1/144th B-36 kits: recommendations?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Does anyone know of a decent 1/144th scale kit of the B-36? It doesn’t matter which version.

I’m looking for a) accuracy, b) reasonable ease of construction (i.e., good engineering and molding) and c) decent decals.

Cost is not much of an object. Neither is in production or out of production. If there’s a dandy which went out of production a couple of decades ago, I can be patient tracking it down.

Thanks in advance for your input!

2

Hobby Craft lists three B-36s in 1/144th scale. A B-36 B (no jet engines), a B-36 D with jet engines, and an GRB-36/RF-84K, that is the B-36 with the RF-84 and associated “trapeze”. I do not think these are originally Hobby Craft molds, but do not know for sure. I have not built any of them, but have the B-36 D and the molds look decent as do the decals. The kit should not be a difficult build. I have heard both good and bad about the Hobby Craft decals. I have done a couple of their kits and the decals were OK. All three are readily available.

3

Wings produces a resin converion to turn a B-36 into a XC-99. That could be a later project.

4

What a monster the XC-99 was! Interesting history, too. But you’re right: that’s a project for the future.

I’ll buy one of the Hobby Craft offerings to see what the fit is like.

Thanks for your help, folks!

5

Hobbycraft did the molds for these kits.

Here’s a link to a preview:

http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/korean/dorrb36preview.htm

John

6

Thanks, John, for the link.

The review indicates that there’s room for detailing (typical of just about any 1/144 kit). But it certainly looks fairly easily buildable.

It also sounds like the movie “Strategic Air Command” is a must-rent! [;)]

7

Yeah, that’s a great movie. They got the sound of the B-36 perfectly.