With the decaling stage completed, I could now turn my attention to some final detail work.
The area behind the auxiliary vents had poorly-defined raised lines resembling the panel sections and lines. These were inevitably lost during the preparation stages.
I chose not to re-scribe them at this stage and opted for the straight-edge and HB pencil method instead. I’d previously highlighted the recessed panel lines with the pencil and the areas blend together quite well. I sealed over the pencil work with Klear/Pledge using a fine brush.
Another view. The panel on the centre of the fuselage spine represents the brake chute doors. Using the pencil here was a quick-fix solution which I feel is acceptable for the actual scale and size of the aircraft.
Time to add some weathering to the underside. A highly-diluted mixture of Tamiya X-19 Smoke and Levelling Thinner was gently applied by airbrush to represent some of the grubbiness created by those high-speed and heavy-impact landings. The same mixture was used to a lesser degree on the engine panel sections with further heat-staining effects added with water-soluble artist colour pencils.
An overall view of the underside.Note the added staining to the rear of the nose-wheel bay and the overall tonal variation.
Time to start on the undercarriage. I don’t know if the original AMT/ERTL release of this kit included any metal rod as internal braces or not but they weren’t included in this rendition so I added sections of brass rod to bolster their strength and rigidity. I know aftermarket white metal replacements are available but my experience of them with my TSR-2 build left me disappointed in terms of strength and level of detail so I happily used the kit parts instead and decided to do the same here.
The main undercarriage units firmly fixed in position.
I brush-painted these items with Vallejo Acrylic Metal Paint (Aluminium) and weathered them with Tamiya pastel sets. The undercarriage quickly stained and weathered from those high-impact landings. The added brass rod bracing will certainly have given extra strength to these parts. They’re obviously small and delicate-looking in comparison with the main airframe but they’re perfectly adequate in supporting the model without any issues.
Aftermarket replacements are available but I deemed them unnecessary.
Preparation was required even on these as the legs were moulded off centre and so were the wheel halves.
Forward of the main undercarriage units are the two parallel red anti-collision lights. To replicate these and also the landing lights I used 1.5mm lenses from Little-Cars. These items were ‘retractable’ on the real aircraft.
The two landing lights added. The front one represents the main light and the rear is the auxiliary light. The kit had no reference or provision for any of these features but they make pleasing added details albeit very tiny ones along with the wingtip navigation lights.
The front undercarriage unit secured in place. The kit’s wheels commendably have flattened surfaces.
Unmasked and almost there.
The kit’s plastic pitot has been replaced with a steel needle cut to length and fixed in place with cyano.
Tim Haynes says
Hi Paul,
Your XB-70 is coming along very nicely. Lovely paint job so far..
Paul Ainsworth says
Hello and thank you so much,Tim.She’s getting there now.😉👍
Jonathan Burns says
That’s an excellent article and the model is looking beautiful.
I built this kit. ( the AMT version) a couple of decades ago for Tamiya model magazine and it was a real fight, with very difficult challenges in overcoming fit problems, so I’m very impressed with the superb finish you’ve achieved – many congratulations!
Paul Ainsworth says
Hello,Jonathan – Thank you so much.That’s very kind of you to say.
You obviously know first hand the challenges of the kit.
My congratulations to you for your build and its appearance in that respected magazine.
I don’t think my build is anywhere near the standard required for that but more than appreciate being able to feature my builds here in ‘SMN’.
The final update and photo gallery of the completed model are with Geoff for adding to this feature in due course.😉👍
Tim Haynes says
Great work Paul. The approach you took with the preparation certainly paid off in the end result.
Paul Ainsworth says
“Hello,Tim” – Thank you so much. As you know, preparation is the key with any project and with this kit it’s on a big scale.
I think that’s an off putting factor that goes against this kit equally as much as its physical size.
I can understand and appreciate that but think it’s a shame because with a little thought and input the reward is a model that does justice to this iconic and unique aircraft.😉👍
Rob Ruscoe says
A superb result that shows up your modelling skills. I haven’t built this kit but know people who have and also some that have tried and failed. It just shows that patience and preparation are vital to produce something special. Well done Paul, I hope you are going to enter this in a competition!
Paul Ainsworth says
“Hello,Rob” – Thank you so much.
Yes the kit’s a big challenge and a marathon build in every respect.
Prior to ‘SMN’ and all I’ve learned since I would’ve run a mile from attempting a kit like this.
It’s given me confidence to attempt new aspects of the hobby including ‘weathering’,etc and has increased my enjoyment of the hobby in so many ways.😉👍