Monogram 1/72 B-52D Sealed Time Capsule -Complete Build

Start to finish time lapse build of my vintage Monogram 1/72 B-52D. Anyone who remembers this kit back in the 70's knows it was huge. I break the seal and take you on the entire build tour.

[@abledog006]

I know some collector is having a melt down, but good for you cracking this baby open! Kits are meant to be BUILT!! It has now fulfilled it's designated purpose! ;)

[@douglasstreet7304]

I get that. I have three of them and a fourth from Germany. NOT FOR SALE.

[@johnrettig1880]

I miss those old kits the decals were better than most of today's . The last time that I built one my Dad of 6 ' 3 3/4 ' walked into my room and his head slammed into it . I tried to hang it as high as possible from the ceiling but that vertical tail assembly wouldn't let me go any further . Crew ejected safely ... Dad didn't do so well with the crash investigation board .

[@vincepurpura8905]

Lol

[@jamesdewey3259]

Too bad about the plane. Shot down by a head shot.

[@EnterpriseXI]

To the 13 people that gave this video a thumbs down a model is meant to be built and shown not kept in a box no matter how old it is

[@number62]

My brother got this model at a team Christmas party and he gave it to me. I hadn't thought about this in 40 years. Even the box cover is so familiar. Thx for the trip down memory lane.

[@sebradfield]

I built one of those in 1968, when they were brand new. Then, in 1977 I was working at Utah's biggest and best hobby distributor at the time, Douglas Models. The retail manager paid me to build all of the biggies. I pictured the B-52 in full flight, in Vietnam camouflage with external bomb racks and all. To make it look more like it was in flight I put the wing assemblies on blocks and weighted the middle, so they bowed upward. As for glue types, I tend toward liquid cements and superglue, but for very large projects like this one, or their large plastic model ships, tube glue is still the way to go. So many people have done so many things with that old Monogram kit. I even saw one that the builder completely modified the nose to represent the XB-52, with its tandem canopy rather than the 'airliner'-style cockpit of the production models. Nice job, and keep on building.

[@dxroadduke]

The 1/72 B-52D! I remember this; when I was younger, I bought and built the reissue kit from the 90s, and I made the Vietnam War era version of it, with the bombs and the black and camo scheme. Yours turned out great!

[@flyurway]

That's right, build it! Ain't much good to anyone just sitting in a box forever.

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

August 5, 2020----Thanks for showing off your build, looks great. Got one of these in my stash that I WAS going to build back in '80-'81 until I discovered how big it was. Since I was living in the barracks (Air Force), there wasn't that much room for something so big vs 1/72 scale fighters. It still sits in The Shed. Also didn't know it was now considered a collectors kit. First time I saw this kit (I'm 67) was when I was a junior in high school and saw it at JC Penny's toy section. And back then, it had the "Real Jet Engines Sound" option. Thanks for the memories.

[@callummacalister]

Thanks for the memories - my dad made this kit back when I was little. He only had one hand and would never consider himself an expert builder, but, man, he had some skills. Imagine rigging with nothing but your left hand (he was born right handed) and your teeth...

[@HammyTechnoid]

I was an avionics tech in the Air Force from 1973 to 1976 and I worked on the B52 G model. Impressive machines. Be careful in the cockpit... they have ejection seats!!!!

[@mikestefanick7542]

Hammy Technoid, I was Avionics tech also, 1969 to 1973, worked on the G’s also. My job was the Doppler system. Spent a year in Biloxi then sentenced to Plattsburgh. Go BUFFS!

[@PressureGroupX]

Mike Stefanick how can I get a hold of you? I have questions about Griffis B52s in NY

[@duanemccullough2275]

Great video -- I built mine in '70. I believe it had a battery powered noise maker in it that sounded like jet engines -- which was cool. My Dad was a 20 year USAF veteran -- he let my brother and I fly several times on a $1 million dollar B-52 simulator at Walker AFB in Roswell NM in '62 while he was testing the simulator during maintenance hours. What a great model of an airplane that helped make America great.

