Valom 1/72 RB-45C Tornado (Korean Conflict Group Build)
I built this kit for the Korean Conflict Group Build. The B-45 was the first 4-engine jet bomber in the Air Force, as well as the first American jet bomber shot down in combat, namely during the Korean Conflict. The bomber was deployed to Korea for the war, but was never really used as a bomber. The B-45 was modified into a reconnaissance aircraft, the RB-45C, and it was this version that was actually used in combat. The Air Force determined quickly that the RB-45 was vulnerable during day missions, so it was used mainly at night.
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- 1. Thanks to Wikipedia for this photo of the RB-45C
I wanted to build something different for this group build other than the more common planes, like the Mig-15 and the F-86. Due to the limited run nature of the kit, I was expecting some problems during the build, and I wasn't disappointed. If you are familiar with Valom kits, you know there was a lot of cool photoetch and resin to add, as well as the infamous butt-joints on the wings and tail surfaces. I completed the model with markings from Caracal Decals. By the way, even in 1/72, this is a very large kit, so clear a bunch of building space if you plan to build it..
If you are interested in a blow-by-blow of this build, please go to the full build article in the Korean Conflict Group Build. Everyone stay safe. Cheers
6 additional images. Click to enlarge.
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- 1. Photoetch windshield wiper. Very cool.
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- 1. I realized I left off a small landing light that goes on the end of the nacelle between the engines. I'll add it later.
Marcus Vinicius Teixeira Borges said on September 25, 2020
Lovely work George,congratulations!
Robert Royes said on September 25, 2020
Beautifully done! great results of a interesting build.
Tom Cleaver said on September 25, 2020
Knowing this kit, George (mine being in the Shelf of Doom), I am mucho impressed that you have not only completed yours, but achieved such a great result. Really nice work!
Spiros Pendedekas said on September 25, 2020
This is a superb build, George, that I had the joy to follow along through you thread.
Congratulations!
DE4EVER said on September 25, 2020
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
A very elegant build of this majestic aircraft, turned out just great George, nice one.
Erik Gjørup said on September 25, 2020
It was a real pleasure to follow this build in Groups. With your paint you managed to bring a lot of interest to an othervise "boring" all-black plane.
Well done!
Haslam Yeoman said on September 25, 2020
Outstanding result from a box full of vaguely related parts.
Anthony Conway said on September 25, 2020
Great job on a tricky kit !
George R Blair Jr said on September 25, 2020
Thanks for the kind words everyone. I think it is time to move on to something that requires less filler and less sanding.
Stellan Schroeder Englund said on September 25, 2020
Possibly one of American aircraft industry´s ugliest contribution to flying things, if not the ugliest one. However, you managed to pull this build off and I like the different look of it.
Greg Kittinger said on September 25, 2020
Very nice! Love the unusual subjects, and you really did a short run kit justice!
George R Blair Jr said on September 25, 2020
Thanks, Greg (@gkittinger). I am working on a 1/72 Hasegawa Jaguar that I think you posted several years ago. I wanted to get something done for the Desert Storm GB.
Robert Knaack said on September 25, 2020
Well done, George. I had never heard of this one, so I learned something new today!
John vd Biggelaar said on September 25, 2020
Very nice build, George.
A very tiny windshield whiper it is, nice detail.
George R Blair Jr said on September 25, 2020
Thanks, Robert (@robgenev665) and John (@JohnB). I like doing something unusual, either an unusual aircraft or unusual paint scheme. And John, I won't even mention the photoetch from this build that now lives in my carpet. Luckily antennas are easy to replace.
George Schembri said on September 25, 2020
Great choice and an impressive build George, Congrats on a great looking model.
It's noticeable that the aircraft doesn't have any insignia markings. Nice to see the Tornado is observed with the Korean Build group.
I recently found the Valom RB-45 RAF kit and couldn't turn it done.
You are right about the unexpected size of the aircraft.
George R Blair Jr said on September 25, 2020
Thanks, George (@georgeswork). Good luck on the RB-45. I didn't encounter anything that was horribly bad about the kit, there was just a lot to check and fix. If you are familiar with Valom, you already know to dry-fit everything, butt-joints on the wings and tail surfaces (although the wings have a spar that helps), parts that don't quite fit, and instructions that are a little fuzzy in places. The resin and photoetch parts are really the stars of the show, and help to raise the detail of the kit. The background story for the RAF Tornadoes is also very interesting.
Allan J Withers said on September 26, 2020
Well done George !
George R Blair Jr said on September 26, 2020
Thanks, Allan (@kalamazoo).
John Healy said on September 26, 2020
Persistence and a strong sanding arm paid off! Looks great, George.
George R Blair Jr said on September 26, 2020
Thanks, John (@j-healy). There were times during the build when it felt like the old days when you would use putty to modify the shape and contours of model cars.