Italeri 1/48 SR-71A Blackbird - renovation project

[Geoff M]

Looks good the way it is.

 

[BastianD]

Thanks @Geoff M

 

Anybody knowing if all SR-71’s had this big white cross on their belly?

Especially if The Nighthawk had this as well?

[utley]

17958 looks like the only one. That one looks like its at Warner Robbins in Macon, GA. Doesnt hold the cross now, but it did at one point. It was adorned on the only SR-71 17958 as it was the aircraft that took the absolute world record.

Edited May 1, 2024 by utley

[BastianD]

26 minutes ago, utley said:

17958 looks like the only one. That one looks like its at Warner Robbins in Macon, GA. Doesnt hold the cross now, but it did at one point. It was adorned on the only SR-71 17958 as it was the aircraft that took the absolute world record.

Thanks

[ExchefAndy]

I think adding any more to it, you'll end up losing a lot of the weathering. Nice work too!

Andy

[BastianD]

59 minutes ago, ExchefAndy said:

I think adding any more to it, you'll end up losing a lot of the weathering. Nice work too!

Andy

👌

[BastianD]

In her glossy black dress, ready for some nice tattoos 😄

 

 

[BastianD]

First Phoenix attached, and shrinking tight with Micro Sol.

 

[BastianD]

On and on progressing with decaling

 

 

[BastianD]

Putting the big red No Step lines on 😅

 

[utley]

Now THAT brought the character out! Looked really bland right up to that point..the one thing that this aircraft really should have had was a big red hourglass on the belly.

[BastianD]

And the both red lines are on. Belly to go on next steps.

 

 

[BastianD]

37 minutes ago, utley said:

Now THAT brought the character out! Looked really bland right up to that point..the one thing that this aircraft really should have had was a big red hourglass on the belly.

Indeed the fun part has started, after decaling the fine tuning with lots of small details and more weathering.

[RichB63]

Great looking jet! The paintwork is very convincing!

Rich

[Geoff M]

Coming right along.  Can't wait for the finished product.

[BastianD]

Working on the belly now with the decals:

 

 

[BastianD]

Thanks guys!

[ExchefAndy]

Almost there, and it's looking fantastic!

Andy

[BastianD]

33 minutes ago, ExchefAndy said:

Almost there, and it's looking fantastic!

Andy

Thanks Andy, but a lot of things need to be done after this!

[BastianD]

Job done for the decals! Both top and below fuselage have the decals on, and in the Micro Sol to be tight to the body.

Only remaining will be the red lines around the canopy windows.

 

All other decals of the Afterburner set will be put on pictures, and to be sold for anyone interested.

 

Next step to follow is a gloss coat to seal them all, and then the further weathering will start.

 

[BastianD]

Gloss coat to seal decals top of fuselage of the Sled

 

 

[BastianD]

Detailing the Sled:

- fuel dump

- inflight refuel entry 

more to follow 

 

[BastianD]

The Blackbird seemed to have a small antenna below the engine bay, on each side, and just after the cones.

Anybody having details like size, shape and position?

 

See here:

 

 

[BastianD]

8 minutes ago, BastianD said:

The Blackbird seemed to have a small antenna below the engine bay, on each side, and just after the cones.

Anybody having details like size, shape and position?

 

See here:

 

 

Found it already in this great picture reference file: 

 

Small pitots, 2 on each engine bay

 

[utley]

I believe thats an inlet ice detector or an inlet temperature probe. They wont be that big as the real thing would only be like 6" in length with the probe being like 4-5". The pitot tube is the long pointy thing at the front of the aircraft.

Edited May 12, 2024 by utley