B-52G-115-BW 58-0253 "The Moose is Loose", 42nd BW Loring AFB ME mid-90s

Good parts count for this scale, pity about the dark green plastic ? 

Those fuselage ripples are the biggest challenge, there isn't a B-52 that doesn't have them! 

After reading the detailed build story on the ARC Forums page I decided to break out my Dremel (purchased several lifetimes ago in Michigan, 1973, so 110v) and start mutilating the left fuselage half! 

First marked the ripples with a pen (the felt marker was too wide), then carefully scored the indentations with the Dremel, smoothed with Tamiya round file then cleaned up with 240/400 sanding block held edge on. 

Like this........ 

Followed by a final overall sanding of the section using 1200 grit. On reflection I think the Dremel is a bit too severe for this scale, so I'll do the rear fuselage ripples using just the round file. 

There is also the wing shoulder duct intake to be added, so I guesstimated the location and commenced drilling...........that's it for now, I suspect this will be a slow and drawn-out build!! ? 

Just about the correct shape, just needs some detail filing & sanding. 

This week I decided to take a break from the fuselage ripples (which are proceeding well, just needed a change of focus) and work on the cockpit. This is the instrument panel provided - nothing like the actual ? 

Also, the detailing is rather sparse. What to do? Leave it like this, knowing once it's all buttoned up inside the fuselage nobody will look, or, see what we can do to add a bit of interest ? 

Started with the instrument panel and this was the first attempt in low resolution - but definitely an improvement. 

For reference, this is how it should look (even some of the 1/72 kits are rather inaccurate!) 

Better resolution, finally downloaded the actual B-52G Flight Manual! 

That looks better, but the seats could do with some work........ 

Starting with headrests from another of those old business cards. 

Blutac for the seat cushions. 

Seatbelts & buckles painted on (masking tape or paper belts are too fiddly for me at this scale!)  

Ejection mechanism frames were fabricated from Evergreen strip styrene. 

The pilot's seat definitely looks more accurate now. 

To be continued................. ? 

This week I concentrated on the "hidden" details - cockpit and the two main landing gear wells. 

The cockpit dressed up OK, especially considering once it is in place under the canopy most of the detail won't be visible. But I know it's there! ? 

Here it is, ready for insertion. 

Next transformation was the two main landing gear wells, which are "sparse", to say the least.
 

After a lot of searching, I found the manual for the 1/48 HPH kit to be an excellent resource, along with many of the pics from their website (hphmodels.cz/).

There are plenty of good "walk around photo shoots of actual B-52's out there, but the angles looking up into the wells are generally not ideal. 

I started with the rear well, which is simpler to "dress" than the forward one. First step was to mark and grind out the two indentations. 

Evergreen strips were drilled out for those reinforcements at the lower outside edge. 

Then it was just a matter of using card, more evergreen and various gauges of copper wire to add the plumbing and wiring. This is pretty close to enough - even if I place the finished model over a mirror, who will study these details?  

Update 26/05/22; I wasn't able to resist adding the retraction mechanisms after realising that these details are rather obviously absent from the kit. 

Rear bay detail - according to my reference this is the more "empty" of the two bays. 

Front bay detail - this one is a lot busier than the rear and definitely the more interesting. 

Also made some progress with the right fuselage side skin ripples. I found the Dremel was too fierce so am just using the Tamiya rats tail file, carefully braced. Almost time to start assembling main components! 

After a very long pause (family medical event which required time before I was able to return to the models) I recommenced the B-52 late last year: primed with AV surface primer then AV colour coats.  

Masked upper surfaces for the "faded green" seen in many of my reference pics, such as the following....... 

Rather pleased with the outcome here. 

This was the desired effect. 

I used Microscale Kristal Klear to build up the small windscreen so its flush with each side and also built up the cockpit ceiling windows. 

Decals were prepared and printed on the trusty Epson; I ended up not applying the walkway lines as they wouldn't behave after separating from the backing. Most of the reference pics from this era (mid-late 90's) didn't appear to have them, fortunately. 

I was pretty happy with how they turned out, maybe a little dark but quite acceptable for the display cabinet. 

After a clearcoat of slightly thinned Pledge I contemplated the next step - panel lines/weathering. For the last few models I've been using AK weathering pencils, which have proved better than my previous old school methods but still not totally convincing. While I was researching alternatives I realised the wear panels for the tailplanes were missing, So I did them with BareMetal Foil, darkened with AV Metal Color dark aluminum. 

For the panel lines & weathering I searched for a method which could be applied by airbrush and came up with Flory clay-based washes, ordered a set and gave the dark grime shade a try. 

After removing the window masking foil I saw that the windscreen and first 2 side windows are wrongly proportioned (the windscreen is far too small and the framing is too wide) so I removed some of the masking foil to left & right of the screen. Not the ideal solution as this creates a massive front screen but on balance its OK. 

After removing most of the wash with a too-wet cloth I watched the tutorial video through to the end and realised the error. Reapplied the wash with a brush this time and removed by rubbing with slightly moistened cloth - Success this time, and pretty happy with the outcome. 

Pretty happy with the completed kit, looks good alongside the Tu 142MR!