Testors B-2 Spirit

[Skii]

I picked up this monster at the Souther Expo on saturday, albeit incomplete but at a bargain £10, Hatchet is very kindly donating the cockpit glazing which was missing, so with a mile of scratchbuilding ahead , I'm good to go

First impressions ? Actually I'm quite impressed - having read the doom and gloom tales about how this kit was forged in the depths of hell and despair by satan's own modelling minions, apart from the obvious lack of detail in some areas (quite forgivable considering the nature of the subject) it isn't THAT bad, raised panel lines which can easily be sanded away , even the wing fit isn't bad, sure there is a gap but with a bit of basic modelling savvy its hardly everest eh ?

So - in summary, looks like fun, its a challenge, it isn't going to fall together but then again isn't exactly a pig - the perfect kit for me

Which leads me on to my first question in researching this beasty - one of the bomb-bay doors is open, the other is shut - there also appears to be secondary bomb bay doors either side between the main gear bays - not having done a quick google I've stumbled across a pic of sharp-shooting Dick Cheney standing under what is claimed to be a B-2 bomb bay, which either is an optical illusion or is actually painted green

So is this pic a main bomb bay ? i don't see the rotary munitions launcher so I'm going to assume its the smaller secondary bomb bay between the bomb bay and the main gear bay. Does anyone know of any pics showing the main bomb bay ?

Can't wait to start this project to be honest, one thing is for sure, this is a big bugger, might need to build a new room for it let alone 2 bomb bays eh

John

[Mentalguru]

OMG_ actually they were all painted that renault pearlescent colour- and its just the lighting

Look at the door down at the bottom on the left- c'mon- pull yourself together man!

[Skii]

OMG_ actually they were all painted that renault pearlescent colour- and its just the lighting

Look at the door down at the bottom on the left- c'mon- pull yourself together man!

ok - yeah I'm suffering temporary blindness tonight Rich, i can see its just the lighting now doh !

[daz greenwood]

It must be the lights from the weekend John.

[rdxtnt]

Some good pics of an award winning Testors B-2 on here John, including some good shots of the super-detailed bomb bay. It seems the model was criticised in some quarters for being over-weathered but the detail work is awesome.

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal6...ats-B-2/00.shtm

There is also an article on the build in Finescale Modeler January 2007. Hope that's helpful.

Gary

[entlim]

Simlar build in FSM last year.............

[Dave T]

Skii,

There are only 2 bomb bays. The other doors you refer to are, i believe, engine access doors, but a couple of good references are World Air Power Journal No.31, and Squadron Signal #178 B-2 Spirit In Action.

.

[zipplex]

Skii

There's a in-depth look at the John Vojtech build of the B-2 in Issue 4 of Aerospace Modeler which is still available as a back issue.

http://www.aerospacemodeler.com/store/inde...p;a=back_issues

Simon

[hatchet]

So is this pic a main bomb bay ? i don't see the rotary munitions launcher so I'm going to assume its the smaller secondary bomb bay between the bomb bay and the main gear bay. Does anyone know of any pics showing the main bomb bay ?

Uh John, I'm fairly certain that there are two identical bomb bays on it, not a main and secondary one. There can be any number of reasons for the CSRL not to be fitted, such as them wanting to deploy Mk.82s or GBU-38s (if they've been cleared). Not all the munitions are dropped from the CSRL

[Skii]

It must be the lights from the weekend John.

Yeah I reckon it will take me a week to get that yellow light out of my head eh Daz !

Some good pics of an award winning Testors B-2 on here John, including some good shots of the super-detailed bomb bay. It seems the model was criticised in some quarters for being over-weathered but the detail work is awesome.

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal6...ats-B-2/00.shtm

There is also an article on the build in Finescale Modeler January 2007. Hope that's helpful.

Gary

cheers Gary

I've been studying john Vojtechs build since i got home, stunning piece of work it really is. I'll be aiming for a few less panel lines than his build and I think there is a very good opportunity to experiment with different shades and textures without making it look dirty or weathered

Skii,

There are only 2 bomb bays. The other doors you refer to are, i believe, engine access doors, but a couple of good references are World Air Power Journal No.31, and Squadron Signal #178 B-2 Spirit In Action.

.

ahh of course - yes that figures - cheers dave

Skii

There's a in-depth look at the John Vojtech build of the B-2 in Issue 4 of Aerospace Modeler which is still available as a back issue.

http://www.aerospacemodeler.com/store/inde...p;a=back_issues

Simon

Yeah might have to look that issue up - cheers Simon

Uh John, I'm fairly certain that there are two identical bomb bays on it, not a main and secondary one. There can be any number of reasons for the CSRL not to be fitted, such as them wanting to deploy Mk.82s or GBU-38s (if they've been cleared). Not all the munitions are dropped from the CSRL

Thanks Martin, I reckon you are spot on there

[Mike]

Haven't you finished it yet?

[Skii]

Haven't you finished it yet?

oi you - get back to your Buff

[AnonymousER99]

Soooooooooooo.....has it been started yet?

[hatchet]

oi you - get back to your Buff

Don't you mean Valiant?

[Mike]

oi you - get back to your Buff

It's too cold to be in the buff

What're we like eh? We both buy difficult kits to do well, with wingspans that make them difficult to store.... oh, and they both drop bombs on the bad guys

[AnonymousER99]

Don't you mean Valiant?

