Our fellow modeler Mike Bollinger has completed his massive 1/72 B-52H model in the markings of the 410th Bomb Wing’s B-52H-165-BW, 60-0057, “Someplace Special.” This was a special scheme applied to the jet for the July 1981 RAF Bombing Competition at RAF Marham, and featured, in addition to the UP nose markings, WW II D-Day stripes on the wings and lower fuselage, WW II-style unit codes “C*5D,” and the 410th Bomb GROUP’s famous black/white striped rudder as used on their A-20s during the war.
It’s difficult to get great pictures of such a large model, and I think Mike has done a good job photographing his very interesting and eye-catching model.
Great job, Mike! Thanks for sharing your pics with us.
I have a dwindling number of 1/72 & 1/144 BUFF decal sets left. The ones below are still available, for now.
1/72 Sets:
CED72211 FOUR BUFFs: B-52G-120-BW, 59-2592, “The Pink Panther,” 92 SAW, Fairchild AFB, WA. This jet was painted in the standard SIOP scheme, with special Pink Panther markings for the 1971 SAC Bomb Comp added in honor of the recently released and extremely popular Peter Sellers movie of the same name. Please note that although the movie Pink Panther was really pink, on this jet it was painted a pale violet color; B-52H-125-BW, 60-0001, “Memphis Belle IV,” 2nd Wing flagship, Barksdale AFB, LA, 1996; B-52G-100-BW, 58-0189, “Special Kay,” 379 BW, 1980 RAF Bomb Comp. Note the bomb striking the RAF roundel on the right side of the nose. The artwork on this jet was exceptionally unusual for a USAF aircraft in 1980!; B-52G-80-BW, 57-6485, “The Big Stick,” 97 BW. This jet wears the standard SAC SIOP scheme, but with the FS 36118 dark gray overpaint of the nose and front fuselage. This set was inspired by my good friend Dan Rees, who passed away some time ago. Shoot for the stars, buddy!
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CED72210 B-52s. FIVE BUFFS INCLUDING A SPECIAL BONUS! B-52G-75-BW, 57-6471, “Tantalizing Takeoff,” 97 BW, Eaker AFB, 1991; B-52D-75-BO, “Tommy’s Tigator,” 4925th Test Group (Atomic); ALSO INCLUDING BONUS DECALS! The eight atomic bomb actual drop missions on Eniwetok Atoll, including Operation Hardtack, from June 1958 are included. The later markings with orange high-viz markings are also included; B-52D-55-BO, 55-0086, Snoopy/”That’s Tapioca?,” 99 BW, Andersen AFB, Guam, 1968; B-52F-65-BW, “Casper The Friendly Ghost,” dropped 50,000th bomb in ARC LIGHT, 320 BW, Andersen AFB, Guam, 1965; SPECIAL BONUS DECALS: specific markings for the NASA B-52H-BW, 61-0025! This scheme was carried from at least 2002 to the present. We include all the special markings except the blue/gold stripes, which you can easily paint yourself.
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CED72111 NB-52A “Balls Three,” the “High And Mighty” (later “High and Mighty One”).
(Note my 1/72 “Balls Eight” decal set is COMPLETELY SOLD OUT, but the 1/144 version is still available–see below. THIS set, for “Balls Three,” is down to the last few sets).
NASA’s original mother ship for the X-15 and many other X-planes. Full decal markings for ALL the gorgeous schemes and markings worn on this jet over its ENTIRE history. This decal was produced from a HUGE amount of data and photos provided, especially by NASA, Tony Landis, and David Newman. MULTIPLE SHEET SET!
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CED72209 B-52s. THREE BUFFs: B-52H-130-BW, 60-0008, “Dear Rocky, Not To Win Is A Very Bad Thing,” 19 BW, Homestead AFB, FL, 1967-8; B-52D-30-BW, 56-0658, “Cong Crusher,” 99 BW, U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, February 1968. This jet was one of the last SEA BUFFs to carry nose art; at the time our photos were taken, it was the only B-52 at U-Tapao that still had nose art; B-52F-65-BW, 57-0144, “Mekong Express,” 320 BW/454 BS, Andersen AFB, Guam, 1966.
