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


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The fuselage is now joined - lots of tabs were added along the mating surfaces and on the whole, I've got a pretty good join. Considering the size of the parts, they matched well. As this picture shows, there'll still be quite a bit of filler needed (par for the course with these sorts of kits) but nothing of real concern:

 

47519419662_d78b6ed8ba_z.jpgIMG_0906 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

The H-model tail turret has also been added to the rear fuselage:

 

40606334283_b04e9f8b94_z.jpgIMG_0907 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I've also lined the openings for the undercarriage bays so they are more representative of the real aircraft:

 

47519419462_99981b69a0_z.jpgIMG_0908 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

40606333423_7a03e1e774_z.jpgIMG_0909 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

47519419152_9fc4bbe8dc_z.jpgIMG_0910 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

So now it's out with the filler...

 

Until next time,

Tom

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I've been having a play withe the nose radome, which is more pointed on the later G and H models. This kit's nose is more like that seen on the A to early G model, so some surgery has been needed.

 

I did consider slicing the entire nose off, but it actually worked better using the kit's nose as a starting point, and adding the basic shape of the extension using plastic card. The plans Sanger give were useful in doing this, and it didn't take long to replicate a more H-like radome shape:

 

32665813557_6ab45d8426_z.jpgIMG_0916 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

40641754553_f25d4b105d_z.jpgIMG_0915 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

The gaps were then filled with Milliput and when dry, sanded to shape. When the plastic card formers begin to appear, you know you're close:

 

32665816697_97d7ff38e2_z.jpgDSC_0102 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

However, there is a problem, as I think the lower nose area (circled below) is incorrectly shaped and is too bulbous - it's almost as if the kit's nose is like a hamster with its cheeks full. However, there'd need to be some serious surgery to sort this - the kind of surgery that I'm not unwilling to take as I do plan to have this model finished sometime this century...

 

32665812657_8f6abd0684_z.jpgNose by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I've had a bit of a play with the camera fairings on the chin, and the look of the nose is improved with these in place. Note the canopy has not been trimmed to the correct shape as of yet, hence it sits too high at the moment:

 

40641751383_4c63cc8b21_z.jpgIMG_0951 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

40641753863_dbf79185ff_z.jpgIMG_0949 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

There's still some jamming pods and sensors to add to this area, and then I'll have a look at how it looks under some primer.

 

Until next time, 

 

Tom

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I've had a bit of a marathon sanding and filling session over the last couple of days. As usual with these sorts of projects, I've used my trusty P38 automotive filler as it covers large areas well, dries quickly, and is very easy to sand. The only problem is, it creates an awful lot of dust, so to avoid getting on the wrong side of the good lady wife, the kitchen sink is the best place to tackle such tasks:

 

33753936678_b27713ee36_z.jpgIMG_0962 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I'm really pleased with how the main landing gear bays are shaping up:

 

33753937208_f6df663ab3_z.jpgDSC_0121 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

The left side bays have been blended in nicely after their move forward:

 

33753939118_f437ff5bf5_z.jpgDSC_0113 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I've also made and added the ALQ-117 pods on either side of the nose:

 

46715650275_188735ac96_z.jpgDSC_0114 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

33753938008_ca51baf278_z.jpgDSC_0117 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

The tail turret has taken a lot of blending, and the panel detail will all need to be replaced here:

 

46715649185_38946232bb_z.jpgDSC_0119 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

So here we are now - underside:

 

33753935698_ef27071177_z.jpgDSC_0111 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

And the upper side:

 

33753936138_a3d7e5ef74_z.jpgDSC_0110 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

There's still a fair few blemishes to sort, and I also need to do a full re-scribe, but I think I might tackle the fin next and ensuring a strong join.

 

Until next time,

Tom

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The last few sessions at the bench have focused on the vertical stabiliser. After the parts were removed from the backing sheet and sanded to the correct depth, I set about adding some internal bracing using 1mm plastic card. I left these protruding from the base, as these extensions will be inserted into the fuselage as an anchor. I also opened up and boxed in the distinctive intake on the leading edge of the fin:

 

33782661538_dbeb64e7d6_z.jpgIMG_0986 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

After careful consultation of plans, I opened up two slots on the fuselage top so that the fin anchor points could slide into place:

 

46936057724_c6587f3763_z.jpgIMG_0991 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

And hey presto - a fin that fits!

