Big Silver Wing, Northrop's YB49

[neil5208]

Not very colourful unlike some of the others in the group build but an advanced prototype that was sidelined through political and commercial underhanded dealing between the Texas Congressional delegation, the Air Force and Convair meant it was never had the chance to be developed into and effective aircraft. So with out a doubt the biggest 1/72 I bought to date (Airfix's Vulcan might be bigger overall but not for wings span) the Italeri YB49 (rebox of the AMT kit but with less floppy plastic). I've done a test fit and there are some joints that will need extra work as there are no alignment tabs on the wing mating surfaces. Its a pretty simple kit, no bomb bays just a cockpit and a big wing so should be fairly quick to build.

[Col.]

Not so colourful as some perhaps but a great canvas for a natural metal finish and a great subject in its own right

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Well in the end Jack Northrop got his last laugh, he was invited back to the factory right before he passed. He was able to see the B-2 prototype. Rumor has it he was told he had it right all along and he was crying from joy. Welcome to the build. 

Edited September 16, 2022 by Corsairfoxfouruncle

[neil5208]

Not many parts to this kit and most seem to be in the cockpit, assembled and sprayed with Tamiya XF16 Aluminuim.

 

[Pete in Lincs]

Fabulous Aircraft. Have fun.

[neil5208]

Got the cockpit detail painting done and the tub assembled with a few clamps as it a slightly odd shape. The observation will notice that I'm one seat short, which should be to the right of the captain's chair but it was missing when purchased.

Still have the rear bulkhead to go on and then it can go into the centre wing section.

[JOCKNEY]

That looks superb very Starship Enterprise with that interior.

 

I'm confident this one won't be a tailsitter, seeing as it doesn't have one ! 

 

Best of luck 

 

cheers Pat 

 

 

 

[neil5208]

29 minutes ago, JOCKNEY said:

That looks superb very Starship Enterprise with that interior.

 

I'm confident this one won't be a tailsitter, seeing as it doesn't have one ! 

 

Best of luck 

 

cheers Pat 

 

 

 

Thanks Pat.

Instructions call for 140gms around the cockpit so I'll be off to the local tyre fitting shop for some wheel weights.

[Shorty84]

4 hours ago, JOCKNEY said:

That looks superb very Starship Enterprise with that interior.

Haha, exactly my thoughts too

 

Nice progress, I guess closing of the...wing will happen soon? Hope you have enough clamps for this big fella.

 

Cheers

Markus

[neil5208]

Cockpit is completed and in the centre wing assembly, I did have some pictures but it seems the memory card has failed so I had to go to Curry's for a new one. Even without the clear parts most of the cockpit is lost from view.

And with the transparencies and tail cone on.

I was also lucky enough to find a storage box for the finished plane at Wilco's for a tenner, outer wing are just tapped together for a size test.

Edited October 2, 2022 by neil5208

[MARADER]

Good building! The model comes out big.

[Colin W]

Wow slow down.  Most of us haven't started yet. 

I love the star trek type cockpit. 

[Pete in Lincs]

Star Trek? I was thinking more Flying Sub from Voyage to the bottom of the sea. 

Whichever, I think it looks great in there and it's a shame that more of it can't now be seen.

[Wings unlevel]

On 02/10/2022 at 17:40, neil5208 said:

outer wing are just tapped together for a size test

That’s a huge chunk of plastic! Looks great so far.

[woody37]

Those clear bits look beautifully clear, lovely progress so far.

[neil5208]

12 hours ago, woody37 said:

Those clear bits look beautifully clear, lovely progress so far.

They both had nasty seam lines but after a light sanding and buffing with some Flory polishing sticks followed with a coat of floor polish they are much better.

[neil5208]

When I did the temp wing fit to test the storage box i found the wing joints were poor with no proper alignment pins so I started to add some alignment tabs to add some strength to the butt join.

 

[neil5208]

Got the wings glued on with a much better fit thanks to the added tabs.

So I moved onto the leading edge sections but found these did not fit well so some plastic card has been used to fill most of the gaps.

 

[Col.]

Good work getting those gaps tamed Neil. Essential work for any model with a metallic finish.

[neil5208]

Both leading edges on and started with sprue gloop and some plastic card to try a level the surfaces out as a few a quite a bit different. Bench is a bit messy at the moment.

Also started on the wheels, sprayed with NATO Black and masked ready for aluminium hubs.

[Col.]

I foresee a few rounds of filling and sanding in your immediate future Neil but it'll be worth the effort to get a smooth finish.

[neil5208]

Second round of sprue gloop has gone on, but I add some more Tamiya extra thin so the sprue gloop was thinner than before.

 

[Col.]

All this work to get a smooth surface will be proved worthwhile when the paint goes on Neil

[neil5208]

Another round of sanding and use of Humbrol filler has being going on whilst I have been working on the Viggen, I've almost got the nose area done and moved onto the leading edges that need attention.

[LorenSharp]

The Wing isn't the easiest to get a smooth surface on. Believe me I know This will look stunning in the end.