This is a new decal
sheet from Cutting
Edge Modelworks. The sheet includes markings for 3 versions of the
same NB-52A in 1/144 scale. The NB-52A was a critical part of many of
NASA's flight Test programs and still serves today as a launch platform
for testing various aircraft. The NB-52A was used for the X-15 program (as
well as other programs) with the X-15 being carried under the wing until launch
altitude was reached.
Before the NB-52A, NASA was
considering mounting the X-15 in the bomb bay of a B-36 Peacemaker as the X-1
and X-2 vehicles had been mounted in B-29 and B-50 Superfortresses
The particular NB-52A featured on
this decal sheet is serial # 52-003. This was the third B-52A and was sent
to North American for modification as launch aircraft for the X-15 program.
Modifications
were made at Plant 42 in Palmdale. This B-52A, arrived at Plant 42 from Boeing
on November 29, 1957 and was moved into the North American hangar for the
beginning of modifications on February 4, 1958.
The
modifications that a modeller will want to be aware of are a pylon under the
starboard wing, inboard of the engine nacelles. The pylon provided three
shackles for the support of the X-15. The No. 3 main fuel tank located in the
wing above the pylon was removed.
The model kit you'll be using will be the 1/144 Crown/Minicraft B-52H.
To
accommodate the vertical stabilizer of the X-15, a notch was cut into the
trailing edge of the starboard wing directly behind the X-15 pylon. Cutting Edge
supplies a resin set to accommodate these modifications. Closed circuit
television, film motion picture cameras, and lights were installed on the
starboard side of the fuselage. Tail gun turrets and tip tanks were removed.
This decal sheet is to be used
with the Cutting Edge resin set for the NB-52A (Cutting
Edge product # CELO44010).
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