[@stonefarmer3005]

Oh my, I remember building this back in the 70’s when I was early teens…. Wish I still had all those 1/48 Monogram models that hung in my bedroom, B24, B17, B52, and don’t get me started on the others.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

I too believe in building rather than leaving sealed. Seals are for people who have a $ motive imho. Otherwise, use the thing, whatever it may be. What good is it otherwise? That doesnt even factor in the fun and satisfaction. Looks great!

[@neighbor18]

I definitely worry future generations won't learn model building or appreciate a magnificent cold war buff.

[@nogamesplease1813]

B.U.F.F.!!!!!! Arklight rolling thunder is just beautiful to watch, as long as you are on the giving side!

[@RT060789]

I built this kit in both versions (natural and camouflage) 35 years ago. Monogram kits were always my favorite. All the kits I built were 1/48 scale. The B-52 and B-36 kits were the only 1/72 scale kits I built. I still have all my completed planes boxed up. Great video I am glad someone still cares about model building. I bought most of my kits from the drug store and toy stores when they still sold them.

[@fredtedstedman]

Love the "tall fin" B-52 s , silver and white colour scheme , so elegant . Wales Uk

[@modelfanaddict2.045]

Hello 'Herbert' I did not purchase this kit off of Ebay. I am not even a member of that community. I got it from a vintage model kit dealer that I have been buying from since 2008. This kit absolutely was factory sealed. I would know the difference, since I have been building for 40+ years. I built two of these growing up.

[@carmium]

I remember this coming out, and the reactions to its immense size! The late Air/Space Modeler magazine held a competition for the best/most interesting build. I recall details like blast curtains in the cockpit, but there were a lot of tweaks, mods, and additions that B-52 fans knew were required or at least point-getters. The biggest complaint about the kit was where to store or display the completed plane!

[@anthonydamalio6528]

Hang it by a hook and fishing line from the ceiling along with the other big ones like the 1/72 B-36.

[@anthonydamalio6528]

@Big AL I hear you Big Al !!

[@rollinwithunclepete824]

I built one of these in high school (1972). Absolutely it was HUGE! Painted mine for service in Viet Nam (father was stationed there for awhile) - black underbelly/camo upper.

[@stevecampbell6454]

I just completed the same kit that was a gift from a friend. He bought it opened and partially assembled for $6.00 at a second hand store. It had paint, brushes, thinner and glue in the box left there from the previous owner. It is hanging my my living room as I type.

[@dlchambers]

Awesome - I built this guy in maybe 77 or 78. HUGE model!

[@Bilbirk62]

Sorry its not huge.

[@dlchambers]

@@Bilbirk62 Oh yeah it is - 31" wingspan!

[@rambo410]

After 30 years of waiting, I finally got a 1/48 scale B52G.

[@arodrigues2843]

I have 5 of those.!!! Made different versions, of course.!!! Great kit.!!!

[@jtonythejett1]

Great job! I'm retired USAF Security Police and had the honor of protecting these "Guardians of freedom" when the Air Force would do what were called "emergency alternate base landings" in case the base you left from was now vapor....proud birds with incredible flight crews...

[@Spawn-td8bf]

Still have mine hanging from my ceiling. Actually it is my second, my first I built in the 70's but had it in storage for a short while and it got hot, so the wings sagged so bad. In Florida that can happen. So in the 80's I found and built a second. Want to build a third with a K-Wanker attached via the refuel probe. I usually make a habit of avoiding to build the same kit twice, but the BUFF is my all time favorite bird. I have my 1/200 BUFF H model hanging above it. Thank you for posting and God Bless from Florida.

[@richardguzman1491]

I built one back in the mid 70s God was it humongous

[@whirlybird3189]

That was my Xmas present one year as a kid. Pretty exciting!

