User Artwork - B-21 Project (LRS-B)

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4decaa

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Hi all! I've been using the forums for a while without an account, and finally decided to make one. Been lurking and checking out what's being posted with the 'main' B-21 thread, and decided that I'd try to create an authentic version of the bomber from the images and videos that have been publicized so far. It's been extremely challenging getting the shape correct, especially when few images properly convey this craft. The pictures you see below represent an in-progress piece of work that isn't yet complete, but I'd love to hear what you guys think could be improved or made more accurate. FYI, I've been working on shape for ~2 weeks. Thanks! (also note that I've yet to adjust for the ~35 deg wing sweep, and that all panels and landing gear block outs). 1710545973981.png 1710546409572.png z 1710545961032.png 1710546547539.png 1710546699402.png 1710546767746.png
 
You'd use Paralay's 35 sweep drawings as a reference, so far it has odd proportions especially regarding side view. I doubt that MLG bay door look like that, more than that I doubt inlet duct does. Engines should be positioned close to bottom oml (look at B-2 for reference).
 
flateric said:
You'd use Paralay's 35 sweep drawings as a reference, so far it has odd proportions especially regarding side view. I doubt that MLG bay door look like that, more than that I doubt inlet duct does. Engines should be positioned close to bottom oml (look at B-2 for reference).
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For the side view, I am using this as a reference (which I found on the b-21 main thread), while also using pictures whenever possible to counter-reference here. I also used this to reference where the engines would be located, but I'd assume that it is just wrong, especially after looking at how b-2 engines are. also, would make sense they would be closer to the access hatches at the bottom. As I fix the engine, I will no doubt be changing the inlets to be more B-2 like. As for your comment on the MLG doors, I'm unsure what might be wrong, perhaps the proportions?

(sorry for bad grammar, I'm tired!)

Also, thanks for writing a reply. Really helps!
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4decaa said:
As for your comment on the MLG doors, I'm unsure what might be wrong, perhaps the proportions?
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Shape, proportions. Don't you think bottom / top edges should be somewhat like _parallel_?
 
Flateric is right, the engines will be close to the lower mold line - just enough thickness for doors because the engines must be removed from the bottom you cannot put anything under them.
 
BillRo said:
Flateric is right, the engines will be close to the lower mold line - just enough thickness for doors because the engines must be removed from the bottom you cannot put anything under them.
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definitely. He is sending me stuff that I can use to fix it, so I'll be remaking the whole thing sometime next week.
 
BillRo said:
Flateric is right, the engines will be close to the lower mold line - just enough thickness for doors because the engines must be removed from the bottom you cannot put anything under them.
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Well, upon looking at B-2 as design example. Engines C/L are almost inline with LE height on B-2 because we have drive box likely placed at the bottom of engines (I think right above those smaller aperture doors inside big engine bay doors for fast access) and yes exhaust ducts should have volume for their soft swings to exhaust trenches.
 
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The twin-engine B-21's powerplants are widely thought to be descended from Pratt & Whitney's F135, which powers the Lockheed Martin F-35, but neither the USAF nor Northrop Grumman has disclosed the engines' type or specifications. Details about the B-21's progression to flight test have been scarce.

Northrop Grumman B-21 begins engine runs

Northrop Grumman has commenced engine runs of the B-21 Raider bomber for the first time, the US Air Force (USAF) announced on 12 September.
www.janes.com
 
Would love to share some progress this week!

Currently in the process of reworking the entire shape now, as I've gotten some better information and pics :)
-creating my own air intake covers (which are present in all high-res b-21 media so far) helped discern the real shape of the intakes, which presents a drooped bottom section to make it more cylindrical
-arduously recreating the lighting to discern the shapes of the inlets

criticism is welcome, and feel free to share anything :D

the serpentine inlets likely need to be changed, but I'd like to hear what others think about them first


