TommyP Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 I've been working on Sanger's 1/48th B-52 for a while now, so thought I'd share some progress over here. This is what you get in the box: DSC_0153 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0151 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0148 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0142 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0140 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0138 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0156 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The base kit is supposed to cover all versions of the B-52 - I've gone for the H-version but as those of you familiar with the BUFF will note, some serious work is going to be needed with the nose radome as it is far closely moulded for the earlier versions, more familiar with the A to F/early G versions. Plastic quality is good, and although there are some panel lines present I plan to fill these and do a total rescribe as the kit lines, due to the nature of these kits, are pretty crude. More to follow... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TommyP Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 I thought the engines would be the most challenging part of this build, so began with those. Once the halves were cut and sanded to the correct thickness, I began experimenting with various diameter plastic piping to replicate the intake trunking which is not present in the kit. The white metal fans are passable but will require some additional detailing in this scale: IMG_6409 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Tail pipes were made from brass tubing: IMG_6423 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Some serious filling, blending and sanding later, the engines start to take shape: DSC_0161 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0168 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Pylons were next - they needed a lot of extra thinning as they were moulded a little thick: IMG_6514 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Once sanded and blended to the nacelles, they were passable: IMG_6562 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_6563 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr There's still a wealth of detail to add to the engines, including a rescribe, but the basics were complete at this point... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TommyP Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 Wings came next... The wing halves were removed from the backing plastic and sanded to the correct thickness. Uppers: IMG_6567 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The lower sections had the out-rigger bays and flaps removed, as I plan to have this with the flaps deployed as so often seen when parked: IMG_6569 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I then set about sparring the wings for some much needed strength: IMG_6729 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The main spar was catered for for when the wings will eventually join the fuselage: IMG_6734 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Out-rigger bays were then scratchbuilt and painted in zinc-chromate primer: IMG_6890 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The top and bottom sections were then joined: IMG_6896 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr A test fit of the engines reveals the fit is far from Tamiya quality, but that's par for the course for these sorts of kits: IMG_6898 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Fuselage next... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TommyP Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 The fuselage, being so huge, has been moulded in two lengths. These were removed from the backing sheet and sanded to give me a good starting point for extra detailing: IMG_0239 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0243 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Due to the length of the model, it moves around like a windsock so plenty of internal bulkheads have been fabricated: DSC_0291 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Considering the size and nature of this kit, the fit is actually quite good: DSC_0288 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Unfortunately the left side landing gear bays are moulded too far forward, so these need to be moved back: DSC_0290 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I'm now at the point where I'm starting work on the landing gear bays: IMG_0863 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0865 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0855 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0861 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Still lots to do in here, but this brings you up to speed. Stay tuned for future updates as and when I get the time and inspiration to do any more! Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 Cool, that´s modelbuilding! Looking forward to more progress! HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SinisterVampire319 Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 😲 Wow! That looks amazing and intimidating. Can't wait to see more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gator52 Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 Great work, very impressive project! Jonah Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Matt Foley Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 Insanity. I would never attempt something like this. Kudo's and please keep posting your progress. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 Wow! You are a master of fabrication. Impressive build so far and I was curious how you were going to tackle the job from the first few parts photos. But i see that you have thought it all out and have engineered answers to the mounting of wings, engines and under carriage. Keep a goin', please! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
striker8241 Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 Really impressive work! Love your internal strengthening and detailing. Will be watching this for sure! Cheers, Russ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Falconxlvi Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 There’s modeling and then there’s MODELING. Wow sir! I’m looking forward to seeing this build progress. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alternative 4 Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 You make it look so easy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caudleryan Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 I've been following this build for quite a while! Each update just gets better and better! Outstanding work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TommyP Posted March 18, 2019 Author Share Posted March 18, 2019 14 hours ago, Dutch said: Wow! You are a master of fabrication. Impressive build so far and I was curious how you were going to tackle the job from the first few parts photos. But i see that you have thought it all out and have engineered answers to the mounting of wings, engines and under carriage. Keep a goin', please! With kits of this nature you always have to plan way ahead - I've been bitten by a lack of planning in the past. Still plenty of obstacles to overcome, but hopefully when the time comes to joining the main components together I've covered the worst! Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 Holy moly!!! That's some incredible work. I will enjoy watching your build. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 Gulp! What a beast and what a task! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TommyP Posted March 23, 2019 Author Share Posted March 23, 2019 Afternoon all, I've given the wheel bays a squirt of grey this afternoon: IMG_0869 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr ...and I've also made a start on the numerous vents and grills found dotted all over the fuselage: IMG_0868 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Lots more vents. etc to drill out and make, but it's the fine details like this that bring an otherwise blank vacform to life. Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheMongoose Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Awesome build and tutorial. I’m planning my 1st this year sp watching with interest. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TommyP Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 This week I've been having a play with the main landing gear and working out how to get it installed correctly. Sanger provide some fairly decent white metal as a starting point, and the bays I'd built earlier have been constructed to accommodate the legs and provide a mix of both reasonable accuracy and structural strength. The legs and their supporting struts are just taped together at this point for test fitting purposes, but as you can see they should look ok when fitted to the forward bays: IMG_0879 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0880 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The rear bays: IMG_0882 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Here you can see why it was so important to move the port side bays back so that the main undercarriage legs were directly opposite one another - the way Sanger has molded the bays would mean the left side legs were approx 15mm too far forward: IMG_0883 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The sit looks about right - with the main wheels added the model will of course sit higher: IMG_0877 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The camera angle in this picture distorts the shape of the fuselage, but this gives a good overall impression of the fit of the landing gear: IMG_0878 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The main legs and struts are going to need some detail adding to them, but at least I know the Sanger parts are perfectly usable. And the bonus is they can be fitted once the fuselage is together so there's no risk in damaging them whilst filling/sanding. Phew! Until next time, Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TommyP Posted April 6, 2019 Author Share Posted April 6, 2019 Evening all, I've been making the most of my Easter holidays and have done some more work to the fuselage of the BUFF... I've cut out the area for the kit's transparencies and have added the kit-supplied flightdeck flooring - there'll be plenty of detail to add here but this will all come later when the main construction is done: IMG_0894 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I've also continued to add the numerous vents, intakes and grilles on the forward fuselage: IMG_0895 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_0896 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I've also make and attached the wing spars to the fuselage structure: IMG_0900 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The wings will slide over these spars when the fuselage is joined: IMG_0893 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I had a quick test-fit of the wings - I'm going to need a larger table... IMG_0887 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Nearly time to join the fuselage halves - lots of tabs to add to the fuselage halves to aid with gluing and I should be good to go! Until next time, Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrGlueblob Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Francois Verlinden scratched a G? way back when. Fine Scale Modeler had a photo of him holding the beast at port arms.. Yeah, you might need a bigger bench.. Belchers Bits sells nukes.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 38 minutes ago, DrGlueblob said: Francois Verlinden scratched a G? way back when. Fine Scale Modeler had a photo of him holding the beast at port arms.. Yeah, you might need a bigger bench.. Belchers Bits sells nukes.. I remember that and still have the magazine. Awesome. Except I believe it was Lewis Pruneau who was a close associate of Verlinden. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Major Walt Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 I love all your work! I’m still in awe of your C-17! This one is beyond words!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrGlueblob Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 12 hours ago, Major Walt said: I remember that and still have the magazine. Awesome. Except I believe it was Lewis Pruneau who was a close associate of Verlinden. My mistake Walt. That was the guy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Tom, It's always a treat to see your work. That C-17 was indeed stunning! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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