Boeing B-54B, the Half-Way Bomber

[PR19_Kit]

            

I can delete the gun turrets on the B-54B then?

[Rheged]

           

I can delete the gun turrets on the B-54B then?

Better had do, as one cannot provide sufficient sound insulation for the gunners

[PR19_Kit]

If the B-54B used the same gunner/gun setup as the B-29, they should be OK as they sit in a cabin of their own, either just aft of the cockpit or one aft of the TE of the wing, and they could be insulated, hopefully. 

The poor old tail gunner might be less lucky as he has only a tiny cabin, bit it is a fair way aft of the T-40s.

[Rheged]

"were you the tail gunner?"

Pardon

"I said were you the tail gunner?"

Sorry, speak up please

"I said were you the tail gunner?"


Yes, but it's not a secret, there's no need to whisper about it!

[Wardukw]

"were you the tail gunner?"

Pardon

"I said were you the tail gunner?"

Sorry, speak up please

"I said were you the tail gunner?"


Yes, but it's not a secret, there's no need to whisper about it!

Hahahaha 😆 

[PR19_Kit]

    

I've just been trying to glue the poor tail gunner's rear window in, and a right pain it is too. It's hidden underneath the monster Tu-95 rudder and recessed about 5 mm, so it's difficult to hold it with anything. After 5-6 attempts the darn thing fell right through and into the fuselage! 

It's taken me 15 mins of tipping, shaking, wobbling, swearing and shouting to get the damn thing back out again!

I think I may Krystal Klear it, t least I can do that with a long toothpick.

[PR19_Kit]

After a 'root and branch' survey of what I've got still to do on the B-54B, I'm pausing construction on the big model as there's no chance I can finish it before the end of the GB, even with a full 2 week extension. I'm not abandoning it, I like the idea too much, but it'll continue as a slow build.

I'll switch my GB efforts back to the two escorts, as I should be able to finish both of them in the time, and they both fit in the 50s GB period.

[Wardukw]

That's a shame Kit...least we'll still get to see it in the end.
Don't ya hate it when a idea in ya head sounds easy and then turns into something far more complicated when building it ?.
Sounds like damn near everyone of my builds 

[loupgarou]

I hope you will continue your main B-54B build, Kit.
It's such an ambitious project, it would be a shame to abandon it.

[McColm]

You could do a remote tail gun similar to the B-52G (later version). This build of yours has given me an idea if I ever buy another B-36 and a Tu-142, the kit bash would be interesting.

[Wardukw]

You could go with the same set up for your guns as they did with the B36 ..RETRACTABLE 
So just make em close ..there retracted 

[PR19_Kit]

I hope you will continue your main B-54B build, Kit.
It's such an ambitious project, it would be a shame to abandon it.

I certainly will, but there's little chance of getting it done in the GB time scale, the engineering required is just to darn complicated.

The tail gun position is already installed and just needs paint, a window and the guns themselves. Most of the other guns will be as the B-29, but minus the aft upper turret as the LE of the fin JUST covers the position.

[Wardukw]

I'm seriously looking forward to finish day for this monster 👻 🙂
It's going to be bloody impressive I know this I does 

[PR19_Kit]

Filling in all the holes in the wings, generated by carving off the original engines, is taking a while.

I'm having to 'plank' them, a la model boat practice. It takes a while but it's getting there.

[Wardukw]

A method I use alot mate..yip it's time consuming but it works and it's great for scrap plastic 😄