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1/48th Boeing B-52H 'BUFF'


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17 hours ago, TommyP said:

Thanks for the kid words, chaps. I'm currently in the process of adding the stabs and wing tanks - I'll post a picture update soon.

 

In the meantime, I spent a great day yesterday at RIAT at RAF Fairford, and one of the star exhibits in the static display (at least for me) was this fine specimen of USAF heavy metal:

 

IMG_1319 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

As well as taking lots of reference shots for the current aerial fit and other various lumps and bumps, what really struck me was the state of the thing. I'm used to seeing pictures of the current BUFF fleet in reasonably good condition in terms of paint finish, but this one was really heavily weathered and was showing lots of zinc-chromate primer. It looks like it had flown through a heavy hail storm or the like, as it almost has sand-blasted effect on the leading edges. It was a mess!

 

IMG_1325 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

IMG_1309 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

IMG_1311 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48345179886_e610a72ce5_z.jpgIMG_1305 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

It looks like I can get creative with my paint job when the time comes, and although heavily-weathered finishes are not my thing, it'd certainly add some interest to an otherwise rather bland all over grey if I go down that route. 

 

Now - back to the bench...

 

Tom

 

Has the serial number on the tail been oversprayed? If so, on purpose or?

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On 7/23/2019 at 2:19 AM, Gator52 said:

Perhaps this jet was the spare for RIAT and a jet with a better paint job was originally slated to go....the Inherent Resolve mission marks may give a hint as to how the paint became so worn!

 

Interesting to see the pylon for the range pod loaded on the left wing for an OCONUS trip. 

 

Jonah

 

 

Apparently, this aircraft was hit by a heavy hailstorm whilst operating out of Guam - hence the 'sand-blasted' finish.

 

Since my last update I've been working on the stabilisers of the B-52. They were first removed from the backing sheet and sanded to the correct thickness, with extra attention being paid to the trailing edges to ensure they were as thin as possible. The stabilisers are very large on this model, and therefore needed a substantial spar structure in order to keep them rigid:

 

48385423331_15c6fb54c6_z.jpgIMG_E1266 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48385423721_ece1699c6b_z.jpgIMG_1267 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

They were then secured to the fuselage and the joins made good, before they received a coat of primer. I have also made the swivel plates from thin plastic card and added these to the correct locations on the fuselage sides:

 

48385567717_6e9dbdd3b3_z.jpgDSC_0216 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48385426411_a73e68d4cb_z.jpgDSC_0214 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48385427511_690497c0e6_z.jpgDSC_0211 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

We now have a model that is, more or less, structurally complete:

 

48385567177_45b528997e_z.jpgDSC_0218 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48385423851_e2b8b85ea5_z.jpgDSC_0227 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48385566827_3689c1e8b0_z.jpgDSC_0222 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

As you can see from the images above I've also been working on attaching the wing fuel tanks. These didn't fit well to the wing, as the shape of the pylon doesn't match the curvature of the wing. I did consider removing parts from the pylon and trimming it so that it followed the wing's curve, but this meant the tank sat too close to the wing. Therefore, I've instead opted to modify and build up the pylon and blend it in with Milliput. The image below shows what I mean - sanding and final blending still to be done:

 

48385566737_285f4baa26_z.jpgDSC_0225 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

In other news, designing of some soon-to-be printed 3D wheels is progressing well:

 

48385565512_f027c082d8_z.jpgIMG_E1386 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Until next time,

Tom

 

 

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On 7/23/2019 at 3:09 AM, Mstor said:

 

Has the serial number on the tail been oversprayed? If so, on purpose or?

 

It does look that way - but why I have no idea...

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9 hours ago, TommyP said:

 

DSC_0225 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

In other news, designing of some soon-to-be printed 3D wheels is progressing well:

 

48385565512_f027c082d8_z.jpgIMG_E1386 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

Will you be making these wheels available to other BIG BUFF builders ?

I could use a couple of sets myself..........

 

Edited by Piker38
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  • 4 months later...
On 7/27/2019 at 11:09 PM, Piker38 said:

 

Will you be making these wheels available to other BIG BUFF builders ?

I could use a couple of sets myself..........

 

The wheels have been designed and produced by a friend of mine - unfortunately he has no plans to produce them commercially. 

 

Since my last update work and life has got in the way of this project a bit, but I've had this monster back on the bench (well, actually the kitchen table) again recently...

 

49214827471_5d5aa9b48f_z.jpgIMG_1694 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49214827271_3113e565cd_z.jpgIMG_1693 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

As you can see I have begun working on the flap apertures in the lower wings. The ribs have been individually made from plastic card:

 

49224088463_b40246b053_z.jpgIMG_1702 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49224088143_7c27aee9c7_z.jpgIMG_1699 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

And then the stringers and spars were fashioned and added from more plastic card and Evergreen:

 

49247580053_a392b9a542_z.jpgIMG_E1705 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49248252907_933f252948_z.jpgIMG_E1706 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

So both inner sections have the basic structure complete, and it'll now be the outer sections getting the same treatment. It's a long and tedious task though - I've invested about 10 hours of time in the inner sections alone...

 

Until next time,

Tom

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Afternoon folks...

 

The flap aperture detailing has progressed well - the main structure is now done, with the exception of the flap motors that'll need making and adding later on:

 

49264662622_965cc6f8bf_z.jpgDSC_0292 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49264470141_04f844c97d_z.jpgDSC_0294 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49264661702_24224b6e59_z.jpgDSC_0296 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49264003433_14893ca6a2_z.jpgDSC_0298 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

When the final detailing has been done, these ares will be given a good spraying of zinc chromate - but that won't happen until the model is ready for painting.

