Atlantis Models 1/184 US Air Force B-36 Peacemaker Bomber Plastic Model Kit

8 reviews for Atlantis Models 1/184 US Air Force B-36 Peacemaker Bomber Plastic Model Kit

1. 

   Rated 2 out of 5

   Pamela J. Russell – November 10, 2022

   The following reflects only my opinion, and experience with this kit. Yours may differ.
   Where do I start…?
   First, the pros;
   1. This kit is a rare rare example of a most amazing, Cold War aircraft, the B-36. As far as I know this kit, and the 1/72 Revel kit, are the only choices you have if you hunger to build the “Peacemaker”.
   2. The Atlantis B36 is widely available. So one doesn’t need to hunt the deepest, darkest reaches on the model kit multiverse to find the kit. Prices for the kit are all over the map, so it pays to shop around.
   3. Nostalgia. This kit is all about that. From the looks of it Atlantis simply restarted making a very old kit, with both the virtues, and flaws of the original kit. Hmmmmm

   Now the cons;
   1. Gaps. HUGE gaps between joined parts in my kit, necessitating the use of amazing amounts of filler putty, and lots, and lots of practice at sanding.
   2. Flash. When I first opened the box I thought “Oh, where does the model start, and the flash end?” If a prize were to be awarded to the kit with the most flash, the kit I got would win hands down.
   3. Raised, molded in decal markings on fuselage, and wings. Yuck. More sanding.
   4. No detail in cockpit, bomb bays, engines….so get ready to scratch-build your own if you want an interesting final result.
   5. The kit lacks any distinctive, and colorful decals. For example, where is that wonderful Strategic Air Command nose badge? IMO a model kit of the B36 without the SAC markings is like a Flying Tigers P40 Tomahawk without the shark mouth, or a 8th air force B17 Flying Fortress without nose art. Boring…BORING!
   Would I buy the kit again?
   Nope, nostalgia aside, this kits offers nothing for me.
   If you do buy it…
   First stock up on filler putty, files, xacto blades, and sandpaper.

2. 

   Rated 3 out of 5

   Ventura D – November 14, 2022

   Product is fine but it was shipped in a light package and was squashed. Plane was not damaged but package was squashed.

3. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Don B. – December 3, 2022

   I read all the reviews on this kit before I bought it. They were on target for the most part. Some might send it back or even through it in the trash. It is a rare kit and worth the effort to build. Just take your time and buy a tube of putty, you will need it.

4. 

   Rated 3 out of 5

   Ventura D – December 8, 2022

   I built this kit when Revell first introduced it more than 60 years ago. I thought it would be fun to see what could be done with more advanced modeling skills (e.g., using putty and sanding as needed). If you want to complete this kit as is in an afternoon, you can (not counting paint drying time).

   (IMPORTANT NOTE: This kit is based on antiquated production methods of the mid-1950’s. For modern B-36 kits, check out Roden (current production) or Hobbycraft (on ebay) 1:144 kits, but you’ll have to pay 3-5X more than the cost of the Atlantis kit.).

   If you want to improve the kit, you’ll need to spend several afternoons. The Squadron/Signal Aircraft No. 42 “B-36 in Action” book will be a helpful reference. Before starting assembly you should consider re-scribing some of the recessed lines delineating the control surfaces. Also, the molded bomb-bay lines should be revised for the B-36D and later models. The fuselage has no engraved panel lines except for the (ugly, IMO) turret compartments on top. You may be able to simulate fuselage panels by painting the fuselage in stages with slightly different shades of aluminum or silver paint.

   The most glaring defect (to me) is the onion-shaped propeller spinners. They should be more conical. The propellers are mounted by sandwiching the shafts between halves of the engine nacelles—an antiquated kit procedure. If you follow the recommended instruction sequence, the propellers may be at risk when you are sanding down dried putty later. Also, there are indentations in the wings and gaps behind the nose piece and at the horizontal stabilizer/fuselage junction that need to be filled. You may want to sand off the raised outlines of the insignias and other printing before painting.

   I plan to drill out the exhausts for the jet engines, and also to drill exhausts for the piston engines. These are not represented at all on the model as it comes out of the box. I’m drilling out the dimples in the fuselage where the gunners’ blisters are located.

   I can’t find any photo of a B-36 that matches the paint scheme recommended by the instructions. Most (not all) B-36’s appear to have natural metal or anti-flash white spinners. The anti-glare panel was usually black. I can’t find any example with the fuselage below the tail painted black. The decals for this kit are minimal. Using a computer program with drawing capabilities, one could draw and print decals for buzz numbers (if desired) and for the tail marking for the particular Bombardment Group being modeled (e.g, a J inside a triangle for the 7th BG(H)).

   This is an old-style kit with nostalgia value. It is OK given the vintage of the kit design. Compared to modern technology, I’d say that the kit itself is worth two stars, partly because of the lack of clarity of control surface markings, lack of panel lines, raised insignia patterns, and old fashioned (and inconvenient) assembly strategy. But the kit is not claimed to be a modern kit. It provides a fun experience of what modeling was like in the mid-1950’s. Taking this into account, I give the kit three stars.

   UPDATE
   A lot of putty was needed to fill joints and dimples in molded pieces. I cut away some locater pins to improve alignment before cementing. I made some additional decals to supplement the kit decals. The model now represents an actual B-36D from the 7th BW, 8th Air Force as it appeared in 1950.

5. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Eric Renth -real name – December 13, 2022

   A good release of the old Revell model with some improvements (swivel base) and updated decals. Easy build with some trimming & painting of the largest bomber ever built.

6. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Ian Hasling – December 14, 2022

   Loved the fact it was a B-36! Still had a lot of features common to 1950s kits (old Revell) but still a nice return.

7. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   boomer camper – January 9, 2023

   What I wanted and delivered fast

8. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   R. Voigt – February 5, 2023

   I’m looking forward to this build.
   I have a number of vintage Revell/Atlantis kits and those I’ve built I’ve enjoyed immensely without getting hung up on accuracy and detail.
   This is a simple kit that will benefit from time being spent on getting the parts to fit nicely so have plenty of filler and abrasive paper to hand. Many modellers recommend a glossy black base coat before applying the aluminium paint.
   At the end of the day these old kits have a charm of their own and I reckon they should be built pretty much straight from the box.