[@raystewart1969]

I had one in the late 60s that had a battery compartment in the bombay and made an engine sound.

[@markman613]

So did I. It cost $15 back then crazy! But I think it was in the 70s not 60s.

[@irishtino1595]

Growing up in the late 1960s and 70 we had an old hardware store down at the end of our block. I got to know the owner and was into models. He told me to go in the back storage room because there were stacks of them. They were all from the 50s and early 60s. Aurora, Revell, plus a lot of lesser know makers and quite a few Japanese models. I bought the bulk of them over a year or two and built all of them. I had a B-36 Peacemaker that I remember came out great, even had orange plastic flames that went in the jets exhaust. I wish I had just left those in the box for collectors.

[@codacreator6162]

I was born in the mid-60s at Fairchild AFB a SAC base outside Spokane, Washington. As kids, we saw these monsters flying sometimes, but didn't think much of it. It was just part of everyday life for us. Along with air raid sirens at noon on the first Wednesday of every month. Crazy the memories this brings back. I was a modeler as a kid, but nothing like this. Thanks for sharing!

[@jasonclay5778]

Tamiya thin is good for parts that are small. But tube glue is the way to go, especially when the pieces are as long as your arm. Can't beat the bond. Sometimes I build a whole with tube glue. Don't listen to the haters. Nice build.

[@Bilbirk62]

Tube glue is garbage. Tamiya extra thin works better. MEK is better still but some are afraid of it

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

@@Bilbirk62 Hey Bill, I'm not even a modeler but can tell you must be great. Just like I'm not an artist but I can tell Da Vinci is great. You're not just great at modeling but everything. You're just a goddam genius, aren't you?

[@goldenmanuever1176]

This is really cool. I have one of these but it is from 1968. It is brand new in the box. What is unique about it is that Monogram included a small motor/fan assembly that when hooked up to batteries made a turbine swooshing noise. Very cool kit.

[@Aero360Aviation]

Awesome! And by the way, I still use Testor's tube glue as well. ;-)

[@dieselrotor]

It is so bizarre watching someone build this 40 years after I built the same kit as a 14 year old. I remember every step like it was yesterday back in My room all the sudden. And boy You did catch a buzz of the ole Tester glue. The plane is sadly gone but still have the red spinning carousel that held paint, glue, brushes etc and the 707 I built right after in AF1 hand painted color scheme for JFK.

[@scarecrow2885]

I had this model, but never built it. That was toward the end of my interest in model building in the late 70s. I got to the point where I didn't like the lightweight flimsiness of plastic models. It sat in my closet for a couple of years before I eventually gave it to a cousin as a gift. I don't think she ever built it either. Years later, I bought two of Corgi's B-52 1/144 die casts, which I still have. They're hefty. ;-)

[@modelfanaddict2.045]

hello Luke , I wanted a vintage cold war era B-52 which is why I did not do camo

[@Dirks_NUMA_Files]

Dude, that is a stunning build. BRAVO!!!!

[@modelfanaddict2.045]

I appreciate the notes Peter, unfortunately I just survived hurricane Michael. A tornado touched down in my parking lot. Cars were thrown around like toothpicks into the buildings. Many of my models were destroyed. I will have to abandon model building for a while as I had to flee town

[@Simon-sv6qe]

Model Fanaddict 2.0 so sorry to hear this hope you’re ok really unfortunate you lost you’re stuff.

[@maj.d.sasterhikes9884]

I have a box of US Navy ship models, many of them no longer available and some out of production for decades. It took me a couple of years to track them down so that I can build all of the thirteen ships my father served aboard. After I retire, it will be a nice modeling project for me. BTW, I stopped using the tube glue decades ago when I started using the Testor's liquid cement, but your work looks dang good, so what ever works! Hikers say "Hike your own hike" so modelers build with their own style!

