B50

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I’ve just been re-watching the pilot for Quantam Leap and now feel inspired to model the Bell X2 and the B50 that carried it up to launch height that are featured so prominantly in it.

I’ve been looking for a b50 or x2 model and can’t seem to find one of either in any scale. If i could get a b50 i feel pretty confidant that i could scratch the x2 (tho i’d prefer a kit) but i’m no where near sure enough of myself to build an entire b50! (see: too much work!)

any one got any ideas? I would’ve thought monogram may have produced a b50 but can’t seem to find one (tried ebay)

thanx, Rob

2

I think the B-50 conversion can be accomplished on any of the currently offered B-29 kits. Engines, nacelles,horizontal stabilizer, X2 bombay mods, etc. These details can be scratch built, unfortunately, I haven’t seen a B50 conversion offered in any scale . Try a product search on greatmodels,verlinden, or squadron for an AM conversion. I think your problem will be matching scale X2 to the converted B-50. You will probably have more luck working in 1/72nd scale to match the two aircraft.

Steve

3

Academy does a B-50 in 1/72 scale, I believe. Don’t know much about it, so perhaps others can fill you in with the details on it. Just do a search with some of the on-line retailers (GreatModels, Squadron, Roll Models, etc.) to check on its availability.

Mark

4

Think that Academy did a B-50 dropship with a X-1 in 1/72nd.

5

I’ve seen a 1/72 KB-50 by Academy, perhaps you can convert from that.

I think Special Hobby or one of those Czech limited run outfits did a 1/72 X-2 in the past few years or so.

6

If you are looking for detailed information on any of the X-planes I would recommend the Jay Miller book which in its updated form covers all the X-planes from the X-1 to I believe the X-41. My older copy only covered the X-1 to X-29. My copy was published by Specialty Press. I built the Maintrack vacuumform X-2 a few years ago and there were kits by Czechmaster, Vami and Alliance in 1/72nd. 1/48 by Collect-Aire. Academy /Minicraft produced the B-50 as an injection molded kit which still should be readily available. I believe you can still get the vacuumform Maintrack kit from Hannats in England. Check their web page.

Richard

7

I have the Academy/minicraft B-50D sitting on my “to be built” shelf. It appears to be a decent kit. Some items you would need to correct for the launch plane would be to remove the turrets and add the jet assist pods to the wings as this model only has drop tanks in that location. If you can find the KB-50 that is now OOP would be your best bet since it is already “turretless” and has the jet engines. Good luck in your search and with your project.