Roden

[Weaver]

Old news I know, but I just noticed that these things are available everywhere now...

Six turnin', four burnin', one glowin'... 

Hannants are listing an NB-36H Crusader as a Future Release from Roden. For those who don't know, that's the nuclear test-bed aircraft with a live reactor in the rear fuselage.

Two things strike me as possible whiffs with this:

1. Cross-kit it with one of the other B-36 kits to make an operational nuclear-powered bomber (yes I know the NB-36 wasn't propelled by it's nuclear plant: you'd have ot get creative).

2. Exploit the NB-36H's different cockpit to built a B-36-based airliner/transport/tanker.


https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ROD348?result-token=UIkLO

[Beermonster58]

The wing spar passing through the cargo area, dividing it into two areas, probably didn't do it any favours in the eyes of the USAF either. The latter were already thinking about flying IRBMs around the world by the mid 1950s, and definitely had a requirement to fly aircraft fuselages and wings.

Side note: it's always amazed me how long it took for the modern military transport shape (i.e. C-130 shape) to catch on. You'd think it'd be obvious, and there's nothing about it that can't be done with 1930s tech: it's just a shape. It's not like turboprops are the issue: look at the C-123 Provider or the Budd Conestoga.

You're absolutely right and, I'd argue that it was the Germans who actually first got it right with aircraft like  the Gotha Go-244 & Me-323. Though operationally not totally succesful , Both incorporated all the features we now take for granted in tactical transport aircraft.

[Beermonster58]

Old news I know, but I just noticed that these things are available everywhere now...

Six turnin', four burnin', one glowin'... 

Hannants are listing an NB-36H Crusader as a Future Release from Roden. For those who don't know, that's the nuclear test-bed aircraft with a live reactor in the rear fuselage.

Two things strike me as possible whiffs with this:

1. Cross-kit it with one of the other B-36 kits to make an operational nuclear-powered bomber (yes I know the NB-36 wasn't propelled by it's nuclear plant: you'd have ot get creative).

2. Exploit the NB-36H's different cockpit to built a B-36-based airliner/transport/tanker.


https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ROD348?result-token=UIkLO

Or, simply exploit the redesigned cockpit for a bomber version based on the modified B-36J with armament removed, greater fuel capacity and, reduced  crew?

[Weaver]

The wing spar passing through the cargo area, dividing it into two areas, probably didn't do it any favours in the eyes of the USAF either. The latter were already thinking about flying IRBMs around the world by the mid 1950s, and definitely had a requirement to fly aircraft fuselages and wings.

Side note: it's always amazed me how long it took for the modern military transport shape (i.e. C-130 shape) to catch on. You'd think it'd be obvious, and there's nothing about it that can't be done with 1930s tech: it's just a shape. It's not like turboprops are the issue: look at the C-123 Provider or the Budd Conestoga.

You're absolutely right and, I'd argue that it was the Germans who actually first got it right with aircraft like  the Gotha Go-244 & Me-323. Though operationally not totally succesful , Both incorporated all the features we now take for granted in tactical transport aircraft.

The twin-boom approach works almost as well too: C-119, Noratlas, Argosy.

[kerick]

Old news I know, but I just noticed that these things are available everywhere now...

Six turnin', four burnin', one glowin'... 

Hannants are listing an NB-36H Crusader as a Future Release from Roden. For those who don't know, that's the nuclear test-bed aircraft with a live reactor in the rear fuselage.

Two things strike me as possible whiffs with this:

1. Cross-kit it with one of the other B-36 kits to make an operational nuclear-powered bomber (yes I know the NB-36 wasn't propelled by it's nuclear plant: you'd have ot get creative).

2. Exploit the NB-36H's different cockpit to built a B-36-based airliner/transport/tanker.


https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/ROD348?result-token=UIkLO

If this thing were to land at an airport, or maybe even its own base, could it plug into the local grid and provide electricity? I know, it's not those kinds of turbines.

[Weaver]

Or, simply exploit the redesigned cockpit for a bomber version based on the modified B-36J with armament removed, greater fuel capacity and, reduced  crew?

Perhaps the reduced armament would be justified by it carrying an early stand-off missile, thus removing the need for it to enter contested airspace. B-36s carried RF-84 recce fighters, so it could be derived from one of those, with a nuke and a guidance system replacing the cockpit, shorter wings, no undercarriage etc... The early KH-20 (AS-3 Kangaroo) stand-off missiles carried by Soviet Tu-95s were the size of fighter planes and MiG-19s were used to simulate them during early tests.

[Captain Canada]

I'm trying my best to not order one of those XC-99s. One ebay store has them for around 100 CDN delivered ! I know I don't need one, and I'll probably never build it, but......

[Wardukw]

I'm trying my best to not order one of those XC-99s. One ebay store has them for around 100 CDN delivered ! I know I don't need one, and I'll probably never build it, but......