 

In other news, I've finished adding the veins to the spoilers on the wings:

 

49264660792_50943257f0_z.jpgDSC_0300 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

And these are the beautiful 3D printed wheels that a friend kindly did for me:

 

49264660322_81010d1c13_z.jpgDSC_0302 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49264471476_e27fa2f040_z.jpgDSC_0304 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Unfortunately the colour of the plastic means a lot of the details are lost to the camera, but believe me they're stunning!

 

Now, better get the table cleared for dinner...

 

49264005073_43495e9134_z.jpgDSC_0290 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Happy modelling folks, and all the best for the festivities!

 

Tom

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  • 1 month later...

Afternoon all...

 

It's been a while since an update on this monster - work and a lack of mojo conspiring against any significant progress. However, I have made some in-roads into the cockpit transparencies, which are vital in capturing the look of the BUFF.

 

You only get one canopy with the kit so there's no room for error - definitely a case of measure thrice and cut once. When the cockpit glazing had been trimmed to the correct shape, it became apparent that it was quite significantly wider than the fuselage. This is because as the fuselage immediately below the cockpit curves inwards too much as you move up to the base of the flghtdeck windows, and therefore is too narrow for the cockpit to sit on correctly. 

 

The solution was to make a plasticard 'base' which matched the shape of the bottom area of the transparencies. This was then mounted on the fuelage where the glazing will sit, and the difference in space built up with Milliput and blended to shape. This has now corrected the shape of the fuselage sides, as well as making the cockpit more or less a drop-fit:

 

49506587306_55d0cb8aea_z.jpgDSC_0305 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

The cockpit windows have been marked out with masking tape, and are not 100% correct yet but have given a good approximation:

 

49506586606_9ffce6ffb3_z.jpgDSC_0315 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49506586451_e1253dc938_z.jpgDSC_0316 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

When compared to the original:

 

49506077738_0edb5abf74_z.jpgNose on view by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I think I'm not too far off:

 

49506806862_2a88d1498c_z.jpgDSC_0309 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

A bit more fettling ahead yet, but progress is progress, no matter how small...

 

Tom  

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 3 months later...
On 3/28/2020 at 4:49 PM, Ishthe47guy said:

Any plans to bring this to Telford 2020, if the world situation improves?

 

I'm not going to Telford this year - although I think it doubtful it'll be on anyway - but if it's finished I'll likely bring it along to the 2021 show.

 

I've finally had the opportunity today to add a splash of colour to the flap bays. Trouble is, this beast is a little too large to fit in a spray booth:

 

50057835833_29bdf6b17f_z.jpgIMG_0277 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Equally, finding a place for it to dry off is equally problematic:

 

50057835548_eb30a3f930_z.jpgIMG_0280 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Anyway, size issues aside, Xtracolor's Zinc Chromate has brought this area to life:

 

50058404991_d0eee8db92_z.jpgIMG_0285 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I've also given the out-rigger bays another spraying as I felt the Humbrol Chromate Yellow was too brownish:

 

50058647052_58ec77e8e7_z.jpgIMG_0282 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

50058646862_14600600ea_z.jpgIMG_0283 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

50058646417_1cd5580b2f_z.jpgIMG_0288 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

50058647757_2c21d37bf2_z.jpgIMG_0290 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Pretty happy with the outcome :)

 

Regards to all, 

Tom

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On 12/23/2019 at 10:54 AM, TommyP said:

Afternoon folks...

 

The flap aperture detailing has progressed well - the main structure is now done, with the exception of the flap motors that'll need making and adding later on:

 

49264662622_965cc6f8bf_z.jpgDSC_0292 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49264470141_04f844c97d_z.jpgDSC_0294 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49264661702_24224b6e59_z.jpgDSC_0296 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49264003433_14893ca6a2_z.jpgDSC_0298 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

When the final detailing has been done, these ares will be given a good spraying of zinc chromate - but that won't happen until the model is ready for painting.

 

In other news, I've finished adding the veins to the spoilers on the wings:

 

49264660792_50943257f0_z.jpgDSC_0300 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

And these are the beautiful 3D printed wheels that a friend kindly did for me:

 

49264660322_81010d1c13_z.jpgDSC_0302 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

49264471476_e27fa2f040_z.jpgDSC_0304 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Unfortunately the colour of the plastic means a lot of the details are lost to the camera, but believe me they're stunning!

 

Now, better get the table cleared for dinner...

 

49264005073_43495e9134_z.jpgDSC_0290 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Happy modelling folks, and all the best for the festivities!

 

Tom

WOW!!!

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  • 8 months later...

It's been a while since I updated this build thread but work has slowly been continuing in the background...

 

The inboard pylons on the wings are not great as they come in the kit:

 

IMG_0308

 

Especially when compared to the actual aircraft:

 

B-52H Underside

 

So it was out with the plastic card to make my own replacements:

 

IMG_0313

 

Much better!

 

IMG_0319

 

IMG_0318

 

I've also started making the various lumps and bumps from Milliput:

 

50154952741_e01dbb7b35_b.jpg

 

50155185997_af1a80f66d_b.jpg

 

The landing gear has been assembled, painted and installed - although the retraction struts etc. still need to be made and added:

 

DSC_0085

 

DSC_0072

 

DSC_0073

 

I've also begun detailing the flight deck which has had its first coat of grey:

 

DSC_0077

 

The instrument panel and coaming has been scratch-built ready for further detailing:

 

DSC_0082

 

And the interior of the cockpit glazing has been sprayed:

 

DSC_0080

 

Now I see a lot of interior detailing on the horizon...

 

Until next time,

Tom

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