Northrop-Grumman B-2S

[PR19_Kit]

As well as my two main ideas for this GB I've got a 'banker' in hand, just in case the others don't work.

This is the B-2S, the 'S' standing for 'Simple', the US Government having decided that the ultra-stealth construction of the original B-2 was expensive (like $2 BILLION per airframe!  ) and contracted a simpler version of similar shape, but more conventional construction, and as such it might be saleable to other (approved...) nations.

The start point is a venerable Testors B-2 that's been in my loft since the real aircraft was rolled out back in the 80s.

There's a LOT of dark grey plastic in the box, but it's pretty simple to build (I think.........)

[PR19_Kit]

......but it's pretty simple to build (I think.........)

Erm, who wrote that? 

It fits where it touches and the outer wings connect to the centre 'fuselage' with an amazing arrangement of tabs and shelves that don't seem to fit, at all.....

It comes with the 'ruddervators' moulded in the split, air-brake position, but I don't like that too much so I've sawn them off and I'll glue them together fully retracted.

Oh yes, the three parts crew seats are RUBBISH and don't fit at all so they've been replaced with some white metal ones I had for a Buccaneer.

[PR19_Kit]

Well, it is quick to build, where it fits anyway.



One wing glued together with the split ruddervators cut out and glued back flat.




Top half of the 'fuselage' with one exhaust glued in place, but the other one won't fit worth a light!

[Weaver]

So how are you going to extend the wings? 

[PR19_Kit]

So how are you going to extend the wings? 

It's a Stealth Bomber, so you wouldn't be able to see the extensions even if I did lengthen the wings.   

But now that you mention it................ 

[jalles]

Oooooh, alright stealth (which I love) and in my favorite scale    I can't wait to see how this one turns out.

[deathjester]

Well, it is quick to build, where it fits anyway.



One wing glued together with the split ruddervators cut out and glued back flat.




Top half of the 'fuselage' with one exhaust glued in place, but the other one won't fit worth a light!

I actually thought that second pic was of a short shot, until I realised it was MEANT to be like that! 

[PR19_Kit]

I actually thought that second pic was of a short shot, until I realised it was MEANT to be like that! 

The whole kit looks a bit like that, some of the parts are REALLY strange shapes.

Just about to do more work on it now.

[Snowtrooper]

I actually thought that second pic was of a short shot, until I realised it was MEANT to be like that! 

The whole kit looks a bit like that, some of the parts are REALLY strange shapes.

Don't forget the multitude of raised panel lines - on a stealth plane! - that don't actually even exist on the real article, not even in the recessed form, as in 1:1 scale everything that's not supposed to open/close in-flight is either cast as a single piece or smoothly PSR'd together (since radar signals LOVE all sorts of nooks and crannies).

[PR19_Kit]

Don't forget the multitude of raised panel lines - on a stealth plane! - that don't actually even exist on the real article, not even in the recessed form, as in 1:1 scale everything that's not supposed to open/close in-flight is either cast as a single piece or smoothly PSR'd together (since radar signals LOVE all sorts of nooks and crannies).

Yes, they're all coming off early on in the plan.

Bizarrely the kit shows the main nosewheel door sliding backwards like a C-130, but extensive searching through pics on the net shows that it opens sideways to the right, and then only when the engines are off. All flight pics show it closed.

I've got both wings assembled now, all the wheels, and the bombs and rotary launcher. Plus that pesky starboard exhaust is sorted now too.

[Ed S]

An interesting "Whiff in a box". I have one of these buried in my stash and am watching this build in case I ever get crazy and try to build mine.

Ed

[Weaver]

There's another whiif-in-a-box feature: those 'bombs' are actually AGM-86 SRAM missiles, a weapon that was retired four years before the B-2 entered service...

[PR19_Kit]

There's another whiif-in-a-box feature: those 'bombs' are actually AGM-86 SRAM missiles, a weapon that was retired four years before the B-2 entered service...

That's why it's the 'Simple' version too, it's cheap as well, only $1.8 billion a pop. 

[The Rat]

......but it's pretty simple to build (I think.........)

Erm, who wrote that? 

I would say someone who hasn't been reading the multitude of obscenity-laced reviews on-line ever since the first one was attempted!    It is said to perhaps be the worst fitting kit since the Mach 2 Farley Fruitbat. It's easier to find on-line reviews by searching for foul language instead of "testors b-2"

[PR19_Kit]

Erm, who wrote that? 
......but it's pretty simple to build (I think.........)

I would say someone who hasn't been reading the multitude of obscenity-laced reviews on-line ever since the first one was attempted!    It is said to perhaps be the worst fitting kit since the Mach 2 Farley Fruitbat. It's easier to find on-line reviews by searching for foul language instead of "testors b-2"

Hehehe, I'm finding that out. 

Quite how the outer wings are supposed to fit the 'fuselage' I have no idea, but a couple of crow bars and a BIG hammer would seem to be needed at some stage. Plus a lot of filing before I attempt to actually fit them on.

Mind you, it's pretty darned impressive when it's even partially assembled, and I'm reminded that it has the same span as the B-35 that I built a year or so ago.