Drifterdon Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 I've been holding off the start of this particular RC-135 conversion pending the start of this Group Build. This will be the RC-135W Rivet Joint in it's latest guise with all the warts and bumps and antennas. Like the rest of my RC conversions, I'm starting with the Minicraft KC-135R kit with the CFM-56 engines. I'll be using parts and decals from the Welsh Models RC-135 Rivet Joint conversion set and pieces parts that I've updated. Namely a new hog nose, E-Systems cheeks and a new ventral equipment housing in place of the boomers pod. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Alright, very cool! Looking forward to seeing that built up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Another great choice with one of the SAC 135 series of snoopers. Welcome to the /GB. Darwin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Don, I thought that you might like these two photos of the same plane 45 years apart. RC-135M Combat Apple, approximately 1970 tail # 62-4139 RC-135W Rivet Joint 2015 tail # 62-4139 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grandboof Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 You are sure going to be busy Good luck on all three Martin H Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted July 6, 2016 Author Share Posted July 6, 2016 (edited) Don, I thought that you might like these two photos of the same plane 45 years apart. RC-135M Combat Apple, approximately 1970 tail # 62-4139 RC-135W Rivet Joint 2015 tail # 62-4139 You know I'm also in the process of converting the KC-135E into an M and haven't decided on which specific plane I'm going to do. I might just do both of these at 4139. Would be cool to have them sitting side by side and show how much different they are 45 years apart. And the M even has the SAC sash and crest that was wanting to do on mine. Done deal! 4139 it is. Edited July 6, 2016 by Drifterdon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted July 7, 2016 Author Share Posted July 7, 2016 So I hollowed out the resin cast nose on the Joint and glued in the kit wheel well. Added a bit of bird shot just to make sure she stays down on all her wheels. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted July 7, 2016 Author Share Posted July 7, 2016 I also got a start on the engines. This will be 4139 in her present state so CFM-56 engines are in order. They still need cleaning up and need to have those massive intake lips thinned down a bit but otherwise look good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Teeradej Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 Cant wait to see you dealing with engines. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted July 13, 2016 Author Share Posted July 13, 2016 Some progress on the Rivet Joint. Cut out and added the insert for the A/C pack on the starboard side. Still need to fill and shape to blend it in with the fuselage. I also cut the KC nose off and added the resin hog nose. Did some more clean-up on the engines but no pics of that. Looking at the pics I may have to remove the A/C plug and adjust. I think it may be too far inboard. Prior to gluing the new nose on I added centering marks on the fuselage and resin nose to make sure I had them lined up when I super glued the nose on. Here you see bits of masking tape used to hold it in place to make sure all is lined up. Here's the nose glued in place. A few minutes with a sanding stick and all should be done. I still need to remove the PDL's from the bottom of the fuselage then add the eSystems cheek fairings after I clean them up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grandboof Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 (edited) Looking good This will be interesting. Nice nose graft' Martin H Edited July 14, 2016 by Grandboof Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted July 14, 2016 Share Posted July 14, 2016 I would have thought there was enough weight in that chunk f resin for the nose not to worry about adding the shot. Just playing it safe Don? Should I get back to my 1/72 build of this I wonder? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted July 15, 2016 Author Share Posted July 15, 2016 Ray I would love to see you get back on your 1/72 Rivet Joint. I was following along to help me with mine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Nice progress. Love to see it. Darwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 I would have thought there was enough weight in that chunk f resin for the nose not to worry about adding the shot. Just playing it safe Don? Should I get back to my 1/72 build of this I wonder? So with all the resin I had to remove to get the nose wheel well to fit, I felt it prudent to add a touch of bird shot just to make sure she wasn't a tail sitter. You should break out your Joint but with the E-8 and Wedgetail, not sure you'll have the time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Ah, OK The Joint might make an appearance. Since the other 2 builds a part started. i am also committed elsewhere in an Airliner GB so the bench is looking crowded at the moment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 Quick update on the Rivet Joint. Finished blending the hog nose to the fuselage and removed the PDL's from the underside. Added the port e-systems cheek fairing but this will need lots of work to blend it in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grandboof Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Any news on this Martin H Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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