Maybe I’m the only one out here with an interest in this subject. But this plane did see combat and is the only contemporary of the B-29. I know about the vacu formed kit in 1/72, but I’m selfish and want the 1/48 version to match my other WWII USAAF collection. And I’ve got big hands that work better with larger scales.
Anyone else with an interest?
Mmm, definately. I’ve got everything from B-24 through to B-52, and the bigger the better. Only built the B29 and B52 so far, but a Dominator would round it out nicely
Deffinatly would be an interesting one to build. I didnt know it seen combat though, now i’m with you in hopes that they come out with one in 1/48.
Yes, it did see combat. I believe it entered front-line service in July '45 but I don’t have any other recollections.
And a 1/48 B-32 Dominator would go to the top of my must-have list if one was to be released.
Yes. I’m sure we’re not the only ones that would like to see it done.
Check out this Air & Space link regarding the B-32 in combat:
http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/The_Last_to_Die.html
Interesting stuff…Cheers,Douglas
It’s been several years, but Scale Aircraft Modelling had a 1/48 conversion article. It used parts from a B-29, B-24, and 1/72 B-36. It wasn’t for the faint hearted!
There’s more interest in the B-32 than I had imagined. Do the kit manufactuers check this website? How do we get the message across to them?
They’re vacforms, and they may not be your forte, but maybe Sanger would consider it? If we had just the right shapes, it would be a start!
I sincerly doubt there’s the interest in the Dominator that would lead to a 1/48th injection-molded kit, but there’s always hope for a vacform… Vacforms are certainly not everyones forte’, but with a little patience and “unlearning” what you know from injection-molded kits, they’re actually quite enjoyable builds… A well-stocked parts box is usually a necessity, and you have to get away from the mind-set that the things go together like injection-molded ones… You’ll need to stock up on some sheet styrene as well, as they always seem to be lacking the interior strength one comes to expect, and using sheet to make additional bulkheads here & there will go a long way in making a model that will support it’s wieght in kits that size, and you have to willing & able to work in multi-media (meaning styrene, metal, and resin, and do LOTS of sanding)… But yeah, I’d say there’s still hope for a B-32 in that arena…
There’s another thread around here in the forum-sorry! discussion-someplace, someone was discussing scratchbuilding one in 1/48, because there was no kit. If I recall, the poster mentioned using a piece of PVC pipe for part of the fuselage, and there was debate about the correct shape of the tail, and whether it could be scavenged from the Koster Privateer set, or from Monogram’s 1/72 B-36, or whether either of those could be used as patterns.
I agree, if there were a kit, I’d want one to go with the Monogram 1/48 big bombers, too.
Regards,
Brad
It is possible to build a B-32 in 1:48 scale using b-29 and B-24 kits. It was done by Gerald Asher - Scale Aircraft Modelling August 2000.
To start with you will need.
Two Monogram B-29 Kits
Two Monogram B-24 kits
One 1:72 scale B-36 kit.
The fuselage, from the cockpit aft, is made from sections from two B-29 kits, the diameter being about the same as the B-32. The rear, including the fin, is from the B-36 kit. The fin from a PB4Y Privateer is not suitable. The nose and cockpit requires the making of a mould so it can be vac-formed.
The wings require two sets of B-24 wings. The outer section made from a full span B-24 wing minus the engine nacelles. The inner section includes the B-24 root and extends to just inboard of the no 1 and 4 engine nacelles. Engine nacelles are based upon the inboard B-29 nacelles. The landing gear also built from a B-29’s. You then need to find suitable turrets.
Now THATS dedication ! I take my hat off to the guy for having the perserverance and the committment to want to cannabalize 5 x kits just to make the thing !
that was the article I mentioned earlier! I considered trying it at the time, my only shortfall was I didn’t have a vacform machine! Had all the kits though…got them all at bargain prices over the years!
If not a full kit, perhaps a conversion from a B-24 or B-29
The amount of resin needed would be substantial! And the surgery required would be drastic! On the other hand large aircraft have come out in resin kits in recent years…I still cringe at the thought of spending more than $100 on a kit but I suppose if I HAD TO HAVE IT I could come up with the $$$ for a B-32…or a B-66…or a KC-50…or a Skywarrior…or a Vulcan…or a Gotha…[;)]
1/48 Privateer would be swell too.
Koster Aero Industries makes a conversion kit to turn any of the Revellogram B-24s into a Privateer. The kit is a vacuformed one. I have it and looks like a really nice kit. Its in the pipeline to be built, but haven’t started it yet. but if you’re looking for a true plastic kit, you’ll have to go with 1/72 for now.
I have wanted a B-32 for years, injection moulded of course. 1/72 will be fine by me!!![bnghead]