KC-135

Comments

2 4 February 2016, 06:39

Donald Dickson II
So this is the model I am doing to take a break from the C-54. Its a neat kit. As you can see, I have it mostly built and sprayed metalizer aluminum plate and begun the buffing progress.

4 February 2016, 06:41

Donald Dickson II
And yes, I am going to use those decals.

4 February 2016, 06:42

Michael T
Good job so far, and good luck with the decals...mine didn't make it so I am looking for a replacement set. Iv got the E-3A AWACS same scale, hoping to put the N.A.T.O. decals on it and use the USAF on my tanker. any tips for saving vary old decals??

5 February 2016, 05:13

Donald Dickson II
I havent had to rescue any myself. But I imagine that spraying them with gloss coat then cutting them out very close would do it. I do believe there is also a product that does the same kind of thing.

5 February 2016, 08:02

Donald Dickson II
So I polished it up and then masked to apply stainless to provide some variation. After spraying I pulled the tape and found that Tamiya tape leaves a farging residue! Argh! Most of it buffed off. But not all. But it did give it a used kind of look. And the contrast between the stainless and aluminum plate isnt that great damn it.

6 February 2016, 04:04

Choppa Nutta
don't usually follow airliners but I've got some popcorn left over so I might as well tuck in 😄

6 February 2016, 05:51

Julian Herrero aka Yuri
A true classic !! Good work !!

6 February 2016, 05:59

Donald Dickson II
Choppa, not really an airliner though. Yes, it is based on the 707, but its a military tanker. So you can justify watching that way.😉

Julian, thank you!

7 February 2016, 04:59

Donald Dickson II
Almost done. Only have to put the landing gear and doors on then do the decals. I have them in a zip lock taped to the front door to try to let the sun bleach out the yellowing. Only problem is getting them to come off the backing. I experimented with the decal provided for the boom. I painted the red parts, so the decals were useless.

They did not break apart which was good. But they would not come off the backing! Not without destroying them. I may have to get some decal paper, scan them and print up new ones.

7 February 2016, 05:03

Choppa Nutta
shaping up nice and quick this one 🙂

7 February 2016, 05:21

Donald Dickson II
Well, it is done for the moment. Have to wait to see if the sun can work some magic on those decals. I am NOT putting on the landing gear until the very last thing. They are not at all that sturdy and I KNOW I would snap them off doing the decals. So back to the C-54 now.

8 February 2016, 06:27

Michael T
Looking real good !!. I wimped out and painted mine the dual sky gray that the air force use's today. the decals for my E-3 AWACS worked well. The E=3 ran into a problem....I was decaling it and..... Dropped it !took off both out board engine's all the landing gear doors and snapped the right side main gear in half.....I think I can save it. I'll put up some pic's when there both complete.

9 February 2016, 02:30

Donald Dickson II
Oh man that sucks! I hope you are able to rescue it. I did not go with the grey and white scheme because of the odd scale of the model. I can't get any decals that would come from the time frame that paint scheme is on the plane.

9 February 2016, 04:47

Donald Dickson II
Well, it is as finished as I can get it. I got two decals to come off the sheet, barely. I cant find any after market in 1/144, which I would run with if even a hair small. I did a high resolution scan and tried to print them to no avail. I may take them to Staples and see if they can print them. But short of that, I am out of options.

Couple other things. You will notice the lack of glass in the cock pit. Thats because there was none in the kit. It was meant to simply have holes there. I toyed with the idea of making windows with the clear parts maker, but decided to leave it as it was meant to be. The other is I left the copyright marks on the tail. I usually remove those, as I am sure everyone else does. But I liked the idea of it having the 1957 date on it.

29 February 2016, 05:16

Choppa Nutta
wow..... 1957 !!
yeah, I'd have left the date on it too 🙂
looking good bud 👍

29 February 2016, 05:46

Donald Dickson II
Soooo, almost 3 years later...

I messaged Greg Baker and asked him very nicely if he would be so kind as to attempt reproducing the decal sheet for me. We all know how much of a master he is at that. 🙂 So, he was kind enough to do so! He printed them on clear at my request as there is no way I could cut out everything it was on white background. I managed to scrounge up some Stars and Bars out of my used decals stash, so I did not have to paint white for those. But the nose band on the other hand... So I managed to make masks and do a rough white area to lay the decals on. Wallah! So it now looks like it should. 🙂

Many many loud and sincere thanks to Mr Baker. He is an officer and gentleman for sure.

31 October 2019, 21:19

Choppa Nutta
Sweet result m'dude !! 🙂

31 October 2019, 22:38

Donald Dickson II
Thank you sir! I was literally giddy that I finally got it done.

31 October 2019, 23:08