[@Quaralane]

Impressive build. Brought back memories, too

[@glennvogt1194]

Last time I built a monogram B-52 it had the X-15. Had it hanging from the ceiling. Sadly it was destroyed in a apartment fire.

[@rredhawk]

My brother had this model kit back in the early 1970s. Back then it came with a battery-powered motor-sound generator which produced a jet engine sound at the flip of a switch. It doesn't look like this one has it. We also had Monogram's Pzkw IV series which had moldings in the hull for a geared motor box and battery pack, but they no longer had the motorized elements within the kits even back then. Lindberg Line and Tamya were the companies most noted back then for motorizing many of their kits.

[@dennismason3740]

@Model Fanaddict 2.0 - nice - what a score. Back in the early sixties I was building (WW11 fighters) Monogram and Revell models and yes, monogram was incredibly well-engineered and Revell excelled at fringe model choices (yes even the 262 in the day) and some OCDers would sand down the oversized rivets on the Revells. "...time to order...aluminum..." hee ho! I used to see these in the sky once in a while - real high fliers and you had to really look to follow the contrail. Frikken huge even at 40 plus. The ground would shake and many lifeforms made their sacrifices to this bird in Vietnam and Laos and Cambodia. Whew boy that's a lot of aluminum.

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

April 10, 2019---I remember when I first saw one....around 1966-67 and wasn't even into building models. But the one I saw was at Montgomery Wards(?) and it had jet engine sound as part of the kit?! Think it cost something like $8-$12 which was a lot of money back then.....as in chicken wings going for 10 cents a pound. I have one I started back around '79-'80 but never finished. But it's still in the box and in my shed with 1,500+ other unbuilt kits. Started building when I came back to the states in '74 and started collecting with intention of building everything. Then of course, modelers are always selling stuff cheap at the meetings and for a long time, got a lot of outstanding buys via Ebay. But seems Ebay days are over for me as some people simply want the same amount that I can get it in a store. For those interested, check out the Castle air museum in Atwater, Calif. It has a lot of different aircraft and once a year, they have an open cockpit day where EVERY aircraft cockpit is opened to be looked at and photographed. They have a complete B-52 cockpit which is sealed off by a large sheet of plexiglass. Well worth taking a look at.

[@sebradfield]

I built my first Monogram B-52 in 1968. Built my second for a hobby shop I worked at in 1977. Still one of the all-time greats.

[@timrit3817]

Awesome job, the model and video are great. In the late 70”s I was given that model as a birthday present. It was an extravagant gift because it cost $19.95. Lol.

[@MrAlumni72]

Disappointed that it didn't have one of the old fold-out mini-catalogs of other available Monogram kits - I have a few I saved, along with instructions, from back in the day (I even have some old 70s box art up in the attic somewhere). Those things really bring back the memories of what it was like being a kid and seeing a kit for the very first time!

[@therongperson]

I built this B-52 kit when I was 14 (with the help of my dad, who was very good with paint!) And no special equipment. Just tube glue, putty, spray and brush paint. It turned out pretty good between the 2 of us. We also chose the option of using the engine Cowell with the open hatch displaying the engine. Beautiful build, and thanks for the good memories! 😁

[@martinradcliffe4798]

Built that kit many years. Good to see it still does the business! Nice job.

[@Kabul81]

You even used the old school cement!😆I know the "experts" will say there's fault with wheel well accuracy but to me it still looks like a B-52! Jman👀

[@charlessnider4385]

Built that kit in the 80's. Also built the B-29 as the Enola Gay. Both were huge.

[@waynee5603]

My dad built me the SE Asia camo version of this B-52D kit when i was a kid, maybe around 84 or so. He used all Testors stuff, but does anyone remember PACTRA?! Good times man....

[@luciusvorenus9445]

Beautiful BUFF model and the B-29 looks great, too!

[@chancerNW]

That is really lovely neat work on such a big bird. Very well done.

[@MsixtyA3]

Excellent build! Thanks for sharing.

