Search the Community

Here are some photos of my recently completed B-36, representing a plane (01086, “Miss Featherweight”) based at Carswell during the early 1950's. This model was built using the Roden 1/144 kit, with a few scratch built details. I used an aftermarket decal set from Caracal, because those that came in the kit looked very blurry. I also purchased a wide-base display stand from Academy in order to represent the plane in flight. My additions were the gun barrels (tungsten rod, in place of the kit plastic), rigging (using UNI-Caenis thread) and a very basic set of crew figures (created from Milliput). The kit comes with no interior whatsoever, and I felt that it would look silly to have plane flying with no one inside. There was also no provision for representing the plane with the undercarriage retracted, so some of the wheel bay doors had to be created with Evergreen sheet. This was not an easy build. Cutting a very long story short, basically every single step was accompanied by a lot of filling and sanding to avoid unnatural-looking seam lines and mould sinks. If you are interested I have shared pictures of some of the worst offenders in my web site (https://www.marcellorosa.com/1-144-b-36d-peacemaker), but here today I am celebrating the end of this saga, so I will concentrate on positives! This was my first experience with attempting a natural metal finish. It was a steep learning curve, not helped by the fact that I chose a complicated scheme that combined the metallic surfaces in most places, with anti-flash white in some parts of the bottom surfaces. This meant a lot of masking, particularly keeping in mind that even at 1/144 this B-36 model still manages to be longer, and to have a wider wingspan than my 1/72 Privateer (Itself an elongated version of the B-24 Liberator). Just shows how insanely large the B-36 was, for its time. An entire roll of Tamiya tape was used in this "mini-scale" model... The anti-flash white bottom surfaces were painted with SMS white followed by a bit of insignia white. Panel lines were suggested by running a fine pacer along them, before the last coat of white paint was applied. Pictures of the B-36 suggest two main characteristics of the metallic finish. 1) The crew compartments (aluminium, front and back) look more reflective than the middle parts (magnesium), and 2) there is some variation in shade and reflectiveness between panels. I tried to evoke similar impressions by using different Alclad paints, and by using different final coats after the decals (Vallejo semi-gloss for most of the wing and fuselage, very glossy floor polish for the front and back crew compartments). Weathering was kept to a minimum, with most of it happening "organically" by not becoming too fanatic about cleaning and fixing every little speck of imperfection in the paint. I found trying to weather a 1/144 model surprisingly hard, since everything I did looked like a huge smudge in the plane. Surely, the crew chiefs would not allow that much to stay. Little bits of oil stain were added where I saw in them watching the movie "Strategic Air Command" multiple times. I really wanted a B-36 in my collection, and the Roden kit did provide the materials to build a correctly shaped one - albeit almost driving me crazy, in the process. Unless you have the real estate required to accommodate one of the increasingly rare 1/72 Monogram kits, and the willingness to splash money in the litres of metallic paint required by that kit, the Roden is the best option available. Just don't think it will be a quick and relaxing build. If you are planning to build this kit, feel free to enter in contact using the email in my signature panel, I will be happy to give more details.

Convair B-36 Peacemaker Warpaint Series No.102 In 1941 the United States had to consider that Britain might lose the war with Germany; most of western Europe had already fallen to the German onslaught and the U.S. viewed the situation that they may have to take up the fight with Germany if Britain fell. The major problem was that America did not have a long-range bomber with sufficient range and load carrying capacity to fly missions to Germany all the way from the USA. Early in 1941 President Roosevelt and his senior military officers looked at the increasing likelihood of fighting on two fronts, with a war against both Germany and Japan becoming inevitable. The USAAF was tasked to investigate designs for a long-range bomber, with the capability of flying bombing missions to German and back from bases in the US. Specifications were sent in April 1941 to aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Consolidated; plus Northrop (who at that time, was an aviation research organisation, looking into the long-range Flying Wing concept) for designs that could achieve 12,000 miles range at a cruising speed of 275 mph, maximum 450mph, and an altitude of 45,000 feet; A bomb load of 10,000lb (pounds) was also specified. Boeing was working at full capacity at this time building their B-17 Flying Fortresses, plus being heavily involved in design work of the B-29 Super Fortress, whereas Consolidated already had an advanced design, based on their preliminary Model 35 specification. As such, it was the Consolidated design that was taken forward for further development. Consolidated presented their design specification for the Model 36 (later to become the XB-36) on 6th October 1941 and a contract was issued to progress on 15th November 1941. The design featured a wing span of 230 feet with an area of 4,772 square feet and powered by 6 Pratt & Whitney 28-cylinder X-Wasp engines. The first mock-up was ready in July 1942, by which time the United States had been brought into the war through Japan's actions at Pearl Harbor, and therefore this aircraft was going to be "born in war"; however, continual design change requirements meant that the prototype XB-36 did not fly until late 1946 and the first production B-36 "Peacemaker" was not accepted into operational service until June 1948, being delivered to the 7th Bombardment Group {Heavy); based at Carswell AFB, Fort Worth. The Book On opening the book you are presented on the first page with a set of four profile images of B-36 colour schemes, beautifully illustrated by Richard J. Caruana. Following this feast for the eyes is the historical and technical descriptive chapters by Kev Darling. The first chapter is both enlightening and interesting, as the narrative plays out the trials and tribulations which caused the B-36 design to take over seven years to finally come to fruition as a fully operational strategic bomber. Throughout the book there are black & white and colour photographs, showing tactical markings and colours that complement the excellent full colour illustrations of Richard's art work. A total of 21 profile drawings are included within the 52 pages, including covers, with some of the profiles showing both sides of the fuselage where details may be different; such as nose-art etc. The centre-page displays a full page plan and profile of a B-36H-1-CF Peacemaker drawn by Richard. This illustration provides virtually all the colour demarcations for a White, grey and natural metal finish and should be of immense help for painting up a model of this aircraft. Well researched and detailed tabulated tables; containing additional data such as technical specifications, production details and operational units, can be found throughout the book. There is also a table defining the kits and their scales, aftermarket parts and decals that have been produced; although I cannot confirm whether these are all still available today. There is also a section on the FICON (FIghter CONveyer) project; the carriage of a straight-winged Republic F-84E, partially fitted into the bomb bay under the fuselage, which would be deployed as a fighter escort if needed. Conclusion The Convair, as the Consolidated-Vultee merger became known, B-36 Peacemaker was a supremely large and awe inspiring aircraft for anyone who got to see it and this book helps to bring over that impression of sheer size and strength; with its six large rearward facing propeller driven engines. Kev Darling provides a fascinating insight into the politics and technical aspects of the struggles to get this behemoth from the drawing board to become on of the United States Cold War bombers. The narratives are beautifully illustrated with full colour drawings from the esteemed artist Richard Caruana and, together, they have brought the story of the B-36 Peacemaker into fully understandable and enlightening publication. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of .