KB-29P 1/72

This is my first post, please comment on things you think I left out, or things you feel I should include.

This is one of my better models, a Boeing KB-29P tanker. The aircraft is in 1/72 scale like many of my other models. I try to keep the scale consistent so I an compare the size of each aircraft. This plane was rather complicated to build. Though the instructions are easy to read, that is not the reason it was hard to build. This aircraft has a forward command section plus an aft gunner/observational area. Or in this case, where the guy who operates the flying boom is located. These two sections were easy to get built and connected to one another, but the hard part was putting them inside the plane and getting the two parts of the fuselage to stay together. Even after nearly an hour of holding the two pieces together, it appeared as though it were separating. I had elastic bands around the plane, but I added another and squeezed as hard as I could. The rest of the plane was easy to put together, so no complaints there. This model was produced by Academy, a personal favorite manufacturer because they pay very close attention to detail (You can't see into that rear section, but it's still there).

I built this plane because I have always liked the look, sound, and importance that the B29 played both during and after World War II. It is one of my favorite fixed wing aircraft and has been adapted into many roles.

The KB-29P was used after World War II as an air-to-air refueler and was one of the first aircraft with the "flying" boom. this boom made refueling much easier than the old way of refueling which had both the tanker and the receiving plane itself have special modifications for refueling with a complex system that relied much on chance.
Specs of a standard KB-29P

• Length: 120 ft 1 in (36.60 m)
• Wingspan: 141 ft 3 in (43.05 m)
• Height: 29 ft 7 in (9.02 m)
• Wing area: 1,736 sq ft (161.3 m²)
• Empty weight: 69,011 lb (31,303 kg)
• Gross weight: 138,500 lb (62,823 kg)
• Powerplant: 4 × Wright R-3350 radial engines, 2,200 hp (1,600 kW) each
• Maximum speed: 400 mph (640 km/h; 350 kn) at 30,000 ft (9,150 m)
• Cruise speed: 315 mph (274 kn; 507 km/h)
• Range: 2,300 mi (1,999 nmi; 3,701 km)
• Service ceiling: 38,000 ft (11,582 m)
• Rate of climb: 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s)

The aircraft performed well in it's duties but was retired soon afterwords because the plane just couldn't keep up with the new jets of the 50's. Eventually, jet engines were attached to the aircraft to speed it up enough to refuel Jets, but the plane was out of date and it's service life was over.

I think this plane served the united States well because it was able to do it's job up until it was out date, which is all anyone can really ask of any aircraft. I would not bring this plane back to life because it is even more out date today than it was when those jets first started appearing. If Boeing did begin producing the aircraft again, it would best serve as either a weather aircraft or an airshow attraction.