KC-135R Stratotanker (USAF)

1
July 8, 2023
Photo of the subject aircraft
2
July 8, 2023
Photo of the subject aircraft
3
July 10, 2023
Photo of the subject aircraft. This is the look I am going for my finished model.
4
July 9, 2023
The KC-135R APU vents from the rear left fuselage. I will need to scratch build these.
5
July 19, 2023
CFM-56 engines and pylons. Adapting the Heller E-3F parts to the AMT/Ertl kit will be a challenge, but doesn't look terrible.
6
July 19, 2023
Painting the intakes are going to be a challenge!
7
July 8, 2023
Prepared the CFM-56 engines from my Heller E-3B/F kit for modification and painting.
8
July 15, 2023
Assembled the cockpit and recruited a crew from the parts box. I know it isn't common for a KC-135 crew to wear helmets, but not unprecedented. The only figures I had without helmets wear WWII era uniforms, so this will be closer.
9
July 15, 2023
Boomer cabin, APU, and oxygen tanks. I know this APU isn't exactly for a KC-135R, but honestly, I doubt anyone will ever see this area through the tiny windows!
10
July 15, 2023
Main gear box built, also to never be seen again... but the wing spar part is necessary for construction.
11
July 15, 2023
The cargo door closed up nicely, but the crew access door is not a great fit. This will require some filling after the glue cures.
12
July 15, 2023
This kit was clearly designed to be gear down. The main doors aren't a fantastic fit, but not bad. The other doors are unusable for a gear up configuration, they are fused together. I will need to use plastic card to correct this.
13
July 19, 2023
Made the gear doors, puttied the gaps, sanded and hit with some primer. Not quite as good as I'd like, now I just need to try not to fix it until it's broke.
14
July 19, 2023
Two of the CFM-56 engine pylons for the Heller E-3F were not the right shape for a KC-135R. I am attempting to get them to bend to my will with glue and clamps!
15
July 19, 2023
Applied the base coat for the cockpit and boomer pit.
16
July 22, 2023
Applied some green putty to the modified engine pylons
17
July 22, 2023
Front office is ready enough to be viewed through a tiny windscreen!
18
July 23, 2023
Cleaned up the re-worked pylons and seams for the engine fairings. Unfortunately there were some substantial gaps in the engine interiors, so I filled them with white putty.
19
August 5, 2023
Installed the cabin floor

Comments

24 8 July 2023, 22:29

DerMattes
Following 👍

9 July 2023, 07:05

Sergej I
Proper plane! 🙂 👍

9 July 2023, 20:19

Dean Harpster
Thanks guys! This should be a fun build, my plan is to make this KC-135R a flying aircraft... partly so I can display it with the boom extended, and partly to conserve shelf space!

9 July 2023, 22:01

Sergej I
You could then add the full 18th Alaskan Wing waiting in the line for juice, make use of the entire room ceiling 🙂

10 July 2023, 20:32

Patrick Hagelstein
Cool to see one of those being built, I'll chime in for sure! Enjoy the build! 👍

19 July 2023, 17:48

Dean Harpster
Sergej - that would be an amazing idea! I thought about attaching a plane to the boom, but couldn't decide which one, so I'm going to leave it to imagination. Someday I do plan to build several aggressor F-16s, beautiful planes!

Patrick - nice to meet you! The build has been fun so far!

19 July 2023, 20:03

Erik Torp
Looking good! Following.

19 July 2023, 20:06

Maverick212
Nice work so far.

23 July 2023, 21:39

DerMattes
Nice progress 👍

24 July 2023, 06:37

Album info

This model represents a KC-135R of the 909th ARS Young Tigers, one if the tanker units I worked most closely with during my Air Force service. During Operation Southern Watch, I delivered weather forecasts to Joint Task Force-Southwest Asia mission planners. Tankers were deployed to Al Dhafra Airbase, United Arab Emirates. If the tankers were not on schedule, it would cause cascading cancellations of all types throughout the theater. Unfortunately, Al Dhafra frequently experienced morning fog causing visibility lower than limits for KC-135 aircrews. This created a high pressure situation for me whenever the tanker crews were counting on my forecast to correctly predict when the fog would disperse!

KC-135R Stratotanker (USAF)

19 images

1:72

On hold

1:72 EC-135C "Looking Glass" Airborne Command Post (AMT/ERTL 8955)

1:72 C-135 Family General Markings (Caracal Models CD72070)

Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker

US Air Force (1947-now)
909 ARS, 18 WG

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