Bonhoff Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Retrieved from storage in the loft.... Is this "Big Ugly Fat Fellow" And the contents Let's face it, this is surely the iconic aircraft subject of Vietnam, represented by Tamiya's 1/100 scale B-52D that spans a mere 560mm or so when built. And no, I have no idea what I'm to going do with it once constructed 😂 Three markings schemes but only one that seems to fit the Vietnam time frame - Airframe 56-0604 based on Guam in April 1968. Searching for information about the airframe found this little nugget - "56-0604 11-5-72 Landed at U-Tapao. 333 external damage areas. Using horizontal stabilizer from 55-097. Estimated time in commission (ETIC) 2-1-73" Sounds like it was hit by a SAM-2, anyone know anything else about this? I'm off to do some more research..... IanJ 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 (edited) Hi Ian, My ancient Monogram 52D came with the option of a "big belly" version in SEA markings but I chose the silver/white scheme - I may get round to refurbishing it in that scheme sometime as all the decs are peeling off. In the meantime, storing it is a major problem - at least the wings can come off my B-36 which is even bigger. Yours should be less of a problem but still ruddy big! Unfortunalely I was obliged to take this display shelf over my staircase down as SWMBO got tired of dusting it! Cheers Pete Edited August 22, 2020 by PeterB 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonhoff Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 It's a big old bird....That's a 12" rule there Mrs B is not in the least bit impressed with the possibility of this appearing on a shelf. IanJ 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Fantastic to have a BUFF joining the GB Ian, as you say one of the iconic aircraft of the war. Never seen the Tamiya kit built before so I'm very interested to see how she builds as I would really like a B-52 in my collection. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 6 hours ago, Bonhoff said: It's a big old bird....That's a 12" rule there Mrs B is not in the least bit impressed with the possibility of this appearing on a shelf. IanJ You could always point out how lucky she is that it is :- 1. not in 1.72 scale, and 2, not a B-36! Pete 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 welcome along Ian and what an awesome choice!!!! You really can't have a Vietnam themed GB without one of these famous beasts! I remember see a couple of these at the "Pitch Black" Exercise in Darwin 1988. Two of them were packed beside our RF-111's. One of the aircraft participated in the "Linebacker" operations, talking to the crew they reckon she still rattles from the leftover shrapnel still stuck inside her!! Plus we were "bombed" by her on a early morning "road" what a sight to see that was!! Interestingly they're still planning the B-52 will be the first operational aircraft to be in use for 100 years....only got 300 odd years to go! Sh's a big sucker for sure even at 1/100th!! Good luck with her, I'm really glad you bought her along and I will definately follow this one with interest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG 33 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 Heeloo It is really a good choice and I will follow with enthusiasm. Patrick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 This look's very interesting Ian and the perfect scale for this beast look forward to progress! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonhoff Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 So - I'm afraid I got a bit carried away..... Part of this is down to the nature of the kit's engineering - There are a number of repeat sub assemblies - 4x engine pods, 4x undercarriages etc; despite the size and the subject, there aren't many parts either. The wings and tailplanes are also engineered in such a way that it would be impossible to locate them incorrectly - There are 2 tabs on each of the main planes that are offset, they also slot into channels on the opposite side of the fuselage. I don't think it would take too much effort to use some magnets to help in keeping the wings on when displaying this beast. The fuselage halves location are also assisted by the tops of the undercarriage bays slotting into both each other and the 4 transverse bulkheads. Despite all this positive location, given the length of the fuselage, I've added tabs all the way round to reinforce the joint. Next job is to paint all the zinc chromate areas, a bit of research seems to indicate that there can be green chromate in the cockpit area and yellow chromate in the undercarriage and bomb bays. Is that a fair assumption? IanJ 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 Good work on your BUFF Ian, seems to be coming together very nicely. Can't help with the interior colours but I would be surprised if the cockpit was chromate green. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonhoff Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 28 minutes ago, modelling minion said: I would be surprised if the cockpit was chromate green. Must admit, I was a bit surprised when I saw green chromate in the cockpit of the B-52D on the USAF Museum website.... Another look round the net seems to show most cockpits in grey. IanJ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 gosh even back then tamiya knew how do things right with a model! MMM the cockpit for sure would have been that standard USAF Interior Grey. I've looked inside the bomb bay of a couple of B-52's and can't for the life of me remember what the colour was inside. Best go have a look at some of the walkarounds......those you do need to remember museum item may not be 100% accurate! Great to see this build underway! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 An inspired choice Ian . I thinned out my 1/100 scale stash a few months ago and the B-52 was one that I let go (on the basis of its size). I'm now regretting that decision! