B-47H Stratojet (4-engined) *finished*

[sandiego89]

The B-47 was always considered underpowered and had poor specific fuel consumption with the J-47 turbojets.  A 1950 proposal as the YB-47C/B-56 with four J-35 engines never got off the ground, but in 1960 as part of "coke bottle" wing strengthening program, Boeing revisited a re-engining program with four TF-33 (JT3D in civil service).  Numerous B-47E's (and 70 RB-47E's) aircraft were re-engined as the B-47H, and served as a useful complement to the B-52 in USAF service.     

The Kennedy program pitched the program heavily to Australia for the much delayed F-111, and Argentina took a significant interest in ex-USAF examples the mid 1960's to replace their Lincoln bombers....

The kits:
1/144 Hobby Craft B47-E
1/144 Minicraft E-3 AWACS






 

[McColm]

Interesting,  I always wanted to fit the engines from the Lockheed S-3A Viking to the B-47 or a pair of engines from the B-52

[PR19_Kit]

Interesting,  I always wanted to fit the engines from the Lockheed S-3A Viking to the B-47 or a pair of engines from the B-52

I'm doing that, slowly, sort of............ 

See my B-56 Stratocastle thread.

[nighthunter]

I like this idea, might have to use it!

[McColm]

Another one for the future builds list

[sandiego89]

Started work with primer and paint.

The TF-33's (x4) are quite a bit bigger than the J-47's (x6)





The Hobby Craft B-47 kit is basic, but high quality.  Great mold and detail on the engines.

The Mini Craft E-3 (with the sprue of the engines in the bottom of the photo), is of poorer quality than the Hobby Craft, generally fair and typical 1/144 Mini Craft quality I have seen with their other 1/144 kits. Not as sharp as the Hobby Craft.   

[PR19_Kit]

The Mini Craft E-3 (with the sprue of the engines in the bottom of the photo), is of poorer quality than the Hobby Craft, generally fair and typical 1/144 Mini Craft quality I have seen with their other 1/144 kits. Not as sharp as the Hobby Craft.   

Oddly their Douglas jets, DC8s and MD80s, are miles better than the others, very strange.

[nighthunter]

Well, I will have 4x TF-33's enroute from a C-141, courtesy of Hobbes. (THANK YOU!). And, sandiego, thanks for the inspiration!

[sandiego89]

Thanks guys.

PR19_Kit:  Oddly their Douglas jets, DC8s and MD80s, are miles better than the others, very strange         

Kit think my comment is more about the quality of the Hobby Craft mold, -very crisp.  My last Minicraft B-29 was much less crisp, and the E-3 is as well.  Softer and thicker plastic in the Minicrafts.   

Anti-flash undersides sprayed. 



Rough idea of what it will look like



Need to decide on the pylons.

Standard B-47 inner pylon at the bottom. I think this looks the cleanest. 

E-3 (and early KC-135, 707/720, had the large fairing over the front of the engine.  (alternators there?)

Well, I will have 4x TF-33's enroute from a C-141, courtesy of Hobbes. (THANK YOU!). And, sandiego, thanks for the inspiration!

Curiously the C-141 pylon and cowling is totally different extending all the way to the rear of the engine, and is much cleaner looking. Curious what you are thinking Nighthunter!

The outer pylons are very short. 

Bare J-37 TF-33 at the top   

[PR19_Kit]

PR19_Kit:  Oddly their Douglas jets, DC8s and MD80s, are miles better than the others, very strange         

Kit think my comment is more about the quality of the Hobby Craft mold, -very crisp.  My last Minicraft B-29 was much less crisp, and the E-3 is as well.  Softer and thicker plastic in the Minicrafts.   

That's what I meant too, the Minicraft Douglas jets are much better quality mouldings than the equivalent Boeings. I can't imagine why they should be so different.

[sandiego89]

PR19_Kit:  Oddly their Douglas jets, DC8s and MD80s, are miles better than the others, very strange         

Kit think my comment is more about the quality of the Hobby Craft mold, -very crisp.  My last Minicraft B-29 was much less crisp, and the E-3 is as well.  Softer and thicker plastic in the Minicrafts.   

That's what I meant too, the Minicraft Douglas jets are much better quality mouldings than the equivalent Boeings. I can't imagine why they should be so different.

Oh ok, gothcha, wonder if they were done in different eras?

[PR19_Kit]

PR19_Kit:  Oddly their Douglas jets, DC8s and MD80s, are miles better than the others, very strange         

Kit think my comment is more about the quality of the Hobby Craft mold, -very crisp.  My last Minicraft B-29 was much less crisp, and the E-3 is as well.  Softer and thicker plastic in the Minicrafts.   

That's what I meant too, the Minicraft Douglas jets are much better quality mouldings than the equivalent Boeings. I can't imagine why they should be so different.

Oh ok, gothcha, wonder if they were done in different eras?

I think so, the DC8 and the MD80 are relatively recent, meaning in the last 10 yes maybe.

[sandiego89]

Went with the stock B-47 pylons.

1/72 Harrier bomb half serving as the bulge for the outrigger gear. 

[Rick Lowe]

Coming along nicely. 

[NARSES2]

Coming along nicely. 

It is indeed