taneal1

Were the Retro and Equipment Modules available at the time of your purchase? The attached photo is NOT the Accurate models 1/12th seen in this build, but it is the same scale. I knew it would be big - but YIKES!

CRM makes a clear windshield replacement for the EE DC-9 that I'm planning on building. It's currently listed as "Out of Stock." 😏 Does anyone know it this is an improvement over the kit windshield? Thanks in advance for any info, Tom

Thanks Dutch, I checked them out, and there's some good stuff there. Tom

Excellent idea , Ben! I actually have this kit. When I received it, I'd already decided to do the DC-9 first, and I didn't want to get distracted, so I only did a cursory inventory, and didn't notice the masks. At 1/144th scale, I can't image there would be a Douglas vs. Boeing window size issue, so these should do the job. I noticed CRM makes a clear windshield replacement for the EE DC-9. That's the one I'm planning on building. I will be posting here, to see if anyone thinks it's an improvement over the kit part. It's listed as "Out of Stock" so I'll ask CRM about that, and about purch

Thanks for the advice, Dutch. I'm gonna give it a shot, and see if the results are worth the effort... ☺️ I don't know how practical it would be, but... What if they included a strip of plastic card with properly spaced window cutouts? It could be aligned and taped into place on the fuselage. The masks could then be inserted into the cutouts. I think that would accelerate the process, and give better results as far as alignment. If I knew how to use a CAD program, and had a 3D Printer I'd try it! Tom

Thanks for the links, Ben. Helpful for 1/72 cockpit & pax windows, and 1/144 cockpit windows, but no 1/144 for passenger windows. They may be too small in 1/144 to cut and too difficult to place accurately, so no one makes them.

One of the techniques used to add transparent windows to an airliner passenger cabin, is to first cut out a long narrow strip in the fuselage where you want the windows located. Then replace this opaque strip with a clear plastic strip, and mask the individual window locations. This allows the fuselage to be assembled, filled, and sanded prior to painting. After painting, the masks can be removed. How do you make individual window masks in this small scale? Thanks for any thoughts, Tom

Thanks for the info, Jonathan! I just checked the site, and it's quite impressive. Now, if only someone would make an injection-molded 727 in 1/72 scale... Tom

All of the complete catalogs for Zvezda are in Russian - can anyone tell me if they have B-727 and DC-9 kits? The old Airfix kits are looking fairly shabby these days. 😉

Thanks, man! Their stuff looks real good. As soon as my PayPal account is working again, I can complete my order.

Okay, you have my attention... What is the "Laci set"? A flaps extended kit, I hope?

Q1. Is there a consensus that the C57-D models upper dome doesn't match the "real" thing? I believe that the width at the base is incorrect. Q2. I have read that on the model the upper half of the saucer is the same height as the bottom, but it should be thicker? Q3. Due to its size the main saucer halves of the 1/72 consist of separate wedge shapes, and the 1/144th is two halves, are they essentially the same kit just different scales? Q4. Is anyone considering or currently offering a 3D Printed corrected dome for the 1/144th scale? Thanks for any thoughts!

This light kit contains transparent Hangar Deck parts that allegedly allow a lighted deck without the usual carving out of the hull and seriously altering the lights themselves to allow installation. Has anyone utilized this updated kit in a build? If so, can you confirm the above allegation? If it's true, then that may make the kit worth purchasing although I have the previous iteration of the light kit...

Thanks Don, "Bubbles" are one of my concerns. Also, I recall numerous complaints over the years of out-gassing bubbles on painted resin objects. Has new paint and/or primer technology improved enough to eliminate outgassing? Tom

Good point Don. I forgot that although the part is fairly long and wide, it's thin enough that not much resin would be necessary, anyway. I have no experience casting in resin, so it's probably a good time for me to learn. Any thoughts regarding outgassing issues, or is that less of an issue than I recall?

Done. You're right... Sometimes you get lucky. BTW, I'm wayyyyyyyyyyy overdue for some good luck! 😠

Testor's 1/48th scale "Lockheed YF-12A Interceptor" NOTE-The SR-71 kit tailcones are not a match for these. Looking for any of these 3 missing parts:

Hello Sigtau, Thanks for the advice, but I purchased the kit "as is" with the knowledge that it was likely missing parts. There were no instructions with the kit, so the Seller couldn't be sure that all parts were present. Given the open bag he suspected missing parts. These kits are expensive, and this was cheap enough to take a chance. I don't think it would be too difficult to build an acceptable tail, so I'm happy with the purchase.

I already have 2 tailcone halves from a different YF-12A kit that are available to use as Masters to make copies. These YF-12A plastic tailcone parts are 4 1/2" long, 2 1/2" wide, 3/4" high and fairly thin, soft plastic. My only thoughts at the moment are to use the kit parts to either Vacu-Form copies, or make Molds of them and produce resin parts. But... I don't like the thought of hanging a heavy piece of resin that far aft of the main landing gear due to balance issues. And... I've never been a big fan of the thin plastic parts produced by Vacu-Forming. All things considered, Vac-ing does

Kinda what I expected to hear. 🤣 Thanks, Dave.

Upon receipt of the "Open Box" Testor's Kit No. 588 - Lockheed YF-12A Interceptor - 1/48th scale that I purchased online, I discovered that the three Tailcone pieces (21, 22, & 23) are missing. The Testor's web site has no email address. I would prefer using email rather than their Facebook page to attempt to order replacement parts - presuming of course they have them for this old kit! Can anyone who has recently acquired replacement parts from Testor's supply Contact info? Thanks in advance for any ideas... Now for the Hail Mary pass... 🙃 Does anyone have any of these parts tha

Thanks Jeffrey, A *great* photo reference - best I've seen for the SR-71. Tom

Does anyone have photos (preferred) or accurate line drawings of the Panel Lines on the Elevons? After perusing every build that I can find, those who chose to re-scribe have come up with different versions of the Panel Lines. The old SR-71 + YF-12 kits that I own have some inaccuracies on the fuselage, and I can't find any helpful photos or drawings of the Elevon panel lines. Can anyone tell me if the Panel Lines on the new 1/48th SR-71 kit correct? I have it on order... Tom

Has anyone used this particular Photo Etch set? Primarily, I'd like to replace the plastic engine grilles, and the engine parts look pretty good, too. Metallic Details Photo Etch

Habu2, Thanks for the link! These will do nicely. I'm surprised and pleased as to how well done they are. Lots of detailed comments and info. Tom