Model Forum / General / Models / December 2006

In 1/72nd scale, it was the AMT/Ertl offering that had the KC-135A, E, R,
RC-135V, EC-135C, and the prototype Laser Lab.  Heller issued the KC-135r
kit as a C-135FR with the addition of hose and drogue tanks under each wing,
and someone else modified the AMT/Ertl kit to have the big nosed ARIA
version.  They're pretty good kits, and the only game in town in 1/72nd
scale.

I don't know about 1/144th and the smaller scales.

Don H.

I've built several of the AMT kits, they turn out great but they are
not for the beginner. They are particularly striking if mounted from a
wall in a flying configuration. I've even seen some done with them
refueling other aircraft something I hope to do with a B-52. There are
some aftermarket accessories for these kits, I only wish they'd do a
flap and spoiler set for them.

Gerald

www.hawkeyeshobbies.com

Thanks for your comments Al, Don, and Hawkeye. I had already started
the Heller kit and was not too impressed with it. A main LG wheel
half was missing, an alignment pin hole for the port side inboard
engine was missing on the wing bottom, and there was a sprue block
for one landing light lens. I found a resin wheel of the same size
and used it, cut the pin off the engine pylon and simply glued the
unit in place, and I'll use some 5/32" dia acrylic dowel flattened
to a half-moon cross section to cut and fit into the wing for the
landing light lens.

When I was applying the long "U.S. AIR FORCE" decal, I sneezed and
ruined it. I bought a Testor's decal starter kit and made a new one
and installed it per their instructions. It looked really nice.
I noticed this morning, however, that the edges are beginning to lift.
Does anyone have any hints on how to correct this when I do it over?
(This kit will be a gift to a pilot friend.)

I retired a few years ago, ran out of "Honey-do" stuff, and just a
few weeks ago got back into kits (Read: out-of-the-loop for thirty
years). TIA for any help with the decal issue.

Eddie