1:72 Rockwell B-1B

Reskit resin accessory for the Rockwell B-1B in 1:72 scale

This item is not an aircraft kit but an add-on set for the B-1B Lancer model in 1:72 scale. The resin castings replace the corresponding plastic parts from the box and bring sharper edges and finer surface detail than an injection mold achieves easily. The name of the set does not state what is in the package; check the contents on the packaging before you buy.

The real subject

The Rockwell B-1B Lancer is a four-engine strategic bomber with a variable-geometry wing. It entered service in the mid-1980s and differs from its predecessor in fixed air intakes and a lower radar signature, among other things. The wing is repositioned in flight between the spread setting for takeoff and landing and the swept setting for high-speed flight, which is a key decision for the model, because the wing position governs the whole look of it. The aircraft has tandem bomb bays in the fuselage and large landing gear housed in fuselage bays.

Building and painting tips

First wash the resin parts in lukewarm water with a drop of detergent to get the mold release agent off the surface. Cut the casting blocks off with a saw or a cutting disc, not with nippers, which shatter resin. Sand the cut faces, ideally wet and with respiratory protection, because resin dust is harmful. Bonding is done exclusively with super glue, that is cyanoacrylate; polystyrene cement will not join resin. Apply a primer before painting, which evens out plastic and resin and shows up small bubbles. Fit the parts dry and fix the joint only once the fit has been checked.

Who the set is for

• Builders of large American bombers in 1:72 scale.
• Modelers who want to replace the simplified plastic parts from the box.
• More experienced builders used to working with resin.
• Anyone after a higher level of detail on a display model.

The set is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and the kit itself are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.