Dutch Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 (edited) Yes, I don't remember any RATO takeoffs from Pease when I was a kid. But then, Pease had a 11,000 ft runway and tankers handy for heavyweight lift offs. I do remember a belly landing where they foamed the runway during our kindergarten Field Trip. In the late sixties I remember the long black smoke trails from the B-52Ds and KC-135As. Edited August 7, 2021 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 (edited) I may have to pick up a second kit to build as a vanilla B-47E. I see markings are included for 53-2134 "City of Lincoln" with the 307th BW. My only kit right now has been prepped for conversion to a RB-47H. I'll definitely need at least two sets of these decals. Edited August 7, 2021 by Drifterdon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Boyer Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 I got to ride in a KC-135A taking off from Pease for a trip up to Arctic Canada and back to observe and study Aurora Borealis. The test flight originated at Hanscom Field in Mass. where the runway wasn't long enough for the tanker to take off with a full load of fuel. So we stopped to top off at Pease. Back then, I had a custom of timing aircraft takeoff runs from brakes off to lift off. With a full load of fuel and using water injection, the KC's takeoff run at Pease took a full 60 seconds! I was beginning to think I was going to meet a fiery fate in the overrun! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 13 hours ago, Paul Boyer said: I got to ride in a KC-135A taking off from Pease for a trip up to Arctic Canada and back to observe and study Aurora Borealis. The test flight originated at Hanscom Field in Mass. where the runway wasn't long enough for the tanker to take off with a full load of fuel. So we stopped to top off at Pease. Back then, I had a custom of timing aircraft takeoff runs from brakes off to lift off. With a full load of fuel and using water injection, the KC's takeoff run at Pease took a full 60 seconds! I was beginning to think I was going to meet a fiery fate in the overrun! And loud too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 52 minutes ago, Dutch said: And loud too! Very loud! The main gate at Eielson when I was there in the mid 80's was straight off the end of the runway. Anytime Cobra Ball would take off from Eielson, there were always 2 or 3 water wagon KC's that would launch with her. They would go straight over the top of you with those engines screaming. It was always unnerving to see smoke belching from 3 of the 4 engines. Made you wonder if they were going to make it off the runway. I know part of my hearing loss has got to be from those things. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Boyer Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Why three engines? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 On 8/7/2021 at 12:42 PM, Paul Boyer said: Why three engines? My understanding was if the water injection J-57 engined KC-135A's was working correctly they'd belch smoke from the exhaust. The gate at Eielson was named Hursey Gate in honor of Amn Hursey who lost his life in 1963 when a KC-135 lost an engine on takeoff and failed to get airborne. It crashed off the end of the runway taking out the gate along with Amn Hursey in it. I was always concerned that a tanker belching smoke out of only 3 engines had lost it's 4th and was about to take out the gate again. Me with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 Hi, With the 1/144 sheet being on the horizon as well, I bought a new Academy B-47. This boxing carries serial 12618 and is titled "306th BW(M)". To my surprise, there is an extra sprue in there with parts for an RB-47H. Do any of our RB-47 specialists have an Academy kit with these parts? I'm curious about what they think about these parts. In particular, I'm wondering about the nose. In my mind, the RB-47 had a longer and more bulbous nose. The Academy RB-47 part is more bulbous, but hardly any longer (I think, not having cut them from the sprue yet). Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 (edited) The RB-47E had the longer nose. I’m not home right now to look at my H kit. But I think the Academy H nose could use a little more length if that’s what you are asking. Rick L. Edited September 17, 2021 by Spruemeister Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stefan buysse Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 7 hours ago, Spruemeister said: The RB-47E had the longer nose. I’m not home right now to look at my H kit. But I think the Academy H nose could use a little more length if that’s what you are asking. Rick L. Thanks, Rick. Yes, that was what I was asking. Having had another look at RB-47H pictures (but still not having cut the part from the sprue), I do think it could use a bit more length. Cheers, Stefan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KursadA Posted October 17, 2021 Author Share Posted October 17, 2021 All the components are ready and I am working on the last few profiles before wrapping up the instructions and enabling preorders. I am very happy with how this complex project turned out, and I am sure anyone interested in the B-47 will like it. A reprint of this complicated, multi-sheet set is not likely, so if you are interested please don't miss it when it is released. With this one out of the way, I am going to shift my attention to the equally ambitious P-3, F-22 and B-52 projects coming in the next few months - stay tuned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Boyer Posted October 17, 2021 Share Posted October 17, 2021 This is the the reason why I don't have a B-47 in my collection - missing great decals! But now - release the hounds!😋 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gator52 Posted October 17, 2021 Share Posted October 17, 2021 A masterpiece! Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CJH Posted October 17, 2021 Share Posted October 17, 2021 It feels like I have waited an eternity for these! Beautiful! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 It’s an inspiring set of decals. Will keep me busy for years. Rick L. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 Man, these are awesome. Can't wait. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AD-4N Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 On 8/6/2021 at 10:21 PM, Paul Boyer said: I got to ride in a KC-135A taking off from Pease for a trip up to Arctic Canada and back to observe and study Aurora Borealis. The test flight originated at Hanscom Field in Mass. where the runway wasn't long enough for the tanker to take off with a full load of fuel. So we stopped to top off at Pease. Back then, I had a custom of timing aircraft takeoff runs from brakes off to lift off. With a full load of fuel and using water injection, the KC's takeoff run at Pease took a full 60 seconds! I was beginning to think I was going to meet a fiery fate in the overrun! My dad (E9, USAF) told a very similar story. From ‘65 to ‘69 he was on the Strategic Air Command Maintenance Standardization Evaluation Team out of Offutt. They were flying from Torrejon one August in a KC-135 back to Nebraska. Dad had hundreds of hours in KC-135s as a passenger, not crew. He knew how long a normal roll was until airborne. The jet was loaded with fuel, very heavy and it was August in Spain. This time it was not getting off the ground. There’s few windows in a KC-135 fuselage and the seats near the windows were occupied by brass. Anyway, the jet was not getting into the air. What really got my dad’s attention were the officers by the windows, there were pointing out the windows and looking at each other with great concern. Since they were pilots, they knew better than my dad this roll was taking way, way, way too long. Finally, the nose lifted a bit and they were airborne. But not by much. To dad, again not a pilot but accustomed to the noises and routine of the KC-135, it seemed like they raised the gear about ten feet off the ground. (Minimize drag?) Slowly, slowly they gained altitude. At some point one of the brass had enough and headed to the cockpit to see what “help” he could provide the 26 year old Captain to gain altitude. I am sure it was most appreciated. After they burned off a lot of fuel and got over the cold Atlantic they started getting up to cruising altitude, but a heavy plane plus a hot day in Spain caused some excitement for sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KursadA Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share Posted October 18, 2021 (edited) If this one does as well as I expected, I will also scale up all the artwork I have designed for the 1/144 B-36 sheet (to be revealed soon) and release a jumbo 1/72 B-36 set : I expect that one to require up to 5-6 standard sized sheets. And since I have covered B-36, B-45, B-47, B-52, B-66 (in the pipeline), B-58 and B-1B ; why stop there - I should probably do a dedicated 1/72 sheet for each US bomber starting with B-29. Edited October 18, 2021 by KursadA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gator52 Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 Can’t wait to see what you’ve got for the B-36, and I’m in for other USAF bomber subjects as well in 1/72 and/or 1/144! Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 For those wanting to build a B-47A/B, a rare A Escala AS70809 1/72 B-47A/B Stratojet conversion is up for bid on ebay. I have no affiliation with ebay or the seller. Caveat Emptor, as always. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KursadA Posted November 3, 2021 Author Share Posted November 3, 2021 (edited) Available for preorder now! Do not miss this one. The profiles below show only a selection of the more than 20 options included on the sheet. CD72091 - 1/72 B-47 Stratojet Edited November 3, 2021 by KursadA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bo105flyer Posted November 3, 2021 Share Posted November 3, 2021 Thanks Kursad! My preorder is in for 2 sets Thanks, Steve Sliger Greenwell Springs, LA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 Orders in. Going to be enjoyable to have good quality marking to work with. Rick L. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viking73 Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 Awesome. My pre-order is in Kursad. I'm really looking forward to these decals. -Derek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sierrascale Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 Have to get a couple sheets just for the WADC and ATC badges. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.