Ljmorrow92 Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Hey y'all, I just picked up the 1/72nd Heller C-135FR and I'd like to build up a USAF KC-135R. From my understanding, the French built up KC-135A's to the C-135FR standard. It looks as if they've got the CFM-56's and the R model stabs and vertical stabilizers. With that being said, what are the external differences between the KC-135R and the C-135FR? Are there any? Is it just a designation thing? Thanks for the help! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 (edited) The Heller KC-135FR kit is a repop of the AMT KC-135R. The only differences between the FR and R releases between the 2 companies is that Heller included the wing tip hose/drogue reel units (which Italeri also included in their repop of the R in 2014). The AMT kit does not have these. For external differences between the R and FR I would suggest the antenna fit, but since the kit is the USAF version to start with you can build a USAF version OOB from the Heller kit. You will have to check refs to see if there are any changes to USAF machines for the period you are modelling since this kit was originally released in 1996. Heller released their version in 2003 but only with added drogue pods as mentioned. Interestingly the Italeri issue comes with USAF and French Air Force decal options. I have built the Italeri boxing and have copies of the AMT and Heller kits in the stash. Edited March 2, 2018 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ljmorrow92 Posted March 3, 2018 Author Share Posted March 3, 2018 (edited) Thank you very much for the reply! This clears things up immensely! I’ll research the antennas but I should be golden! Nice looking bird btw! I love Mildenhall stuff! Edited March 3, 2018 by Ljmorrow92 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vince Maddux Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 There is a hump right above the windscreen on the FR models that the USAF KC-135s do not have, but its easy to sand off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ljmorrow92 Posted March 3, 2018 Author Share Posted March 3, 2018 Awesome! Thank you very much! PS I have you E-3 Sentry decals! Wish I could find more, they’re awesome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bradebaugh Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 the current USAF aircraft do nt have the two small windows on the top of the fuselage any more. The FR version has two air conditioning paks so don't use the scoop on the lower right wing root for a USAF version. Bruce Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ljmorrow92 Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 Thanks Bruce! I would’ve never caught that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bradebaugh Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 another thing many modelers don't take into account...if you are modeling the airplane on a stand with the boom down, the boom sighting window should be open, especially if you are modeling it with another iacraft hooked up. Bruce Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Yeah... Didnt they cover over the celestial navigation windows before it was converted to an R model? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bradebaugh Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 No, we still had navs Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted May 15, 2018 Share Posted May 15, 2018 On 5/11/2018 at 1:58 PM, bradebaugh said: another thing many modelers don't take into account...if you are modeling the airplane on a stand with the boom down, the boom sighting window should be open, especially if you are modeling it with another iacraft hooked up. Bruce Like this? 🙂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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