Academy Minicraft 1/144 Boeing B-52H Stratofortress

[adey m]

Another model from the past which I built in the 1990s.

 

 

 

It was moulded in a dark green coloured plastic and included a very comprehensive selection of external weapons and rockets and decoy missile on a seperate white moulded sprue.

I decided to add detail to the cockpit and crew compartment and as I had made the decision to model it in flying mode I also made two small pilot figures.

 

 

It was probably one of the only models that I decided from the start to build in flying mode. The wings were moulded with the downwards droop of an aircraft on the ground so I spent a few happy minutes bending the wings upwards in a bowl of boiling water while wearing rubber gloves. Here we have the model build well advanced with all the major components waiting to be attached. I have also built a card cradle for supporting the model during construction and then for storing and transporting.

I decided to model a silver and white aircraft instead of the camouflaged one which was included in the kit ( I don't know why I always have to make things difficult for myself ).

 

 

Here is a younger me trying to mask the model with Tamiya tape after it has already been sprayed white in preparation for applying the silver.  I had forgotten about that German Lozenge Camouflage carpet ............... my Monogram RB-36 lurks above my workbench.

 

 

The completed model mounted on a home made stand from MDF with a brass rod. I had to paint the U.S. AIR FORCE by hand. The Hound Dog missiles came in the kit. I just did not know where to put the Quail decoy missile though.

 

 

In this view can be seen a number of underfuselage aerials which is the reason why I made a cradle for it.

 

I wish I still had this model as it would go nicely with my two 1/144 Corgi B-52Es today....................................  I also wish I still had that hair

 

Hope you liked it.

 

regards,  adey

 

 

 

Edited July 14, 2018 by adey m

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Great looking BUFF 👍... The Quail was stored and launched from the rear bomb bay. I can post a photo if you want. 

[TME3]

Nice B-52.... I love those early natural metal SAC schemes...  Well done..!

[adey m]

8 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

Great looking BUFF 👍... The Quail was stored and launched from the rear bomb bay. I can post a photo if you want. 

I would really like to see that. The Quail is a fascinating looking thing, a bit like a Thunderbird 2.

 

regards,  adey

[upnorth]

Nice build of an old kit. I built it in the mid 1980s when it was in Revell boxing. The kit was originally made by Crown in the early 1970s.

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Here is a good photo of it being released from the Bomb bay.

 

[Viking]

Nice Buff, I agree that it looks best in the silver & white scheme. Your scratch built interior show very well what a contortion it was climbing up to the cockpit from the underside hatch. I visited a museum in Rantoul, Illinois, where they had a preserved nose section you were allowed to climb into. It required almost acrobatic ability! Sitting in the cockpit with its 8 throttles and all the instrumentation was something else!

Happy days & great memories revived by your model.

 

Cheers

 

John

[Uncle Pete]

Beautiful.  And a scratched interior in 144?  You're mad!

[adey m]

11 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

Here is a good photo of it being released from the Bomb bay.

 

Fantastic photo, I have never seen a Quail being launched from a B-52 before, I also did not realise that it was that big.

 

Thank you very much Corsairfoxfouruncle

[David H]

Well i know of *one* person who is clearly impressed....