1/48 Hph XB-70A Its finally COMPLETED!

[LorenSharp]

Thank you Kev, I'm surprised I didn't have more extensive structural damage. Oh and the tip did it's obligatory snapping off. This "little" setback did give me a chance to

experiment with making my own photo etching, So now I can make the updates to the engines😁

 

[Nikolay Polyakov]

19 hours ago, LorenSharp said:

Snapped both winglets off, tore loose 3 engines and broke the landing gear.

Ah, sorry to hear it! What a sad flight...

 

I hate the repair works. Hope you’ll sort it out soon! 🤝

[Mattlow]

Well done for keeping at it.

 

I find that if the damage isn't apocalyptic and you get over the urge to chuck it all away, the repairs are often better than the original.

 

Matt

[LorenSharp]

That's quite true,The wing tips are more solid this time around. A little bit more to the reshaping of the hinges then repair the landing gear.

 

[LorenSharp]

modelman182 did give me an idea and a hand with something I'm going to try on this model.

Creating my own photo-etch for the Engines. Depending on how messy it gets I'll go through

creation of those. If  I can get this to come out the way I think it will. It will come in handy on the next few projects

in the pipeline.

[LorenSharp]

Well back to where I was 5 months ago.

Parts are repaired. I took the engines out to redo the cans with photoetch instead of he stock setup. That I will do once everything else if finished.

 

[LorenSharp]

Before I attach the swan neck to the fuselage i'm going to put the stenciling on the lower half.

ahhh... a lot of stenciling.

 

[LorenSharp]

On just the underneath of the wing, 117 items. This is going to be a loooong night.

 

 

[AdrianMF]

Gosh, I admire your perseverence! It is looking lovely (again). 

 

Regards,

Adrian

[LorenSharp]

I think I start with something easier first. Aircraft numbers on the rudder. those I can see with out a microscope.

The instructions called for using the precut masks but they looked too large to me so Found some codes in my decal stash that fit nicely.

Since they were individual numbers, I used a piece of masking tape to act as a guide to keep everything level.

[LorenSharp]

It's far sturdier and solid this time too Adrian. So far at least.😀

[LorenSharp]

4 hours and 119 itty bitty decals later,the bottom wing and tails are decaled. Once dry I'll clear coat to seal. Then begins the attachment of the neck.

Be here next time for more exciting adventures of The Great White Beast.

[modelman182]

The refurbishment has worked wonders, Loren! Don't envy you all that decalling, though - looks like a right pain!

 

Also looking forward to seeing how the engine PE comes out.

 

Cheers

 

Kev

[LorenSharp]

I have a stiff neck from all the looking down trying to get all the stenciling in. I took all the PE scans in and cleaned them up then printed out gray scale paper copies.

Did a paper model version of them to make sure all the parts fit together properly. Took a few tries get them where I want them. Although great for 1/72 scale

had to do a little stretching and tweaking. no where near as difficult as I thought it would be.

[LorenSharp]

Since they are calling for rain this weekend and I got other endeavours to get done I'll do the photoetching next week. As toxic as the photo etch chemicals are I'm doing them outside.

Ferric Chloride and Sodium Hydroxide are not the pleasantest of aromas.😫By my calculations it should take 3- .005mm brass sheets 100mm x 150mm.

[modelman182]

17 hours ago, LorenSharp said:

Since they are calling for rain this weekend and I got other endeavours to get done I'll do the photoetching next week. As toxic as the photo etch chemicals are I'm doing them outside.

Ferric Chloride and Sodium Hydroxide are not the pleasantest of aromas.😫By my calculations it should take 3- .005mm brass sheets 100mm x 150mm.

That's the safest way to do that sort of stuff - well away from all living things! Nasty stuff that etch fluid! I'd also wear a respirator when removing the brass from the tank and have a clean 'wash tank' handy. Who said our hobby was "clean and safe"??? 😉

 

Not satisfied with only a 72nd scale B-70 in my stash, I acquired a 72nd scale TU-160 'Blackjack' last weekend (aka 'The Great White Swan'). I guess I'll need to look for a 72nd B-1 before too long? 😁

 

Cheers

 

Kev

[LorenSharp]

That, or a TU-95 Bear.Have one of those in the Stash. Got the silly idea of using it as a pattern for scratch building a 1/48 version

[modelman182]

9 minutes ago, LorenSharp said:

That, or a TU-95 Bear.Have one of those in the Stash. Got the silly idea of using it as a pattern for scratch building a 1/48 version

OMG! Your masochism is WAY out of control!! 😉 And I thought that I liked BIG aircraft? Tell me... have you put in bids on all your neighbours' houses to ensure you have enough display space??? 😉

 

I've got a Revell 144th Bear and a rather 'cute' 144th EE Lightning to escort it (A Welsh Models vacform, at that - so that should be REAL fun! hee hee...). Lord alone knows when I'll get to those kits, though...

[LorenSharp]

I thought pain was the name of the game.😉 But seriously I have been thinking of dusting off the house plans I have and tweaking them a bit to allow more room for "Stuff" See the new business goes and maybe by next year who knows?

 

[LorenSharp]

Well,(taking a Deeeep Breath) the final major components have been joined. The Swan neck and tail fins.From this point on its too big for the work bench or my lap. All work now 

to be done on the largest flat piece of real estate I have, My beer refrigerator. Which is a bit of poetic justice I dare say. 

Gaps will have to be filled of course, and one of the cannard tips chipped and awaiting the Milliput to cure before sand it down very carefully.

 

[LorenSharp]

Upon closer inspection I see that the elevons will have to be adjusted a bit too big of a gap between the wing fold and the wing

[modelman182]

Looking good, Loren. A few bits to attend to, but nothing much (compared to what's gone before!).

 

Made me smile to see your 'window rattler' Aircon. Used to work with those things a few years ago, though it's a limited market here in the UK. Beer Fridges (on the other hand) are a common sight over here. They just don't tend to be kept at as low a temperature here 🙂 - and the "Will work for Beer" sign is implicit in any contract with UK building trades... hee hee 😉

 

My, my - she is a biggun, isn't she? But looking damn good!

 

Kev

[LorenSharp]

I've had that fridge better part of 20 years. It has followed me on many an adventure. Besides I need some place to keep the celebratory beverages and the back up liquid courage in times of high stress and flagging will.

[dnl42]

Oh, she is a big and beautiful girl! 

 

Are you going to add a wing to the house to display it?

[LorenSharp]

Not that I would need that on this project mind you.No certainly not! Speaking of which the sun should be past the yardarm somewhere in the world and with it being toasty out I hear a nice tall G&T calling my name.