[@erikkunkle9574]

That looks ridiculously awesome. Enjoued the build

[@marciethomas7371]

I did not work on the D but spent many hours working on the gun turret. On the G and the H they moved the gunner up front with the rest of the crew. The school was in Denver and I spent many years in Denver afterwards. Great job on the paint work.

[@guidosarducci3047]

Very nice build. Thanks for sharing it.

[@JRaynor99]

Thanks! I remember building this one in 1970! After watching Dr. Strangelove & Fail-Safe!

[@PanzermansBunker]

Awesome job on that vintage kit. She's a big, impressive model. Well built and painted. Love the use of the aircrew figures. Planes look better populated. Bill

[@michaelburke750]

First time I saw this model was in 1969, a neighbor of mine was building it... slow and steady. We moved away so I never saw it completed but what I was able to see was awesome, the detail!

[@1BigHeart777]

Your attention to detail is amazing 🙂

[@sleepingrabbit4011]

I bought this model when I was 15 years old in San Antonio store called winns back in 1984. Man you brought back great memories !!

[@davidchristensen6908]

People complain how much war planes cost. Look at these planes still flying wish we had more. We had to chop a number of these up as per agreement with Russia. I hope to see these planes make that 100 years of service. Look at the A10 quit making them and now the air force is doing what ever it can to keep the ones we have flying. You just never know the air frames that end up with a second life. My hats off to the designer and how much I appreciate the plane they made. To the pilot and crews who flew them around the world and around the clock wow. The the engineers of today please continue in creating the best planes you can.

[@AlexModeling]

Very good build! And huge!

[@modelfanaddict2.045]

ohgary, I have been using testosrs cement for 40 years. it works and I dont "sniff" I think you're generation is the problem.

[@dtmjax5612]

Nothing wrong with the tube glue. I still have some. Nothing holds better, it’s just messy and I can never seem to get the “ooze” under control. I now use Revell Contacta Professional in the blue container with small steel tube applicator. It works great. But I’ll still break out the tube testors for large fuselage halves sometimes. Whatever works for you. Thanks for the video and good work. 👍

[@robertgriffin662]

Nice to see someone else using testors tube glue besides me!! I built the nam version back in the 90's. Loved it. Hand painted in nam camo. Miss the monogram kits to this day. Awesome build my friend.

[@vinf.4197]

Nice job!! Built one in the 70s too! Love the tube glue!

[@BaronVonRichtofen]

That was awesome!

[@michaelhodgkins9186]

Great looking BUFF!

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Models are meant to be built. Great job.

[@stuka7788]

Nice kit . And build up keep it fun .

[@bigcharliesmodelgarage296]

Cool build. I hsve one my uncle started years ago. Might dig it out and finish it. 😊👍👍👍

[@shoe2241]

great job!!!! turned out great!!

[@modelfanaddict2.045]

I have been receiving a lot of comments about my use of tube glue. What's the difference. I like Tamiya products, I just prefer to build old school, no big deal :)

[@joeshmoe9978]

Don't worry, all the people complaining have their bottles of tamiya extra thin sitting next to all of their UNBUILT models.

[@SCIGS30]

I agree, nothing wrong with good ole Testors Tube cement.

[@PanzermansBunker]

Build your models how ever you want to. Like Joe above said...these guys who comment so negatively are trolls or posers. Keep up the good work. Bill

[@markmcqueen1882]

I use it all the time on parts I want to stay glued.

[@vincepurpura8905]

I use all of them myself. Tube, super thin, superglue gel, thin superglue. Depends on the circumstances.

[@Ettoredipugnar]

Still have mine also . Loved building it.