 

40693534063_b29f74cbb1_z.jpgIMG_0989 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

There'll be a quick lick of filler needed around the base, but the fit is excellent.

 

This will probably be the last update for a while as I return to teaching on Tuesday - books to mark and lessons to plan will mean a lot less time at the bench... 

 

Tom

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  • 4 weeks later...

Evening all,

 

Time for a BUFF update....

 

With the school term being in full swing time at the bench has been a little limited, but the wings are now on the model is really starting to take shape. The spars I'd spent hours making previously meant the winds simply slid over them and resulted in a very solid union with the fuselage. The fit wasn't too bad, but in true vacform style the wing roots on the fuselage were shorter in length than the wings themselves, so there was a lot of building up and shaping with Milliput to level things out:

 

33998240358_47323ae5da_z.jpgIMG_1036 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Once under a quick lick of paint, the joins look pretty good and capture the shape of the real aircraft quite nicely:

 

33998239318_22bd0783c9_z.jpgIMG_1053 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

33998239628_437b4d2b43_z.jpgIMG_1051 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

We've now got something starting to resemble Boeing's finest:

 

33998240148_1da5b0a961_z.jpgIMG_1047 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

33998239838_9d5f08c7c5_z.jpgIMG_1049 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

As a size-reality check... that's a 1/24th Harrier:

 

33998240768_0b67ff8afc_z.jpgIMG_1055 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Until next time,

 

Tom

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On 4/17/2019 at 12:15 PM, TommyP said:

I've had a bit of a marathon sanding and filling session over the last couple of days. As usual with these sorts of projects, I've used my trusty P38 automotive filler as it covers large areas well, dries quickly, and is very easy to sand. The only problem is, it creates an awful lot of dust, so to avoid getting on the wrong side of the good lady wife, the kitchen sink is the best place to tackle such tasks:

 

33753936678_b27713ee36_z.jpgIMG_0962 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

That's how you stay on her good side?

 

Dang...

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  • 1 month later...

The school holidays are upon us now so the BUFF has been seeing a little action...

 

I've not been happy with the rear turret set up, and I feel the kit's parts don't accurately resemble the real aircraft. Please excuse the terrible photo here (quick snap with the phone camera that I didn't realise was so out of focus) but as you can see...

 

48233909091_e004eda90d_z.jpgIMG_1127 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

... it's not even close to the real deal...

 

48234106671_352e92fefc.jpgTail Turret by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

(Used for illustrative purposes only)

 

So, it was out with the hacksaw, and I removed the kit-supplied turret and began by building up the basic underlying structure with some scrap plastic card and some brass tubing for the gun housing:

 

48233983832_041e46924b_z.jpgIMG_1135 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

This was then all blended with filler, and sanded to shape. I then added the radar domes from some scrap 500lb bomb noses as the kit parts were too small:

 

48233913081_9854c49b3f_z.jpgDSC_0172 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Pretty happy with that - we'll see what it looks like under some primer in due course.

 

As I explained in my earlier update, the kit panel lines are rather inconsistent and they've all been filled and an initial coat of primer applied. I've now begun to scribe my own panel detail onto the model - here's the nose:

 

48233910951_9bda28ffe9_z.jpgDSC_0179 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48233908081_ee5d85f53d_z.jpgDSC_0160 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Undersides:

 

48233906711_8d9c9c7ea7_z.jpgDSC_0168 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48233911691_40a9e5ce40_z.jpgDSC_0177 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

The mid-section join has disappeared which is a bonus:

 

48233910031_df2563145a_z.jpgDSC_0181 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I've begun working on the spoilers - vanes still to be added:

 

48233987287_e6c9551003_z.jpgDSC_0174 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

She's looking a bit of a mess at the moment, but I can assure to that progress is being made:

 

48233908356_a7a5cb4b95_z.jpgDSC_0158 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Until next time,

 

Tom

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If you are going for a modern buff, there is a bulge protruding on top of the radome just in front of the windscreen.

