 of course is the walkway stripes with common markings and many details not found on a stock decal sheet for the general details

Reasoned

 

Good thing you shot this, got the last set @ SB's.

I see that!

It looks like the surge from the builders here combined with their normal business wiped them out quickly.

But to those whom missed out...  Dont worry, I`m in negotiation with Warbirds directly to sell to the members here at the $14.99/$3.50 ship price for both the 72002 & 72003 sheets..... Buyers outside the US will probably have to pay more in shipping though. They did mention they would do a combined shipping price on multiple sheets. In my dealings with them they have only charged me the shipping charge once when I purchased multiple sheets 

Hope to have that squared away and announced on here how to do it in a couple of days.

If anyone cant wait that long, Warbirds will sell direct to the public at their current prices:

http://warbirddecals.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&category_id=13&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=44&vmcchk=1

http://warbirddecals.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&category_id=13&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=28&vmcchk=1

lajntx

The walkway stripes & common markings is sheet # 72003

Here  is the one you were wanting. Their stock has gone down from 6 to 2, so you might want too hurry.

http://store.spruebrothers.com/172-warbird-decals---b-36-peacemaker-common-stencils--insignias-72003-p28041.aspx

 

Good thing you shot this, got the last set @ SB's.

There was a question about the difference in bombays & what all that means. Here it is in summary

On the left is the stock bomb bay wich is an early RB-36 configuration. On the right is a modified fuselage with all bomb bays to make the build a B-36 bomber version. ***Note***: The lower fwd radome has been removed in that build because the plane it is modeling had that featured removed. All other B-36 Bombers had a lower fwd radome.

Even building the model as a stock RB causes multiple inaccuracies which is best described in detail on p. 65 of B-36 Peacemaker in Detail & Scale by Wayne Wachsmuth. There is a USAF drawing there used to show the difference in RB models:

The top shows the oringinal RB bombay & rear ECM radomes, the bottom shows the modified RB with bomb bays and relocated ECM`s when they were modified to carry standard and atomic munitions once they were replaced by U-2`s, RB-47`s, & RB-52`s  for font line reconnaissance duties.

Here is a picture of a RB-36D`s ( the early design as molded ) on the assembly line

Here is a picture of the later design  ( which is correct for an H/F model ). This photo is of the YB-36 which was modified into an RB incorporating the new updates

That`s a rather interesting idea John, I just might have to incorporate that into my builds

jeaton01

Here is a picture of the wing ducting.  It is Milliput and plasticard.

I had to relieve the fuel tank/spar to clear the inlet trunking I have put in the wings.  I didn't like the open look the kit has, the real thing looks sculptured and without something behind the leading edge it didn't look right to me.

I think it will be fine, the spar in the kit ties the wing together pretty well.

Here is a picture of the wing ducting.  It is Milliput and plasticard.

I had to relieve the fuel tank/spar to clear the inlet trunking I have put in the wings.  I didn't like the open look the kit has, the real thing looks sculptured and without something behind the leading edge it didn't look right to me.

I think it will be fine, the spar in the kit ties the wing together pretty well.

Here is a picture of the wing ducting.  It is Milliput and plasticard.

jeaton01

Here are a couple of pictures showing where I am now. 

Hi John,

One question, you cut the outer edges of the wing spar off. Were the Nacelle`s for engines #2 & #5 in the way when you lowered the wing?

Also, will you be re-inforcing the spar with a metal or wood dowell rod?

>>Wow la, just got thisreply thanks.  So if I hit the link it comes up with decals set #72002 does this include the walkway-strips?<<

No, sheet #72002 allows you to build a different plane if you would prefer to do something besides the one that comes with the stock decal sheet. This is what #72002 looks like:

The walkway stripes & common markings is sheet # 72003

Here  is the one you were wanting. Their stock has gone down from 6 to 2, so you might want too hurry.

http://store.spruebrothers.com/172-warbird-decals---b-36-peacemaker-common-stencils--insignias-72003-p28041.aspx

 Ive bought a few sheets directly from Steven @ Warbirds for the $14.99 price & $3.50 shipping. I`m thinking about asking him if he can extend that price for either sheet to the ones with this GB building in 1/72. For now, lets patronise sprucebrothers.... who knows, maybe they`ll stay at that price point if we keep them busy enough.

