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Santa's coming by stealth. The B-2 Christmas bomber.

Started by seadude, September 15, 2021, 04:26:58 PM

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seadude

#15
January 25, 2023, 02:46:01 PM Last Edit: November 23, 2025, 09:04:55 AM by seadude
A few more progress pictures.















Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

seadude

#16
January 26, 2023, 06:06:19 PM Last Edit: November 23, 2025, 09:06:59 AM by seadude
The bird finally has it's wings! Took a bit of positioning of parts, a lot of cursing, and a large amount of gap filling super glue, but they are on.
So the whole month of February will most likely be sanding where all the glued seams are, then putty all those same seams if they need it, then more sanding.
*sigh*  Going to be a lot of hard work.  :banghead:
Painting probably won't be till maybe May sometime. I'll use a white primer, then lay down a gloss coat of bright red.
I wanted to take a head on picture of this model so you could see if the wings were straight and even. But no matter how hard I tried to take pics, they never turned out the way I wanted them. But when I viewed my model head on, I could see another mistake. The left wing has a very "slight" upward bend. Very, very slight. I'm not even sure how I should correct this or even if it can be done. With everything completely glued together, I may just have to live with it.  :banghead:  If I can find a way to take a better pic in the future and show everyone, I will.









Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

seadude

#17
January 31, 2023, 06:54:35 PM
More in progress pics will be tomorrow. In the meantime...........

I'm calling it quits and throwing in the towel. But not for the reasons you think.
Yes, the Testor B-2 stealth bomber model kit I'm currently building is a piece of ****! Warped wings, bad fitting parts, you name it and it's got it. But I see this kit as a challenge and I'm going to try and stick with it for as long as I can to the bitter end.
What I'm calling it quits on is all the puttying and sanding of seams, holes, gaps, and cracks that needed filling. I've used Perfect Plastic Putty, Bondo automotive Filler, and even Mr. Surfacer 500 thick primer. A lot of spots and areas have had at least 4-5 coats of putty. And I've gone as far as I can on trying to make all the areas as smooth as I can where I puttied to the best of my ability.
This model is a P.I.T.A. 😡 This model is not going to be perfect and it never will. Testor really fumbled the ball when they made this kit so long, long ago. All the seams and surface areas on the model will never truly be 100% smooth like on the real production USAF B-2's. But I'm trying. I'm trying. Maybe not !00% on my model. Probably somewhere around 80-90% maybe? Hard to say. You'd have to be here to actually see it. Or wait until it's finished and (Hopefully) at a model contest.
Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

PR19_Kit

#18
February 01, 2023, 04:28:08 AM
I don't have to be there, I can look at my partially PSR'd B-2 at home.

You're dead right, it's a DISASTER of a kit.  :banghead:  :banghead:  :banghead:
Kit's Rule 1 ) Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings, and/or a longer fuselage
Kit's Rule 2) The backstory can always be changed to suit the model

...and I'm not a closeted 'Take That' fan, I'm a REAL fan! :)

Regards
Kit

seadude

#19
February 01, 2023, 11:27:03 AM Last Edit: November 23, 2025, 09:11:10 AM by seadude









Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

seadude

#20
February 01, 2023, 11:29:38 AM Last Edit: November 23, 2025, 09:12:34 AM by seadude









Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

seadude

#21
February 01, 2023, 11:32:30 AM Last Edit: November 23, 2025, 09:13:50 AM by seadude










Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

seadude

#22
February 05, 2023, 04:39:29 PM Last Edit: November 23, 2025, 09:16:09 AM by seadude
There's not much more I can do to the B-2 itself right now. Have to add the engine intake roofs, but I'm undecided on what color to paint the insides of them.
The landing gear has been built, but have to wait till Spring and nicer weather to paint them. And wait till Spring or Summer to paint the bomber too.
So in the meantime, I'm working on some airfield equipment and weapons for Santa's bomber.
I certainly have enough of all the below items. Every time I see a box at a contest vendor area, I grab it up.  ;D
So I plan to build a diorama with the B-2 getting loaded with presents, weapons, and maybe some coal too. ;) Haha!
I don't want to make the airfield base/diorama too crowded with stuff. So I need to narrow down my selection of equipment somewhat.
Since Santa might be overflying and/or going into hostile countries that may not want him in their airspace, it only makes sense
that weapons should include "Candycane" high speed anti-radar missiles for knocking out enemy radar sites, "Gumdrop" JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) bombs, and "Sugarplum" cluster munition bombs.  ;D
Most airfield equipment will be painted in a nice Christmas green color. The wheel hubs on all the tractors and trailers will be red.
The missiles will have white bodies with red fins. Bombs will most likely have dark red bodies with green fins or other highlights.















Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

seadude

#23
November 17, 2025, 02:18:36 PM
Well, time to dust off this 2 year old topic and get back to work on it.  :thumbsup:
Now that my NUMA oceanographic research & exploration ship model is done, I'm going to take a break from building ships and get back to this holiday project which I want to finish in time for the MMSI model show in Illinois in October 2026. I doubt there'll be much building this Nov. and Dec. right now. I need time to plan and think about paint colors and so much more. I'll still use Vallejo brand paints wherever and whenever possible. The main body of the B-2 will most likely be painted Vallejo spray can color Bloody Red. Since this'll be a airfield diorama display, the airfield equipment and weapon dollies/tractors will be painted in a Christmas green color. I just need to find the right shade though.
Since most pics are hosted on Imgur which is not viewable to the UK people, I will try to use this website forum's pic upload feature whenever possible continuing further from this post so all you Brit modelers can see the progress I am making.
Below is a recap of sorts of some past pictures.
Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

PR19_Kit

#24
November 17, 2025, 02:56:21 PM
Is that the Testors 1/72 B-2 kit you're building?

If so I'm with you 100% on how rubbish it is! I gave up on mine some years ago as the never ending PSR was driving me nuts! I take a look at it now and then, and I may get back on it next year, but I applaud your efforts to make a good job of it.  :thumbsup:
Kit's Rule 1 ) Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings, and/or a longer fuselage
Kit's Rule 2) The backstory can always be changed to suit the model

...and I'm not a closeted 'Take That' fan, I'm a REAL fan! :)

Regards
Kit

seadude

#25
November 17, 2025, 04:30:17 PM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on November 17, 2025, 02:56:21 PMIs that the Testors 1/72 B-2 kit you're building?

If so I'm with you 100% on how rubbish it is! I gave up on mine some years ago as the never ending PSR was driving me nuts! I take a look at it now and then, and I may get back on it next year, but I applaud your efforts to make a good job of it.  :thumbsup:


Yes, it's the old Testors 1/72 scale B-2. The kit is so bad, it reminds me of this line from the movie ALIEN:
"I can't lie to you about your chances. But you do have my sympathies."

I wish I could have afforded the newer Modelcollect 1/72 scale B-2, but I just wasn't able to.
Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

seadude

#26
November 18, 2025, 06:39:26 PM
Did a little more PSR tonight with some Squadron Green Putty. I might do some tiny touchups tomorrow with some Perfect Plastic Putty. During the next few days or weekend, there may be some decent weather where I can hopefully spray can the landing gear bays and the weapon bay white. We'll see.


Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

PR19_Kit

#27
November 18, 2025, 10:26:48 PM
You've still got the intakes to fit yet, and they need more and MORE PSR!  :banghead:
Kit's Rule 1 ) Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings, and/or a longer fuselage
Kit's Rule 2) The backstory can always be changed to suit the model

...and I'm not a closeted 'Take That' fan, I'm a REAL fan! :)

Regards
Kit

seadude

#28
November 19, 2025, 05:41:35 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on November 18, 2025, 10:26:48 PMYou've still got the intakes to fit yet, and they need more and MORE PSR!  :banghead:

Ugh. You just had to remind me, didn't you?  :banghead:  ;D
Modeling isn't just about how good the gluing or painting, etc. looks. It's also about how creative and imaginative you can be with a subject.
My modeling philosophy is: Don't build what everyone else has done. Build instead what nobody has seen or done before.

PR19_Kit

#29
November 19, 2025, 05:54:33 AM
Sorry, I just looked at mine and reminded myself how many tubes of Presto I had to use on it, so far.............. :(
Kit's Rule 1 ) Any aircraft can be improved by fitting longer wings, and/or a longer fuselage
Kit's Rule 2) The backstory can always be changed to suit the model

...and I'm not a closeted 'Take That' fan, I'm a REAL fan! :)

Regards
Kit
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