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonhoff Posted October 21, 2020 Author Share Posted October 21, 2020 Major components glued together - Despite gluing additional tabs all the way round, I still ended up with bad seams and a whole lot of filling and scraping to contend with. And another shot showing it on its bombing run at the start of "Operation Flatulent Spaniel" Got my desk tidied now so I can stop building it on my lap and get started on painting. IanJ 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 gosh even in that scale she's a beast! Great to see work is still progressing one her. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 That really does show just how big an aircraft the BUFF is, especially as she is in 1/100 scale. She is taking shape very nicely indeed and doesn't look far away from paint being applied, and I imagine she will use a lot of paint too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Looks a good size for its scale, one destined for the ceiling i bet, you may need thicker thread though😋 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 can you imagine this in 1/48th!!!! The new HPH model is a monster and expensive.........but for some strange reason I'd love one! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 8 hours ago, trickyrich said: The new HPH model is a monster and expensive.........but for some strange reason I'd love one! Now why doesn't this surprise me! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterB Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 (edited) Know that feeling Rich. Unfortunately a combination of financial and marital reasons means that I will never but one I suspect - unless I win the lottery (fat chance)! Pete Edited October 25, 2020 by PeterB 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisj2003 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 On 25/10/2020 at 00:12, trickyrich said: can you imagine this in 1/48th!!!! The new HPH model is a monster and expensive.........but for some strange reason I'd love one! At 1:1 air air shows the buff is not as big as I thought it would be. Dwarfs fighters but small compared to passenger jets we are all used to walking up to. 😀 Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonhoff Posted December 7, 2020 Author Share Posted December 7, 2020 Hi All, Work on this has been somewhat limited by the fact that it's dropped cold - Despite the fact that the Iancave is insulated and I have a heater in there, all that is negated because "The Flop Eared Loon" insists on sitting in there with me and he insists that the door must be open... As you can imagine, there's been a few rather chilly build sessions going on in there. One thing that I discovered was that the B-52 didn't have the classic "SEAC" upper colour scheme like most of the other USAF combatants, that being FS 34079/34102/30219, but instead FS 34079/34159/34201... Options for SAC Bomber Green (34159) and Tan (34201) are available but seem to be pricey and/or in big bottles which, despite the B-52 being big, won't get used once this one's painted. However, I eventually found a make I've never heard of before, Badger "Modelflex" acrylic paint - Which were available from Barwell Bodyworks but now appear to be sold out, which is a pity, as they were only 50p a bottle! I ordered the 7 different shades of US green that were available and the postage still cost more than the paint! Thus prepared - I set to painting the beast, a coat of primer followed by preshading the panels with Tamiya NATO Black and we were on to the main colours. After marking out the demarcation lines with pencil I opened the Tan paint - First thing to note, don't shake it, stir it or you just end up with a froth. It was claimed that it didn't require thinning and for once the claims proved correct, a first coat sprayed at 20 PSI went on smoothly and without histrionics although the tip needed cleaning a couple of times, then over to the Bomber Green which once again seemed to work OK. A few days later, I put a coat of the 34079 on - all this was done freehand which was probably a mistake but I'm committed now 😬 A couple of pictures showing the B-52 after the first pass. Did a second coat but that where the problems started - I don't think it's the fault of the paint but thanks to the Spaniel it was very very cold in the shed so I had all sorts of problems trying to paint it, I've now taken the decision to edge the demarcation lines with a brush but will be able to bring it in the house for that. Still got 20 something bombs to paint. Thanks for the extension to the GB guys! IanJ 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 I think that you have done a great job on the painting Ian, especially in a cold shed. I like your description of the "Flop Eared Loon", very funny. Our Labrador also likes to "help" me when modelling too, has put paid to many a modelling session! I imagine it takes a fair amount of paint, even in a smaller scale, to cover a B-52. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickyrich Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 Cats are much better.......they just look at you with disdain, then whether you're looking or not just swat the model off the table.......or curl up in the box on top of everything! She does look good though! You should see if you can find some period photo's of her, colour preferable, you may find the patchiness of the paint is spot on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonhoff Posted December 15, 2020 Author Share Posted December 15, 2020 Greetings, Used the best part of a jar of Tamiya black for the undersides! So much so, I've run out and will probably need some more before I can finish this off.... Kind regards IanJ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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