So, ive been wanting to post this build thread on here for quite some time now. But just due to sheer laziness and building the thing so damn fast at times, i just found it hard to post pictures and updates.
But now ive found some free time and the build at a good resting point im making one big post! or at least one big thread of what ive done so far.
So, a little background, as my profile name says, im a crew chief (CC) for the B-1B bomber in the USAF, and right after i got to my base i found out that there was a 1:48 scale B-1B out there, and being a sucker for large aircraft kits, i had to get one.
Shortly after getting the kit i noticed all the accuracy issues with the kit that i did not know of before, and being around these magnificent birds every day, the kit itself just wouldnt do. So after a quick search i found all the after market i could get for the kit and bought it all (Except the resin wheels and interior PE) and also added Hasegawas weapons set E and also later Set A’. Set E i knew i was going to need for the Sniper Pod and Pylon and also the JDAMs, Set A i needed for the rest of the ordnace mainly the MK.82s and MK.84s.
First i started on the interior and the nacelles. I love doing interiors and i knew the nacelles would be the hardest bit having to fill and reshape over and over again putting the new intakes on. (As of right now they both still arnt completey done.) and also getting the beautiful Barracuda Cast resin exhaust on. Mainly reshaping around the burner cans.
As i was finishing the interior and still working on the nacelles, it was brought to my attention that there was a new product on the market called the ‘Light Genie’ by MRC. After watching a quick video on the product and seeing how easy it was to set up and also how cheap it was (I got it for about $35) I instantly bought one, so now, its gonna light up. Also around the same time, Me, my two good friends, and a few others in our small IPMS modeling club decided we would all bring a 1:48 B-1 down to IPMS Nationals in Omaha in 2017, and as we speak we have 6 coming to be displayed. Thats right 6 1:48 B-1Bs all lined up together.
Needing a break from the nacelles, i decided to make the cuts for where the lights would be on the kit. I drilled a small hole in the tail where the tail strobe goes, 2 small holes up at the wing joints where there are 2 more strobes and positions lights, 2 cuts in the wing tips for position lights.
And ran a quick test
Before it was a huge mess of wires but i aranged them nicely, hoping they wouldnt get in the way of the bays when the went in.
Next i worked on the front fuselage halves getting the glass in and shaped so it conforms to the skin.
Also I modified the interior to have the computer screens light up and also have 2 white LEDs that would have fiber optic coming off them going to the landing lights.
And then ran another test before closing it up.
Next before closing up I worked on all the bays, painted them with Tamiya white and detailed them with Tamiya yellow green for the wires and silver for hydro lines. Then dirtied them up nicely with oil washes using black and sienna. (sorry i dont have pictures of the weapons bays)
Finally, it was all closed up and glued together. Unfortunately I was wrong about the wires being out of the way and had to finagle them around while shutting the fuselage halves. Also I didnt find this out until the halves were glued, but due to the kit being so old the top half warped up causing the wing joints to flair up and not mounting the wing firmly. To prevent this, i would suggest adding so glue to the top of the pin before closing that way you dont get this issue. Luckly the pin is hollow, and i was able to easly find its molding mark on the bottom and drill a hole where the interior was. With the holes drilled I poured superglue and clamped, making sure to move the wings making sure they kept there full range of motion. Let it dry over night and it was perfect. Another good thing is that the nacelles completely cover the hole so no fussing with filling and blending.
Last thing for this post (which doesnt have a picture yet) I found out where i had placed the red light for the wing joint position light was a little to close to where the wing was so when i swung the wings forward it pushed the light out of position. I tried applying epoxy to hold it in place but that didnt work so i had to cut a quick hatch so i could get to the light and shift it position and reapply superglue to keep it in position. It is in a good position now and doesnt hit the wing at all but now I have to patch and blend
Thats all for this post, im sorry its so long.
until next time.
