Airborne refueling scene.....

Go big! model a KC-10 fueling a C-5.

I think both are available in 1/144 scale.

I believe it was at the 1992 IPMS Atlanta Nationals.  It was amazing!  

Blairy, I recall seeing somewhere someone did an AMT KC-135A refueling a AMT B-52. They mounted them both on brass rods on a single long rectangular base, IIRC. It was an AWESOME diorama. I "think" it was featured in FSM but it's been a few years. Maybe someone else has more memory cells than me. :-) If you're in need of a 1/72 KC-135 or KA-6 kit, let me know. I've got a few extras in my stash I'll never get to.
Personally as a 410th BW alumnus, I've been kicking around the same idea but using an F-106 as the receiver. Like to see Hobbyboss or Trumpeter come out with a new mold Six in 1/72; REALLY don't want to mess with that old Hasegawa again!

Phil_H

Or he could do an RAAF 707 tanker. These were ex-Qantas 707's which were used in the tanker/executive transport role. If I recall correctly, they only had the wing mounted basket pods and no boom.

Precisely what I was thinking, it is just hard to find that kit. And it is not cheap.

richs26

Or another option is a 1985 Heller 1/72 707 kit.... Which would be biiiiiiiiiig, but fun :-)

The KC-135 has a smaller fuselage than the 707, but you could use that 707 for the engines and tail fin on an Italerei KC-135R to backdate to an A or E model, depending on the engines. 

Or he could do an RAAF 707 tanker. These were ex-Qantas 707's which were used in the tanker/executive transport role. If I recall correctly, they only had the wing mounted basket pods and no boom.

http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/707raafsmudge_1.htm

Another possible, if you can find one, is the Matchbox/Revell Victor K2

I didn't forget any aircraft,,,,,,,,there are almost 20 or 30 more, both Naval and USAF that needed to be refueled, I didn't intend to type out a complete list. (I would have had to describe the two unique ways the Banshee and Skyray received fuel, and then included the F-5A, etc)

And that first article is wrong when it talks about that Tri-level being the "first in history". (if they had said "first in USAF history" or "first time in Vietnam conflict" they might be correct)

There are quite a few photos in print of USN tri-level refuellings,,,one is Skyhawk to Skyhawk to Demon, one starts with a Skyraider, another starts with a Savage,,,,,,,,there are even a few "four-level" pics out there. They all pre-date the start of Vietnam,,,,,,and in some cases, the aircraft are still designated by the pre-DoD combined system.

Side note, I left the Savage out of the list of tankers, because of the expense or difficulty of the available kits,,,,,,,,one kit is expensive resin, another is difficult to fit plastic, another is a really great Vacuform,,,,,,,and another is a reallllly bad Vacuform. The Savage was turned into a tanker after the jet engine was removed from the tail, turning it into a two engine prop plane.

 

Or another option is a 1985 Heller 1/72 707 kit.... Which would be biiiiiiiiiig, but fun :-)

The KC-135 has a smaller fuselage than the 707, but you could use that 707 for the engines and tail fin on an Italerei KC-135R to backdate to an A or E model, depending on the engines. 

 

Rex, you forgot the F-104 in your list.  Here is also an interesting tidbit of refueling history:

1967 MackayTrophy

http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1158157.html

http://www.pacaf.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-090602-136.pdf

I bought a pair of A-6s (1:144)  with the idea of turning one into a tanker and then posing them in flight.  Maybe this thread will finally get me going on that.  Biggest problem for me is coming up with a way to build that drogue on the end of the hose.

Thanks for the info Rex, there are a few options out there for me to try and it seems most of the options you provided there are the fighter to fighter type refueling. And if I go down that path I really like the look of two 1/72 F-A-18F's because I can get the detail in there.

I think I am leaning towards a tanker somehow because it sounds like quite a challenge (which I seem to enjoy, don't ask why though LOL) I have found an interesting thread here, http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234942741-kc-30a-conversion-raaf/ which turns a REVELL thai airlines A330-300 into a KC-30A which are currently in service with the RAAF.

Or another option is a 1985 Heller 1/72 707 kit.... Which would be biiiiiiiiiig, but fun :-)

Eli

oh, I forgot,,,,,,,,,you can get the D-704 in resin, or in the Fujimi KA-6D tanker kit, there is a resin late Super Hornet refuelling store coming soon from Modern Hobbies,,,and the KA-3B is a kit from Hasegawa

I think it is Flightpath in the UK that has the KC-130 refuelling pods and conversion, but someone else may have to chime in to clarify that,,,,,,,I am not positive.

Rex

Here are some 1/72 choices for a Tanker.

DC-10 with the basket trailing behind (for USN aircraft and some USAF), with the probe for USAF Phantoms and later USAF aircraft

C-130 Hercules with the basket or baskets

KA-3B Skywarrior
A-3B Skywarrior with the the tanker package (different than the above)
A-1H or A-1J Skyraider with refuelling store (Douglas D-704)
A-7 Corsair II with refuelling store (D-704)
KA-6D Intruder (with or without an extra refueling store on the centerline)( D-704)

A-6A or A-6E with the D-704
A-4 Skyhawk with refuelling store (D-704)

FJ-4 Fury with a different earlier refuelling store

F/A-18 Super Hornet with yet another different newer refuelling store

Aircraft receiving the fuel from baskets are all Navy types that served during the same years as each of your tankers, except for the Skyraiders.

The USAF probe fits in receptacles in the spine of the jet, such as the Phantom, the A-7D, etc, right up to the Stealth and F-22. (the Phantom and Corsair II were somewhat unique, the USAF couldn't refuel theirs from a Navy basket, and the Naval versions couldn't refuel from a USAF probe)

hope this helps you with search terms to find photos with

Rex