Strategic Air Command GroupBulid

Well guys, here are some pictures of the progress i've made over the last couple of days:

As you can see, i've got her in a new coat of paint. One thing i learned about using putty (since this is the first time i've used it) is that you really don't know how well you've sanded it down until you have paint on it. At least that is the case with me. I had thought i sanded enough, but after putting the first coat of paint, the putty was still kinda rough. Actually, there are still parts on the wings that are still kinda rough, especially around the pods. But with the angle of them and the wings, it really made it difficult to really get in there. I kinda wonder if i really needed to putty them at all.

Another angle of the aircraft. Oh, did ya notice how crude my "spray booth" is? An oatmeal box and covering the bench with newspapers. I've already got a good idea in mind for a small booth that would be apartment friendly that would work for my bench. But, i'll save that idea for a little bit later.

And here's a shot of the underside. As you can see, i've got a little overspray to kinda clean up. Mostly in the forward wheel well and inside the exhaust. Once i touch up those areas, my next step will be applying the future (another first) and get ready for decals. But i'm a little hesitant about proceeding for the time being here though. If you take a closer look, you might be able to see dust and ash and such covering. With the fires raging here in Southern California, the air quality is pretty ugly. EVERYTHING in my apartment is covered in dust and ash to the point where everything is about 3-4 shades darker. Not exactly ideal conditions for applying paint and acrylic when the home office/study/hobby room is not exactly all that well ventilated. So for the time being, all i think i really can do is just keep dusting her off and hope that things calm down here soon.

   And i'm still wrestling with the warped canopy. I can't seem to get it to straighten it out. I don't want to, but i may have to display with the canopy open to hide the imperfection.

   But the good news is that my commpressor is good to go and the airbrushes are working like a charm! Hows that for a silver lining?

Wish my confidance was that good in the postal service. I have been burned by them in times past. But i'm glad it worked out well for ya though!

And my vote goes to the P-47 the next time around! My

Yep, priority mail rocks.  2-3 days usually.  Cost me $6.
I still don't understand why people complain about the
post office.  In my opinion, they are one of the most
efficient and effective government facilities. 

$6 to ship a 12x12x12 box 1000 miles in 2 days is a good deal!

My choices for future builds:
P-40
P-47
F-86

He also flew the T-6 in basic training, then the C-47 on
occasion to keep his flight hours current.

IL2windhawk wrote:

My Grandpa got the model today.  He was very pleased and suprised, and called me to say thanks.  Last year I built him a P-51H, and this time a B-47E.  I've got about 3 or 4 other planes that I can build for him before I have to come up with a new gift idea! LOL

I knew he'd love it! But i'm glad (and surprised0 to know that he got it pretty quickly!

So what's he gonna get next year?

My Grandpa got the model today.  He was very pleased and
suprised, and called me to say thanks.  Last year I built him
a P-51H, and this time a B-47E.  I've got about 3 or 4 other
planes that I can build for him before I have to come up with
a new gift idea! LOL 

I have to say that my favorite part is the fact that you have a dark base for a light colored aircraft- adds alot of contrast and at least in my mind, makes it look kinda like that of a trophy.

Finally finished all the corrections that i could with the U-2R project, and i've got the final coat of paint dryin. I'm hoping that either tomorrow or the next day, i'll be able to move on with my next unfamiliar step- applying the future! Who knows? Maybe i might have my build done by the end of next weekend?

That being said, just to give you guys a heads up, i might possibly be disappearing for a few days here. Seems we have a little fire brewin here, and i don't know if i might be flying in support of that yet. No one has said anything to me, so i have no idea. But i figured i give my modelling buddies a heads up- just in case

I'll post pics as soon as i can

Thanks fellas.

The wood base did come out nice, huh?  That was my first experience
with staining a dark red color.  I recommend MiniWax water-based stains
for their end result, and for their low toxicity.  I clear coated with spray
acrylic. 

Regards. Grandpa should get it on Monday, so we'll find out then!

Wow! Very nice!!!!!!!

C'mon, level with me. You went and got another base that was already professionally stained and lacquered. Didn'tcha?

Don't forget to let us know how Gramps gets your present!

Finished the B-47E this morning and mailed it out:

More pictures posted in the 'aircraft' forum: /forums/844857/ShowPost.aspx#844857

Perhaps, but my LHS here seems to be shying away more and more from aircraft. It seems that it's more a model car and collectibles shop. At last visit, there were maybe a couple dozen kits on the shelf. Some i have, others i just weren't interested in.

I could buy online, but i'll avoid that when i can. Especially when it comes to kits and stuff to reload the bench, i would prefer to touch it, see it, smell it, taste it, feel it and touch just a little more. Part of the fun of it all, i think.

