Jump to content

SR-71 Blackbird, finished


Recommended Posts

So for a change from the WW2 subjects I have been working on so far this year I have started the Italeri SR-71 Blackbird in 1/72.

32614214197_94b40ec06f_h.jpgIMGA0767 by neil Connor, on Flickr

Its a 2011 rebox originally released in1985 so has fine raised panel lines, I haven't decided if I am going to re-scribe it as yet. It will be built in flight for 3 reasons, first it won't fit in my display case on its wheels and needs to be at 30 degree angle, secondly the wheel well detail is minimum and I don't want to buy the etch set as I only paid £10 for the kit and thirdly the Harrier GR3 I did in flight turned out pretty well so I thought I do it again

Started on cockpit and undercarriage doors, will order a couple of pilots as the kit doesn't have any.

46833032404_32499203b7_h.jpgIMGA0768 by neil Connor, on Flickr

46833032044_22122280d2_h.jpgIMGA0769 by neil Connor, on Flickr

32614214337_cc7f64626a_h.jpgIMGA0770 by neil Connor, on Flickr

The front undercarriage doors needed some sanding to be flush but otherwise fitted well.

46833031874_507da80c2b_h.jpgIMGA0771 by neil Connor, on Flickr

And a quick comparison with the Zero I still working on.

Edited by neil5208
  • Like 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice start with the Blackbird, Neil! 👍 I built an Academy one back in 1990s, but I’m waiting for some future (I hope) releases with using all the modern technology of today. Keep up the good work!

 

Cheers! 😎

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good to see another 'Bird underway.

I made the same kit a year or two back and will recommend being careful around the join between the front and rear sections of fuselage. 

I'll follow your build with interest!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good to see someone else doing the Italeri kit, mine is currently undergoing rescribing and riveting (a very long and boring process!) in the Specialists GB and  like you I'm doing it wheels up. Good start.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not sure if you have a source for pilots in mind, but, I came across this the other day so thought I'd point it out.  I've no association with the maker and while I did order some stuff the other day I haven't received it yet so I can't comment, at this point, on how the prints look in real life.

 

Matt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 minutes ago, Matt Parvis said:

I'm not sure if you have a source for pilots in mind, but, I came across this the other day so thought I'd point it out.  I've no association with the maker and while I did order some stuff the other day I haven't received it yet so I can't comment, at this point, on how the prints look in real life.

 

Matt

Thanks Matt, just ordered some high altitude pilots by PJ Productions this morning but thanks all the same.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/8/2019 at 2:09 AM, neil5208 said:

Did you build as the instructions? I was thinking of joining the upper  and lower fuselage parts first and re enforcing before joining the upper to lower.

I joined the two top sections together into a single piece (likewise the lowers) before joining. Care is still most certainly needed.

Joining the two halves requires care also, as the join along the chines likes to open up if given 1/2 a chance. Pull them together and position well prior to adding the Tamiya extra thin!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll follow along if I may Neil :) 

 

I'd just got mine out of the stash to fondle the parts, considering it for the Specialist GB. Or maybe the Lockheed GB starting soon.

But if you're doing this and Mark's doing one in the GB I'll watch and learn…

 

I couldn't find any PJ pilots except the French ones. Is that the ones you've gone for?

 

I guess, as you're building the two-seat version, you won't be including the drone? I'm in two minds as that scheme seems to require some silver… we all want BLACKbirds!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, CedB said:

I couldn't find any PJ pilots except the French ones. Is that the ones you've gone for?

 

I guess, as you're building the two-seat version, you won't be including the drone? I'm in two minds as that scheme seems to require some silver… we all want BLACKbirds!

Correct, I think once painted orange they'll be convincing enough through the small canopy.

If you wanted a silver Blackbird, they came off the production line without most of the radar absorption paint. There's a picture with 10 blackbirds lined up online.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Small update. While waiting for my aircrew to arrive I made a plastic block from laminating plastic card, filed a square hole and filed the acrylic rod to fit, this will be mounted internal before the fuselage halves are joined.

47547265172_6c6c2b421e_h.jpgIMGA0773 by neil Connor, on Flickr

47547265022_3565b4f195_h.jpgIMGA0772 by neil Connor, on Flickr

It will be fitted behind the undercarriage bays as this is the stiffest part.

The PJ Production pilots are excellent and will need careful painting

46684606355_4c6cf56151_h.jpgIMGA0776 by neil Connor, on Flickr

I have also started to rescribe the raised panellines just to make my life more difficult.

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The PJ Production pilots have been paint, just a few spots to touch up and they will be ready to go into the cockpit dub.

47571091282_5072241dc5_h.jpgIMGA0777 by neil Connor, on Flickr

I have also re-scribed the front upper and lower fuselage section already and will move onto the main sections later. While looking for picture of aircraft showing the weathering I can across this picture of an A12 Oxcart, (first prototype on first test flight at Groom Lake) which I didn't realise was the single seat predecessor of the SR71. If any wanted to do a full on natural metal finish then this would be one to do.

 

oxcart_down_02.jpg

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did a project at school on the Blackbird. There was the A12, which was CIA, not air force, and they also had a YF12, which was supposed to be a fighter version. I think they only made 1 or 2, but it had little cut aways on the nose and looked the dogs danglies. 

 

YF-12A

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, Ratch said:

Following with interest, are you re-scribing because the panel lines are raised?

Yes I am, I want to do it as a quite weathered aircraft with streaks running down but couldn't do easily with raised panel lines. Its turning out to be easier than I thought as its all straight lines on a pretty flat surface less engine nacelles.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, neil5208 said:

Yes I am, I want to do it as a quite weathered aircraft with streaks running down but couldn't do easily with raised panel lines. Its turning out to be easier than I thought as its all straight lines on a pretty flat surface less engine nacelles.

 

3 hours ago, Ratch said:

I have the Academy kit - when I get round to it.

I built the Academy kit not too long ago and did the streaky weathering thing. Turned out nice. There’s a WIP and RFI posted if you are interested. 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, billn53 said:

 

I built the Academy kit not too long ago and did the streaky weathering thing. Turned out nice. There’s a WIP and RFI posted if you are interested. 

I tried finding the Academy kit after seeing your wip but had no luck and I wasn't prepared to pay the ridiculous amount for the Hasegawa kit so gave up. But I went into a local craft store for some no11 blades and they had this £10 rather than the usaul £30! I will attempt for a similiar effect that you did wether I can acheive it is another matter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A bit more scribing done but still 60% to go, pilots now in place and dry fitted cockpit and fuselage sections together. Some minor spots that will need work when finally assembled but otherwise looks good. Once the canopies are in place not much will be seen of the pilots but should look good,

32702506637_7b3eb36258_h.jpgIMGA0780 by neil Connor, on Flickr

46921000124_b1f0a2c6b2_h.jpgIMGA0781 by neil Connor, on Flickr

32702506857_865ad08b4e_h.jpgIMGA0778 by neil Connor, on Flickr

46920999934_d1419f6261_h.jpgIMGA0779 by neil Connor, on Flickr

Just to remind everyone how big this is for 1/72 it on an A3 cutting mat.

 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...