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Progress update! I've mostly completed the structure of the beautiful raider to the best of my ability, and am now adding bays and interior parts, which will take a while. Hope to eventually texture this though! Here's some preliminary renders in the meantime :D
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a quick render with the completed landing gear. Site doesn't take 8k images, so I included a few zoomed shots. Time for the bomb, auxilliary, and engine bays! (and yes, there is some sort of small clipping error on the windscreen) 1714007894051.png
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Hydroman said:
Great work! For the MLG bays, check the higher def, close in images of first flight, there is an apparent mechanical link from the main gears to the main gear doors, main gears doors seem to have no separate hydro actuation, not criticizing at all, very nice.
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Thanks Hydro. I've got quite a collection going, but will sure to add an indication of the mechanical linkage. :D 1714176976488.png
 
As for the bomb bay, we can only guess. I placed an Advanced Rotary Launcher with some updated wiring and boxes to 'simulate' a 'raiderized' version of it (orange wires!). Probably won't know what the inside here looks like for a couple of years, so I don't mind if I'm wrong here.

Also included is a visualization of each bay, which might help some understand the layout of the raider, and help myself understand what else I need to complete :)

Criticism is appreciated and if anyone would like additional angles, I'm happy to oblige !
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4decaa said:
As for the bomb bay, we can only guess. I placed an Advanced Rotary Launcher with some updated wiring and boxes to 'simulate' a 'raiderized' version of it (orange wires!). Probably won't know what the inside here looks like for a couple of years, so I don't mind if I'm wrong here.

Also included is a visualization of each bay, which might help some understand the layout of the raider, and help myself understand what else I need to complete :)

Criticism is appreciated and if anyone would like additional angles, I'm happy to oblige !
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Looks very impressive, keep up the good work:)
 
Small update, but I am proud to have gotten the mesh into a texturable state after many hours of troubleshooting... just demoing decals right now though :)

(P.S. is this AAR receptacle too fat? there is quite literally TWO whole pictures where this thing is visible...) 1714974026471.png
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I am back at my computer for a few weeks, and I saw a message from @piginapoke curious about if anyone had drawn or rendered the cockpit of the 21, so I obliged. I threw the cockpit together (the screens and whatnot) just to make it seem a little more "real", but have little to no knowledge of how cockpit design works (especially with these ridiculous windows??) so I apologize if it is nonsensical.
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The final image shows the cockpit without seats, in addition to the NLG bay and the crew access ladder/hatch (white cube).
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I hope you all enjoy. I am working on finalizing a texture of the entire model, which I will hopefully finish in a few weeks. :)
 
It's beautyful. On earlier images of yours, I've found the back was bit too flatfish :
B21Profile.jpg

But then I don't see this problem on your latests images . Very nice work
 
galgot said:
It's beautyful. On earlier images of yours, I've found the back was bit too flatfish :
View attachment 736920

But then I don't see this problem on your latests images . Very nice work
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the first image was from an earlier model, where I did not gather a proper amount of reference images. This is what the side profile looks like now, and there are still several small problems, anywhere from the leading edge shaping to the side window. I would fix it, but I'd already finalized the shape for texturing... which is the next challenging step

I do greatly appreciate your attention to detail. Good day!
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4decaa said:
the first image was from an earlier model, where I did not gather a proper amount of reference images. This is what the side profile looks like now, and there are still several small problems, anywhere from the leading edge shaping to the side window. I would fix it, but I'd already finalized the shape for texturing... which is the next challenging step

I do greatly appreciate your attention to detail. Good day!
View attachment 736946
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The texture is far better now, especially as compared to the previous photo. It is quite helpful to have more reference photos, especially while the plane is flying. Just need to finish the bottom, and then I will try to finish the bomb bay + LDG bays after that. I am also finding it amusing how incredibly dirty the Cerberus is. I wonder why?
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Well friends, I am heading off to college in a few weeks and I wanted to get the model done. I truly appreciate the many members who helped me with this, especially @flateric for helping me get the basics down (not to mention countless reference photos). Now, the model is done along with the textures, so I'll provide some renders. If anyone would be curious about certain angles, please ask :).

Finally, the only 3D object in any of these photos that isn't mine are the pilots, which I used from a free CGITrader asset.
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I hope I didn't bother anyone by posting too much...
 
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