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My thanks to @CliffB and @Enzo the Magnificent for hosting this GB. I am a bit late starting but that is because I have only just cleared a big enough space on my modelling bench for this, the Hasegawa 1/72 Boeing B-47E Stratojet '380th Bomb Wing' (00683): Opening the box reveals 165 parts moulded in grey plastic, plus 1 transparency. There is a fair bit of flash, seams and ejector pin marks to clean up: The A3 cutting mat gives a good idea of the fuselage length: Lots of bomb halves but I won't be using them. Many of the parts have flash, especially the crew figures: The undercarriage legs will not be used as I have white metal replacements: Wing halves. I really do not have space to display this kit so I might have to dry-fit the wings so that I can store it more easily: Drop tanks have a fair bit of flash: These parts had fallen off the runners but most of them will not be used: Cockpit transparency is clear but rather thick but I may be replacing it with a Falcon job: The decal sheet has options for two machines. The first is for 0-32415, 380th Bomb Wing, SAC, 'City of Plattsburg II' and 12240, 321st Bomb Wing, SAC, Pine Castle AFB. I also have some Super Scale decals (see further down this post) but at the moment, I am not sure which to use: Instructions are spread over two large pages, each sub-divided into A4 sections. Front of Instruction Sheet page has a potted history of the B-47E: Reverse of Instruction Sheet - Part List and Assembly Sections 1 to 6: Reverse of Instruction Sheet - Assembly Sections 7 to 9: Front of Instruction Sheet - Assembly Sections 10 to 16: There is also a separate Painting & Decal Placement Profile sheet: The reverse of that sheet has the list of paints to be used, along with some modelling tips: Some Aftermarket Bits & Bobs: Pavla B-47 Engine Upgrade (U72-141): New Ware Masks B-47E Stratojet Cockpit and Wheel Masks (NWAM0362): Scale Aircraft Conversions B-47 White Metal Undercarriage Legs (72068): Instruction Sheet for Super Scale B47-E Decals (72-561): Although Super Scale's instructions portrays four B-47Es, I only have a complete set for for 2609, the 1,000th B-47 built. I am not sure whether to use this option: One of my favourite aircraft books is the Osprey Air Combat Boeing B-47 Stratojet book by Lindsay Peacock: Also keeping me company during this build will be the film "Strategic Air Command", with James Stewart. Lots of lovely shots of Boeing B-47s and Convair B-36s. One B-36 take-off always makes me smile. That is all for now Dave

Here we go again, Not long go someone asked in another build what the B-47E I had started waaaaay back in the dark pre-Covid ages of 2019(has it been THAT long?) status was. At the time I thought maybe I would get back to it late next year, depending on how several GB's for 2023 take their toll on me, But after scrounging around in the deepest dark reaches of my ever growing stash,( as Flip Wilson would have said it was buried in the back, in the booth, in the corner, in the dark, if you know that quote, You're older than Dirt my friend) looking at what HAD been done. I'm sad to report, The cockpit interior was in too many pieces and definitely not trying to put back together. Besides scale wise it was closer to 1/32 than 1/48 so, buh-bye. That will be re-done as printed resin. In fact a lot of this build will rely on that technique. If you wish to see what I had done before you can follow this link: As far as I can tell in a profiled build on the net there was only one other over on the ARC site, competed by Darius Aibara. ome reference help there but this is going a new and different direction. So rather than pick up where I left off I'm starting with a fresh slate. With having several Big builds and stuffing as much detail in the cockpits, wheel wells, and bomb bays, I'm in a much more confident position than I was long ago in that build far, far away. Well that and I do have a reputation for being the Craziest denizen of the Naughty Corner to upkeep. Here's what I hope to do with this build, 1, Finish it, ha, ha, he so funny 2. Improve the cockpit. Correct as can be accomplished with the references available. 3. Stuff all the correct detail into the wheel wells 4. Stuff all the detail I can into the Bomb bay with correct "Special Ordnance" for the time period 5. Drop the flaps, ailerons and rudder 6 Make the "Horse Collar" RATO set 7. Keep a few brain cells sane. That's not too much is it? So follow along if you dare. I know I could use the company. Lets see what we have to work shall we? Yes, acres and acres of white Vac-u-form plastic. I love the smell of burning plastic in the morning,... wait that's my brains. Sorry. Give the parts an outline with my permanent marker. It will make removing the parts easier than removing my fingers in the cutting process. At least I'll be able to see what I'm cutting. At least in theory. A wonderful set of metal parts, that are totally out of scale and useless for this build, but will make good fishing sinkers when needed. SO they won't go to waste. Using Darius' Idea of using a set of C-130 wheels as a substitution for the kit Wheels? on the left. And in addition to what I can find for information on the net 2 very good reference books. One by Alwyn T. Lloyd, [/url The other by Jan Tegler. Let the fun begin and Dam the Martinis, Full Speed Ahead!

