Big Stick Pics

Paul K · Post by **Paul K** » 02 Jul 2007, 19:37

It's definitely a classic...and there is a British connection because Wing Cdr Ken 'Autogyro' Wallis used to fly them, so there !!

Anyway, I'm at my favourite airport once more, where six are turning and four are burning on the Big Stick.

Just taxying out is a challenge with the turning circle on this monster! Nosewheel steering must be supplemented with differential braking.

Defying all natural laws and logic, this massive machine actually gets off the ground!

In the climb to cruising altitude, I test the deployment of her six twin 20mm turrets. There are another two in both nose and tail, giving a total of 16 guns.

In her element at 40,000 feet.

Meanwhile in the north, one of her sisters is employed on a cold weather testing program called GEM.

Its certainly cold up there!

Where does her nick-name come from ? It's a quote from Theodore Roosevelt:

"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

As sticks go, they didn't come any bigger than the B-36!

( Scenery is Flightzone's Portland Oregon, weather is by Activesky 6.5 and both repaints are by Joseph Crane, file name b36_repaints

Post by **DaveB** » 02 Jul 2007, 20:01

Did these things actually look as patchwork in the raw Paul. I have this model and always wondered :think:

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Post by **TSR2** » 02 Jul 2007, 20:04

It is a monster. When did this thing come into opperation? Did it make the end of the War or was it into the 50's?

Post by **DaveB** » 02 Jul 2007, 20:07

I don't think it saw active service in WWII Ben though I'm happy to be proven wrong. I get the feeling that it was more your late 40's early 50's monster until Uncle Sam came up with jets

Can't remember if the original model comes with a SAC paint. If so, that would put it later still me thinks :think:
EDIT.. here you go Ben.. http://www.strategic-air-command.com/ai ... mepage.htm
ATB

DaveB :tab:

Paul K · Post by **Paul K** » 02 Jul 2007, 23:15

DaveB wrote:Did these things actually look as patchwork in the raw Paul. I have this model and always wondered :think:

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Dave, I'm not entirely sure. I've found this photo that shows the varying shine of different sections of the aircraft, though its not quite as pronounced as the Alphasim model.

Neither am I sure as to why there is such a marked difference between the different sections. I've read about how magnesium alloy was employed in the B-36's construction ( between 8 and 10 tonnes depending on which source you read, which is a lot for such a light-weight material ), but whether it was used in the fuselage skin, along with aluminium and/or duralumin, I couldn't say. :think:

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 03 Jul 2007, 00:09

Great pics, Paul, I always remember being in awe of the B-36 after seeing a model kit hanging up in a shop one day - quite impressive indeed. Something like a B-29 on steroids!

Speaking of the B-29, does anyone know if there is a dedicated Boeing B-50 Washington model out there?

Cheers,

Steve

Paul K · Post by **Paul K** » 03 Jul 2007, 00:30

Not sure what you mean there Steve; the Washington was the B-29 in RAF service, whereas the B-50 was a development of the B-29, and only served with the USAF. Which one is it you are after ?

Ed Walters · Post by **Ed Walters** » 03 Jul 2007, 00:45

A bit of info for you chaps on Washingtons:
http://home.att.net/~jbaugher2/b29_13.html

Post by **Garry Russell** » 03 Jul 2007, 00:46

I don't think it's the patches that are the problem as much as the wide smudgy seams.

Garry

Paul K · Post by **Paul K** » 03 Jul 2007, 01:01

Garry Russell wrote:I don't think it's the patches that are the problem as much as the wide smudgy seams.

Garry

Yes, they are a bit, aren't they.. :sad: