Strategic Air Command GroupBulid

FeldMarSchall Model wrote:

DesertRat, the Blackbird in 1/48 is around 26 1/2 inch's long from tip to end.  I must say very nicly done on your U-2R.

Thanks! And if i ever do spring for it, i think that will be yet another build that will demand it's own shelf! Sure would look good though....

I hearby rescind what i said about silvering! Guess it was just that milky stuff ya get before it completely dries. Good deal! Now, i had ruined a few decals (like i said) due to the small size of them. So i guess i can just add that up to the list of things wrong with this build. But what i do have, i'm pretty pleased with! Check it out:

The most prominent decals are the bat wings on the vertical stabilizer. I'd say that's about the size of a penny. I was kinda a little surprised that the red wasn't as bright as the caution labels by the cockpit, But no matter. All the decals i had messed up were some of those around the cockpit on both sides. Believe me, i did my best to salvage them. But i had followed a recommendation that had been posted elsewhere to put microsol down on the aircraft before you apply the decal. Well i did that, but it kept setting too quickly for me to get it into place as needed. With adding a little more water, it didn't help. And in trying to fix it, some of them managed to turn into a little ball on the end of a q tip. Certainly not my most defining moment on the bench.

A shot of the left side. If you look closely, there are a few minor spots that still need touch up. I'll get to that next, i think. It was also recommended that you should hit it with another coat of future after the decals are completely dry, and i'm thinking of doing that. Then hit it good with the dullcote. The future kinda ran in a few areas and it isn't terribly even, but i'm hoping that the dullcote might conceal alot of the imperfections there.

Oh yeah, i've got the landing gear kinda done too. After the dullcote, all i have to add are the landing gear doors and the canopy, and that should wrap it up!

I open the floor to comments. Be gentle...

steelrudi wrote:

The price scared me too, but who else can say they have a 1/48 scale B-47 in my area?

Good point!

Wow! Vaccuform! I know that would be a little over my head, methinks! The price tag isn't too pretty either!

Right now, the decals are being applied here! Doing ok so far, But it looks like i still got some silvering happening. Wondering if maybe i coulda used more future, but no matter. The real downside with this kit is all the decals are friggin small and kinda hard to work with. After ruining a few decals, i figured maybe i should take a little break! But i'll post some pictures once i get this insolent monster all marked up!

Whew.......

FeldMarSchall Model wrote:

Thanks steelrudi,  well here's some pictures of my SR-71. Lots of filler, and sanding.  Whats left is the engains, and more work on the bottom towards the back.

That blackbird sure is lookin pretty so far! What's the overall length on that baby?

steelrudi wrote:

I have two 1/48 scale combi-kits from testor's that have the U-2 and SR-71.  Plus know where I can get two more.  Watching D-Rats build, has given me ideas.  Nice big kit, that SR-71.  Fair detail too.

combi-kits? Really? I didn't know they made such a thing! I had been talking about redoing this kit down the road and i'm wondering if i can kill 2 birds with one stone here. Is it the U-2C in that combo kit? Or the U-2R?

Thanks steelrudi,  well here's some pictures of my SR-71.

Lots of filler, and sanding.  Whats left is the engains, and more work on the bottom towards the back. 

Yeah, i'd love to see the SR-71 progress too!

For some reason, i'm seein those kits a-plenty now, and i'm thinking about picking one up at some point!

FMM,

How about some photos of your 48th SR-71?

Darwin, O.F. 

DesertRat wrote:

One thing about this build, she isn't gonna be the nicest one, but i've sure learned an awful lot here! Whew!

Glad to hear that.  I think you've got the right attitude.
Before you know it, you'll be cranking out masterpieces.

Well it's good to see you again!

   As for me, i just got done applying the future on my aircraft and i'm shooting for decaling on saturday. First time i've used the acrylic on any build, so in true fashion with this one, it most certainly is NOT perfect (i got a few runs, but nothing too bad). I'm not even sure i used enough future or not, but come saturday when i start decalling, i'll find out. I'm just hoping i wont end up with silvering here.

One thing about this build, she isn't gonna be the nicest one, but i've sure learned an awful lot here! Whew!

It's tempting to try, but i think i'm gonna pass on attempting it. I doubt my skill level is that good!

I already know i have errors in this build, so i'll just accept the panel lines as being one of them. Hopefully my skills will improve before the SAC GB II

For your reference, you can recreate raised panel lines, but it's tricky.

To do it, you hold a sharp exacto knife against the plastic at
a 45-deg angle, then slice it.  The resulting cut will raise a line
of plastic out of the surface. 

Thanks! One thing i also forgot to mention on the putty is that when it came to sanding, you really have to be careful if you are working with a kit that has raised lines. Now, i'm nowhere near proficient enough to attempt rescribing, so for now, i'm content with the raised lines. However, when you have those lines running into the seams, they tend to get in the way. There are some spots where the lines have been completely sanded off. But from where i stood, it was either that or not sand the excess putty at all.

And as for the canopy, i think it might be worth a shot to at least contact Testors/Italeri about it. The downside is that this particular kit is OOP. I know the newer version has the Senior Span, but i honestly don't know if this is based on the same moulds or if it's a completely different kit.

But, i have EVERY intention to get my hands on this same exact kit for my stash while they still pop up on ebay. Down the road when my skills get better, i am soooooooooo gonna do this kit again right!

You build is looking awesome! 

I totally agree with you about the putty after painting.  I always
call the primer layer the "moment of truth".  I hate finding defects
in the paint because in my experience, paint does not sand very well.

The best way that I've found to evaluate a putty profile before
painting is to hold the model in the light such that a glare will
reflect over the putty area.  Usually, that will negate the
visualization difficulties associated with the two differnent
colored materials (putty & plastic).

As a last resort, if you have areas that you can't get a perfectly
smooth surface on, just hit them with a few coats of heavy paint:
almost enough that it starts to run, but doesn't.  I don't use future
on my models (except canopies), but that might absorb the bumps
too.

If it's just the AFT section of the canopy that is warped, you might
be able to use a piece of clear plastic to replace it.  Or call the
model manufacturer.  I've had replacement parts rush delivered  
for little or no cost many times before (all from Revell-Mono, i think)

Good Luck.  Looking great!