I just finished one build and before I started my next one I decided to do some repairs to my old Monogram B-36 bomber, and while I had if on the work bench I figured I would take some pictures. This kit has suffered the slings and arrow of outrageous fortune and several cleaning ladies that just have to dust everything. The nose and tail guns have been replaced several times and the propellers drop like flies. But I think I have it back in shape. This was painted with a combination of SNJ metalizer and Flowquil Old Silvers, neither of which are available anymore. It is by far my biggest build, bigger even then the B-52.

Hi, I saw this is coming out soon and as a fan of the B-52 and the early silver over white SAC scheme I thought about giving it a go. Thoughts? Anyone built one? Any major flaws? Any decent aftermarket? The other question is does anyone know if ModelCollect are planning a complete B-52 range? Because if they are I'd like a C and D as well. Going to need a bigger cabinet...

Hi All, I have just got hold of a Tamiya Tomcat and am about to order some decals on line. The kit looks quite heavy and the plastic undercarriage maybe a bit weak. Has anyone built this and is it worth spending another #20 on the white metal undercarriage legs from SAC? Cheers Colin

Hello all One of my recent completions, the marvellous Gloster Javelin from Airfix. I did this one in the scheme of XH903, which is on display at the Jet Age Museum not far from me, here in Gloucestershire. I did offer to donate this to the museum to sit alongside some of the other models they have on display there, but no response at all from them, which was disappointing. Anyhow, this beast just manages to squeeze onto my display shelf, so at least it's on display somewhere. This is quite a heavy kit when done, with a fair bit of nose weight required, so I thought it was worth getting a metal undercarriage set from SAC. Also tried scratchbuilding seat harnesses from Tamiya tape for the first time as there aren't any supplied with the kit's seats. Airbrushed in a mix of Tamiya and Mr Hobby acrylics, weathered with some oils and Flory Dark Dirt wash. Posed it with everything open just to show all that lovely detail. My only complaint would be the quality of the decals, the roundels in particular wouldn't settle nicely into the panel lines despite repeated attacks of Microsol - any other issues were of my own making. Overall though a great kit and a pleasure to build. Thanks for looking Adam

Hi all, I ordered an Italieri KC-135A Stratotanker today for £32.50 (bit of a bargin I thought) and was looking for some background to get me in the mood etc. Does anyone know what the airborne deterrent formations of B52s and KC135s would consist of? (How many of each, where they would be based, what their routes would be and so on). Advice on the kit would also be much appreciated! Many thanks.

as I wrote myself into trouble accepting 2 different group-builds at more or less the same time here the other one I am working on in parallel.....; http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234982350-s-75-dwina-sa-2-guideline-sam-egypt-148/ but as I liked the idea of a tribute Tornado build, breaking the gb calendar planing just as the reason for the gb came unplanned,,,, I will try to to my best keeping the deadlines... apart from that, the cause of the gb also help me in tackling this rather not up to date kit.... I will try to put in quite some Aftermarket designed for other, more modern kits... so lets see the newer, not necessarily better version of Airfix's F3 rendition: too good to be thrown away? lets see AM: AIres landing gear bays and SAC metal landing gears both for the Hobbyboss kit so they fit each other, I will hopefully get a nicely detailed and sturdy landing gear out of this combo! hope it will be fitable ! Aires ejection seats: should fit without mayor problems Paragon exhausts and wing seals: for the Italeri kit I think Eduard PE for the F3 from Hobbyboss: this should lead to a more or less detailed and correct cockpit (for the year 2000 also????) WILL FIT! Master pitot: obligatory Decals from better days of Model Alliance.... the red is a bit dark.... I think I will also need some new wheels... (are the ones from Eduard any good?, other suggestions?) upper and lower fuselage taped togther: in length they fit well, in width no so much... upper one with recessed panel lines, lower fuselage with thin raised ones.... for comparison see here; the older, more consistent upper fuselage jumps your eye hopefully http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234983159-tornado-f3-148-airfix-update-2-14-6-2015/ some nice inspiration for everybody: http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=43209&start=40 http://www.airliners.net/photo/UK---Air/Panavia-Tornado-F3/0208205/L/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/corkspotter/16779793000/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/corkspotter/16781066619/ http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1261068/ http://s230.photobucket.com/user/harry_tranter/media/ZE339AV_.jpg.html thanks for watching and your opinions! let the fun begin! Cheers, Werner