Dutch

I just hope Kursad releases the 1/144 scale version of his CD72128 Recon 135 Variants sheet.

Okay, I am now starting my Roden 1/144 #349 RC-135V/W RIVET JOINT build thread. I thought that the "In Progress Pics" sub-forum would be a better place for this thread. To see my initial impressions, see my thread in the Jet Modeling sub-forum. The first thing to fix is to remove the ugly hump for the horizontal stabilizer mounting area. I made mention of this in my initial impressions. It appears to be bigger in those pictures than it really is upon closer inspection. I thought to carefully cut the flat area of the mound away, then grind down the remaining sides, widen the hol

Okay, I will start a Roden 1/144 RC-135V RIVET JOINT Build Article in the "In Progress Pics" sub-forum.

Wiki has some nice T-39 photos in their photo library. Even one with a TAC lightning bolt on the tail! And two b&w photos of "Promiscuous Princess" T-39A-1NA 60-3478 in Europe circa 1961. Kursad, can you add some generic numbers and TG-### to the sheet so we can make any aircraft, if desired? Oh, BTW, my Sword T-39A kit was delivered yesterday. What a jewel! I guess I can scrap the old Airmodel vac shape now.

RC, That's not a bad idea. Go back to my fuselage photos. The cockpit clear part profiles are different, but it might be done with some cutting away of the lower sill. I will check into it on Friday. K/r, Dutch

US Marine Corps Reserve also flew the A-4L, including VMA-142 Flying Gators at NAS Jacksonville.

@Andy! Ooh! Where are my sunglasses! @Kursad, Any hint when the next releases will be? july? I won't add to your backlog now, but I am waiting for the 1/144 B-1B sheet!

Aerial Visuals have some nice port & starboard pics of a SAC Sabreliner.

Hmmm. How about a Flight Systems T-39A?

@Hooker169, Thank you my good friend! Your kindness and generosity is appreciated. I owe you one! Kind regards, Dutch

Kursad, Would you consider including a USAF Blue SAC UH-1F for the missile site support / rescue mission? Or maybe add this option to the 1/72 scale sheet? K/r, Dutch

Let's hold off for right now. I think I can get a set of full length MD-80 decals.

Looking for: Delta Airlines Widget MD-80 decals from Minicraft Models #14534. I had one on order from a hobby shop, but after two weeks they said it was Out Of Stock, but would subsititute another airline MD-80. I really want to build a Delta Widget MD-80. Please PM me if you are willing to sell the decals and decal placement guide. Cancel request. Decals found! Kind regards, Dutch

This is terific news! I just pre-ordered the USAF kit. So CD72136 is Part 1? And Part 2 is CD82137? Possibly a Part 3? Is this going to be a mix, or all one service? I'd like to pitch for a SAC T-39 in 509th BW markings. I will see if I can dig up a pic for you. K/r, Dutch

Andrew, Didn't Aviation News Plans Service offer a set of 1/72 H-53 scale drawings? Let me dig through my AN plans to see if I can locate them. K/r, Dutch

Ooorah! (or whatever the Zoomies say when they get excited!)

Well, I will keep praying for him. The decals and money are nothing of which to make an issue. But if he suffered a stroke, then he needs our help. Does anyone know if he does have family? I do nursing home chaplaincy and family visits make a huge difference in a person's outlook. I can't visit him, but I can pray for him. Oh well, I was really looking forward to the LAPD 1-Adam 12 TV Show decals. It is the last thing I need for my 1969 Plymouth Belvedere police cruiser model. K/r, Dutch

How Is Jim Botaitis of J-Bot Decals (Canada) fairing these days? He agreed to print some decals for me last June. I sent payment a year ago tomorrow and have checked with him every 3 or 4 months. I last checked with him on 5 May 2022 and he said, "I am still here, still printing. I think almost all your order is printed. I still have to print the Huey decals. Thank you for your continued patience. Jimbo" I have sent him two emails since 5 May and have received no response. I am concerned for his health. Does anyone know how he is doing? Kind regards, Dutch

Thanks Stefan for keeping me honest!

Don, Ah yes, I see that you are correct. I wasn't aware that the AF had deleted them. I only get to see them in the hazy distance. But this photo of RC-135V 64-14845 55thOG-55thWG taken at Mildenhall, UK on 15Apr 2019 (from wikipedia) clearly shows the deleted overwing HF aerials and the wingtip HF aerials (at least the stbd one).

I second Don's motion. All in favor

Don, After looking at the horizontal stabilizer mounting fairing, I have come to the conclusion that it will have to be sawn off, the backside sanded down flat and then re-attached and faired into the fuselage side, ala the Minicraft kit. The remainder of the tail appears salvageable, even nice, so I see no other way around for that ugly baby! I hope that Roden does not repeat it for their planned tanker version. I still need to look at the nose, but I think that I can live with it for now. K/r, Dutch

Now for some comparison with the Minicraft EC-135C kit. First the fuselage. Hmmm... In general dimensions, it appears to fit the bill, with many of the corresponding fitment point lining up nicely. What I don't like about the Roden kit. 1. The horizontal mounting fairings are waaaaay over done. 2. The Hog nose shape does appear a little off. I will have to do some more research during assembly. What I do like about the Roden kit. 1. They made a RC-135V/W in 1/144th scale! 2. I like that the vertical stab has the HF

Part 4. Parts trees. Parts tree C, fuselage halves. All lines are finely scribed, even the reinforcing bands on the rear fuselage. (More on this later.) Hog nose, SATCOM radomes and several antennae are molded in place, so if another version or an earlier version is required, careful trimming and patching of subsequent holes will be required. The plastic appears to be thicker, but softer than a Minicraft kit. As Don points out, the Hognose radome appears to be a little too short and tapers too quickly. Lastly, the wing attachment point is molded proud, about 1/8" fro

Part 3. Decals and painting guide. Decals provide markings for one aircraft, RC-135V 64-14845 of the 55th SRW, Offutt AFB, Nebraska at two different periods. The only difference is the color of the tail stripe, one is red, the other is blue. It does not say who printed the decals sheet. Most markings appear usable. The emergency door outlines (yellow) appear to be too thick, though the cheat line, warning stripes, USAF titling and reg appear to be okay. The IFR door markings are particularly nicely done. The US flag, Wing and ACC badges are out of register. Addition