Need help with this plane

[Sherman 18]

Every since I've seen a photo of this plane I can not get it out of my brain. I see Cutting Edge did a 1/48 scale conversion of it. I guess they are no longer around? I found one conversion for sale on EBay, but it could get pricey. Does anyone know of another company doing the conversion?

 

[jknaus]

Its the Tu-4 AWACS a Chinese a/c based on the Russian TU=4 which is a direct copy of captured American B-29s. Rus The USSR captured a number of US a/c towards the end of the war. Cutting edge is the only one I know of in 1/48th scale and Cutting Edge is always fetching stupid high prices.
Here is an idea of what is in the conversion http://acc.kitreview.com/cec48469reviewme_1.htm
I havent seen anything else sorry.
James

 

[moon puppy]

Looks like some very different engines on that thing.

 

[Sherman 18]

Thanks James! I'm going to watch the one for sale now and see how it goes :gogo

I found this link on the conversion also
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Rev2/1301-1400/rev1333-CEC48469/00.shtm


Yeah MP that is one of the things that gets about it.

 

[Sherman 18]

The 1/72 scale conversion I was watching on Ebay sold for $305.00 hmy:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291297389282?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[Heavens Eagle]

IIRC the Tu-4 was an "attempt" to make a B-29 by the Russians. However, their metalurgy skills at the time didn't allow things to be built in the original size and retain the correct strength. Thus the Tu-4 ended up being a bit heavier aircraft than the original B-29. Apparently wasn't as reliable either.

For $305 for a 1/72 conversion, I would buy the old Revell/Monogram kit and scratchbuild the goodies. Doesn't look all that complex, make a form for half the disk and do 2 pulls from it. Could even offer a few "sets" for sale and offset the cost of your investment. :hmmm

 

[RichB]

There is a company in Germany, Modellbaustudio Rhein-Rhur, that has a 1/72 Tu-4 AWACS mixed media kit based on the Academy B-29 for 50.99 Euros. It's kit CPM 66 in the Classic Planes section of their catalogue.

MRR

Cheers,
Rich

 

[Prop Duster]

Even adding postage, 50.99 euro is about $63.18.
Which is a whole lot better than $300!