I know there is no B-47 in my (1/48) scale. Trumpeter, are you listening? But does anyone know of a decent B-47 in any scale? I first built it as a child in one of the old Revell fit-the-box scales. I was born on B-47 base and they are my earliest memories, so it was my first kit purchase in early 60s. To the point, I later built AMT 1/72 version in 1971, and it was truly a kit of its day – bare bones, raised panel lines (but a perfect outline, because Boeing sent me some plans in 1/72 and they matched perfectly). I later found it in Hasegawa/Minicraft boxing with gaudy weather-bird markings, but this kit got melted in a fire. I want to model the B-47E-Lemay-Back-to-the-Stoneage version my dad flew in the late 50s. Are there any aftermarket parts or decals for this or any other kit?
Just two: the 1/72 Hasegawa B-47, and the excellent 1/144 Academy B-47B/E.
Hello sharkskin and [#welcome] to the FSM forums. I went to www.greatmodels.com and they have the 1/72 hasegawa kit and some after market stuff for it. You can always try squadron.com too. Hope this helps.
Sharkskin welcome aboard I like your name too. Hasegawa has one in 172 scale. It may be in or out of production but look around you should find one on ebay or in well stocked hobby shops. It is KIt number K7 04057. Hey if you still have those plans and can scan the in email them to me, I hope to get into 3D someday I would like to make that one on the computer.
Oh yeah, welcome to FSM!
The Hasagwa kit is a very nice kit. As soon as I finnish my 1/48 P-61 I am starting the B-47. It has great detailing.
Speaking of the P-61. How is the detail on it, because I am getting ready to order that kit and some AM stuff for it. I dont feel like waiting around for the AM Tech version any longer. Oh and by the way [#welcome] to FSM tpsjugglerdude.
Be careful relying on B-47 detailing in that Hasegawa kit. I used to climb around cockpit in that old RB-47E (a retrofitted bomber model) at Rebel Field/Confederate Air Force. The cockpit is extremely busy. The co-pilot sat in an ejection seat mounted on a turntable that rotated 360 degrees because he both shot star fixes (there a sextant opening in the canopy) AND was responsible for firing those two 20mm’s swiveling in the tail. The pilot sat in a fixed seat, but also of unique design (I think) and the nav/bombardier had his own seat downstairs in the nose. You can see pretty will through that fighter-style canopy if thin vac-formed. It just now occurs to me that I never asked my dad why he had to shoot star fixes when there was a nav-bombardier with little to do. Two facts and I’ll shut up about beloved B-47. That RB-47 above had the usual cavernous bomb bay for early tube-technology nukes, and it had been modified to carry “flash bombs,” which I have never seen in any reference. But on the inside of the bomb door was a plackard with a diagram for loading different sizes and weights of “flash bombs.” Anybody shed light on that subject? (Sorry for that one).
Thank you falcon039. I’ve been trying to find a good model forum and I finally found one!! Which P-61 model are you asking about. I just picked up the Revell kit because I couldn’t find any other kit. The detailing could be inproved but oh well.
On the B-47 note… I volenteer at MAPS (Military Aviation Preservation Society) in Akron, Ohio. www.mapsairmuseum.org We have aquired a B-47 from WPAFB in Dayton, Ohio. We will be shipping it up her in parts sometime in the near future. Then it will be put together. So I guess thats my [2c] worth on B-47s.
I truly envy tpsjuggler dude. The biggest restoration I ever helped on was a PV2-7 Neptune we saved from the fire pit at Ellington Field in Houston before they got to burn it. Sad to say we were too late for F-101B that was a blackened carcass before we learned it was in the pit… Dunno what happened to the museum, but it had NO money. However, it DID have a B-36 and a B-58. It was located just outside gates of General Dynamics in Ft. Worth. Anybody know fate of Southwest Air Museum?
WOW!! A B-36!! Those are HUGE! I saw the one at WPAFB. Also someone around here has one in their yard. He has lots of planes in his yard that he bought really cheap. He has or had at one time a F-82, 2 B-25s, FG 1-D Corsair, F2G2 Super Corsair, B-36, Sabre, and lots of other stuff. But I haven’t got to see it because he closed it and won’t let anyone into see it. I heard about this and saw some of teh pics from some people at MAPS.
Wow! [:0] How big of a yard does this guy have? I think the B-36 is a great aircraft, ever since I saw one in the USAF museum in Dayton, OH. Two things from me-
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The movie Strateigic Air Command has some great in-flight shots of a B-36, and excellent interior shots of both a B-36 and a B-47. And the best thing is, it’s in color…
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(!WARNING! Personal glorification) I have a 1:72 model of a B-36 finished, if anyone wants to see. Website below!
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22064
Good luck on the Stratofortress! [:D]
I saw the Hasagawa kit today here at Douglas Models (they are now owned by the same person who owns Great Models which is also here in Utah). I did put together the 1/144 kit for our Museum build (Hill AFB Museum has also acquired one though it is still in pieces. Wonder if it is the same one as above).
I have two 1/72 B47E Hasegawa kits in sealed box. Would trade or sell one if interested
I’m still trying to imagine that guy’s yard. Perhaps it was infact a rare A-36? Doubtful. The B-36 acquired by Southwest Air Museum, which sits (sat?) near the front gate of General Dynamics, took up most of the museum’s property. And, how’s this for corporate support: As I said elsewhere, the museum also had a pretty forelorn looking TB-58A they were trying to start restoring. While the museum volunteers were fighting to get their very worthwhile endeavor going, General Dynamics, formerly Convair, who could have provided invaluable assisstance to this museum, was petitioning the local government to have it removed as an eyesore that affected the beauty of their huge plant. I still get angry when I remember this.