US Navy NKC-135A - Minicraft 1/144 converted

[zebra]

Here's the 1/144 NKC-135A I built to go with my EC-24A in the In The Navy group build. It's the Minicraft KC-135A with scratch built (mostly 3D-printed) conversion parts and decals from various sources, including some I printed myself. Build thread is here

 

 

 

 

 

 

thanks for looking 

Julian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SAT69]

Very nice model and the two together make a great combination. I wasn't aware of a '135 serving with the US Navy. So I got a bit of education too.

[RMCS]

Superb 

[Alpha Delta 210]

Excellent conversion. They look amazing together.

[desert falcon]

Excellent models, both of them 👍 👍

[theaa2000]

Very nicely done! It's so hard to get a good, clean white finish on a model so both of yours look excellent! How is the base Minicraft 135 as a kit? Does it go together well?

[zebra]

Thanks everyone. @theaa2000 I quite liked the base kit, it goes together pretty well. I think it's a bit pricey for what you get though (what's going on with the prices of 1/144 kits these days?)  which would probably put me off buying another.

[busnproplinerfan]

Looks good, the DC-8 is still prettier. What's the N for in the designation? or all the bumps on it.

[binbrook87]

Another fantastic build 👍 They look great side by side...a nice comparison, and I agree with comments above that the DC8 is a much better looking machine 😁

[zebra]

3 hours ago, busnproplinerfan said:

What's the N for in the designation? or all the bumps on it

The N denotes that the aircraft is permanently modified for testing purposes. I'm a little baffled by this as this aircraft was modified for electronic warfare purposes, so it seems to me that an E (like the EC-24A) would have made more sense. The bumps area variety of different electronic countermeasures and similar equipment - its job was to simulate enemy aircraft and enemy jamming methods for naval exercises.

[Mig88]

Lovely job (on both). They look great indeed.

Minicraft in particular has been getting very pricey with each passing year and, in most cases, they are re-releasing old moulds over and over again.

 

Miguel

[Challenger350Pilot]

These are BOTH beautiful! Very nice work, indeed! 

[russ c]

Superb !, really nice work

[CT7567]

On 6/15/2020 at 7:45 AM, zebra said:

The N denotes that the aircraft is permanently modified for testing purposes. I'm a little baffled by this as this aircraft was modified for electronic warfare purposes, so it seems to me that an E (like the EC-24A) would have made more sense. The bumps area variety of different electronic countermeasures and similar equipment - its job was to simulate enemy aircraft and enemy jamming methods for naval exercises.

As I understand it, the "N" designation is technically applied to one-off permanent modifications, which seems correct for this airframe.  Using an EC-135 series designation would apply if the airframe mods were introduced for a series production variant.

 

U.S. Aircraft Designation System

 

So technically what you have is a transport airframe (C) with supplemental refueling mission (K) permanently modified (N) for the EW role.

 

Of course as anyone familiar with the "official" nomenclature knows, there are almost as many exceptions as examples that follow the rules.

[Wulfman]

Lovely looking builds, great modelling !

 

Wulfman

[zebra]

3 hours ago, CT7567 said:

As I understand it, the "N" designation is technically applied to one-off permanent modifications, which seems correct for this airframe.  Using an EC-135 series designation would apply if the airframe mods were introduced for a series production variant.

 

U.S. Aircraft Designation System

 

So technically what you have is a transport airframe (C) with supplemental refueling mission (K) permanently modified (N) for the EW role.

 

Of course as anyone familiar with the "official" nomenclature knows, there are almost as many exceptions as examples that follow the rules.

Thanks for the clarification. The other odd thing about this one is they kept the K despite removing the refuelling equipment.

[CT7567]

1 minute ago, zebra said:

Thanks for the clarification. The other odd thing about this one is they kept the K despite removing the refuelling equipment.

Pretty sure the same is true for the "famous because there's a kit" NKC-135A laser lab.  There's a method, but its still madness 😆

[ColinChipmunkfan]

Very impressive modelling and modifications- I think there are lots more 'secret 135's you could do - it could end up looking like the flight line at the Air Tattoo

[Hoops]

Great build of a very interesting aircraft. I've thought of doing the exact same thing with the Minicraft kit.

 

I've been put off by the prices they're going for though. If I ever come across one for cheap, I'll probably pick it up for this project.

 

Cheers and happy modelling!

 

Hoops

[zebra]

4 hours ago, ColinChipmunkfan said:

I think there are lots more 'secret 135's you could do - it could end up looking like the flight line at the Air Tattoo

This one would be next I think:

 

If I can find a cheap one...

[Sky Keg]

You made it look easy Julian and we all know that is not possible.  I commend you on the great results!!!!!! 

 

Mike

[F-32]

Fantastic build!

[Vulcanfan]

Great stuff - I really enjoyed looking at that.

Thanks for posting

[kruzikrucken]

Great subject and excellent result!

[Blue Monday]

Very interesting subject and nicely finished.

 

BM.