1/144 Academy B-47E

Gallery Article by Douglas Conrady on Apr 12 2013

 

 

Here for your viewing pleasure is a 1/144 Academy B-47E.  There is so much written already about the B-47, that I don't want to get into that.  I  will note that this was the USAF's first all jet powered bomber.

 

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This B-47 is part of a larger project.  I decided I wanted to do a tribute to the SAC sash ('cause it looks so cool).  I researched the time frame for bombers and decided that the early 60's would give me many options.  This is the first of the 4 models in my series. The other 3 are a B-58, a B-52H, and a Titan II ICBM, all in 1/144.  I have a new, unmessed with civil defense fallout shelter sign that will be the base for my series to sit on.

This the Academy B-47B/E boxing.  I built this OOB.  Upon opening the box, I was all excited.  Fine details, tight fit, recessed lines, this was a great kit.  I did find that the kit is a B model, and I made a few changes to convert it over to the E.  On the port side, there are 4 square holes.  One the E, there are only 2.  Alot of the B's had their holes covered over, but the E's came that way.  I did the conversion too, I took putty and filled in the aft 2.  The other changes to make an E were in the box (nose, tail armament).  All the parts went together without any complaints.  When it came time to paint, I redid my research to find when and how to paint the anti-flash white.  There are multiple ways of doing it, and I went with the easiest, which is also the one I liked the best too.  I first primed the whole plane and then went back with Model Masters alluminum paint.  After that had dried, me and my son went out and sprayed on a sealer coat.  The next step was the decals.  The kit came with 2 options, a B and an E. However, upon researching the s/n, both numbers came back as B's.  Well, this wouldn't do. I took all the numbers I had and looked to see if I could make an E out of them.  Yep, sure enough, I could make 3 or 4.  Surgery then commenced on the decals.  You see the results.

That seems to be about it.  Please email me if you've got any questions or comments.  Thanks for looking and don't throw rotten tomatoes!

Douglas Conrady

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Photos and text © by Douglas Conrady