Trojan Thunder Posted July 19, 2015 Share Posted July 19, 2015 Here is my entry. I am using the Warbird decal sheets for a 380th BW KC-135A participating in the Giant Voice Competition. What's in the box? Surprise, surprise.... 2 kits. Maybe I will build both, the second maybe a KC-135E. See how I go Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 (edited) Got the seats painted And some interior assembly and painting happening While the paint dries I move on to the wings Some reinforcing to prevent the famous AMT KC-135 wing droop happening. Edited July 23, 2015 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Nice work Ray. Sometimes I might not be the sharpest chisel in the tool box but 3 flight decks and two fuselages? I've never seen this kit. What's the poop? Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) Well Mike, for 'storage purposes' I had put 2 kits in the one box to save space. I also had an RC-135 flight deck already started, so I thought I would paint all 3 up all at the same time. There might be a bonus in this thread where you actually get 3 builds for the price of one Edited July 24, 2015 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Ray, Well everything now comes together; figuratively and literally. So there's a possibility of a threesome?! Good luck buddy. :lol: Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 Got the first fuselage buttoned up, (pictures to follow). RC-135 innards attached to one fuselage half. Just deciding if I will build it in 'take off' config to show off all the antennas and stuff under neath. If so that means surgery to the wings ( when I get them together) to drop the flaps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted July 31, 2015 Author Share Posted July 31, 2015 (edited) Nose weight added Buttoning up did not go that well, some persuasion required to get cockpit together Wing skin on Since these were taken the fuselage is together and filler added to correct all the crap seams. Edited July 31, 2015 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 Getting there Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt H. Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 Nice work. It looks like you have re-opened the assembly line at boeing. Are you using that giant file to fix the fuselage seam? I actaully started one of those back when it was first released and ended up throwing it out as I messed up the fuselage so bad, I could not get it to look right. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted August 2, 2015 Author Share Posted August 2, 2015 I finished one of these a few years ago, did not recall the seam issues. Yes I have used the file on this one :D Why muck around with needle files when you can sort things out faster with one like that. Now I need to repair the area around the ribs. That will be fun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt H. Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 I finished one of these a few years ago, did not recall the seam issues. Yes I have used the file on this one :D/> Why muck around with needle files when you can sort things out faster with one like that. Now I need to repair the area around the ribs. That will be fun. In my case I am pretty sure it was operator error. so you going to have all three finished by january? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 (edited) In my case I am pretty sure it was operator error. so you going to have all three finished by january? That is the plan, I might start new threads for the other 2 once they start progressing further. At the moment I am spending more time on the KC-135A. As for the seams I think I will take a bit more care when buttoning up the next one(s) to reduce the rework of the seams. Edited August 3, 2015 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Looks like you're trying to sew a purse out of a pig's ear. I'm sure you'll end up with a fine looking model when you're done. Keep it up Ray. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted August 9, 2015 Author Share Posted August 9, 2015 (edited) Started to restored the sanded down ribs. First pass was OK, but I have had to make a second application of putty, above is a picture of the first pass with some tape removed. Wings are just about ready to be attached, I just want to rescribe some lost detail before that happens. Also slowly progressing on the RC-135V/W (not sure which it will be yet). Wings Nose gear Engines Edited August 9, 2015 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 Have not had a chance to get to the bench for a while, So some progress to report. Windscreen and cockpit roof installed, I did not bother adding any paint tot he overhead panel as it can't be seen. Also added the left wing. It needed some help to stay where I wanted it. ..and there is a nice gap where the inner and outer panel meet underneath. This was expected and the rear section will be filled with some card. the forward section will be hidden under the engine pylon when installed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 (edited) The KC-135 is on its gear legs now. So I decided to tape the engines on to see if I had put enough nose weight. Turns out I didn't. It seems the 80g recommended shoulb about double that to make sure. I had sealed up the cargo door so I had to remove it again. I had a piece of lead flashing for the purpose so I thought I would put in behind the cockpit. I decide to create a box to put it in so that I could glue it down securely in the cargo area. I almost made the box too big but fortunately checked before assembly. It fits nicely now Since the last update I have added the horizontal stabs and also filled the underwing seams. I started to add the small glazing bits but it turns out I should have fitted them when the fuselage was in parts. It would have made things easier. I am thinking I will leave the rest off and use clear cement to fill the openings after painting. Edited September 4, 2015 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt H. Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Nice to see it shaping up. Those little things like the windows can be so frustrating when you realize you should have done it before joining the fuselage halves. Good save on the nose weight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Nice to see it shaping up. Those little things like the windows can be so frustrating when you realize you should have done it before joining the fuselage halves. Good save on the nose weight. +1 Haven't we all been there with the windows?! Quite a pain in the glutes! I was kind of contemplating leaving the side windows out of my Lancaster build and used Testor's Window Maker goop until I realized that the fuselage codes would cover part of a couple of windows under the top turret. I then noted that the EZ Masks I bought had masks for all the windows. Problem solved! Keep up the fine work Ray. Coming along nicely. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 Ok, some progress to report.... 2 steps forward, 1 back. I noticed some sanding dust inside the windscreen which was bugging me. So after some thought I decided to pop the windscreen and roof off and clean it out. I cleaned the windscreen and gave it a fresh coat of future inside and out and refitted it So now more putty and sanding. I also have to attend to the cargo door as it fell in slightly when refitted. More putty and a rescribe is in order. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted September 14, 2015 Author Share Posted September 14, 2015 (edited) Had to pop the windscreen off again as I did not fit it correctly. Back on again Also filled the divot that was the cargo door and sanded smooth, next to rescribe the outline and missing detail. Engines are fitted and now I need to tend to the seams on the mounts and the one behind the cockpit. Edited September 14, 2015 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AX 365 Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Nice recovery on the windscreen and the cargo door. Third time's the charm. Hopefully that saying applies to you efforts with the cockpit glass. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted September 16, 2015 Author Share Posted September 16, 2015 Thanks Mike, I am a lot happier with it now. Started to remove the excess putty tonight and have also attacked the engine mount joins with putty. I really love trying to remove the excess in those nooks (not!). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
majortomski Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Nose weight added In a bit of irony, way back in the 1980's we put an airliner interior in a -135 so SAC could haul IG teams around in a bit of comfort. But we made the latrines in the back of the plane out of 3/4 inch plywood just to save time. I ended up adding about 700 pounds of lead in the '0' fuel cell hole just about the same place you're putting this strip of weight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share Posted September 21, 2015 Not much to report, putty has been applied and removed. Next I need to mask the clear parts and rescribe the cargo door and start on the paint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trojan Thunder Posted September 28, 2015 Author Share Posted September 28, 2015 (edited) I started to spray a black base coat for the metallic finish and found I had not rubbed back enough. So out with the sandpaper (finer grade) to reduce the scratches. Also evident is the need for a little more rescibing. Edited September 28, 2015 by Trojan Thunder Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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