bluedot25 Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 I thought I had a thread going for this one, but after almost a year of no updates, I cant find it. Anyway, Minicraft's KC-135E being converted to an NC-135B SATCOM testbed aircraft. Painted the two main colors just in the last two weeks... Model Master Gloss White and lightened Xtracolor ADC Grey. It needs some touchng up, but at least I can show some progress finally. I leaving the large SATCOM fairing covered until all airbrushing is done, and that bent metal nose strut will get straightened out...! This is what I'm working towards.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Da SWO Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 This thread? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 Looks awesome Tom. Can't wait to see final. 2662 is now one of the RC-135S Cobra Balls. Used to see her when I was stationed at Eielson Airplane Patch back in the mid 80's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3MoutqUdOg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bluedot25 Posted November 8, 2019 Author Share Posted November 8, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Da SWO said: This thread? No, not that one.... I thought I had an "in progress" thread going on it... but that thread in "Jet Modelling" is mine also...! Edited November 8, 2019 by bluedot25 Correction Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bluedot25 Posted November 8, 2019 Author Share Posted November 8, 2019 Thanks Don... and great little video.... its amazing how many of the -135s have been upgraded, re-built, re-purposed and re-designated over the decades... and they just keep on going! Great airplane... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drifterdon Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 10 minutes ago, bluedot25 said: Thanks Don... and great little video.... its amazing how many of the -135s have been upgraded, re-built, re-purposed and re-designated over the decades... and they just keep on going! Great airplane... They're the best. I need to get off my butt and finish off the over dozen 135's I have in progress. Maybe your NC-135 build will be the spark that motivates me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 Ditto Don's comments. Great work Tom! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bluedot25 Posted November 14, 2019 Author Share Posted November 14, 2019 Thanks Dutch...! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted November 15, 2019 Share Posted November 15, 2019 What brand / type of paint did you use? I am using enamels almost exclusively, [Model Master], but am seriously considering switching to the water based acrylics by Mission Models Paint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bluedot25 Posted November 15, 2019 Author Share Posted November 15, 2019 I'm still using enamels.... always have... the white is Model Master Gloss Insignia White, and the the grey is Xtracolor ADC Grey, lightened with MM white (not sure if its good to mix brands, but it seemed to work fine)... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gator52 Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 Super nice work, where did you source the antenna housing? I’ve got 4 or 5 of these kits, the only conversion planned is a mild one to an OC -135 Open Skies jet. Jonah Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bluedot25 Posted November 19, 2019 Author Share Posted November 19, 2019 Thanks Jonah.... here's a photo from earlier in the build... I just made a rough framework out of strip styrene, then filled it all in with epoxy wood filler (Kwikwood) and Bondo. Then it was just a matter of sanding and priming, followed by many more sessions of Bondo, and more sanding and priming! Eventually I had the shape I was after.... I did the same with the EC-135 ARIA nose I have on another conversion I've got in the works (its on here somewhere also). I've got a "standard" KC-135A going also... I haven't seen an "Open Skies" jet done yet... sounds like a great idea.... there are so many possibilities with the KC-135s..! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 (edited) On 11/18/2019 at 9:08 PM, bluedot25 said: there are so many possibilities with the KC-135s..! Tom, Endless possibilities, as many jets changed configurations over their careers! Keep calm and carry on! You have emboldened me to try the cardstock framework filled with woodputty and bondo method. I've got plenty of all three ingredients! K/r, Dutch Edited January 24, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bluedot25 Posted November 26, 2019 Author Share Posted November 26, 2019 Yeah Dutch... its not too difficult... just take your time and be prepared for it to take some time! A good, sandable primer will help a lot. I use Rustoleum 2X UltraCover in a rattle can. It dries fast too. So, its putty, sand, prime, sand.... repeat... many times! The closer you get to the end, the finer the sandpaper you'll want to use... That dome on my kit took about a week, probably doing a couple sessions a day once the first of the Bondo dried... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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