Mikey's BUFF

[TheFoufure]

Very good. Thanks a lot for you greatfull work.

I hope some PRE Vietnam versions also. And why not the prototype of B-52, and a NASA version with X-15

[mikeblaze]

Here's what I'm doing (and not doing) for this project, now that I have a serious momentum going....

B-52 big tail, to include B, C, D, E, F, NB-52A/B, and RB-52B; except for some engine, wing tank, and tail gun swaps, this is its own model family. I'm making Hound Dogs and ALCMS, so I might as well choke out a bare-bones X-15, lol.

B-52 short tail, to include a planned three G models and four H models, spanning across the (continued) life of the aircraft.

What I am not making: the prototype (whole different fuselage front), and the requested EB-52 from the Dale Brown book. The modeler's intent here is to mod Jake's source material into the past/present operational models, and get them out the door before the holidays. Considering I'm doing fifteen distinct models already, hopefully these two small gaps will be forgiven. I've only done three or four fantasy projects over fifteen years of this, so I am reserving the modeler's right of final say.

There won't be too many loadouts per aircraft except for what's on the pylons where appropriate (Hound Dogs, MERs, and an X-15), so the concentration here is more on the models and the painting. You will see in the screenshots I can get a lot of diversity just out of bare metal.

Have fun with the eye candy as usual. The first two pix are the B and C models. KRDR is pretty busy these days, lol.

[mikeblaze]

Here are the D and E models, the C/D/E are physically identical models for AI intent, just different paint.

[mikeblaze]

Here is the F and the very early G. The F uses the later J57-P43 engines that the G does, but the alternator fairings were all on the left side; while on the G the alternators were positioned outboard left-to-right. A useless little bit of information for the purists, but I did figure it out all by myself, lol. I'm pretty sure the G model is right out of "A Gathering of Eagles" which was filmed, I believe, at Castle AFB back in the day.

[sr01]

Looks good !!

[clickclickdoh]

...hopefully these two small gaps will be forgiven. I've only done three or four fantasy projects over fifteen years of this, so I am reserving the modeler's right of final say.

You do realize that just making a B-52 model pretty much gives you license to commit murder around here. Just one though.

[ardethomas]

Great!!!
Way to go.
Thank you!

[Makadocias]

Ohhhhh I'm fainting......

Man o man that is just looking terrific mate!!!!

Thanks a ton!

[dk1213]

Finally there is gonna be a great AI B-52. They look great Mike. I will be all over that as soon as they are released!!!!!

[Victory103]

Another side project might be the smoke .fx for these!!! That might drop some framerates!

[mikeblaze]

I am using Nick Needham's 707 smoke effect, and the 707 uses similiar-generation engines as the B-52. Not sure if it's the black smoke, or the nearly 7,000 polygon LOD_400 model, lol, which causes a framerate hit..... Jake's FSDS source was actually in the process of having a modeled cockpit, and that is one of the first things I threw out (big aircraft, painted cockpit....). All the glass is painted in, not modeled, just for that reason. Once I do the multi-LOD models the framerates won't be so bad, and it's not like there are hundreds of these at one airbase. This is not to say I won't do a nice set of static models when all is said and done, for a proper KDMA.

[John Young]

That's a really good looking set of models and paints Mikey and I'm sure they will be really appreciated. Just out of interest I did some tests using both the heat shimmer and black smoke effects on my AI Vulcans. With 4 of them scrambling immediately after the other from the ORP at Waddington, the frame rate hit with smoke enabled was 40% in FS9 and 52% with the FSX models. That's 4 aircraft x 4 engines x 2 effects files of course. The smoke is a must for the B-52 but all you really need to do is remind users how to switch it off if their machines can't cope with it.

John

[flyerkg]

Simply gorgeous! I will take the BUFF with loads of black smoke to go please!

Keith

[mikeblaze]

Here is a mixed bag of G and H models. Given various antenna and blister configurations for electronics upgrades over the years, I have four G models and five H models; and most of them are in this screenshot. I have found natural metal examples of both models, so the painting is pretty diverse as well. I am doing several different variations of the standard SIOP camo scheme, in both pattern and color; to account for variations of age, local paint availability, and such. When done, the 70s-80s SAC bases will have a truly randomized mix of paints for the flight line.

[flyerkg]

I can't wait to load out former Castle AFB, Atwater, CA.

[mikeblaze]

Away from the project for a couple of days, sometimes going to work is a nice break from the relentlessness I pour into some of these projects. Today was the unexciting but very important behind-the-scenes modeling. I did the X-15, the Hound Dog, plus Harpoons, SRAMs, ALCMs, CALCMs, and some iron bombs. I mapped everything to the main aircraft texture, so there is no referencing remote textures in the main folder, should speed up the render rates. With a 7,000 polygon base model, I need all the help I can get on this one. I also started LOD modeling, my normal (lazy) method of using the same main fuselage through all LODs is out the window on this one; I am actually modeling separate low and very-low polygon fuselage and empennage parts. Once I get past LOD_100, all of the parts are common, so no worries there. I am going to try really hard to get this one out the door by early to mid-October. I am also going to try to close out a couple of other un-released projects in the next month as well (F-102, Gina).

[ruggerfan]

Totally awesome Mike, fantastic!

[dk1213]

Yea these are kick ass! Diego Garcia, Andersen, and a whole bunch of other airbases will be loaded with great looking models!

[mikeblaze]

Not to be self-serving or cliche, but....... holy smoke! This is advanced beta-testing at Minot AFB. For the design geeks, I did something a little weird, but as the football commercial goes, it's only weird if it doesn't work. I duplicated the smoke effects and triggered the second set to the beacon, so the aircraft will start smoking as it taxis, and when it crosses the hold-short point to line up, in a word, filthy......

[sr01]

Not to be self-serving or cliche, but....... holy smoke! This is advanced beta-testing at Minot AFB. For the design geeks, I did something a little weird, but as the football commercial goes, it's only weird if it doesn't work. I duplicated the smoke effects and triggered the second set to the beacon, so the aircraft will start smoking as it taxis, and when it crosses the hold-short point to line up, in a word, filthy......

Looking VERY nice, Mike !!!