tomprobert

I'd been suffering from a serious case of modeller's block and had ground to a halt on all my projects and just couldn't get restarted. I'd actually built this kit on and off a while back, and all it needed was painting and decalling so in an effort to restart the mojo I splashed some Halfords and Tamiya paints on and just went for it. It's far from perfect but has got me back in the groove and keen to get going on some of the other kits I have on the go so its purpose was well-served. The decals actually represent a B-36B rather than the Mongram kit's RB-36H configuration, but all I did was fill the slots for the jets and round off the prop tips. A proper B-model would have a different bomb bay set up, different tail radar and various other slight differences but I didn't want to get bogged down making any further modifications so left it as is. Anyway, here it is: DSC_0261 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0255 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0288 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0263 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0266 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0284 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0279 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0276 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0274 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I saw a real one of these in Datyon a few years back and it's MASSIVE - hence it's no surprise the 1/72nd version is also MASSIVE! Happy modelling, folks. Tom

Grand Slam Lancaster?

A very simple mod you can do to improve the overall look of the Trumpy kit is to shorten the main gear legs by approx 3mm. This gives the model the correct tail-down sit and makes a huge difference for minimal effort. I have built 3 of these kits: two standard F6s and an F3 that I converted to a T4. The first F6 I did I didn’t mod the gear legs but did on the next two - the difference is definitely noticeable and well worth doing. Tom

Afternoon all, Since my last update I've been working on the stabilisers of the B-52. They were first removed from the backing sheet and sanded to the correct thickness, with extra attention being paid to the trailing edges to ensure they were as thin as possible. The stabilisers are very large on this model, and therefore needed a substantial spar structure in order to keep them rigid: IMG_E1266 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_1267 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr They were then secured to the fuselage and the joins made good, before they received a coat of primer. I have also made the swivel plates from thin plastic card and added these to the correct locations on the fuselage sides: DSC_0216 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0214 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0211 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr We now have a model that is, more or less, structurally complete: DSC_0218 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0227 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0222 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr As you can see from the images above I've also been working on attaching the wing fuel tanks. These didn't fit well to the wing, as the shape of the pylon doesn't match the curvature of the wing. I did consider removing parts from the pylon and trimming it so that it followed the wing's curve, but this meant the tank sat too close to the wing. Therefore, I've instead opted to modify and build up the pylon and blend it in with Milliput. The image below shows what I mean - sanding and final blending still to be done: DSC_0225 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr In other news, designing of some soon-to-be printed 3D wheels is progressing well: IMG_E1386 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Until next time, Tom

I thought it must have been something like that - on another thread I’m posting this build on someone said that it apparently it hit an epic hail storm as it was coming out of Guam. Someone needs to get their paint brush out... Good to see you too - glad you found the chopper in the forest too!

I spent a great day yesterday at RIAT at RAF Fairford, and one of the star exhibits in the static display (at least for me) was this fine specimen of USAF heavy metal: IMG_1319 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr As well as taking lots of reference shots for the current aerial fit and other various lumps and bumps, what really struck me was the state of the thing. I'm used to seeing pictures of the current BUFF fleet in reasonably good condition in terms of paint finish, but this one was really heavily weathered and was showing lots of zinc-chromate primer. It looks like it had flown through a heavy hail storm or the like, as it almost has sand-blasted effect on the leading edges. It was a mess! IMG_1325 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_1309 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_1311 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_1305 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr It looks like I can get creative with my paint job when the time comes, and although heavily-weathered finishes are not my thing, it'd certainly add some interest to an otherwise rather bland all over grey if I go down that route. Now - back to the bench... Tom

Cheers, gents. I’ve got the stabilisers sanded, sparred and on the model, as well as the wing tanks. I’m currently in the process of making the joints good - a picture update soon. All the best, Tom

I know, I know... I’ve been sidetracked by my 1/48th B-52 project, and at the moment that is having to take priority due to the fact I’ve got a deadline to meet for a book. When the Buff is complete, the Sunderland will be back on the bench. Tom

The BUFF has had some more work done on the engines - I've sanded and shaped the home-made upper, over-wing parts of the pylons and all look good under some primer: DSC_0186 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0187 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0190 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Shaping the pylons on the underside was a lot more tricky as they are all molded identical, but of course the inner pylons have a very different shape due to the change in shape as you travel down the length of the wing: DSC_0201 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I've also finished detailing the rear of the bypass sections: DSC_0195 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0199 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr It was a bit of a faff opening these up but worth the effort. And we now have something really taking on the form of the venerable BUFF: DSC_0205 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr DSC_0192 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr As you can see, however, the tail feathers are conspicuous by their absence... better get sanding! Until next time, Tom

Hi Michael, I feel very pleased with my recent progress and having some extended time at the bench means I’m really getting stuck into this model. I have definitely broken the back of it now with the majority of the main construction done - just the wing tanks and stabs to do which, all being well, shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. There’s still many hours of graft ahead though - the flightdeck and cockpit being the main obstacle. But then there’s the landing gear, aerial fit, vortex generators, final scribing and then the paint job. I have a deadline of January to get this done which I’m confident of achieving, but that’s conditional on the mojo... I have got a couple of other run of the mill projects on the go to give me a break from this when needed - I’m currently fondling Monogram’s classic B-36 for a change of scenery this evening!

@marauderdriver those pics are epic! Ghost Rider sure would make an interesting model if I was to paint it as in your pictures - would certainly bring a bit of life to an otherwise rather drab all-grey scheme... I also see the ‘bump’ on the top of the nose radome immediately in front of the windscreen is absent on current Buffs - at least that’ll save me some scratch work if I go for a post-2018 airframe. Thanks for sharing.

Indeed it was. Lots of careful trimming of the pylons and test fit, test fit, test fit. It’s also hard to get a decent perspective as the model is so damn huge you have to step back a good few feet to get the overall picture - and the kitchen isn’t big enough to do that!

Here's a few quick phone pictures of the engines now they've been installed: IMG_1247 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I'm in the process of making the upper part of the pylons that extend over the wing as these are not provided in the kit - plastic card and Millput is the order of the day. These are yet to be sanded to their final shape: IMG_1248 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Larger working area needed: IMG_1246 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I'm in the process of preparing the wing fuel tanks at the moment so hopefully another update soon. Tom

Wow - I’d somehow missed this. Knowing BroPlan kits and what you started with, this is an impressive display of modelling talent! Tom

I know! I originally was cursing Sanger as I thought the angle was totally out - turns out he'd done his research! I've still had to do a lot of trimming and fling to get a decent join with the wing surfaces, but I've got the angle about right I think - I'll post some more pictures soon