1/144 MD B-53 work in progress

[Brian da Basher]

Here's a few glimpses of the "secret project" I've been working on for the last couple of weeks. I call it the McDonnell-Douglas B-53. The base for this is the 1/144 Hobbycraft RB-47 "Watchdog" kit. The idea is that McDonnell-Douglas was contracted to build a successor to the B-52 and the eventual plane was assigned the B-53 number recycled from the cancelled Convair XB-53.

1st of 4 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

The nose is from a Minicraft 1/144 C-97 and the engines were scratchbuilt from parts of old Sharpie™ marking pens. The side blisters, front nav. blister and underside gun turret are from a Minicraft 1/144 B-29 and the top dorsal blister is from a box of cookies. Here's a head-on shot.

2nd of 4 pics

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

Here's a shot of the underside. I used a Sidewinder-like missile from the 1/72 Hase weapons set that came with my Secret Santa kit and some leftover cruise missiles from a 1/144 Revell B-52H. The other ram-jet looking missile was bashed from some ECM thingy from the Hase weapons set.

3rd of 4 pics.

Brian da Basher

[Brian da Basher]

Here's a poor shot of the ram-jet missile. I'm still trying to decide what to call it. I'm hoping to have this beast completed next week. I've got decals (or "deckles") left over from that B-52H for the 2nd Bomb Wing, 8th Air Force, Barksdale AFB I'm going to use on it. However, being a colorful modeller, I'm going to opt for the large, high-viz USAF national insignia.

4th of 4 pics.

Brian da Basher

[John Howling Mouse]

Spats addiction is under control, I see?

This is incredible, man!

Your projects really deserve a better camera!  Go win the lottery already!

   

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Awwww, no spats !

C'mon BdaB give the people what they want !

Ian

[Chap]

Brian,

Absolutely wonderful! Very well done.

~Steve

[Captain Canada]

Very nice, BdB ! I mean, very nice !

It has a familiar look to it, kinda like an Ollie Bomber !

keep up the great work !

 

[Tophe]

Great! I especially love the tail, so uncommon there...  

[lancer]

Amazing job Brian. As for the spats, put 'em on the ram jet thingy...

[K5054NZ]

Great work Bri! Ya know, for a dude who "doesn't do jets" you sure are making a killer job on this one! Nice!



Bravo Zulu! B)   Any more progress as yet? Perhaps the addition of deckles?