I would like to do a B-52 (either in 1/144 or 1/200 scale) looking as if it had just landed (flaps down chute deployed). I have a 4 part question and then I will go from there to decide if I can do this.
Does any body know how big the drag chute is for the B-52?
Does any body know where I can get something like this in either scale I mentioned?
Does any body know (if there is no answer to the above question) how I can make a chute like this?
And Does any body know if someone makes a flap down kit for the B-52?
I think it would be an interesting scratchbuild project to take on. Draping the right shape tissue paper over a semi-circular dome shaped object, and layering on watered down white glue, until you got the chute to look like its billowing and full of wind. Then all youd have to worry about was doing the rigging with fine cotton maybe. Attach one point of the chute to the diorama base so it looks stretched out behind the BUFF. They always look like part of them is touching the tarmac anyway Never seen a model parachute though.
Does any body know how big the drag chute is for the B-52?
Digging through my memory (about 3000 hours in BUFF’s) and asking my Dad (ex-BUFF Crew Chief) the beast has a 64 foot diameter.
And Does any body know if someone makes a flap down kit for the B-52?
Monogram’s B-52D had movable flaps. The AMT/ERTL/Italeri B-52’s have flap wells, but the flaps are molded into the lower wing. With some work, you could drop those puppies. Also, the A/E/I BUFF’s do not have any wing droop, so they would look good for just after touchdown and with the chute deployed
Using what’s at hand in my war room, I’d papier-mache a 'chute over a rubber ball of the right size… Balloons will work too, just pop the balloon after the PM hardens and cut to shape. The rigging would be done with piano wire, I think… Dunno though, getting the 'chute textured properly would be a real bear… I’d think, if I had one big enough, that I’d rather vacoform a 'chute from thin sheet styrene… It’d have to be done in halves though, to keep wrinkles from forming in the compound curves…
Another appraoch may be to hunt down a vac-formed blister-pack… But I’d use piano wire for the rigging regardless… That’ll give it the right amount of rigidity and no sag…
At one time there was talk of someone doing a series of drag chutes in different sizes in PE. I once had a drag chute from either a B-47 or B-52 I can’t remember which. It was heavy, smelly and oily after years of use. Traded it off for something more fun, but can’t recall what that was either LOL
I recommend finding a light bulb as your pattern. Start with laying out chord layards using thin masking tape with the sticky side facing out. You can secure these into place by putting a circular piece of masking tape at the top center of the bulb. Remember the center of the chute has a large opening in it.
Now start laying foil panels (precut) on the bulb. The strips of very narrow masking tape will hold them into place. Start at the center of the chute and work outwards. Once you have the panels in place, start laying fish line and glue it to the foil. Heavy Duty Kitchen foil works well, it holds its shape well.
You should be able to find a lightbulb of the appropriate size.
The other option is to use a parachute from a model rocket!
Thanks for all the advice. I have thought about the model rocket chute idea but not real sure how to form that to hold its shape. Unless I would use the piano wire idea to hold the chute up but that still leaves the center sagging.