BACK IN THE SPOTIGHT--THE BOMBER GROUP BUILD (Medium and Heavy bombers from all eras)

QUOTE: Originally posted by mobydick Vintage: I didn't realize until you wrote in your last post that no one was doing a B-52, so I'll do one of those (& also to better keep with the spirit of the build's theme). It would be unthinkable that the king of the heavy bombers wouldn't be represented in this GB.

I just read where the USAF is going to put all B-52's thru a(nother) modernization program that will allow them to serve until 2050 -- that's about 100 years isn't it ???

BUFFs forever !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sand sand sand sand, more water, sand sand sand...

Drew looks up from work.

My new Squadron sanding sticks work pretty well.
sand sand

I have to sand the whole seam between the top and bottom sections of the wings. There are two wings. I've sanded about six inches of seam on the bottom wing, and I'm about a quarter of the way done.
sand sand

That took me about an hour. That's all the time I've had to model so far this week. This is an older kit and it looks like I'll have a lot of clean-up to do.
sand sand

If you want to see what I'm talking about, check out the photo of the wings on this site:

http://www.crossandcockade.com/WNW/MB2.htm

The second photo shows how the bottom of each wing is recessed into the top of each wing.

Overall, though, I'm pretty pleased with my progress on this kit. The plastic is very hard and difficult to sand, yet I've eliminated five 1/4 inch raised ejector pin marks on the bottom wing, removed two molding flaws on the top wing, glued the two pieces of each wing together (after messing that up, once), and am making good progress on cleaning up the seam on the bottom wing.

Regarding the B-52, I've got a beautiful Revell 1/144 scale B-52G that I'd like to build, and almost thought of doing that for this GB, but I'd already started the MB-2, so that's the one I went with.

I'm glad somebody is building a Buff, though.

Regards,

Oh well, back to work. :D

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hawk LOL, I think it would be bad ace, but that's just because the stealth planes are one of my favorite subjects. A 1/48 would have about a 43 inch wingspan. You never know, after all, Revell makes a 1/48 of the B-1.

True True.... I have a 1/144 of the B-1, which I REALLY need to finish... But compairing that to a 1/144 jet gives me an idea how big the 1/48 would be...

I don't think I'd ever build something that big though.... Maybe once, if ever...

And here's an updated shot:

Some putty I need to get to sanding... (I'll get to it next week, after all this graduation madness is over... )

And it's mostly painted, just need to figure out how to mix that grey again... LOL >.< (I wasn't paying much attention, and I'm not too fond of mixing... )

Vintage: I didn't realize until you wrote in your last post that no one was doing a B-52, so I'll do one of those (& also to better keep with the spirit of the build's theme). It would be
unthinkable that the king of the heavy bombers wouldn't be represented in this GB.
I'm in 2 other GB's at the moment & I have to finish models for those. My present work
rate is about 1 kit per month, so I should be starting my '52 around the middle of August.
I think I'm going to try a 1/144 scale. My last '52 was a 1/72 & it was too damn big.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Akuma Well, it is Testors, so I guess we have to expect these things from them... *shrugs* Some day someone'll make a new 1/72 B-2 kit, hopefully..... (hopefully there's never a 1/48.... Who has room for that? O.o )

LOL, I think it would be bad ace, but that's just because the stealth planes are one of my favorite subjects. A 1/48 would have about a 43 inch wingspan. You never know, after all, Revell makes a 1/48 of the B-1.

You can definetely put me down for revell's 1/72 Wellignton Mk.X. just finished it a few days ago. looks damn good if you ask me. Despite my name, i haven't a single kit of a Lancaster. Anybody wanna sell for cheap?

I'm working on a 1/72 b-25 by matchbox and was wondering if i could get in on your group build I'm builing it straight OOB and its not the most detailed so it wont be the prettiest bird, but i'll still share some pics

QUOTE: Originally posted by mobydick Vintage: I never settled on which bomber I was going to build so I thought that I'd ask if it's been decided if the A-26 is within the boundaries of the build. My second choice would be a B-52. At your leisure, sir.

I think the A-26 is classified as a light bomber, so I dont think it could be in this build, but I did say that I would allow a few kits in that might blurr the line in classification, so since you were one of the first to join this group I will say yes to it, But it would be neat to have a B-52 in the build so it is now up to you.

Note only two more of these aircraft that blurr the classifacation line willbe allowed in and only from the original members. The ones that heard about this befor it was a build.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hawk Well, I had just finished spraying the underbelly with black paint and had it all taped and wrapped up with newspaper and made the mistake of leaving it on the garage floor. Well, my mom went out to get something in the outside to get something from the garage and just saw paper. Luckily, none of the plastic cracked and I just had to re-cement and re-putty a few of the seams. Overall though, it survived the impact quite well.

OUCH!

That's good it held together for the most part though....