 

Edit: looking at pics of today's B-52's, it looks like some have it and some don't. Or none have it, now. Interesting. I didn't know they were removed.

Edited by caudleryan
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On 7/9/2019 at 12:14 PM, caudleryan said:

If you are going for a modern buff, there is a bulge protruding on top of the radome just in front of the windscreen.

 

Edit: looking at pics of today's B-52's, it looks like some have it and some don't. Or none have it, now. Interesting. I didn't know they were removed.

 

I've been pondering this - there were some B-52Hs in at RAF Fairford a few months back and they all have had the 'bulge' removed - my kit is for Memphis Belle IV which I photographed at RAF Mildenhall a few years back and it does still have the fairing fitted so I may go for as it was in about 1995(ish). Decisions, decisions...

 

I've been having a play with the engines today. I didn't realise that the engines on the real H-models have such a 'nose-up' attitude on the wing: (pictures used for illustrative purposes only)

 

48251893477_888e4d5d82_z.jpgIMG_1236 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48251824591_5c03bb3636_z.jpgIMG_1237 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

So I've been doing some careful trimming of the kit-supplied pylons in order to get both a decent fit to the wing as well as replicating the angle at which they sit:

 

48251893407_c6b0549e9c_z.jpgIMG_E1234 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

So far, so good...

 

48251893892_69c77467ff_z.jpgIMG_1233 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Sanger have also molded the four pylons as identical pieces - in fact on the real aircraft the inboard/outboard pylons have a different shape due to the change in profile of the wing as you move towards the tip so I've been doing quite a bit of head-scratching today. I'll have some more pictures of my progress soon.

 

Until next time,

Tom

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8 hours ago, Aigore said:

Outstanding modelling in its true sense, masterful!

 

You're very kind - but kits like this just require a little more planning ahead and thinking outside the box. They're well within the skill range of most modellers, it's just that many are put off by the vacformed parts which is a shame as they are great fun.

 

Anyway, here's a few quick phone pictures of the engines now they've been installed:

 

48264908647_ca76461413_z.jpgIMG_1247 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I'm in the process of making the upper part of the pylons that extend over the wing as these are not provided in the kit - plastic card and Millput is the order of the day. These are yet to be sanded to their final shape:

 

48264837861_b4b8fc5723_z.jpgIMG_1248 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Larger working area needed:

 

48264908887_2787aa7db5_z.jpgIMG_1246 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I'm in the process of preparing the wing fuel tanks at the moment so hopefully another update soon.

 

Tom

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She's quite the beast !! Brilliant job so far on her. I'd hate to see the price for the acrylic cover however, which I would have to do after all this work. Keep it going.

 

Steve

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The BUFF has had some more work done on the engines - I've sanded and shaped the home-made upper, over-wing parts of the pylons and all look good under some primer:

 

48299957042_427295b61c_z.jpgDSC_0186 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48299843801_9c6db4499e_z.jpgDSC_0187 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48299955847_54d378c710_z.jpgDSC_0190 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

Shaping the pylons on the underside was a lot more tricky as they are all molded identical, but of course the inner pylons have a very different shape due to the change in shape as you travel down the length of the wing:

 

48299954127_48cbeccb63_z.jpgDSC_0201 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

I've also finished detailing the rear of the bypass sections:

 

48299842081_f2386bf856_z.jpgDSC_0195 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48299841776_b94fb046c4_z.jpgDSC_0199 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

It was a bit of a faff opening these up but worth the effort.

 

And we now have something really taking on the form of the venerable BUFF:

 

48299844721_bc7763b041_z.jpgDSC_0205 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48299955312_b1a1446e85_z.jpgDSC_0192 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

As you can see, however, the tail feathers are conspicuous by their absence... better get sanding!

 

Until next time,

Tom

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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:

 

48345175316_6a46cb8c82_z.jpgIMG_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!

 

48345175161_e30122998c_z.jpgIMG_1325 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48345313322_8725644dff_z.jpgIMG_1309 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr

 

48345313027_190761d78c_z.jpgIMG_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

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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

 

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