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CED72213 B-52H “Someplace Special” & B-52G “SAC Time”. This set covers TWO famous BUFFS. First is B-52H-165-BW, 60-0057, “Someplace Special” with D-Day stripes, WW II codes C*5D & 410 BG black/white rudder stripes. Special paint job for the RAF Bombing Competition, RAF Marham, July 1981. B-52G-95-BW, 58-0164, “SAC Time,” 1708th BW (P), Jedda, Saudi Arabia, Operation Desert Storm. Aircraft from the 416th BMW, Griffiss AFB. On a personal note, this decal set is very special to me because the “Someplace Special” jet from the 410th BMW was inspired by and actually flown by my modeling friend Dan Rees, who passed away from cancer a few years ago. Dan, I know you’re up there modeling away, and this BUFF’s for you, buddy! Only a handful left.
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CED72212 B-52s. FIVE BUFFs! B-52G-85-BW, 57-6492, “Old Crow Express,” 379 BW. Total of 51 missions from Jeddah during Operation Desert Storm; B-52H-BW, 61-0022, “Yosemite Sam,” 319 BW. This was one of at least two B-52Hs from the 319th with this tail marking to participate in the 1981 GREAT STRIKE (RAF Bombing Competition) at RAF Marham; B-52G-120-BW, 59-2594, “Memphis Belle III,” 97 BW. This was undoubtedly the fanciest Memphis Belle artwork ever carried on a real Air Force aircraft, and should not be confused with B-52G 59-2584, which also carried the name “Memphis Belle III.” Although transferred to the 2nd Wing shortly before the plane was retired, it was with the 97th she flew her Desert Storm combat missions; B-52G-100-BW, 58-0210, “Conceived For Liberty,” 93 BW, August 1984. Although the exact circumstances and date of the artwork on this jet are unknown, this is without doubt the most amazing artwork ever applied to a SAC bomber! It was carried on the right side of the nose only. B-52G-110-BW, 58-0235, “Spirit of Mt Rushmore,” 28 BMW, Ellsworth AFB, 1972. This jet carried these markings during the 1972 RAF Bomb Comp, where the crew won the BLUE STEEL award for best combined bombing score.
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CED72208 B-52s. LESS THAN 14 SETS LEFT! This extremely rare set features FIVE BUFFs: B-52G-95-BW, 58-0183, “Valkyrie” of the 93 BW, one of the SECRET SQUIRREL aircraft that flew the very first bombing mission on the first night of the first Gulf War, now on display at the Pima Air Museum. Next is B-52D-35-BW, 56-0672, with Snoopy cartoon artwork “Night Missions Blogh!!” of the 99 BW, Andersen AFB, Guam, 1968. Another Vietnam combat jet is B-52D-35-BW, 56-0677, with a large sharkmouth, from the 43 SW, Andersen AFB, Guam (this is a different jet – and different artwork – from the Monogram/Revell kit), 1968. Next comes B-52H-160-BW, “Mud BUFF” of the 2 BW/96 BS, Barksdale AFB, May 1995. And sporting the red “Barksdale” fin stripe. The final subject is yet another Vietnam vet, B-52D-60-BO, 55-0103, with another nearly unknown Snoopy cartoon character, “Happiness Is Home,” again from the 99 BW, Andersen AFB, Guam, 1968. Since nose art was extremely rare on Vietnam War BUFFs, these three B-52Ds will make remarkable additions to your collection!
1/144 Decal Sets:
CED44004 1/144 NB-52B Balls Eight. This was the NASA mother ship for the X-15 and many other X-planes. Full decal markings for ALL schemes and markings worn on this jet over its ENTIRE history. This decal was produced from a HUGE amount of data and photos provided by NASA! 1/144 SCALE.
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CED44003 NB-52A Balls Three. NASA mother ship for the X-15 and many other X-planes. Full decal markings for ALL schemes and markings worn on this jet over its ENTIRE history. This decal was produced from a HUGE amount of data and photos provided by NASA! 1/144 SCALE.