QUOTE: Yes, I too wish they could have made the top half a solid piece but unfortunately they didn't.

Well, it is Testors, so I guess we have to expect these things from them... *shrugs* Some day someone'll make a new 1/72 B-2 kit, hopefully..... (hopefully there's never a 1/48.... Who has room for that? O.o )

I have an old Airfix Stirling B1./111 in good old Brit 1/72nd. I got it in a trade, not in my scale, and will donate it to this project if anyone wants it because I hate to see good plastic go to waste. The decals are yellowed and you wouldn't use them anyway. Typical old-timey paint callouts and big panel lines, but lots of parts. It's yours by being first to E-mail Mel Sharkskin. I lost all my twenty years of kits, books, magazines, decals, and all else in a fire and am just building back my workshop one kit, one In-Action book at a time. So I get the odd lot here and there in bulk purchases. The Stirling is one of those.

Vintage: I never settled on which bomber I was going to build so I thought that I'd ask if
it's been decided if the A-26 is within the boundaries of the build. My second choice
would be a B-52. At your leisure, sir.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Akuma Stepping on it? O.o I do think that this kit would be a good wall hanging (I only have the top half together, and thought it looked like one... heh ) I still dislike how the wings are done though.... I need to get me one of those 1/144 kits, maybe those are better.... But for now, ON WITH THE 1/72!

Well, I had just finished spraying the underbelly with black paint and had it all taped and wrapped up with newspaper and made the mistake of leaving it on the garage floor. Well, my mom went out to get something in the outside to get something from the garage and just saw paper. Luckily, none of the plastic cracked and I just had to re-cement and re-putty a few of the seams. Overall though, it survived the impact quite well.

Yes, I too wish they could have made the top half a solid piece but unfortunately they didn't.

Like I said earlier, I also have the Testors 1/32 F-117 and that looks like a nice kit so far. The top is in three pieces as well so I'll see how well that turns out. The plane itself looks pretty big so I don't think they could have made it all in one mold. I also have the Tamiya 1/48 F-117 and that's solid top piece but then again it's a smaller scale so they can get away with it.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hawk I have the Testors 1/72 B-2 as well. From the research I did as well as one or two comments I pulled off the board, I believe it's Gunship Grey. It's definately not a flat black like the F-117, but it's a dark grey and everything I've read indicates that gunship grey is a good match.

Yeah, probably is... But after a mishap with the paint that comes with the kit, I mixed my own :D (Well, it's fairly close, but might be too dark... Ah well, happens... I may just not put some of the decals on... no big loss IMO )

I can just stear in my B-2 book I have if I wanna see those heh... (Might put them on if they show up, but they might blend in with the color of the B-2's body...... )

I need to put the cockpit together too....

QUOTE: In any respect, good luck with your B-2! I'm sure not having too much with mine. Everything seems to be going wrong with the build..... the parts didn't fit too well together, overspray because of bad masking, people stepping on the plane, etc.

Stepping on it? O.o I do think that this kit would be a good wall hanging (I only have the top half together, and thought it looked like one... heh )

I still dislike how the wings are done though.... I need to get me one of those 1/144 kits, maybe those are better.... But for now, ON WITH THE 1/72!

I understand, no hard feelings on this end. I'm going to be building it anyways in the next couple of weeks so I just thought maybe I could get in on this since it coincided with my build.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hawk I would be interested in joining the group build but my question is this, would a 1/32 Testors F-117 Nighthawk qualify? It's not in the bomber class of aircraft but it's still certified to carry nuclear warheads. Thanks...

Well it does have two engins and a bay for weapons, as a certain someone would like to say

I will look into its crudentials as a bomber but at this point I am sorry, If its not a Medium or Heavy bomber, It cant be let in. Nothing against you or the aircraft but we all just had a huge delema over what was acceptable or not, and unless it fits the instructions for the build it cant be accepted.

I would be interested in joining the group build but my question is this, would a 1/32 Testors F-117 Nighthawk qualify? It's not in the bomber class of aircraft but it's still certified to carry nuclear warheads. Thanks...

QUOTE: Originally posted by Akuma Hm, I started on the bombs for the B-2, and that's it.... I need to get a move on, but other kits and all... (Ah well, as is the life of a modeler ) One thing bugging me, though.... What color is the B-2, exactly? The paint the kit comes with, I'm thinking might not be enough to cover the whole kit.... (Could always buy more, if I can find it atleast... ) Anyone know at all?

I have the Testors 1/72 B-2 as well. From the research I did as well as one or two comments I pulled off the board, I believe it's Gunship Grey. It's definately not a flat black like the F-117, but it's a dark grey and everything I've read indicates that gunship grey is a good match.

In any respect, good luck with your B-2! I'm sure not having too much with mine. Everything seems to be going wrong with the build..... the parts didn't fit too well together, overspray because of bad masking, people stepping on the plane, etc.

