KursadA Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 (edited) Folks, do you think you can help me with a good photo showing the exact outline of the B-52 inflight refueling door and cockpit overhead windows? Perhaps a photo taken straight from the top (aerial refueling photos are almost always taken from the tanker, and have an angle very difficult to correct) - I remember finding a photo showing the front fuselage section at an Arizona boneyard that was rolled to the side for the perfect angle, but I can not find it now. Maybe something like this, but showing a fuselage in better shape. Edited January 21 by KursadA Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghostbase Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Kursad, is this what you are looking for? Another sectioned BUFF from my 7th October 1994 AMARC tour. I did catch this chopped up B-52D forward fuselage however I was not able to identify her. The tail fin behind her cockpit belongs to 55-0087. Michael. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghostbase Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 A more distant shot, slightly different angle. Both photos taken by myself. Michael. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KursadA Posted January 21 Author Share Posted January 21 Thanks, these are really helpful! In most of these photos the small overhead windows are obscured by the sprayed latex, but I can make out the outline of the receptacle door. I was hoping to see the exact outlines of the overhead windows and the two small lights on the refueling door, so I could provide these as decals to represent the missing structural details of the Minicraft kit recently reboxed by Academy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KursadA Posted February 3 Author Share Posted February 3 This 1/144 sheet with a diverse set of markings is coming in March - I tried to incorporate your suggestions to the extent possible. Here is a small selection from the options. The 1/72 version is going to follow in April or May. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gator52 Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Super! Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Stupendous! I see Jimmy Stewart's Linebacker bird. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Boyer Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 It's ALMOST enough to make me build another Monogram BUFF. Maybe I'll just "remark" this one: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John54 Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 For the many of us who have the Tamiya kit, you might consider 1/100. There is nothing out there and those wonderful kits could use your talent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John54 Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 So, looking at websites it’s been awhile since the Tamiya 1/100 B-52 has been in production so I imagine it’s going to take more than one ask to go into production on that scale. Still, along with the monogram kit the one that got the nose and glass pretty close to right. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KursadA Posted February 3 Author Share Posted February 3 It is an interesting idea and I will think about it - I heard only good things about the old Tamiya kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John54 Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Thanks. Any interest in this folks need to respond. That kit could benefit from the 3D printer community. NB-52 conversion with X-15, Hound Dogs back date prototype nose. Plus detail upgrades. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
engineman Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 I have always wanted to do a RB/B-52B conversion . New wing tanks , different main gear wheels , the 20mm tail gun and perhaps a recce pod . Maybe in tbe era of 3d printing somebody can come to the rescue Quote Link to post Share on other sites
engineman Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 And not a tall tail b-52, bit markings for the H model D-21 Carriers would be cool. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John54 Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 So this image is from the September 1965 issue of National Geographic. I’ll do a proper scan tomorrow. Great article on the United States Airforce and well worth seeking out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gator52 Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 49 minutes ago, engineman said: I have always wanted to do a RB/B-52B conversion . New wing tanks , different main gear wheels , the 20mm tail gun and perhaps a recce pod . Maybe in tbe era of 3d printing somebody can come to the rescue Click2Detail scaled down his early wheels to 1/144 for me; they look pretty good. I was thinking of representing the 20mm cannons & fire control radome with leftover B-36/B-47 parts, and perhaps modify the external tanks from Revell G/H kit, but would love to see a comprehensive conversion set. Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gator52 Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 30 minutes ago, John54 said: So this image is from the September 1965 issue of National Geographic. I’ll do a proper scan tomorrow. Great article on the United States Airforce and well worth seeking out. Really nice shot; I believe the 2 BMW was flying B-52F models in the mid-60s. Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 On 2/2/2024 at 8:40 PM, Dutch said: Stupendous! I see Jimmy Stewart's Linebacker bird. What Dutch says! I also see 'Diamond Lil' which is up on display at the Air Force Academy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KursadA Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 I believe there will be about 15 options on this sheet - will post the final drafts soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 A solid 2nd on the need for 1/100 scale on the Tamiya kits sitting in all the stashes around the world. Rick L. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 (edited) On 2/3/2024 at 7:23 PM, Gator52 said: Really nice shot; I believe the 2 BMW was flying B-52F models in the mid-60s. Chris Chris, I looked up the photo in the Sept 65 issue of NG that John54 included above and it is much wider and shows both #2 & #3 engine pods. It is definitely a B-52F. Are those B-61s hanging off the pylons or are they BLU-27 napalm canisters? Is that a HSAB attached to the AGM-28 main pylon? I will have to recheck my NG issue when I get home tonight. Edited February 5 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 (edited) Yup! B-61s, at least six per wing. What an odd staggered configuration. This BUFF is definitely headed into harm's way, but the hard way. Makes me wonder what the crew thought of the mission of dropping a dozen B-61s at several targets. Edited February 7 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AD-4N Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 2 hours ago, Dutch said: Makes me wonder what the crew thought of the mission. They thought, "I hope the KGB has a subscription to National Geographic and shows this photo to Brezhnev." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jbryan911 Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 Diamond Lil as she currently sits: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 2 hours ago, jbryan911 said: Diamond Lil as she currently sits: She difinitely needs to be freshened up. Great photos. I especially like the ones with the sun setting behind the mountains. Never get tired of that view. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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