Martin

I think it is safe to say that the Valiant has been shelved forever in Mike Williams own personal Boneyard!! Hes too chicken to actually finish it!!

[Skii]

Soooooooooooo.....has it been started yet?

well I might have assembled the top half of the body to the wings ...whilst deciding wether or not to start another build...

[Rowan Broadbent]

I picked up this monster at the Souther Expo on saturday, albeit incomplete but at a bargain £10, Hatchet is very kindly donating the cockpit glazing which was missing, so with a mile of scratchbuilding ahead , I'm good to go

First impressions ? Actually I'm quite impressed - having read the doom and gloom tales about how this kit was forged in the depths of hell and despair by satan's own modelling minions, apart from the obvious lack of detail in some areas (quite forgivable considering the nature of the subject) it isn't THAT bad, raised panel lines which can easily be sanded away , even the wing fit isn't bad, sure there is a gap but with a bit of basic modelling savvy its hardly everest eh ?

So - in summary, looks like fun, its a challenge, it isn't going to fall together but then again isn't exactly a pig - the perfect kit for me

Which leads me on to my first question in researching this beasty - one of the bomb-bay doors is open, the other is shut - there also appears to be secondary bomb bay doors either side between the main gear bays - not having done a quick google I've stumbled across a pic of sharp-shooting Dick Cheney standing under what is claimed to be a B-2 bomb bay, which either is an optical illusion or is actually painted green

So is this pic a main bomb bay ? i don't see the rotary munitions launcher so I'm going to assume its the smaller secondary bomb bay between the bomb bay and the main gear bay. Does anyone know of any pics showing the main bomb bay ?

Can't wait to start this project to be honest, one thing is for sure, this is a big bugger, might need to build a new room for it let alone 2 bomb bays eh

John

To me that looks more like a B-1 - the roof has a curved profile whereas theose of the B-2 seem to be more box-like - being in the "thick" central section of a flying wing, rather than within a relatively traditional fuselage?

also, the door on the left of the picture also seems to be in the centre of a single large bay with four doors?

Not an expert on these things, just my impresion!

[AnonymousER99]

well I might have assembled the top half of the body to the wings ...whilst deciding wether or not to start another build...

You sound just like me John!!

BTW I saw the pics of the Southern Expo and I have come to one very sad conclusion...all four of us mods are folically challenged!! LOL

[Skii]

You sound just like me John!!

BTW I saw the pics of the Southern Expo and I have come to one very sad conclusion...all four of us mods are folically challenged!! LOL

I think its a side effect from paint thinners Mike

[Oliver]

To me that looks more like a B-1 - the roof has a curved profile whereas theose of the B-2 seem to be more box-like - being in the "thick" central section of a flying wing, rather than within a relatively traditional fuselage?

also, the door on the left of the picture also seems to be in the centre of a single large bay with four doors?

Not an expert on these things, just my impresion!

Nope deffinately not a B-1 bomb bay, the bay doors aren't split like that on the B-1B.

Skii, if you look at the photo in between the two guys and level with the airman's fore most hand you'll see a black rectangle thingy on the bulkhead. Pretty sure thats the mount for the rotary launcher.

[Mike V]

You're correct, as that’s the B-2 weapons bay. The B-1's bay is significantly different in structure layout and is about 10 feet or more from the ground. The personnel standing are at door level, as if they were under a B-1 weapons bay of a shot taken from the same angle, you'd barely be able to see the lower part of the doors.

Mike V

[Rowan Broadbent]

You're correct, as that’s the B-2 weapons bay. The B-1's bay is significantly different in structure layout and is about 10 feet or more from the ground. The personnel standing are at door level, as if they were under a B-1 weapons bay of a shot taken from the same angle, you'd barely be able to see the lower part of the doors.

Mike V

See, told you I wasn't a 'spert. Sorry for interupting

[Smiffy]

As soon as I read that you'd bought this kit, the first thing that popped into my head was that one that was in FSM, and I immediately thought, Skiis one will rival, if not better that build. Nuff said.

I hope you finish your McLaren first tho. Although, I'm not the best person to talk here, as I'm trying to get my Jag done for the GB and I can hear that VFS P-47 (that I couldn't resist buying at the weekend), calling to me from the other side of the room, "build me.....build meeee!"

NO.

Must....be...strong.

Finish....Jag....first!.

[Skii]

As soon as I read that you'd bought this kit, the first thing that popped into my head was that one that was in FSM, and I immediately thought, Skiis one will rival, if not better that build. Nuff said.

I hope you finish your McLaren first tho. Although, I'm not the best person to talk here, as I'm trying to get my Jag done for the GB and I can hear that VFS P-47 (that I couldn't resist buying at the weekend), calling to me from the other side of the room, "build me.....build meeee!"

NO.

Must....be...strong.

Finish....Jag....first!.

hehe - well I'm very flattered Smiff, if I can get it half as good as John Vojtech's build believe you me I'll be a happy man. The main objective is those damn weapon bays and achieving all that detail in the confined recessed spaces, it will be a challenge, but I'm going to give it a go !

Don't worry mate, the Mclaren will be finishd in due course, its going to well to get shelved and gather dust

cheers

John