1/72 B-52D with Big Belly Mod, Operation Arc Light

Folks, I owe a big apology to my friend Dominic (Boxscar) for forgetting to include pictures of his innovative idea. He cut and sent me several mirrors to show off some of the belly detail and we hit on the idea of mounting one to a model trailer that could be placed under the aircraft to show detail and wouldn't look out of place. Here are some pictures of the trailer and how it will be used in the diorama at a model show.

When the mirror trailer is not in use, it houses the chin radome.

My apologies, Dom. I used the covered trailer to house the removed chin radome and forgot its more important purpose!

Cheers,

Russ

That is most impressive!!!! So much well researched detail put in here. Everywhere you look are folks doing their jobs on this big beast getting her ready to do the job. Simply outstanding! BTW, love that portapotty on the edge of the revetment!

Buffirn

~

What's next?

 

Whoops, sorry Jim, I missed this. Did you mean what's next for the diorama or what's my next project?

Cheers,

Russ

Wow, I'm speechless after those compliments, Greg! Thank you for the good words and for taking the time to look over the build. And a tip of my hat to you in appreciation .

Cheers,

Russ

Absolutely stunning, Russ. I have never been exposed to such serious modeling as this diorama, and as others have mentioned, you work leaves me speechless as well.

Thank you so much for taking the time to document this build for us. Really cool, as a newbie here, is I missed most of it 'live', but due to the nature of the medium, have been able to review your entire project, start to finish, at my leisure. Pretty cool!

<tipping hat>

Thanks for the good words, Jim!  And thanks for your efforts on that 781. No worry - there's no hurry .

Russ

B52Gunner

I like the ECM antennas just before the 47 section, I remember knocking my head on those once or twice in the night during preflight.  The B-4 stand and all the rest of your support gear is impressive.  I also have to hand it to you for removing the side panel from the turret!  I wish I could see that diorama in person.  I know these pics don't do it justice.  I built the same scale B-52 a year or two ago but didn't have an airbrush, well - not a decent one.  Just the Testor's beginner's kit with canned air - what a pain it was trying to paint it with that.  Somehow, I lost a main wheel so it hangs in my bedroom sans one wheel but am proud of it.  The old D model was the meanest looking B-52 out there and I loved every chance I got to fly in it.

~Salute~

Dean

Hi, Dean,

Many thanks for the compliments! Roger that on the ECM antennas. I almost put my eye out on one of the flippers. Roger also on the air brush - I have one but no where to use it yet. I had to rely on spray cans and paint brushes and it shows .

And a big roger on the D model - from a conventional standpoint, it still is the meanest and the  baddest! .

Russ

Russ,

I just love the flash curtains and the porta-potty!  This came out great!  I'll have the forms ready for you very soon.  I'll make a few sets as they will be tiny and I expect losses.  

What's next?

I like the ECM antennas just before the 47 section, I remember knocking my head on those once or twice in the night during preflight.  The B-4 stand and all the rest of your support gear is impressive.  I also have to hand it to you for removing the side panel from the turret!  I wish I could see that diorama in person.  I know these pics don't do it justice.  I built the same scale B-52 a year or two ago but didn't have an airbrush, well - not a decent one.  Just the Testor's beginner's kit with canned air - what a pain it was trying to paint it with that.  Somehow, I lost a main wheel so it hangs in my bedroom sans one wheel but am proud of it.  The old D model was the meanest looking B-52 out there and I loved every chance I got to fly in it.

~Salute~

Dean

Bockscar

Congratulations Russ!

I agree with my associates, it has been a real pleasure watching your build progress!

It looks fab!

Dom

Thanks for the good words, Dom! And thanks for sticking with me throughout the build, and for your always positive and humorous support .

Cheers,

Russ

Bish

That's certainly one hell of an impressive scene there. It has been great to watch this grow. And I know its certainly given me a lot of ideas. I am so glad I didn't do this when I first had the chance.

Thanks for a great build and all the tips and advice.

Thanks for the compliments, Bish. And you're welcome, my friend. I appreciate your staying with the build and for all your comments and support.

Cheers,

Russ

B52Gunner

Awesome!  You have done an excellent job here.  I love the wrinkles on the skin of the fuselage, that is spot on.  I logged over 2000 hours on this at Carswell AFB, TX before we switched to the H model.  I have to say that being a gunner on the D model was the best time of my life!  Can't find camaraderie like that anywhere else.  C'est La Vie!

Thanks for the good words, Gunner! . Great to touch base with a real gunner. It always amazed me how you guys could manage being cooped up in that narrow compartment for hours at a time. I've chased a few waveguide and wiring problems through there and it was no easy task.

You guys filled a unique niche in Air Force history - the last of the real tail gunners.

Cheers,

Russ

Many thanks, Sub for your loyalty and support!  I'll probably be making some updates (like a new tarmac) and some additions down the road. For example, I still feel there should be more transporter trailers in evidence to make the scenario accurate (there should be at least three with empty clips). Got to get molding those wheels....

Cheers,

Russ

Congratulations Russ!

I agree with my associates, it has been a real pleasure watching your build progress!

It looks fab!

Dom

That's certainly one hell of an impressive scene there. It has been great to watch this grow. And I know its certainly given me a lot of ideas. I am so glad I didn't do this when I first had the chance.

Thanks for a great build and all the tips and advice.

Awesome!  You have done an excellent job here.  I love the wrinkles on the skin of the fuselage, that is spot on.  I logged over 2000 hours on this at Carswell AFB, TX before we switched to the H model.  I have to say that being a gunner on the D model was the best time of my life!  Can't find camaraderie like that anywhere else.  C'est La Vie!

