What if

Picture Post => Current and Finished Projects => Aircraft => Topic started by: RussC on September 15, 2011, 03:07:54 AM

Title: B-49 M
Post by: RussC on September 15, 2011, 03:07:54 AM
Among many tales of what-if planes on the web, is the "what if the YB-49 flying wing was built and it was kept as long in service as the B-52 would be?" In this idea, picture a very tired design, reaching the end of its days in the early 1970's, and having been rebuilt and re-engined twice previously. However a new strategic plan calls for one more modify since the B2 design is going to be both late and very expensive. This rebuild will allow the outer wing panels to be discarded and the use of new materials. So the B-49 M is begun in 1975 by a series of contractors, calling many machines out of desert storage as well as later pulling active machines into the cycle. The outer wing panels, the outermost 60 percent are replaced with composite formed wings with thinner cross-section. The embedded and underslung engines are all removed in favor of top mounted podded high bypass turbofans as used in the 747 and DC-10, the wing edge inlets are capped and the short tail fins are replaced with wingtip fins. The cockpit is given a raised profile deck using the pending B2 design and the instruments are all-digital and mostly CRT display. The original "Northrop's wonder" is ready for one more turn at the skies and perhaps an even earlier end of the cold war impasse. Model is a card model scratchbuilt project and it was in fact converted from a YB-49A model when a resin kit of the earlier machine was now available and built- I seldom throw models away.
 
Note: first post of a project - this one was completed about ten years back and the picture is a small size. I'll always try and post larger sizes if I have them.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc03.deviantart.net%2Ffs70%2Ff%2F2011%2F257%2F9%2Fa%2Fb_49m_by_russc1-d49t6y6.jpg&hash=02bc43f4f3db5e6650a74233906a5887c2517c75)
Title: I'd Love to See it!
Post by: sequoiaranger on September 15, 2011, 08:30:40 AM
Good concept.

Dunno what happened, but the pic didn't come out in your post.
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: RussC on September 16, 2011, 10:00:44 AM
I can see the picture, but you do not? Can anyone offer further look - ideas why its not visible?  :blink: :banghead: :angry:
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: scooter on September 16, 2011, 10:10:07 AM
Quote from: RussC on September 16, 2011, 10:00:44 AM
I can see the picture, but you do not? Can anyone offer further look - ideas why its not visible?  :blink: :banghead: :angry:
Same here, can't see it, but sounds like an interesting prospect.  Its possible that because its on another forum, we can't see it since we're not registered there. (I tried copying and pasting the link in my browser).  Maybe move the image itself to photobucket or imageshack
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: frank2056 on September 16, 2011, 10:19:23 AM
As Scooter said, the image is in a thread on a board that doesn't allow viewing (or hot linking) the images unless you're a member. Putting them on a standard image server will work. What may also work is getting the exact URL of the image on the board, rather than a link to the thread (right click on the image and select "copy image location" in Firefox or "copy shortcut" in IE ) and use that instead.
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: Mr.Creak on September 16, 2011, 10:22:58 AM
No picture, no link visible for me.
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: bobbo on September 16, 2011, 11:38:10 AM
Quote from: Mr.Creak on September 16, 2011, 10:22:58 AM
No picture, no link visible for me.

Same here. 

bobbo
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: RussC on September 16, 2011, 10:52:00 PM
Well, it doesn't work with pictures from DA or KG144.... so.... . I'll try the photo-hosting route- Will not use 'bucket' as its a branch of Newscorp, and me and Rupert are not on speaking terms...so tried Flickr.
 
And now I cannot see the image at all. Can you?

Wasting my time.... :banghead: :wacko: :unsure: :angry: :-\
 
Any further ideas or suggestions? Give up comes to mind.
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: philp on September 17, 2011, 12:03:02 AM
Russ,
Looks like the image is set to private on your Flickr account. 

Go in and in the Owner Settings (lower right corner of the screen) click on the "anyone can see this photo"  and that should release it.
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: RussC on September 17, 2011, 01:33:35 AM
Ok, set the privacy from default to public and also did a full (copy image location), and it now appears - to me.
 
Can anyone else see it?
 
Light at the end of the tunnel? or just the oncoming train? :blink:
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: NARSES2 on September 17, 2011, 01:47:12 AM
No, the train is reversing  ;D

I can now see it - fantastic  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: Mr.Creak on September 17, 2011, 03:02:07 AM
Wahey! It's there.
And very nice too.
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: McColm on September 17, 2011, 05:07:21 AM
Great idea,
I've got a 1/144 model kit of a B-2 which is still in it's box and four CFM 1/72 engines in my spares stash, thanks again!!
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: scooter on September 17, 2011, 06:29:35 AM
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: Taiidantomcat on September 17, 2011, 07:43:02 AM
I see it!   :wub: This is great Russ! Wonderful having you here and thanks for sharing  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: kitnut617 on September 17, 2011, 07:57:48 AM
Very nice  :thumbsup:  I like that ---
Title: "Golf Course" Camo?
Post by: sequoiaranger on September 17, 2011, 08:50:53 AM
I take it RussC is an avid golfer, as his "camo" appears to be an artist's drawing of a new golf course about to be built. And what a lovely, domed clubhouse with picture windows!!

:party:
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: James on September 17, 2011, 10:51:54 AM
Really nice work.
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: Pablo1965 on September 17, 2011, 03:54:11 PM
Awesome plane. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: "Golf Course" Camo?
Post by: RussC on September 18, 2011, 03:06:38 AM
Quote from: sequoiaranger on September 17, 2011, 08:50:53 AM
I take it RussC is an avid golfer, as his "camo" appears to be an artist's drawing of a new golf course about to be built. And what a lovely, domed clubhouse with picture windows!!

:party:

;D :lol: Live next to a premier course... but have never played the game - except the miniature version.
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: RussC on September 18, 2011, 03:32:16 AM
Thanks everyone !
 
  Here is a picture of the same flying wing model before the resin ones came along and I converted it to the 49 - M.
   
  (https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm7.static.flickr.com%2F6210%2F6154441249_3afe2ddeba_z.jpg&hash=bbd8e0c119667f4ffa5fb769cc392d822a94d871)
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: McColm on September 18, 2011, 05:41:26 AM
Great model :thumbsup:
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: scooter on September 18, 2011, 07:22:40 AM
Nice conversion.  :cheers:
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: frank2056 on September 18, 2011, 12:22:03 PM
Both look great. Which paper model was the basis for the B-49?
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: RussC on September 19, 2011, 04:04:59 PM
Quote from: frank2056 on September 18, 2011, 12:22:03 PM
Both look great. Which paper model was the basis for the B-49?

The natural metal silver one was the original, later rebuilt as the B-49 M. Modify of a card model is pretty easy, just trim with x-acto, and off go the outer wing panels, the new ones slip inside the edges left behind. The new canopy bulge went right over the old bubble canopy, its still inside there. The fins and engine exhausts were broken off, the new turbofans added, and new tires. then the silver was clear overcoated in preparation for new paint. 
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: LemonJello on September 27, 2011, 05:30:38 AM
Amazing...simply amazing. I'm at a loss of words at your skills and I've definitely got the bug to add some flying wings to the collection.  Thanks for sharing these with us.
Title: Re: B-49 M
Post by: Pablo1965 on September 27, 2011, 01:23:13 PM
Agreed :thumbsup: