Howdy All, Old Andy is still alive and kicking! I had to come back as a different address as I couldn’t get back in as myself; there were other Andys and Andrews so I’m here as Andrew Magoo, just usually Magoo.
No I haven’t built my B-52D Big Belly yet a few things got in the way like my Bachelors degree, I died, amputation of my left leg, death of my oldest son then my father followed by my mother and almost my wife. Plus my youngest going through his second go around in two years with cancer and losing my job. Sometimes life gets in the way but I’m ok now.
I do have the bombs but could never find the resin bomb magazines I was looking for. I figured I would have to scratch build them. Now I can thank the Lord… some nice pictures for me to look at and build my bomb magazines. I couldn’t find good pictures of the magazines on the internet I obviosly am not calling the bomb magazines the correct name. However, while in Rapid City at Ellsworth AFB I got some detailed pictures of the 52’s Bomb bay so I can detail the inside. Magoo
Welcome back Andrew! We rarely know what trials and tribulations others may be suffering. You are truly a survivor! Life sucks sometimes but it’s better than the alternative! Keep kicking the “Grim Reaper” in the teeth!
Welcome back, Andy. Sounds like you’ve been through h*** bud. Hope things are much better for you and your family now. The few pictures I found, I got by searching for “b-52d bomb clip” or “big belly modification”, that sort. I’m writing an article with dimensions for the clip and trailer that I built but I still haven’t received a response from FSM about posting it so let me know and I’ll send you a copy when I finish it. Goes for you too, Bish. If I can help either of you, let me know.
Below are a few more photos that might be helpful. You can also see the special bomb clip loader that actually lifted the bomb clips up into the bomb bay. One side of the loader was open to allow it to enclose the transport trailer and then lift the cradle with the clip so the trailer could be removed. The loader then lowered the clip and was maneuvered under the bomb bay. BTW, the pictures by Gary James show 750 lb bomb clips, not 500 lb clips like the one I modelled (bottom photo). The loader was used to install both types. I just came across the last picture this morning. It shows 500 lb bomb clips being pre-loaded at a munitions “hardstand.” Notice the loaded clip on the trailer in the background. I can see now that the the bomb cradles were open-frame, not solid like I modeled it.
Photo courtesy Gary James Utapao, Thailand 1970-71
Howdy All, Thank you for your concern. Things are Ok for now. I’ve always been here lurking in the back ground. I’m currently in the B-36 group build converting a previously built 1/72 Monogram RB-36H into a YB-60. I have a few in-progress pictures posted and descriptions. The nose is giving me fits but I’ve about got it whipped. Andrew Magoo
I read through your posts and saw your pictures of the bomb clips you made. Very impressive! If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to be added to your list when you get that document done.
My family was stationed at Kadena Okinawa from June 1962 through December 1964. My Dad was a crew chief on the F-105D when we first arrived then shortly afterwards was switched over to the RF-101C. The last 3 months we were there he was TDY in Vietnam at several bases, Tan Son Nhut, Nha-Trang, and Da Nang.
I have the document finished and will be happy to send you a copy if you can PM me and provide me an email address. It’s in web format so you can view it with your web browser. Keep in mind that the instructions haven’t been reviewed or verified yet so there are bound to be mistakes.
I don’t remember seeing 105’s or F4s except as transients while I was at Kadena. I believe they were all moved south to Naha AB. I later worked on both of those aircraft types in Thailand and back in the states at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
No problem, bud. I just finished an update and have asked Ken to convert it to a pdf for me. As soon as I have it, I’ll be glad to send you a copy, or maybe I can post it here. Will investigate.
Just had a quick flick through, will read it all later. But first impression, brilliant. Those photos of the real stuff look great and will be very useful. Been watching you build the clip and was woundering how they attached, now i know.
I think we may be seeing a few of these in the next few years, some great work. Thanks [Y]
Here are three links to the U-tapao Alumni Associations website munitions loading videos for the B-52D. They show the complete process from unloading the bombs from the ships to loading them on the clips, and then loading the clips on the plane.
Sorry for the late reply, I have been really busy at work. I was only between the ages of 5 and 7 while we were at Kadena, so I do not know the names of places. I do remember living close enough to the ocean that I could walk to it from our house. Also, there was what I believe was an Army base directly across the highway that ran behind our house.
