Greetings all. Been out of modeling for quite some time now, but now that I’m retired, figured getting back into it as it’ll give me something to do to take up all that spare time. Ran across this website while looking for tips on putting decals on a models. Trying to decide which subscription to go to. For sure the print version, but considering the digital as well, but was wondering how far back do the digital version go? (one month, three months, one year, etc).
Thanks all and am looking forward to spending mucho amount of time perusing the website.
Welcome back to the hobby, and welcome to the forum! What kinds of things do you like to build?
Regarding subscriptions, and digital versions of the magazine, the digital version is relatively recent, so I don’t know how many back issues we can access online. But Kalmbach has CDs available with the full archives going back to the beginning, which you can buy.
Also, though I subscribe to the hard copy, I get a link every month to access the digital issue, too. I’ve been mulling dropping the hard copy, but old habits die hard.
Hey Baron, thanks for the kind words. Currently, looking at the Star Trek Enterprises (original through E) and older A/C. I recently moved, then returned (after 5 years) from the Philippines and had to leave my models behind (in the US), which my son promptly sold (I told him it was okay, as I didn’t think I’d return), so all I have left to start with is 1/48 AC-130, YB-49, B-58, and the 1/72 XB-70. On my star trek side, I have the Enterprise D (Firber Optic), and the 1/350 Enterprise (Polar) re-fit and the NX-01. I had all the “Century” F/A, but will have to start new on those. My ultimate goal is to do a diorama of a 1/48 B-52H landing at night complete with fiber optic lights of the A/C along with the runway with the flashing strobe approach lights. Maybe one day … (PS … I like your screen name … the 23d Bomb Squadron here at Minot AFB is called the “Bomber Barons”)
Thanks all for the support. The night landing will take a while. Got to build back up from scratch. Work Bench, tools, paints, airbrush, etc. Then take some top and bottom diagrams to my buddy who was a crew chief, Quality Assuarance inspector, and spent time working the Phase Dock tearing it apart, routine maint, and putting it back together again, on the BUFF and discuss lights (location, color, blinking speed, etc) and accuracy. There used to be a guy (can’t remember his name now) in Canada that had decals and nose art for the B-52H from Minot (MT on the vert stab), but I can’t find him anymore. Would like to do a Minot bird, as Barksdale (LA on the vert stab) gets way too much publicity. Anyway, that’s at least 2 years from now, after I get my feet wet again in the building. Again, thank you all for your warm welcome and look forward to interacting more. I was a medium level model builder at most, so you’ll probably hear from me asking lots of questions. Hope I don’t wear my welcome out.
Might take a look at the. “In the BUFF” group build, it’s back on page 3. Get hold of the guys hosting it, and take a look at striker’s “D” revetment build. They might have a source on MT markings.
When I was in SAC back in the 70’s it was a running gag that if you screwed up you would get transferred to Minot in the dead of winter. (Not sure why they picked on North Dakota, Keflavik Iceland was pretty nasty almost year round.)
Liegghio, I was first stationed there in 1991 and then the saying was “Why not Minot … Freezin’s the Reason”, until I met a fellow airmen who was had been there and gave me the real lowdown. Yes, it’s damn cold, but they issued you the right clothing for it. BUT, the fishing and hunting is out of this world (year round fishing) and hunting (fowl/deer in the fall). He was right! I still have sad feelings for my brethern Security Specialist (we weren’t combined fields back then and I was Law Enforcement) when they had to stand at the nose during alerts in Feburary. Even though they gave you the right clothing, it was still down right miserable. I made sure that when I was the SRT Leader during those exercises, we would relieve those guys as often as I could so they could warm up in the vehicle. I still say I would have rather been at Minot than Thule Greenland. Thanks for the kind words.
Welcome to the forums. You will be a good source of info for all things BUFF, I’m sure.
Thank you for your service.
I would suggest that you start with a scale model of your dio.
Maybe build it up around a 1/144 aircraft. It will really help as far as arranging the main subject, any part of the runway or taxiway or hardstand you choose, any buildings, vehicles, figures, and of course snow!.
Hello, I spent 2 years at Minot after leaving Okinawa. There’s a climate change.
I was in the first class at Lackland for the split career field, going to the Law Enforcement class in 1971.
Eventually I left the field and went into flight operations Kadena and ended up in the 5th FIS at Minot before returning to Okinawa. I rfemember the QRTs but back then I would drive a M-113 or M-706. As far as I could tell, better than those Peacekeeper vehicles.
Here’s a shot I took of one of Minot’s B-52s. I watched it come in with smoke pouring out of its tail after getting hit by lightning.
Thanks Bill. My original plan was to do the 1/72 scale as I want to light it up with fiber, then have it coming over R/W 29 Glide, but when I went to scale the R/W, the glidepath is 500’ and additional 1500 ft to get it past T/W C. That would make the board almost 28 feet long. That’s not going to happen. So, going with a 1/144 and only 750 of Glide and R/W will make the board only 5.2 feet. So, I have to get a 1/144 model and see how difficult it will be to run fiber through it to all the marker lights, landing lights, then R/W lights. If that won’t work, then my fallback would be to go back to a 1/72, and just “park it” on the Delta Hammerhead (south end of the R/W) and maybe do a “hung ordnace” scene. I’ll play around with the ideas once I see the 1/144 model. But still, that’s at least a year out before I begin … it’s just a wish in the back of my mind right now.
Ikara01, wow, pretty close to my path. Joined in 1977, retired in 2001. Before I made it to Minot (my last duty station), I too was at Kadena. Also, I too was Law Enforcement. Small world we live and play in. I got to see (and participate) in the BUFFs and Tankers stand-down from Alert Status at the end of the Cold War. That was a great feeling (even though I didn’t have to guard them). But more importantly we finally got to transitions from 12 hours shifts (as you know from being a cop, that actually means 14 hours) 3 on 3 off, to a normal 6 and 3, 8 hour shifts.
Your up near (whynot) Minot? I have a friend in Watford. It’s who routinely travels to Minot for shopping. I’ve flown into both the AFB and city airport in my C-130 says. Mike
Hi Mike. Yes, I live in the city of Minot. Your friend is in Watford? Damn, that’s a healthy drive just to go shopping in Minot. Still, it’s closer than driving to Bismarck. If you haven’t flown into the downtown airport, you’ll be in for a heck of a suprise. They build a new one and it’s (IMO) fantastic.