I need to find another kit dealer out here....

steelrudi wrote:

I am looking forward to your pic's looked good from what I have seen. I still think you need a B-47 in the stash. LOL

Agreed! My stash is pretty sparse as it is! That, plus quite a few more kits are on my shopping list here at some point!

   Why oh why is it that most all the kits that i really want are either expensive or OOP?

I am looking forward to your pic's looked good from what I have seen.

I still think you need a B-47 in the stash. LOL 

Well, the U-2R project is coming along well. I'm at about 85% here until completion. Only thing i got left is future, decals, dullcote, and the final assembly of the landing gear and canopy.

However, i have elected not to post pictures at the moment, since there is a few gigs that i need to fix. I've got her in a nice coat of paint, but the problem is that i can now see that the putty wasn't sanded down enough, and i need to go back and retouch that area before i move onto the acrylic application. But, once i get that fixed, i'll post a few pictures for y'all to see where i'm at.

Drilled the hole for the stand.  Getting the drill angle right
so that the aircraft both banked, and was centered over
the circle was a challenge!  Lots of measurements, followed
by some final bends where the rod meets the base. 

Also, I did a charcoal wash but it didn't really reveal a whole
lot of panel detail.  It did accentuate the control surfaces a bit.

Sorry - this picture is blurry as hell.  I have a stain to use on
the stand that should make it about like the table in color.

Yeah, i know. And i usually see Bill on about that time (I don't sleep much these days). But he hasn't shown in awhile.

And painting icons? Now i'm really curious! I'll ask him when he gets back. I musta missed that post somewhere.

IL2windhawk wrote:

Hopefully my Grandfather will approve!  Unfortunately this gift is already 6 days late.  Hope to ship on Friday.  I wanted to make sure it was done right, if not on time.

I'm sure he'll love it! Not just because it's done right, but the time invested carries an awful long way too! And especially the fact that it'll be arriving late, i'll betcha he sure wont be expecting it. Imagine his surprise! Let us know how it goes when he gets it?

Hey, has anyone seen Bill (Bondoman) lately? Haven't seen him on in a few days, and i'm starting to wonder....

Thanks, Fellas.
Hopefully my Grandfather will approve!  Unfortunately this gift
is already 6 days late.  Hope to ship on Friday.  I wanted to
make sure it was done right, if not on time.

That's pretty much what I had in mind for a stand, Rudi. 
I'm not going to put a brass plate on it though.  Good idea. 
Maybe next time.

DesertRat wrote:

Question: Those lines on the wings. Are they decals as well? Or is that a part of the paint?

Decals.  They sucked too! 
I needed lots of microsol to get those things to settle down, because
there is a web of transparent material between the lines.

That's friggin awesome! She's certainly prettier than a homecoming queen! Looking forward to the next step!

Question: Those lines on the wings. Are they decals as well? Or is that a part of the paint?

Decals! 

Getting very close now.  Need the weathering layer, that's about it.
This biggest task that remains is to fabricate a decent base to mount
this thing on.

Yep! That is a beautiful build! I have to say that this is certainly a most unusual subject too, given the norms. Consider those of us that were not inside the SAC community, one usually does not even think of this particular aircraft when thinking of bombers. Usually a B-17, B-29, B-52 etc tends to come to mind. Maybe in my eyes thats what makes this aircraft so interesting.....

   Since reentering the modeling world several months ago, i have noticed that Hasegawa usually tends to be the more top of the line kits (and a price tag to go with). I'd love to break sprue on one soon. With money a little tight though, it'll be a little while before i add one to my stash. But thanks for the link! Sure set me to thinking about possible future builds in the next few years to come

Yeah, sadly only one survives to this day.  Aslo have built 6 B-52's of various manufacturer's and 9 B-36's, of which only one survives.  I have some in the stash though, and they will be built by my children, or grandchildren. I will probably build one more of each, and then give up the ghost on these great kits.  I have always had a soft spot in my Heart for SAC.  As I said before, I grew up and live in Council Bluffs Iowa, and it is only 10 or so miles from Offutt AFB.  Sac has a rich history in these parts.  I would recommend that you get the kit.  It retails for about 28.00 at Hobby town usa, and is a fun build. 

http://www.hsgalleries.com/gallery04/gb06/b4772as_1.htm

Here is a link to what can be done with the 1/72 Hasegawa kit.  It is a very good build.  Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for the good words, fellas.  I'm excited to do decals tonight.
That's gotta be my favorite part of building a model.  The thing really
starts to come alive when the decals go on.

I can't believe you've made TWELVE B-47s, rudi.  That's incredible!
The 1/72 kits looks awesome.  Someday... :)