As I mentioned before, I'm still plodding through the interior of the B-24D. I have the B-24 in Action book - which is great about describing alot of the variations in the B-24 types. Unfortunately it is a little thin on interior detail. I quickly paged through the "B-24: Production Line to Front Line" book and didn't find any photos that dealt with this either.

I have seen kits that show the bomb bays of B-17's and B-24's in bare aluminum, cockpits in ZnCr Green, and the rest of the interior and wheel wells in raw ZnCr Yellow. My monogram instructions call for ZnCr Green for all these surfaces. Can anyone shed any light on this ? Was there any consistency to the interior painting method ? I remember hearing somewhere that the ZnCr Yellow was mixed with blue to make Green for the cockpits because the ZnCr Yellow used to make the crew sick. I don't know if that was just an old wives tale or if it was true.

Any input on interior colors would be appreciated.

Thanks guys and gals,
Chris

Vintage:
Thanks to a great trip to Hobby Lobby I got myself a 1/48 Accurate Miniatures B-25 C/D I am gonna build this instead of the 1/72 Hasegawa B-17G. I hope to get started within a week.

With the B-24D wings assembled - its time to attack the seams with my four grit sanding stick.

Yes - I mustered up my courage a few months back and went into the cosmetics aisle of the local drugstore, picked up one of these babies and proceeded to the checkout. The sales clerk probably wondered why I was buying it since my fingernails obviously have never been manicured. At least I didn't buy any nail polish on this visit (although I have found that my daughter has two shades that are very good for the red and green wingtip lights). Such is the life of a modelling hack like myself. Just swallow my pride and do what needs to be done.

For the most part, the sanding went well. The only really tricky part is this funky step in the seam on each side of each engine nacelle (8 places). Sand, fill, sand too much, fill too much , sand again. I'm losing more of the raised detail around this area with each iteration.

Later,
Chris

Ok, some more work... a tiny bit painted as well, and one wing half on the body after some fighting to get it on... I ended up seperateing the front and back of the wing, and useing my dreaded enemy: Super Gule... So now it's together, just giving it the night to cure and stuff, then working more on it

Here's a pic (The wing I'm talking about is the one on the left, the right side has no glue on it... yet ):

I'm glad I used liquid glue rather than super glue. I don't think it had fully cured yet when I cut the pieces apart, thereby making the whole, sad, exercise a lot easier.

Regards,

I ready now! Im done that Stormavik.
My nue projek< is gonna be that 1/48 ProModeler Ju 88A-4.
Ive got 3 decals sets..Im not sure..Ill wait. And I got that Aires cockpit set.

Boy, all the times I have glued two bottoms together can be counted on both hands.

Great stuff! I really like reading about everyone's progress.

I was so proud of myself yesterday. Cleaning up the wings on my kit has been a somewhat long process. The plastic is really hard, and it resists sanding. A lot of elbow grease has been necessary, and I haven't even started puttying and sanding the seams yet.

So anyway, I was admiring my work when I noticed that I had glued the wrong pieces together!

Luckily, I was quickly able to separate the pieces using a sharp #11 X-acto blade. I reglued the wings last night, this time each part was glued to its correct corresponding part.

I'm thinking of picking up some sanding sticks to make it easier to clean up the parts. I'm currently using Testors sanding films, which are good, but sometimes hard to work with.

Regards,

QUOTE: Originally posted by Vintage Aircraft QUOTE: Originally posted by scottrc I didn't fare so well last night with my Revellogram B-25. First, there was a slight gap, well about 3" in scale that I puttied between the bombadier canopy and the fuse, well, it cracked open again so I re-sealed it but for some reason, the paint doesn't match when I re-touched it. Second was that I use a piece of clear sprue to support the tail. So I go to drill my hole and found the drill bit was damaged. I discovered this after it tore a hole twice the size I needed and then the bottom if the fuse cracked in two. This fuse was warped really bad and I have been fighting it since day one. I had the same problems with my recent Revell Germany 1/32 Corsair. These kits are really a pain in the rear as far as fit. Hope I can get the bottom retouched tonight after my repairs. Scott Wow I have built three of those bombers, one being the Revell B-25B, and I have never had anything like that happen to me, I feel so sorry for you. But that is how it is, the life of a bomber builder, I guess youll encouter that everyother kit when its Monogram. Oh and agian I am getting of the topic but I just finished my Tamiya 1/48 P-51B about five minents ago. Still no progress on my bomber kits. But last saturday when I asked what 1/72 Bomber kit I should buy, I ordered an Academy 1/72 B-17C/D, and a B-17E. and they came in today, now I just have to get to the hobbyshop to pic them up, thats an hour away.

