Wee Beastie Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 As a child, I was fascinated by photo's of the XB-70. Such a futuristic looking aircraft then, and to some extent, it still looks futuristic now. In my previous model making life, I never had the room for such a large kit. Now, though, it's a different matter. I already had the Italeri kit, when news emerged last week of HpH Models upcoming 1/48 version. The 1/72 version is 30" long, which is big enough (laughable really, seeing as I have a Revell 1/48 B-1B in my stash!!). The 1/48 version is going to be about 4ft long, and presumably with a big price tag too. Despite it's history, I've always wondered what would have happened if the XB-70 had it seen service, and what role it would serve now. With that in mind, I decided that this XB-70 will be built as a "What If?". So expect something different Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Two and a half feet long... good grief, I balk at B17s and Lancasters. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex-FAAWAFU Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I hadn't seen the news of a 1/48 Valkyrie; bonkers! And we like bonkers! Intrigued to see where you take thus... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Beastie Posted July 10, 2015 Author Share Posted July 10, 2015 I hadn't seen the news of a 1/48 Valkyrie; bonkers! And we like bonkers! Intrigued to see where you take thus... Here's a link to the HpH page. Click the right-hand image, featuring the XB-70. The enlarged image shows dimensions of the kit http://www.hphmodels.cz/index.php/en/news/item/359-xb-70-valkyrie-1-48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidders Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Here is a build thread by member General Melchett which gives a lot of helpful hint and tips of building this beast:- http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/32764-italeri-amt-xb-70a-valkyrie/ Thought it might come in useful for you as he knows what he's talking about as this is his third XB-70 build!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Great choice, really looking forward to seeing what you make of it. I chickened out of my effort on it, hoping this can inspire me to try again! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madhatter Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 good choice in subject matter - it's nice to see something a little different from the usual subjects. Extra plus from me is your going to make it a WHIF - my favourite type of build I'll tune in for sure MH 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 You've probably got a scheme in mind already, but HERE are some ideas, from the clever to the downright wacky! Al 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Beastie Posted July 11, 2015 Author Share Posted July 11, 2015 You've probably got a scheme in mind already, but HERE are some ideas, from the clever to the downright wacky! Al Cheers for that link Al. As you say, I do have a scheme in mind, plus some slight updating of the airframe. Had a smile at the Air Force One scheme though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 I have one of the original AMT/Ertl kits somewhere so I shall watch this with interest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The wooksta V2.0 Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 Looking forward to this. Mine went RAF anti-flash white with markings from the old SAM Anti Flash Victor sheet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Can't wait to see what you make of this. I've just started mine, and the good generals build thread is an invaluable guide on how to do it right. Matt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Vader Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 You've probably got a scheme in mind already, but HERE are some ideas, from the clever to the downright wacky! Al Love the Thunderbirds ! ! ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 (edited) Love the Thunderbirds ! ! !That's the scheme I thought about using on mine. As I've only just started the cockpit, I might use it in the upcoming what if group build. Edited July 25, 2015 by S5 modeller 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaia1984 Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Looking forward to see this! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Beastie Posted August 10, 2015 Author Share Posted August 10, 2015 Well, finally got started. The cockpit, I've done straight OOB. Not really that much to see in there, and as the view into through the cockpit windows is limited, I'll admit I didn't spend a huge amount of time on it. Just painted the required grey, then applied the instrument decals. Anyway moving on. As you can see, pretty much everything is together. There's not that many parts to the kit. The fit is most parts is questionable, as can be seen on the wing section. All I'll say is if you're attempting this kit, have plenty of filler to hand!! Also, a lot of panel lines are being lost, when sanding down the filler. So I shall have to re-scribe them. I will be displaying the Valkyrie in flight mode, with main wing tips angled down, giving a more graceful look, and shape. As mentioned in the opening post, this is going to be a What-If. Given the issues (costs) that surrounded the effort of getting the XB-70 to Mach 3, and the increasingly cost-effective ICBM's, I've thought that it could well have ended up carrying out long range, lower speed, very high altitude, missions. Advances in technology would've overcome the Mach 3 issue, putting back into it's original mission brief, but maybe now as a very fast cruise missile delivery platform (Anyone know where I can get 1/72 cruise missiles from?). I intend the finish to be the current USAF Gunship grey, and low-vis markings. Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 I've got a bunch of folded cruise missiles from the old Monogram Bone you can have. All I need is your address... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F4u Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 Look forward to see how this goes as it is known as a filler queen, Like your choice as a "what if". Guy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Beastie Posted August 11, 2015 Author Share Posted August 11, 2015 I've got a bunch of folded cruise missiles from the old Monogram Bone you can have. All I need is your address... That's great, thank you PM sent Cheers Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Beastie Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share Posted August 22, 2015 Latest update on the "What-If?" Valkyrie. Fill, sand, scribe. Fill, sand, scribe. Fill, sand, scribe. Fill, sand, scribe. Fill, sand, scribe. You get the idea Actually, I don't mind, as I'm very pleased with how the kit is progressing. The next job is to cement the canards, tail fins, and main wing tips (all seen dry fitted in the photo below). After that, I'll be attaching various "lumps 'n' bumps", and sorting out the ordnance. I'm thinking a mixture of cruise missiles, plus some glide bombs. Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Looking good, the hard work will be worth it buddy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Beastie Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 The lumps and bumps have been added. There are sensors either side of the nose, plus a pair under the fuselage (just before the intakes). Also ECM pods of the tops of the tail fins. Not visible in the photos are a pair of chaff dispensers situated on the rear most fuselage, between the tail fins. There is also a slightly raised part of upper fuselage, just after the canards. This where the in-flight refuelling opening is. I'll be sorting out the weapons in due course, then I'm ready for the primer. Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 If you've got the wingtips folded, the windscreen ought to be in its high-speed configuration, no? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S5 modeller Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Nice work, you're progressing yours faster than mine. Could you tell me, can you stand it on the gear with the wing tips folded down? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairystick Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Nice work, you're progressing yours faster than mine. Could you tell me, can you stand it on the gear with the wing tips folded down? Just Googled "XB-70" on the images tab and there is a shot of it on the ground with tips lowered (possibly on roll-out from the NAA hangars). The angle isn't fully down into the "wave surfing" mode though. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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