[@bruceboatwright7488]

Well done. For my SE Asia version, I split a length of 2x4 with a gentle curve, clamped the wings in the two halves of wood till the glue dried, fiddled with fitting the engine pylons and flaps and got a reasonable looking in-flight look. I love them sitting on their gear, I just didn't have the room. This is a nice build, thanks for opening that old kit. Bruce

[@whirlybird3189]

Had one as a kid. Saw them at Biggs afb, in the hangars. The doors closed around the rear fuselage and the tail section remained outside! Taller than the hangar. 1966 it was.

[@MIckveli2]

what a beautiful,beautiful plane.!!!!! *nice build .

[@spreadeagled5654]

I built this model before. It’s a monster kit !

[@Spawn-td8bf]

I have the same model hanging over my computer. My favorite bird. I built mine 33 years ago. Still have the box and instructions just because.... Nice to see using period correct cement. Why change if it works. Still use it myself. Thank you for posting. God Bless from Florida.

[@scottmurphy650]

I built this kit 20 years ago in the 4 (black underside) color SEA camouflage. I added resin seats and scratch built the wheel wells and bomb bay and used the Hasegawa 1/72 weapons kit to add Mk 82's to the underwing hard points. I used brass tube through the wings and into the fuselage to strengthen the wing joint. Overall it was a fun build but you need LOTS of shelf space for the finished model.

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

What took my miniature painting up fifty levels was that if you get some matt varnish spray right...and dust it on in about three light coats from quite far away (Too close and too much leaves residue) it takes the sheen off of decals paint and makes models look brilliant. Trust me on this. Try it. Oh one thing the nozzles clog up really easy so make sure to clean them after use.

[@wesmander]

Great work

[@BT-xm4cq]

great job I built 1 of those back in the day but I did mine in a camo paint version very nice kit

[@deltekkie7646]

I built this jet when I was a teen in 1975. What memories!

[@vixen0347]

Good build sir. I’ve been building for over 60 years and I also like tube glue for certain areas but, also use Weld On #3 or CA when n where needed. They all serve a purpose, just like all tools. Again, very good build.

[@MyChaz2]

I had one. My brother was in the air force at the time 1960 -1963

[@warrenchambers4819]

Cool. I bet you had a great time building that kit and that's the point by the way. Youll hear a lot of fussin about seams, glue, etc. but for doing it your way and having fun it turned out fine to me. You did amaze me building it on a 4x8 board though dang the skills.

[@toadelevator]

I built one as a kid in the 70s. I remember using a whole lotta zinc chromate paint LOL . Nice job.

[@MeigsCountyRR]

I like that music in the background. Nice plane, too! Greg in TN

[@thebobloblawshow8832]

Love the build. My cousin had this same kit 35 years or more ago. But it was in camo. So maybe not the exact kit but it wa definitely Monogram.

[@The-Baldawg]

First model i ever built back in 89. Found it in my dads closet and he let me have a go at it.

[@sseltrek1a2b]

one of my favorite kits as a kid....wish i had never let it go...a friend had one hanging from the ceiling in the camo paint scheme...

[@inclusivemodeldesigns16]

Man she’s a massive bird! I haven’t seen this kit since I was a we lad.

[@yanktornado5121]

Great watch

[@spavliskojr]

I remember building this exact same model when i was 15

[@shannonchurchill4556]

Built this kit with Testors tube glue when I was in 6th grade, circa 1979. Mom wasn’t down with me spray painting so I think I skipped the paint altogether. Once I finished, it was like, “Where TF do I put this thing?” It got destroyed in short order being shuffled around my room, and usually falling off of wherever I tried to put it. Good times...

[@dae8053]

Awesome Job..Everything looks great.👍 I bought one of this models in 1983 ..I was 12 years old ..payed 13 bucks for it 1/72 scale also.I gave it to my uncle from Dallas. It wasn’t as great as yours, but it was close.Different model of course.

[@alessiodecarolis]

It's an incredible, beautiful model of a formidable aircraft, surely the storage of such a beast it's perhaps more difficult than build it! No jokes, I saw a 'Nam era version in a model shop, and it occupied almost half a wall!😁