OC-135B Open Skies (Minicraft 1/144)

[Gator52]

To depict the base C-135B configuration, I replaced the boom with a strip of Evergreen no. 131 for the fuel dump pipe and added the second AC inlet on the bottom of the fuselage (included by Minicraft in the KC-135R release).  If I'd been more attentive during construction, I would have realized this C-135B did not have turbocompressor hoods on the inboard engines, since it left the factory with TF33s as opposed to the other C-135 variants re-engined later in their careers.

 

Sensor fairing under the forward fuselage was formed from two RB-36D radomes from the Hobbycraft kit, with a chunk of sprue in between.  I cut two shapes from Evergreen strip stock for the sensor fairings on either side of the boom pod.  Sensor detail on the cargo door is a combination of decals & strip styrene.  The blade antenna is from the spares box, and I scratchbuilt the SATCOM antenna.

 

Paint is Tamiya, Mr Color, and Vallejo; markings are Caracal 144026 & 144004.

 

Chris

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 8, 2024 by Gator52

[A-10 LOADER]

Nice work, good looking model.

 

Steve

[Drifterdon]

Looks awesome Chris.

[Dutch]

Wow! A real stunner! How difficult was it to perfectly mask the white / gray transition and apply the black cheatline decal? 

[DET1460]

Very nice work! Great paint and finish. And I like the OPEN SKIES Markings. Can't fault a pretty Boeing!

 

DET1460

[bluedot25]

Very nice Chris…! I’ve been meaning to “ping” you to see what you’ve been working on lately… now I know!  That looks great..! 👍👍👍

Edited September 8, 2024 by bluedot25

[Gator52]

17 hours ago, Dutch said:

Wow! A real stunner! How difficult was it to perfectly mask the white / gray transition and apply the black cheatline decal? 

Thanks Dutch; I have a Maketar "Canopy Survival Kit" mask set that includes assorted radii of curves, so that made the task much easier.  Cheatline decal flexed to the desired curve with no problems.

 

Chris

[Trojan Thunder]

Nice work Chris 

 

What grey did you use for your build?

[Gator52]

Thanks Ray; it's Mr Color c73 Aircraft Gray.  First time using the Mr Hobby/Mr Color line, as my supply of Model Master FS 36173 is just about depleted.

 

Chris

[Trojan Thunder]

11 hours ago, Gator52 said:

Thanks Ray; it's Mr Color c73 Aircraft Gray.  First time using the Mr Hobby/Mr Color line, as my supply of Model Master FS 36173 is just about depleted.

 

Chris

Thanks Chris

 

[KursadA]

Excellent!

[Spruemeister]

The extra work you did really paid off!  And incorporating a little B-36 DNA into the build was genius.  It's hard to tell it's only 1/144..

 

Rick L.