1/72 AMT B-52H  

by Scott Gist

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I built this kit as part of a group build. I liked the idea of building a B-52, but wanted mine to be a very modern current flying version. I knew there where no really good kits on the market, so I bought both the Monogram “D” model kit and the AMT “H” model. After getting both kits I decided to work with the AMT as a base instead of converting the Monogram with a conversion kit. I soon realized the large amount of work I had ahead. As those of you who have built this kit know, it has issues. The most noticeable issue would be wing droop. The AMT kit if assembled OOB, would have the wings in a flight profile. I wanted my plane to be on the ground with a realistic wing droop. I started off by cutting out small wedges from the lower side of the wing box. I also cut small slits in the upper wing surface and filled them with styrene strips. After assembling the wings and attaching them to the fuselage I realized the wing droop was too much. I removed the styrene strips from the wings and left the wing box alone. I would recommend modifying the wing box as the only thing needed to give the wing droop.

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The kit engines are not to scale, so I used Golden Dragon resin engines to outfit the kit. I also used Golden Dragon’s resin cockpit and wing tanks to add some details. I also scratch built the rear flight deck and lower deck. I realized this was only for my enjoyment as you can barely see any of it through the crew hatch. I primed the aircraft with airbrushed Mr. Surfacer 1000, and preshaded the panels with flat black.

I wanted to put the spoilers on my 52 in the up position, but the AMT kit does not give this option. I cut the spoilers out prior to assembling the wings, and scratch built the spoilers. I also wanted to drop the flaps. I was surprised to find some detail in the wing, but it was very poor in quality. I scratch built all the flap well details with styrene and wire. I used the cutout flaps and added surface details with styrene.

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Some other points of interest, True Details resin wheels, Monogram kit outriggers and outrigger gear doors, scratch build main gear doors, scratch build antenna arrays, custom resin bumps and bulges, half the decals are custom made, Golden Dragon’s weapons racks, scratch build ejection hatch doors, painted with Testors Model Masters paint, oil washed, sealed with Future floor wax, and Testors dullcote.

I really enjoyed the 5 to 6 months it took me to build this kit. It really paid off when it took a 1st place at the Silicon Valley Kick-Off Classic. For any other details or questions, I can be contacted at webmaster@kcscalemodelers.com

Scott

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Photos and text © by Scott Gist