Flashman Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) So as promised after the Tu22 my next build is another 1/72 bomber and is one of my all time favourite aircraft, the Boeing B52 Stratofortress. This is the Monogram 'big, bad and beautiful' kit of the aircraft, which I think will be the largest model kit I have ever built and after the B36 is probably one of the largest 1/72 aircraft out there. This kit depicts the aircraft during Operation Arc Light, strategic bombing raids against North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, with the bomb bay and wing pylons loaded up with 1000lb 750lb M117 bombs and the distinctive 3-tone camoflague scheme along with a more unusual black underside. I got this second hand (the only way to get them nowadays) a while ago and have now decided to just hold my breath and plunge in to what will no doubt be a difficult but enjoyable build. The B52 is one of the most iconic aircraft of the Cold War and I think that as much as us Cold War types love it, comparatively few of us end up actually building one. The awesome box art, consistent with the Monogram 1/72 B36 and 1/48 B58 and B29: I believe that the contents are not in the best condition (if the box is anything to go by anyway) and a couple of parts may be already assembled so, in the words of Bryn Cartwright from the Welsh classic Twin Town, 'what's the existing shamonga like?' Upon opening the box: A quick size comparison- that's an Airfix 1/72 Typhoon, already quite a large aircraft: Laying out the box contents- required multiple photos due to size: The bits that had come off of the sprues the box- I've checked it and it appears to all be there: Instructions and decals: By this point I was itching to get started so I did, assembling the wing fuel tanks: And the engines- one of these was already done. There are only three here as the kit has the ability to show one engine with the inspection hatch removed, which I will be doing: And the engine pylons- one of these was also already done: I also did the main landing gear: This is going to be a fun one! With the Christmas holidays over my modelling rate will be slowing down drastically but I will try to spend one or two nights a week at least in the mancave. -Flash Edited January 5, 2016 by Flashman 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedy Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Bloody brilliant, will be watching this also got one in the loft....... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLC1966 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Like buses, you never see one then two come along at once. Good news. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Vader Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I built this monster in the mid 80s then hung it from my bedroom ceiling. But plain old drawing pins wouldn't hold it, Dad had to put some screw hooks in to hold it. Swapped it from a school friend for 3 copies of Mayfair magazine. We were 14 at the time. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthemodeller Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Never seen one of these built before... should be fun! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLC1966 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I built this monster in the mid 80s then hung it from my bedroom ceiling. But plain old drawing pins wouldn't hold it, Dad had to put some screw hooks in to hold it. Swapped it from a school friend for 3 copies of Mayfair magazine. We were 14 at the time. Wise beyond your years obviously... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashman Posted January 10, 2016 Author Share Posted January 10, 2016 Have managed to get in some more work over the last couple of days: Built the fins: And the display engine- a bit of detail there: And the wing pylons for bombs: Weathered the landing gear- they were done in aluminum but I thought that was too bright so weathered them with drybrushing, washes and powder. Assembled the tail turret: not a good fit at all! Will give it a bit of tidying up. Built the cockpit- it's very basic, with the pilots having part of the seat actually moulded into them and no 'battle station' area behind. # Very blurry for some reason: Painting the gear bays Interior Green: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuidoKM Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Looking forward to seeing more of this! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashman Posted January 10, 2016 Author Share Posted January 10, 2016 So am I when I get some spare time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Looks good so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Such a beast. I would love to build another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAF Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Does this thing come with a Survival Kit? Gary 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashman Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 Such a beast. I would love to build another one. Have you done the Monogram or another one? I'm thinking of doing a Gulf war build later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Have you done the Monogram or another one? I'm thinking of doing a Gulf war build later on. I built the AMT / Italeri B-52H maybe 20 odd years ago. In the future when I have the space I would love to build more large bombers and cargo aircraft. Now I don't have the space for some 1/48 fighter jets. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashman Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 Does this thing come with a Survival Kit? Gary Haha great to see a fellow Kubrick fan! No, but maybe the B1 in my stash does! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Brilliant film. I've had a go at this one too, way, way back. Possibly bought at an air show, maybe Finningley having seen it "display", it took off, flew round a bit & landed! Good kit though, crack on! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashman Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 Progress! Wheels in: Fuselage closed up- not a bad fit considering! Wing flaps in: Engine pylons onto engines: Starting to look like a B52 now! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Liking it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashman Posted May 4, 2016 Author Share Posted May 4, 2016 So I've finally managed to continue with this beast, am currently working on the masking for painting and should be able to get some pictures up more or less soon. Stand by! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcdonnell Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 Hello,Flash - You're doing a great job on a great subject in every sense of the word.This IS big and beautiful!! Keep up the good work! All the best,Paul. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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