Here is a build in which both sheets were used to create BM-028 which was a red Arctic wing tip B-36B

http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/korean/kolb36.htm

lajntx

Hi Reasoned.

 

It`s your lucky day!... Well sort of.

Spruce Brothers is having a SALE!

http://store.spruebrothers.com/categories.aspx?Keyword=B-36

Both the walkway stripes AND B-36 Conversion sets by Warbirds is on sale for $14.99 + 3.50 SH

Wow la, just got thisreply thanks.  So if I hit the link it comes up with decals set #72002 does this include the walkway-strips?

Here are a couple of pictures showing where I am now.  I have the wing center stuck to the fuel tank/spar part, after aligning it with the wings installed over an enlargement of the plans to 1/72.  I am able to work it back in to the fuselage with just a little prying, and I have the fuselage cut out sanded to get the wing section dropped down where it needs to go.  I guess next I will install all the fuselage internals so I can join the fuselage before I final fit the wing.

jeaton01

Nice comparison there.  And the B-25 fits without the aft bomb bay even open!

I've been working away and taking pictures as I go on my B-36, I will post some before long.

 

Hi John,

No, that is all 4 bombays cut open changing the model from an RB-36 configuration to a full fledged Bomber. When done that build will resemble this... go to 1:10 to see the snap action doors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePwEPVgZpEA&feature=related

The RB used what would have been bomb bay # 1 for the camera equipment, and #4 for the ECM Equipment. ( where the 3 radomes go ) and why the model only has #2 & #3 bomb bays. Since the stock bombay doors cover 2 bays, all you have to is get another set of doors & cut open the remaining bays using a cut away piece to reconstruct the divider between the fore & aft bays. However that also means you will have to replicated the K-trusses, bomb racks, and full lenght of the trolly tunnel.

Later when the RB wings were disolved when the U-2`s & RB-52`s began to take over spying and intellegence flights, the RB`s began to carry standard & atomic ordance with the ecm room coverted to bomb bay and the 3 rear ecm radomes moved further aft in the lower fuselage.

Nice comparison there.  And the B-25 fits without the aft bomb bay even open!

I've been working away and taking pictures as I go on my B-36, I will post some before long.

Today I finally got a whole "half a day" off from work & life.

Unfortunalty the dog and errands took most of that up. Recently I won a late 1960`s vintage 1/72 Enola Gay kit on ebay. Unfortunately upon arrival and close inspection - the decals are most likely trashed due to age as most of them have cracks in them big enough to see the white paper underneath. I`ll just have to keep an eye open on a replacement sheet. My intentions are to also aquire a few known historical planes in 1/72 scale so when someone asks me again: " Just how big was the 36? " I`ll have those for a refernce. Also, a month or so ago I picked up an early 1970`s vintage unbuilt  B-25C kit at a yard sale for $2. I found a B-25 decal sheet on ebay that allowed it to to be built as Jimmy Doolittle`s bomber ( I`ll still have to do some backdating to a B-25B ).

Here is some comparisons in size. They are quite dramatic even in just 1/72 scale. The first two pictures have the B-25 on the left, B-36 center, and B-29 on the right:

The next two shows the difference in size of the Bomb Bays, notice how the B-36`s ( bomber version )  bomb bay can quite easily hold the B-25

Hi Reasoned.

It`s your lucky day!... Well sort of.

Spruce Brothers is having a SALE!

http://store.spruebrothers.com/categories.aspx?Keyword=B-36

Both the walkway stripes AND B-36 Conversion sets by Warbirds is on sale for $14.99 + 3.50 SH

http://store.spruebrothers.com/172-warbird-decals---b-36-peacemaker-common-stencils--insignias-72003-p28041.aspx

Have a few other B-36 things on sale too.

Also, the owner of Warbirds is known to offer the walkway stripes on ebay for $14.99+ shipping too

Ahh, the walkway strips , now that is not something I look forward to trying to replicate.

