Now, who has the Testosterone Fueled Fortitude to build this baby? Lucien Harpress? Eddie Miller? Swanny? Rick? Anyone?
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
edit: Sorry, I had the wrong URL. This is the correct one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250200814428&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015
Years ago in Finescale Modeler there was a feature article about a scratchbuilt 1/32 B52. Built by a Mr. Lewis Preneau. It was an awesome piece of work. Does anybody have pics of it?
Boomer…
I have a panoramic photo of it that was given to me by James Steel, who built some of the ground equipment in the photo. I believe the model is at Edwards somewhere. I’ll try taking a photo of it.
A 1/32 scale scratchbuilt B-52? If Lewis Preneau built it, it’s GOTTA be good! I would love to see a photo of that one!
Here is a photo of the photo I have. Any distortion is due to my picture taking, the original shows a very well made model. As I recall, the B-52 is 1/32, the ground equipment and figures are 1/35, close enough. The original photo is about 30 inches wide.
John,
My math ain’t so good, how big IS that thing? I would guess the wing span must be around 4-5 feet? Darned impressive, at any rate!
Brian [C):-)]
Actually, if i remember right, the article said that it was built so strong that you could stand on it. I am not at home at the moment and don’t have access to my old finescale mags, but i am sure that was what was written in the article. I just know it was a mighty huge aircraft!
Boomer…
The fortitude to build it? Yeah. The budget to buy it? Heck no! The room to display it, assuming I win the lottery? Again, heck no!
I remember that article…Lewis did a simply oustanding job…the model was beautiful in every respect…the weathering was fantastic.
There was a pic of him holding the BUFF in its wingtip - and the span was as tall as he was. That scales a 185’ wingspan to a wee bit under 6’ - sounds about right from the pic in FSM.
The only disappointing part of that article was there were no “in progress” pics, and there werent enough pics of the finished model.
Stunning model, though…
I must apologise yardbird78. I didn’t mean to steal your thread.
That 1/48 B52 would be a mission for sure, epspecially being vac formed. Looking at those wings, i can imagine a lot of extra work going in to strengthening them. It would be a great looking model if done right. Then you would have to extend the house to display it…[:-^]
Boomer…
After seeing that kit, and comparing it to what I got in a similar kit (the Spruce Goose), I don’t think I would wish that “kit” (I use the term loosely) on my worst enemy. Plastic is probably extremely thick (needed to have part that large hold up to their own weight, but terrible for detail), mulitiple parts will probably have to be replaced (trailing edges), and you could spend a few lifetimes adding detail.
I think ONE nightmare vac kit in a lifetime is enough, thank you! [;)]
(Small Goose update- I’m to the point of skinning my second (replacement) aileron. Then I just need to work on the other wing- I’d like to get the wings attached to the fuselage by Spring.)
Here it is in happier days. This is what you call a big model.
You must be crazy!
The B-32 vacuform kit was enough of a challenge for me. I’ll stick with the two or three 1/72 scale kits of the B-52 I have yet to build.