Testors 1/48 SR-71 Blackbird

Hope the recovery is going well.

I can't wait to see this old bird finished up. I've had this kit sitting around for years (and I can't be the only one) but can never seem to get started on it.

What paint did you use for the landing gear struts? They are nice and shiny but look very realistic.

Keep us posted!

jmabx wrote:

Hope the recovery is going well. I can't wait to see this old bird finished up. I've had this kit sitting around for years (and I can't be the only one) but can never seem to get started on it. What paint did you use for the landing gear struts? They are nice and shiny but look very realistic. Keep us posted!

Thanks jmabx,

    The recovery is going good this time.  (Keep knocking on wood)  Still can't do anything for another 6 weeks...

The landing gear is painted steel, and has a wash applied.  The shiny parts (struts) are chrome bare metal foil.

Cheers

Nice work on the old dog.  Keep us posted.

Regards,  Rick

Lancair IV wrote:

The shiny parts (struts) are chrome bare metal foil.

Thanks Lancair!

I need to invest in some bare metal foil... I like the way it looks for the strut.

I applied the 1st coat of primer today.....(enamel flat black paint).....Holy S$#^ have I got a lot of work to do before I clear it....More filling, sanding, filling, sanding, filling, sanding......

Any advice?.....Please?......I'm thinking I need to invest in some Mr. Surfacer....Where can I purchase some around the Detroit area?  What other primers work as good?

Areas like this need a lot of TLC

Cheers

The re-scribe looks great! Really makes her stand out.

Also like your jig.

I can't get Mr Surfacer locally either so I've never used it. For areas like you've shown, I usually use spot putty (Squadron putty works too) thinned with laquer thinner and apply it with a brush. Just don't put it on too thick all at once because the thinner will melt the plastic.

Sorry I can't be of much help.

jmabx wrote:

Also like your jig.

Now THAT is a paint stand!   Landing gear looks very good too, a little TLC on the joints and you'll be in good shape.

Paint is finally done.  I've spent several hours filling, priming, and sanding, trying to get this putty monster looking decent.  Tomorrow, I'll apply the future and decals on Thursday.

Cheers

VERY nice work so far.  You are going to have one gorgeous Blackbird when you are done.  What tail # / markings are you going to use?

Darwin, O.F. 

yardbird78 wrote:

VERY nice work so far.  You are going to have one gorgeous Blackbird when you are done.  What tail # / markings are you going to use? Darwin, O.F.

I wish I could find other available decals, but their are none....

So....I'm probably going with #974, Ichi Ban

Cheers

Hi Rob,

I hope your recovery is going well!

Being stationed at McClellan back in the 80's I had the opportunity to see the Blackbird often and I was always awestruck by it.

You have done a nice job and your patience has paid off.

Get well soon!

Sprayed the Future today and she looks great.

Decals tomorrow.

Cheers

Not only was this a putty monster, but the decals blow.....They are coming apart when I try to slide them off the backing.  I just applied a coat of Testors Decal Bonder, so I hope this fixes the problem.

Cheers

Hope that decal bonder works out for you. Curious... how long does it take to dry?

I've used the Microscale decal film in the past and it took about 15 minutes to dry which I thought was pretty quick.

Can't wait to see some more!

jmabx wrote:

Hope that decal bonder works out for you. Curious... how long does it take to dry? I've used the Microscale decal film in the past and it took about 15 minutes to dry which I thought was pretty quick. Can't wait to see some more!

I've read six hours, but I decided to wait until tomorrow......

Cheers

The decals failed.  Total loss.  Every time I attempt to apply, they break up into 100 pieces.  Every one of them.  Most I could not salvage, and the Sled looks like crap know. 

I sent an e-mail to Testors customer service, so I hope they are a good enough company to step up an fix their mistake.

Cheers

Rob,

first, I have to take my hat off to you for all the effort you are putting into this fine build. She looks great and your hard work is really paying off. This will be a eye catcher when its done, thanks for sharing this build with us.

This morning, I check the computer in my shop and found the e-mail I sent out, was still in the outbox.  DAM.......   So I hit the send button today.

I just received a phone call from Testors and she did in fact tell me that SR-71's with kit #584 are old kits and had a bad run on the decals.  She is sending not one, but two sets of decals and they should be here by Wednesday next week.

Way to go Testors......

I had the same problem with the decals on this one. I guess it wouldn't hurt to drop them an email. The decals I was able to get on w/o ripping into pieces are flaking off. So I was going to use some microsol to touch them up. But it may be better to see if they'll send me a new sheet and just start over with the decals. I also had the same decal problem with the Testors F-22.

BTW,, yours looks a lot nicer than mine!!! This was one of the first planes I built when I got back into modeling. It is a beautiful bird! Its one of my friends favorites that I have built. I really didn't have too much trouble with the fit though. Now the Testors B-2 Stealth bomber I built,, that was a putty hog! It took me forever to get the wings fitted, puttied, sanded and painted.

Anyway,,, very nice work!!!

This is great.  Testors came through and a I received the new decals today.

Cheers

Sorry Guys.  I posted this too soon.  Decals failed again.  I sent another note to Testors.  This is really getting discouraging.

Sorry for the earlier post........

She's done......What do you think? I want to thank Testors for their support with the Decal issues. They ended up sending me 4 sets.

Cheers