Popular Post Rob Probert 643 Posted April 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted April 13, 2020 I've recently completed the conversion of an AMT KC-135 into an RAF Airseeker/Rivet Joint. I used the Combat Conversions resin set which provides new CFM-56 engines, new nose, cheek blisters and the various aerials and sensors that adorn the aircraft. The decals were from the Hannants' Xtradecal range. Paints were a mixture of Revell and Xtracolour enamels. Regards, Rob 83 Link to post Share on other sites
Wulfman 1,355 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Great looking model, superb build ! Wulfman 1 Link to post Share on other sites
SAT69 2,343 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 That had to have taken a LOT of work. Beautiful result! The AMT '135 series of kits are known for problems with the wings sagging over time. Did you do anything to beef up the wings and, if so, what method did you use. I have three of these kits to be built and am still trying to figure out the best way to strengthen the wings. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
GRIM REAPER 84 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 (edited) I have built two of them. What I did to the wings was I epoxied two brass rods along the entire length of the wings. It helped stiffen up the wing pretty good. I also glued the two bottom halves together, then the top to try and reduce the bottom seam on the wing as much as possible. Edited April 13, 2020 by GRIM REAPER 1 Link to post Share on other sites
jhutchi 216 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Great model of such a sleek, streamlined and pretty aircraft 1 Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedyGonzales 566 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 A very successful conversion 1 Link to post Share on other sites
binbrook87 2,248 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Very nice indeed 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bangseat 1,044 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Very fine build of an intriguing aircraft. It looks like it fell together flawlessly, but these conversions take extreme fettling and reserves of patience I find. Congrats! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
LorenSharp 2,963 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Wonderful conversion of a KC-135 Rob Probert! Although I have to admit my first thought when seeing it, it reminded me of chipmunk stuffing itself for winter. Beautifully done Sir! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bedders 2,316 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Nice job. Proper stickleback with all those antennae! Justin 1 Link to post Share on other sites
kiwitrogg 1,544 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 I'd call that a very successful end to what must have been an 'interesting' at times project. It looks great, well done. Cheers Gaz 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bell209 1,304 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Nicely done! They end up as a very big model, too 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Shashman 115 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Wow, very cool. Good job on the conversion. So where will you display such a large model?? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Gremlin 67 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 excellent work, it´s not easy work with resin conversion so you are very skillful to achieve thos result. IMHO only miss some weathering (minimal) well done again cheers 1 Link to post Share on other sites
AMB 546 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 Excellent job! First time I have seen this modelled. Now the big question - where do you put it now it's finished? I have a Heller Boeing 707 in my stash, but don't want to store it in the attic in a box when built, as my cabinets are stuffed! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
IvanVasili 67 Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 Eyecather. And big. Panel lines might be a little.... accentuated... maybe? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Romeo Alpha Yankee 7,588 Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 Nicely done Rob! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Riot 5,421 Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 That's superb! Not seen one built before either. Must have cost as much as a small car with all the aftermarket stuff as well! Looks amazing though. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Sky Keg 1,856 Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 Beautifully executed Rob!!!!!! Mike 1 Link to post Share on other sites
russ c 10,384 Posted April 14, 2020 Share Posted April 14, 2020 Fantastic job, great work on the conversion too 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Drover 1,217 Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 That looks so good. Those -135 variants are fascinating. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Justin M 411 Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Great looking model. Fascinating subject and must be quite a large size. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Probert 643 Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 On 4/13/2020 at 1:26 PM, SAT69 said: That had to have taken a LOT of work. Beautiful result! The AMT '135 series of kits are known for problems with the wings sagging over time. Did you do anything to beef up the wings and, if so, what method did you use. I have three of these kits to be built and am still trying to figure out the best way to strengthen the wings. I didn't reinforce the wings and have just relied on the spars provided in the kit. Hopefully the resin engines won't cause it to sag over time. On 4/13/2020 at 10:25 PM, Bangseat said: Very fine build of an intriguing aircraft. It looks like it fell together flawlessly, but these conversions take extreme fettling and reserves of patience I find. Congrats! The AMT kit itself wasn't the best fitting model I've ever built, and the resin parts weren't flawless in terms of fit but nothing was unmanageable. The only real challenge was the fact the engines sat too low and I had to do some trimming of the pylons to get the correct ground clearance. On 4/13/2020 at 11:56 PM, Shashman said: Wow, very cool. Good job on the conversion. So where will you display such a large model?? It is indeed quite large. I have a purpose built out-building for my collection. On 4/14/2020 at 2:47 AM, IvanVasili said: Eyecather. And big. Panel lines might be a little.... accentuated... maybe? All RAF RC-135s appear glossy and spotless, therefore highlighting the panel lines is the last thing a model of this nature needed. Just my opinion of course, but I'm not one to do things just because it's the done-thing. Thanks for the interest, Rob 4 Link to post Share on other sites
Whitewolf 163 Posted November 14, 2020 Share Posted November 14, 2020 So the CFM56 resin engines sat too low? I have the AMT RC135V and planning on getting the combat conversions set to build it as an RC135W. I had wondered if using a KC135R kit might be easier as it already has the CFM56 engines in lighter weight plastic. Link to post Share on other sites
stevej60 37,655 Posted November 14, 2020 Share Posted November 14, 2020 Excellent! Link to post Share on other sites
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