Minicraft KC-135

[texasraider]

I have heard the Minicraft KC-135 could be released at the end of this year...Have others heard the same?....Thanks Marshall

[Jennings]

The kit is still in the design stage. I'm working with MC on it, and that's straight from MC this week. It may be released later this year, but anything else you've "heard" beyond that is nothing but somebody speculating.

[texasraider]

Thank you sir...Will it be the KC-135E as was originally planned?

[Jennings]

They're doing J57s, TF33s, and F108s, so they will be able to do a KC-135A/Q, KC-135E, and KC-135R.

[texasraider]

Great News!!!!!!!! Thank you sir!!!!!!

[Kevan Vogler]

Are they including wing drogue pods or just the boom?

[johnsan]

Scale?

[majortomski]

Scale?

Always has been announce to be true 1/144

[Jennings]

I wouldn't count on drogue pods. There are very few USAF birds that carry them.

[Kevan Vogler]

I wouldn't count on drogue pods. There are very few USAF birds that carry them.

That's rather why I'm asking. What are the possibilities of them doing a non-USAF boxing.

As it's 1/144, it would be great to have the possibility to do a KC-135F posed in a refueling diorama with Revell's lovely little Rafale kit.

[Kevan Vogler]

If you have any say over the decal options in the kit, Jennings, a SAC era Fairchild machine would be most appreciated. At least by me. :-)

net photo

[squezzer]

That's rather why I'm asking. What are the possibilities of them doing a non-USAF boxing.

As it's 1/144, it would be great to have the possibility to do a KC-135F posed in a refueling diorama with Revell's lovely little Rafale kit.

Just to win the pedantic award of the week, the KC-135F does not exist. It is either C-135F with J-57 engines or C-135FR with F108-CF100 engines, the R stands for remotorise (re-engined). Unlike the KC 135, they are full cargo capable aircraft and beside the probe and drogue system used by most of the french aircraft, there are other differences. There is one air intake at he root of each wing , the KC has only one at the root of the left wing. We also use wing tip refuelling pods since 1995-96. We used the flying boom to refuel the AWACS have since 1991.

Beside the 11 C-135FR, we also use 3 KC -135R

But in the end, I agree with you, an non US boxing would be really cool!!!

Edited April 26, 2013 by squezzer

[Kevan Vogler]

Don't apologize, squezzer, that was very informative. I didn't know that the French tankers were that different from US stock beyond the drogue in the boom.

[Jennings]

All C-135s except the USAF's KC-135A's (which account for 732 of the 820 built) had dual air conditioning packs under the wing center section. The KC-A only had the one. Other than that, French C-13F/FR tankers (as built) were externally indistinguishable from USAF KC-135As. They always carried the 'limp dick' refueling basket, and in later years, have been fitted with the under wing drogue pods.

As for what Minicraft may do, I don't know, and I don't think they know at this point. As I say, the kit is still in the design stage. Whatever MC doesn't do, you can count on the aftermarket doing though! There's just way too many juicy possibilities for resin and/or decals.

J

[texasraider]

Decals wise I hope there are plenty of ANG birds in the future!!!

[Jennings]

Count on it ;)