BastianD Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 After finishing the Voodoo, which was the last of the 3 projects for my brother, it’s time to work on my Blackbird. I believe this impressive black stunner was my first attempt to do airbrushing, with just a simple spray can and no real airbrush, probably some 30 years ago. Over time, decals have become dry and brittle, as they were not sealed at the time (didn’t have the knowledge I have now). However, I believe this black sleek lady deserves more than just a pile of dust, and after seeing some interesting techniques and results of fellow Blackbird builders, I think the time is right to get her up to where she needs to be. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted October 23, 2023 Author Share Posted October 23, 2023 This is her now, plain matte black, shape ok, but decals in pieces and dried, big spaces between the parts that require putty, parts getting loose, but the basis is good enough for making it a nice restoration. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted October 23, 2023 Author Share Posted October 23, 2023 Have already purchased the right brass pitot tube, as this is what she deserves. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted October 23, 2023 Author Share Posted October 23, 2023 (edited) I want to build her in the last Beale configuration, which is just black with red markings only, like this. Need to find the right set (Caracal?), anyone who can advise? Edited October 23, 2023 by BastianD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted October 23, 2023 Author Share Posted October 23, 2023 1 advantage: after all these years the glue is not that strong anymore. Pieces come off easy and intact, making it easier to renovate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted October 23, 2023 Author Share Posted October 23, 2023 Sorry for the Blackbird lovers … 😢 She will come out even better! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ExchefAndy Posted October 24, 2023 Share Posted October 24, 2023 I'll be watching, as my next project is Revells SR-71 offering! Nice work though on the disassemble 😎 Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lgl007 Posted October 25, 2023 Share Posted October 25, 2023 This is gonna be fun to watch... really looking forward to seeing the progress. I agree with you... if you can restore her, then why not 🙂 -Greg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted October 25, 2023 Author Share Posted October 25, 2023 Thanks Greg and Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
davetur Posted October 26, 2023 Share Posted October 26, 2023 Hi Bastian, not sorry for the disassembled Blackbird... it will sure come out better. One thing you may want to consider, since the nose is now disassembled, is to correct the planform shape of the nose. The Testors/Italeri shape is midway between the A-12 and the real SR-71: a picture from an ancient IPMS Italy bulletin will clarify what I mean. The kit is in between the gray and the white shapes below. When I did mine, ages ago, I simply added a plastic card shape and blended in with putty... this is how it came out. And I enlarged the hole for the star tracker (on the spine between the cockpit and the refuelling receptacle). The kit's one is tooooooo small. Cheers Davide Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Robert Garelli Posted October 26, 2023 Share Posted October 26, 2023 This should be good. I built one many many years ago, sadly I no longer have it. Looking forward to seeing how yours turns out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted October 26, 2023 Author Share Posted October 26, 2023 1 hour ago, davetur said: Hi Bastian, not sorry for the disassembled Blackbird... it will sure come out better. One thing you may want to consider, since the nose is now disassembled, is to correct the planform shape of the nose. The Testors/Italeri shape is midway between the A-12 and the real SR-71: a picture from an ancient IPMS Italy bulletin will clarify what I mean. The kit is in between the gray and the white shapes below. When I did mine, ages ago, I simply added a plastic card shape and blended in with putty... this is how it came out. And I enlarged the hole for the star tracker (on the spine between the cockpit and the refuelling receptacle). The kit's one is tooooooo small. Cheers Davide Excellent information Davide, very appreciated. It’s funny to see on the box artwork the nose looks just fine, but the kit itself… Perfect timing to know this, thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted October 27, 2023 Author Share Posted October 27, 2023 (edited) Just purchased via eBay some Eduard aftermarket photo etch detail sets for: - grilles - engines Very friendly nice deal from https://www.ebay.nl/str/cocktaildistribution2?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=1346-175129-2357-0&ssspo=FcVpfJE_QDi&sssrc=3418065&ssuid=WrniFgWIQ_u&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY , many thanks! Edited October 27, 2023 by BastianD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
utley Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 that exhaust turned out awesome! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted October 27, 2023 Author Share Posted October 27, 2023 1 hour ago, utley said: that exhaust turned out awesome! Haha that’s just an example of the Eduard set, not yet received or installed 😉 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
utley Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 well heres to hoping it does! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thadeus Posted October 29, 2023 Share Posted October 29, 2023 Oh that looks just lovelly. Oh man. I'm gonna have to get myself a Blackbird now. I wonder how accurate the eggplane is... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted November 4, 2023 Author Share Posted November 4, 2023 Received today the aftermarket grilles and engine improvements from Eduard, purchased at https://cocktail-distribution.com/ Excellent detailed photo etch pieces that for sure will improve the looks. They’re designed for Revell kit, but for sure can be adapted to use on the Italeri Blackbird. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted November 18, 2023 Author Share Posted November 18, 2023 Starting to renovate the cockpit. I will build the Bird with closed canopies, so it's not a real requirement to have it all perfect inside. However, things can use some improvements: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lgl007 Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 With closed canopies on this jet you'll hardly see any of the fine details. That said, nothing wrong with what you have done. Looks really good to me 🙂 Sometimes I find dry brushing on the details works the treat and gives it a bit of a worn in look as well on the edges. -Greg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted November 20, 2023 Author Share Posted November 20, 2023 Thanks Greg. However, the pictures above are showing what the seats and tub look like now. I will re spray them in a black primer and bring up the colours and details again with indeed dry brushing, but now in a neat way instead of this from 25 yrs ago 😉 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted November 22, 2023 Author Share Posted November 22, 2023 Putting some cockpit things and wheels and bays in black primer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted November 25, 2023 Author Share Posted November 25, 2023 Airbrushed the cockpit tub and panels in dark grey. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted December 13, 2023 Author Share Posted December 13, 2023 (edited) Took some time for an update, but am working on the cockpit panels and tub, including ejection seat. Not finished yet, but good for the gloss coat to seal and then some panel line wash, finishing with a matte coat and gloss on the displays. Next to that, I started working on the burner cans by adding the photo etch parts from Eduard. Although designed for the new Revell kit, they work seamless on these Italeri cans, giving them the details that were missing. Edited December 13, 2023 by BastianD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BastianD Posted December 13, 2023 Author Share Posted December 13, 2023 Huge difference old vs modified cans: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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