Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/144 NB-52 "Balls Three" NASA Mother Ship

Product # CELO44010 for $19.99 forCrown/Minicraft B-52H

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Sept 25 2003

 

 

 

The race for space as well as the X-Plane was a very exciting and proud part of American history.  Cutting Edge Modelworks has recognized a yearning by modelers to create these famous aircraft and rockets and they have released a variety of resin items and decals.  

This is one of the many 1/144 items from Cutting Edge Modelworks in their Lift Off Series  dealing with the X-Planes and their B-52 Motherships.  This particular set is fairly straight forward and deals with a new forward fuselage section, new vertical stab, tail observation area, new resin engines and one wing section with a cutout for the X-Plane.  The pylon for the X-Plane is not included, because different flights used different pylons, but you can buy these pylons and B-52 decals separately from Cutting Edge ModelworksAlso included is a new canopy and "Black Magic Masks" for the wheels and canopy.....which is a blessing.   

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Cutting Edge Modelworks has a way of casting clear resin parts.  In this set these clear resin parts are used for the cockpit canopy and the tail tail observers position.  Clear parts are a trick to photo, so I must explain one critical thing.  The "Glass" parts are clear and the part of the clear parts that are usually covered in paint have a frosted look to them.  But the critical windows are nice and clear.  

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The canopy and wheel masks from Black Magic are a very nice addition to this set.  If you've ever used pre-cut masks....you know the joy that these are to use. 

Also included in the set are 4 observation fairings for various spots on the fuselage.  There is also a clear observation blister for the side of the fuselage.  This item is cast in clear resin and is very clear.

The B-52 is famous for it's many engines......8 engines in all.  This set includes 8 new resin engines (in 4 pairs of 2) and have very nicely done engine intakes and exhausts. 

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The vertical stab on the kit must be cut off and chucked in the garbage and replaced by the resin vertical stab included in this resin conversion set.  The resin vertical stab has very well done recessed panel lines.  The casting block has a thin connection point, so this part will separate fairly quickly and easily.  The trailing edge on the vertical stab tapers well.

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To the right is a photo of the wing section with the cutout to accomodate the X-Plane.  Casting is clean and recessed panel lines are cleanly done.  To install this part, you simply take your X-Acto knife and score the kit's wing and remove the section of wing in question and glue in the resin part.

There are 3 pages of detailed instructions that cover all aspects of installing the various parts.

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One page of instructions deals with the resin parts and the other 2 pages deal with the correct use of the Black Magic canopy an wheel masks.  The instructions cover all the tiny steps involved in installing this resin set.  

This set comes safely packed in a sturdy custom made cardboard box to ensure it's safe transport.

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It's refreshing to see Cutting Edge Modelworks taking on and producing the X-Palne and Early Space related items.  I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford