Alan P Posted December 25, 2021 Author Share Posted December 25, 2021 3 hours ago, Retired Bob said: There was a question about whether it might need any nose weight if it is going to stand on it's u/c? Definitely no need for nose weight, the landing gear is set too far aft to create a CG problem. 2 hours ago, ozzy_smb said: Few pictures from my build, may help you with weathering the beast Nice to see, but mine definitely won't be looking like that 😂 Merry Xmas everyone! Alan 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Bob Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 I have a question for any knowledgeable members out there, I was led to believe that the inflight refuelling door was in the open position when the aircraft is on the ground. The Italeri/Testors kit is in this configuration, anyone know if this is correct or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 27 minutes ago, Retired Bob said: I have a question for any knowledgeable members out there, I was led to believe that the inflight refuelling door was in the open position when the aircraft is on the ground. The Italeri/Testors kit is in this configuration, anyone know if this is correct or not? From NASA paper: An in-flight refueling receptacle was located on top of the fuselage, just aft of the AC-bay. When de-energized, the receptacle doors formed the upper fuselage contour. When opened, the doors revealed a trough to accept the aerial tanker’s refueling probe. https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20090007797/downloads/20090007797.pdf&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjTnp2C2P_0AhVoQ_EDHdkXDfMQFnoECAcQAg&usg=AOvVaw2nGOSczHx4Ya0vXSgboaS2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 That’s a rather intriguing text on the in flight refuelling receptacle @Serkan Sen I guess in flight & not approaching or leaving a tanker the receptacle is open, but otherwise closed. On the ground & not powered up would be open too? But closed at start up. I am posing mine at pre start up check stage, so I guess either would be possible. Possibly a problem of building a kit based on a grounded airframe. Could make lots of in-flight Revell kits on the stand as wrong! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter O Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 The inflight refueling receptacle door would be closed at all times except when refueling. If left open on the ground it would accumulate debris and contaminants. One of the crew (I don’t know which one) opened it when approaching the tanker, and closed it as the aircraft turned away after disconnecting. My guess, without references handy, is that the RIO was in charge of refueling and keeping the fuel flowing to the correct tanks to keep the CG within limits, with the pilot doing the flying. Peter 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 Any idea how the door(s) worked? One door, two door, closing from the sides or the front & back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter O Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 3 minutes ago, bar side said: Any idea how the door(s) worked? One door, two door, closing from the sides or the front & back? It was a single door, hinged at the front. The back end of the door sealed against the forward end of the receptacle to prevent spilled fuel from getting into the airframe. Peter 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted December 25, 2021 Author Share Posted December 25, 2021 1 hour ago, bar side said: I guess in flight & not approaching or leaving a tanker the receptacle is open, but otherwise closed. On the ground & not powered up would be open too? No, it's the exact opposite. Unless the door actuator is energised, it remains closed. It's a one-piece door that opens inwards to reveal the receptacle. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 That makes sense. We’ll time to make a door then & close up the receptacle. I know this is a model but something like this. I am pretty sure there is no option to close it in the Italeri kit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter O Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 My Testors model has the receptacle closed, so the door must be positionable either way. I’m sure I didn’t scratchbuild it closed. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted December 25, 2021 Share Posted December 25, 2021 (edited) Italeri looks to be posed open with no door to fit - see @ozzy_smb’s build on the previous page. Not sure what the Revell kit includes Alan? Edited December 25, 2021 by bar side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted December 25, 2021 Author Share Posted December 25, 2021 On 12/25/2021 at 10:59 PM, bar side said: Not sure what the Revell kit includes Alan? Both options, different parts for open or closed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffreyK Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 2 hours ago, Peter O said: It was a single door, hinged at the front. The back end of the door sealed against the forward end of the receptacle to prevent spilled fuel from getting into the airframe. Peter It is actually a two-part door. The main, large door sits on two different-length swing arms so when actuated the forward arms swing only a little down while the aft arms swing quite a bit down, thus creating the slanted/triangular cavity. There is a smaller forward door that slides forward in order to clear the space for the main door to "swing" open. Jeffrey 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted December 26, 2021 Author Share Posted December 26, 2021 8 hours ago, JeffreyK said: It is actually a two-part door. The main, large door sits on two different-length swing arms so when actuated the forward arms swing only a little down while the aft arms swing quite a bit down, thus creating the slanted/triangular cavity. There is a smaller forward door that slides forward in order to clear the space for the main door to "swing" open. Jeffrey Every day's a school day! Such in depth knowledge bodes even better for your SR-71 release 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jens Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 On 12/12/2021 at 5:50 PM, LorenSharp said: I daresay in the next month or so scale Aircraft Conversions will have a metal replacement set for the kit released. Oh, you mean a soft white metal copy of the kit landing gear. Jens 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Bob Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 14 minutes ago, Jens said: Oh, you mean a soft white metal copy of the kit landing gear. As Alan has mentioned the Revell u/c legs are quite sturdy, it's the attachments to the u/c bays that is the weak link, they were designed to pivot, but the actuators prevent that. Attaching the u/c legs in a stronger way to the u/c bays will support the weight of the model. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted December 26, 2021 Author Share Posted December 26, 2021 55 minutes ago, Jens said: Oh, you mean a soft white metal copy of the kit landing gear. Jens I always thought SAC meant Scale Aircraft Collapses 😂 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 Today finally I had time to open the seals of my Revell Blackbird and have a look the kit. My first impression is that especially the exhaust assembly is a bit undersized. Also the afterburner can is tapered to give a depth and afterburner rings are also undersized. The engine inlet and compressor stage has similar issues as well. I will add some pictures soon. It would be great if anyone has the dimensions (diameter) of engine inlet guide vane and afterburner can... Serkan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 On 12/14/2021 at 6:48 PM, bar side said: As far as I see from the available pictures and the J-58 engine cutouts the afterburner can has two constant diameter sections (also based on old university propulsion lecture days). Am I right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted December 26, 2021 Author Share Posted December 26, 2021 One of the other things I'm finding with this build is all-black aircraft are extremely hard to photograph, especially when glossy! I did some paint fading effects but the trick is to be subtle. I didn't like the end result as it was too heavy so I micromeshed it back. This looks bearable now. Mostly just panel variations except the refuelling point and the brake chute cover which got a bit more wear and tear. The aircraft is fully assembled now: Tail fins and engine shock cones and exhausts are fitted. So I splashed a gloss coat on using Alclad Aqua Gloss. Pic taken outside to try to capture some of the variations but the camera just isn't having it! Maybe under sunlight it might look better, but I'm in the wrong country for that. Aqua Gloss nearly gave me a heart attack at first because it went on in small droplets rather than a smooth coat - luckily it settled down as it dried. I still prefer AK Gauzy Intermediate. Anyway - I shall spend a happy Boxing Day afternoon doing decals 😃 Cheers, Alan 21 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncarina Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 That looks brilliant! Cheers, Tom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billn53 Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 Very, very nice painting. The decals are going to make this really pop ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 Looks very shiny and beautiful Alan... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted December 26, 2021 Author Share Posted December 26, 2021 2 minutes ago, Serkan Sen said: Looks very shiny and beautiful Alan... It won't be shiny for long..! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony in NZ Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 4 hours ago, Alan P said: I did some paint fading effects but the trick is to be subtle. I didn't like the end result as it was too heavy so I micromeshed it back. This looks bearable now. Well I think that finish looks spot on mate. I dont envy you doing such a large model in black, but it looks to me (from my screen anyway) that you got this about right! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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