That`s fine deattilio, This is a come as you are-- when you can GB. I suspect that most of us whom are building the 1/72`s will be spending months working on ours. I keep planning on returning to my RB-36 build by actually taking it out of the box for the first time, but work/life always seems to think my day off is the time to "act up". 

I’m still in the game although I have made no progress on the build as of yet.  Work and homework have taken precedence, but that ends next weekend after I take my final test and submit my final paper.  What I have done though is order some Alclad.  This will be my first kit and the first time I will be using Alclad. 

Here is my "supply closet"

9 -  B-36 Kits : 1980-2, 1991-1, 1997-3, 2002-1, 2008-2

 1- B-35, 1-B-58, and 1-B-25 all in 1/72

No room for that proverbial well intentioned tennis racket or bowling ball. LOL

Hi everyone,

I came across this build while doing an online search the other day. There are a few things I would have done differently to avoid a couple of inacuracies, but it`s still one h3ll of a A+++ build. Especially how the flight deck was detailed and given a "weathered look". When it comes time to paint my green house canopies, I think I`m going to use this method as it`s perhaps the best looking "painted" job Ive seen to date. Also the trick on giving the landing gear "an oil bath " gave it fantastic results

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47751/message/1324147713/Monogram+B-36+Peacemaker+1-72+Scale

Hi again Reasoned,

No kit 1980, 1989, 1991, 1997, 2002, 2008 has the plane 100% correct as they all use the same master mold. The `02 Revell-Germany is a superior kit because it already has the walkway stripes and common markings on the decal sheet and saves you from having to buy the Warbirds set. Another reason it is superior is because on that decal set it always includes many of the generic markings not found on the stock or warbirds set such as emergency exits, serial plates, water insertions, drain markers, etc. Also, they have the diamonds one can add on for the reciprocating engine air plug Indicators.

Revell could print that, and sell it as a stand alone for $25-$30 and sell it all day long if they wanted.

The model itself is incorrect  in the wing placement and lack of the forward bombay that carried standard munitions on the RB-36`s

 The 2008 kit also has another fatal flaw....

As you can see the USAF & U.S. AIR FORCE  and the UNITES STATES AIR FORCE small script decals are insignia blue and not black which is correct the correct color for the B-36. I guess someone in the art department must have confused it with the B-52 which had those in insignia blue.

lajntx, fantastic information there at the beginning.  I plan to enter this with the 08 release, after a couple of other GB's are completed.  It has scared me sitting there in the stash but my 6yr old keeps on me about building it and hanging it from his ceiling!  I probably won't get too carried away with accurate markings (I understand the 02 Revell kit has it right not the 08?) so see you soon.

jeaton01

If you mean the wing fuel tank that joins the wings, it will come down with the wings.  I may have to trim the top of the fuselage truss some, but the wing only needs to be lowered about 1/16" so that shouldn't be a big problem.  But, I won't know that until I get there.

True, or you could just do a bomb bay door closed build. But if you do  a door open build, wouldnt that also mean you have to adjust your K-Truss`s and bomb racks too?

Another question: How are you going to rebuild the upper wing detail that drapes over the fuselage and barely touchs the wing on the other side?

Score another "cheap" one for me!

The "RB-36H Peacemaker" with a BIN listing on ebay strikes again!!!!!

1997 Kit, dont know yet if it is the `97 Big Box or the `97 Small Box

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200697770248?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2648

This one was for a BIN price of $28 w/ a reasonable shipping price of $14.50

$28 is a nice fair price for the consumer, but listing it better would have probably brought in at least another $10 ( if not more ) if labled properly. Thus far I have purchased ( 2 ) 2008 kits - one for $20 + ship ( Yes!- $20 ) and the other for $25 + ship, now this one for $28 + ship because the auction is labled RB-36H Peacemaker vs the traditional B-36 Peacemaker title which shows up on more searches.

If you mean the wing fuel tank that joins the wings, it will come down with the wings.  I may have to trim the top of the fuselage truss some, but the wing only needs to be lowered about 1/16" so that shouldn't be a big problem.  But, I won't know that until I get there.

You killed it!  

just kidding

One question... How are you going to make that visibile wing spar inside bomb bay still stay in the right place when you lower the wings? Or are you going to do a closed bomb bay build?