Testors Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

The aging Testors kit is as challenging as it is inaccurate. Building out of the box produces a model with presence just by its shape and size, but the detail is woefully inaccurate. I spent hours researching the airplane and its history during this build and amassed 11 books published on the SR-71, A-12 and YF-12. Being an aviation engineer myself proved helpful as I was able to develop 3D printed parts (listed below) to add detail as well as aid in using some of the Metallic Details parts. The diorama and model itself is a representation of when the SR-71 was first seen publicly outside the US at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow (if you look closely at the crew steps there is a '74 Airshow brochure on it). I have tried to reproduce the position the SR-71 was displayed. Hypersonic Models kindly sent me the very first publicly available Start Cart to add to the diorama and this is currently WIP to be added hopefully December 2019 to the display.

This was a 2 year build I just completed. The diorama is missing the AG330 Start Cart and possibly a few figures which are in progress. For the SR build i used Metallic Details Landing Gear, Nacelle Inlets, Exhausts and grills. True Details cockpit and designed and 3D printed the nose cone, afterburners, sensors and antenna. The decals are mainly Caracal. Metallic Details parts required a lot of jigs to fit and the nose leg was extensively modified but all in all they really are a huge improvement to the Testors model.