I'm kinda sorry that you finished it, I have enjoyed following this build from the first. But it turned out to be truly outstanding. You get a Navy signal 'Bravo Zulu' from me.

buffjock

Russ,

My modelling is based on low expectations during the summer months...... (low + no...) Been meanin to see the doc about this F-105 thing... Just wanted to build one or 3 for someting different. I built my first 1/32 earlier this year, a F-22 for my brother. ( Shhhh, between me and you Ive always thought the 105 was a bad bad buggy, and dang sexy too!!)  Im so sorry Ive let everyone down but dang thats an awesome scale to build in. I can do that scale without me glasses!! i will knock out a coupla "G"s and I will be alright. I need to find a "D".

Ive relegated my camera to "EUO" status..  Emergency use only. Im gonna have to upgrade a bit and this whole postin on here has been a bad deal for me.  I may send ya a couple of the AMARC "E" Ive been working on here in a few days. If the WX is good, Im outside gettin er done. Rainy days I usually snuggle up to a great mattress and snooze....

Dude, Im tellin ya that Dio is awesome!!

Majer Kong

Thanks again, Allen! Don't blame you about the F-105. It was a big, bad airplane. Some pilots loved it; others hated it. The NVA feared it.

Cheers,

Russ

buffjock

Russ,

My modelling is based on low expectations during the summer months...... (low + no...) Been meanin to see the doc about this F-105 thing... Just wanted to build one or 3 for someting different. I built my first 1/32 earlier this year, a F-22 for my brother. ( Shhhh, between me and you Ive always thought the 105 was a bad bad buggy, and dang sexy too!!)  Im so sorry Ive let everyone down but dang thats an awesome scale to build in. I can do that scale without me glasses!! i will knock out a coupla "G"s and I will be alright. I need to find a "D".

Ive relegated my camera to "EUO" status..  Emergency use only. Im gonna have to upgrade a bit and this whole postin on here has been a bad deal for me.  I may send ya a couple of the AMARC "E" Ive been working on here in a few days. If the WX is good, Im outside gettin er done. Rainy days I usually snuggle up to a great mattress and snooze....

Dude, Im tellin ya that Dio is awesome!!

Majer Kong

If you are still looking for a 1/32 F-105D, there is one on eBay with a "Buy It Now" price of $100.00.  Here is the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/F-105D-MiG-Master-1-32-by-Hobby-Craft-/121155125599?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item1c3568815f 

It is a Hobby Craft kit which is a re-boxing of the Trumpeter kit.  All of the sprues are still sealed.  Looks like a pretty good deal.

Ken

Thank you, Pawel!

Russ, very nice shots! Again, your dio is something special! Good luck finishing it and have a nice day

Paweł

Russ,

My modelling is based on low expectations during the summer months...... (low + no...) Been meanin to see the doc about this F-105 thing... Just wanted to build one or 3 for someting different. I built my first 1/32 earlier this year, a F-22 for my brother. ( Shhhh, between me and you Ive always thought the 105 was a bad bad buggy, and dang sexy too!!)  Im so sorry Ive let everyone down but dang thats an awesome scale to build in. I can do that scale without me glasses!! i will knock out a coupla "G"s and I will be alright. I need to find a "D".

Ive relegated my camera to "EUO" status..  Emergency use only. Im gonna have to upgrade a bit and this whole postin on here has been a bad deal for me.  I may send ya a couple of the AMARC "E" Ive been working on here in a few days. If the WX is good, Im outside gettin er done. Rainy days I usually snuggle up to a great mattress and snooze....

Dude, Im tellin ya that Dio is awesome!!

Majer Kong

Here are some additional shots of the aircraft and items of the diorama.

Here's a peek inside the gunner's compartment.

The chin radome is stored on a trailer out of the way of traffic while the nav troops work on their radar system.

Finally, this one's for you, Jim

Thanks, Duke! . I appreciate the good words and your support. 

I'd love to see that rail gun when you get it completed. Please post some photos here or post a link to it.

All the best,

Russ

buffjock

Russ,

Lookin good my friend!! Makes me wanna get my AMARC B-52 dio done..... I apologize for bein almost non-existant here for a while. Dads in the hospital and Im up to my  I-balls with mowing and fixin stuff. Oh, and a couple weeks ago I bought a pair of  Trumpeters 1/32 F-105Gs..... Now if i could just find a 1/32 F-105D.... Keep up the good work Russ!!!

Majer Kong

Thanks, Allen!

Man, I'm itchin to see that dio! Post some progress photos when you can. Sorry to hear about your dad. Hope he's getting better.

Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy. Hey, wait a minute... I thought you were a buff guy only... .

Cheers,

Russ

Wow! I'm speechless! This was a long, yet highly worthwhile project that just screams Master! Watching this throughout the build has kept me motivated to complete my big project: a 1/72 scale Dora rail gun. I am very close to completing it and a lot of that is because of your perseverance on this project here. Way to go!  

Russ,

Lookin good my friend!! Makes me wanna get my AMARC B-52 dio done..... I apologize for bein almost non-existant here for a while. Dads in the hospital and Im up to my  I-balls with mowing and fixin stuff. Oh, and a couple weeks ago I bought a pair of  Trumpeters 1/32 F-105Gs..... Now if i could just find a 1/32 F-105D.... Keep up the good work Russ!!!

Majer Kong

Thanks, Glenn!

Russ, that is a beautiful display! Great job!

Glenn

Thanks, Ken!  You've been a pillar of support and help all the way, and I do appreciate it!

Cheers,

Russ