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In-Box Review
172
B-47E Stratojet
B-47E Stratojet U.S. Air Force Jet Bomber
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by: Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]

history
The sleek, graceful Boeing B-47 Stratojet was the United State’s first swept-wing multi-engine bomber. With its fuselage profile unbroken by neither wings nor engines, and a fighter-like canopy, the big Boeing bomber is widely considered the most elegant design to take flight. Revolutionary and groundbreaking, it is the basis for every modern large jet aircraft design today: swept wings and powerplants mounted externally on pylons.

The design originated in 1943. Originally with straight wings, post-war German data lead to a wing redesign. Ground crew were required to wear special boots to avoid marring the precise finish of the wings. The new configuration outclassed all contenders. From 1947 through 1956, a total of 2,032 Stratojets were built. They served from 1951 through 1965 with the U.S. Air Force carrying nuclear weapons for Strategic Air Command. Weighing over 60 tons, the bomber could even employ LABS (Low Altitude Bombing System), i.e., 'Toss-Bombing'! Successive versions included reconnaissance aircraft, and served until 1969. The six-engine jet penetrated and overflew the Soviet Union more than a hundred times. With six General Electric J-47 engines their sizzling airborne performance allowed most Stratojets to avoid or escape interception until the supersonic MiG-19 became operational. Several were fired upon, some damaged, and three were shot down (even over international waters).

the model
First released in the late 1960s or early 1970s, this is a sizable model. The kit contains 165 light gray parts on 5 sprues, and a single clear canopy. Seventy-two of the pieces are for 24 bombs. It comes packed in a two-piece box. For a 40-year-old kit, the molding is good. The surface is smooth. It features recessed lines for the control surfaces and fine raised rivet and panel details. This raised detail is confined to prominent structural features. What little canopy framing is lightly molded but appears too wide.

Molding is good for such an old kit. Fairly sharp and crisp. The only real flash is around the pilot figures. I found no mold marks. However, you will have to contend with some seam lines and there are many ejector holes to be filled. The sprue attachments are stout.

Detail is fair and simplified. The main landing gear compartments are devoid of any detail except the rivets. The same is true for the outrigger landing gear, gear doors, bomb bay and its doors. Hasegawa armed this nuclear bomber with iron bombs!

The disappointment is the cockpit. Upon a floor with raised chunks simulating consoles you mount seats, pilots, and control columns. The crew are the most detailed parts. To be fair, not much is visible through the small canopy.

I have not test-fitted the model but have read that the fit is mediocre. Expect much filling and sanding–not good for a natural metal finish.

instructions, painting, decals
This is a simple kit with simple instructions of 16 steps.

Profile and split upper/lower planform art shows the simple SAC livery of an unpainted topside with anti-flash white undersides.

Decals are for one aircraft. Despite the colorful SAC badge and sash, the markings are spartan. The decals are well printed on thin film. Unfortunately, the film covers the void inside the wing walkway striping, serial numbers, and U.S. AIR FORCE. This is never good on a natural metal finish.

conclusion
This is a 40 year-old model and it shows its age. Raised surface detail, lack of interior detail, and large areas of clear decal film are drawbacks. Iron bombs fill the nuclear bomb bay. It poses great potential for scratch building in the cavernous bomb bay and gear wells. However, the molding is good and will require a minimal cleanup. With a gleaming natural metal finish, it can build into a pleasing model.
SUMMARY
Highs: Molding is good.
Lows: Raised surface detail, lack of interior detail, iron bombs fill the nuclear bomb bay, and large areas of clear decal film. Fit is mediocre.
Verdict: I have seen this model displayed at some shows and it makes a striking model.
Percentage Rating
60%
  Scale: 1:72
  Mfg. ID: 04007
  PUBLISHED: Mar 21, 2010
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.84%

About Frederick Boucher (JPTRR)
FROM: TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES

I'm a professional pilot with a degree in art. My first model was an AMT semi dump truck. Then Monogram's Lunar Lander right after the lunar landing. Next, Revell's 1/32 Bf-109G...cried havoc and released the dogs of modeling! My interests--if built before 1900, or after 1955, then I proba...

Copyright ©2021 text by Frederick Boucher [ JPTRR ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



Comments

I think the original release on this kit was 1968. It might have been in the AMT/Hasegawa boxing and retailed around U$6.00. I got one for Christmas of 1968....
MAR 22, 2010 - 07:42 AM
I remember the old Strato Jets that used to be based at MacDill AFB. They would fly by low and slow and would always have a trail of smoke from the engines.
MAR 23, 2010 - 02:13 AM
Centuries ago I worked with a guy that has been a B-24 pilot over Europe and stayed in after the war. He transitioned to B-36's and flew for SAC for a number of years. But, he decided that the B-47 scared him and it was time to get out. It seems a lot of pilots got killed trying to fly the B-47 the same way they flew B-36's. The jet engines weren't as reliable as the old radials and keeping formation by tinkering with engine speed wasn't a huge success.
MAR 23, 2010 - 02:33 AM
Blimey - Do Hasegawa still make this ?,i had one yonks ago and IIRC with a bit of TLC it builds up into a fairly decent model.
MAR 28, 2010 - 07:12 AM
The kit keeps reappearing just like their P-3C Orion and the S2 Tracker,they always seem to show up again.
MAR 28, 2010 - 04:01 PM
   
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