This B-25 is my third. I never had any problems with my last two, both I built over 20 years ago. I have my PBJ (Navy version) still with me and I would compare mold details between it and my new kit. Overall, the kit was far nicer in quality as far as the plastic and mold detail went, but the fit was really bad. I had a 1/8 gap between the engine narcels and the wing. The horizontal stabs needed a lot of rework to get them to fit without gaps, one fuse side looked like a taco shell, and none of the clear parts fit. I ended up vacuforming side windows and landing lights. But still, in todays pricing, I paid $11.99 new for this kit so I guess its fair. And, I got to actually "build" this one, not just put it together.

Scott

Funny story Chris. Sometimes a guy's gotta go back to his roots and build it out of da box.
Scott

Haven't posted in a while, but here's a progress report on the B-24D.

Nearly finished with the interior except for the "glass" parts and parts of the turrets. So I guess I'm not so nearly done afterall. And now after visiting a review site and seeing that the interior of a B24D might not be painted Zinc Chromate green throughout, I guess I really don't know just how far back I am. Hmmmmmm......

After considering a superdetailing of the four engines I was quickly reminded of the words of the great philosopher Clint Eastwood..... "A man's got to know his limitations"

Major scaleback time for the Bossman - So I says to myself.... "Self"... I says..."This thing is about 5 times the model that you are used to building - get a grip on yourself man !" I did what I consider a good job of painting the engines "as is" Outtadabox. I even looked at reference photo's of those big 'ol P&W's and found out where the little company logo thingy went, and where the little "data-plate" (or whatever they call) it went. No ignition harness, no exhaust, no PE, no resin. Then I heard this voice in my head saying "Horror of Horrors ! - The plane will be practically bare neggid !". I just told the voice to shut up and I assembled the wing halves around the facades that are my model's engines. Get real - this thing ain't goin' in a museum, and it will still impress the socks off of my two sons whose room it will be displayed in.

So on I plod - with a renewed sense of enjoyment and a weight lifted off my shoulders.

Now for the REAL shocker !
I am actually tossing around the thought of using the KIT decals for this one ! (The version that I have is for the Jolly Roger's plane called "Moby Dick" (you can see it all the time on e-bay) When I first purchased this kit I had no intention of using them. I was thinking of doing a Ploesti Raider version in the desert scheme. I couldn't imagine taking an already rather homely looking plane and applyiing these decals to transform it into something BUTT UGLY ! But alas - it's growing on me. I have a soft spot in my heart for ugly airplanes. The only problem with some of the other schemes I have seen for the B-24D is that they are just boring. Moby has the two-tone green on the wings. Skull and cross-bombs and a red flash on the vertical stabs (I think they also call them "barn doors") All in all, a pretty colorful scheme. And to top it all off - I've never seen anyone complete this kit in this scheme ! Go figure !

Wish me luck - I'm jumpin with both feet into the Outtadabox ocean.

Chris

QUOTE: Originally posted by scottrc I didn't fare so well last night with my Revellogram B-25. First, there was a slight gap, well about 3" in scale that I puttied between the bombadier canopy and the fuse, well, it cracked open again so I re-sealed it but for some reason, the paint doesn't match when I re-touched it. Second was that I use a piece of clear sprue to support the tail. So I go to drill my hole and found the drill bit was damaged. I discovered this after it tore a hole twice the size I needed and then the bottom if the fuse cracked in two. This fuse was warped really bad and I have been fighting it since day one. I had the same problems with my recent Revell Germany 1/32 Corsair. These kits are really a pain in the rear as far as fit. Hope I can get the bottom retouched tonight after my repairs. Scott

Wow I have built three of those bombers, one being the Revell B-25B, and I have never had anything like that happen to me, I feel so sorry for you. But that is how it is, the life of a bomber builder, I guess youll encouter that everyother kit when its Monogram.

Oh and agian I am getting of the topic but I just finished my Tamiya 1/48 P-51B about five minents ago. Still no progress on my bomber kits. But last saturday when I asked what 1/72 Bomber kit I should buy, I ordered an Academy 1/72 B-17C/D, and a B-17E. and they came in today, now I just have to get to the hobbyshop to pic them up, thats an hour away.

I didn't fare so well last night with my Revellogram B-25. First, there was a slight gap, well about 3" in scale that I puttied between the bombadier canopy and the fuse, well, it cracked open again so I re-sealed it but for some reason, the paint doesn't match when I re-touched it. Second was that I use a piece of clear sprue to support the tail. So I go to drill my hole and found the drill bit was damaged. I discovered this after it tore a hole twice the size I needed and then the bottom if the fuse cracked in two. This fuse was warped really bad and I have been fighting it since day one. I had the same problems with my recent Revell Germany 1/32 Corsair. These kits are really a pain in the rear as far as fit.

Hope I can get the bottom retouched tonight after my repairs.
Scott