We've all got wants and needs Cap'n ,,,and we all know that our wants are far more important than needs 
Like i know i dont need that flying pancake i brought a short minute ago but mate   

[Beermonster58]

I'm trying my best to not order one of those XC-99s. One ebay store has them for around 100 CDN delivered ! I know I don't need one, and I'll probably never build it, but......

Go on, you know you want to.... 😉😅

[jcf]

Or, simply exploit the redesigned cockpit for a bomber version based on the modified B-36J with armament removed, greater fuel capacity and, reduced  crew?

Perhaps the reduced armament would be justified by it carrying an early stand-off missile, thus removing the need for it to enter contested airspace. B-36s carried RF-84 recce fighters, so it could be derived from one of those, with a nuke and a guidance system replacing the cockpit, shorter wings, no undercarriage etc... The early KH-20 (AS-3 Kangaroo) stand-off missiles carried by Soviet Tu-95s were the size of fighter planes and MiG-19s were used to simulate them during early tests.

Meh, if you're going to do a big stand-off missile, do a big stand-off missile.
B-36 carrying B-58 prototype.
You cannot view this attachment.

[jcf]

Here's a nice clear photo.You cannot view this attachment.

[Weaver]

Wow - cheers Jon: first time I've seen that! 

Now if the B-58 was carrying a Hound Dog underneath it...

[Beermonster58]

Or, simply exploit the redesigned cockpit for a bomber version based on the modified B-36J with armament removed, greater fuel capacity and, reduced  crew?

Perhaps the reduced armament would be justified by it carrying an early stand-off missile, thus removing the need for it to enter contested airspace. B-36s carried RF-84 recce fighters, so it could be derived from one of those, with a nuke and a guidance system replacing the cockpit, shorter wings, no undercarriage etc... The early KH-20 (AS-3 Kangaroo) stand-off missiles carried by Soviet Tu-95s were the size of fighter planes and MiG-19s were used to simulate them during early tests.

Not a bad idea actually. That pesky ,inward retracting undercarriage does limit the size of any winged, stand off missile but, I was thinking of modifying the Thor missile  supplied with the Roden C-133. Shortened, fitted with new nose cone/wings/fins it might work. Or, (sudden thought) something based on the Blue Steel missile from the Airfix Vulcan kit. OK, it's 1/72 of course but, it would scale in nicely with something as big as a 1/144 B-36?

[Weaver]

Or, simply exploit the redesigned cockpit for a bomber version based on the modified B-36J with armament removed, greater fuel capacity and, reduced  crew?

Perhaps the reduced armament would be justified by it carrying an early stand-off missile, thus removing the need for it to enter contested airspace. B-36s carried RF-84 recce fighters, so it could be derived from one of those, with a nuke and a guidance system replacing the cockpit, shorter wings, no undercarriage etc... The early KH-20 (AS-3 Kangaroo) stand-off missiles carried by Soviet Tu-95s were the size of fighter planes and MiG-19s were used to simulate them during early tests.

Not a bad idea actually. That pesky ,inward retracting undercarriage does limit the size of any winged, stand off missile but, I was thinking of modifying the Thor missile  supplied with the Roden C-133. Shortened, fitted with new nose cone/wings/fins it might work. Or, (sudden thought) something based on the Blue Steel missile from the Airfix Vulcan kit. OK, it's 1/72 of course but, it would scale in nicely with something as big as a 1/144 B-36?

Well as Jon's pics show, you can get a pretty big wing under there IF it's in the right place longitudinally.

The Blue Steel was inspired by the GAM-63 Rascal, so in a what-if timeline, you might imagine it being a joint development between Bell and Avro, with a double-size version for the B-36.

[Beermonster58]

Or, simply exploit the redesigned cockpit for a bomber version based on the modified B-36J with armament removed, greater fuel capacity and, reduced  crew?

Perhaps the reduced armament would be justified by it carrying an early stand-off missile, thus removing the need for it to enter contested airspace. B-36s carried RF-84 recce fighters, so it could be derived from one of those, with a nuke and a guidance system replacing the cockpit, shorter wings, no undercarriage etc... The early KH-20 (AS-3 Kangaroo) stand-off missiles carried by Soviet Tu-95s were the size of fighter planes and MiG-19s were used to simulate them during early tests.

Not a bad idea actually. That pesky ,inward retracting undercarriage does limit the size of any winged, stand off missile but, I was thinking of modifying the Thor missile  supplied with the Roden C-133. Shortened, fitted with new nose cone/wings/fins it might work. Or, (sudden thought) something based on the Blue Steel missile from the Airfix Vulcan kit. OK, it's 1/72 of course but, it would scale in nicely with something as big as a 1/144 B-36?

Well as Jon's pics show, you can get a pretty big wing under there IF it's in the right place longitudinally.

The Blue Steel was inspired by the GAM-63 Rascal, so in a what-if timeline, you might imagine it being a joint development between Bell and Avro, with a double-size version for the B-36.

. And, both missiles are of broadly similar dimensions and appearance! It'll also give me an excuse (not that I need one) to use a camouflage paint scheme too. I'm not fond of N M finishes!