KC-135E

scalemates
I like!!!! 👍

Dieter Bihlmaier
Perfect build Sebastijan!

Sebastijan Videc
Thanks guys, glad you like her!

Phil Marchese
nice...Legs for Lift!

Sebastijan Videc
Thanks Phil!

sdzsdtintinsqdqsd
very nice and decent weathering! how was it done?

Jose Miguel Rodriguez
Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Burkhard D
Super color variation! 👍

Bill Gilman
Fantastic! 👍

Dutch
Beautiful work, Sebastijan! I really like the weathering. Any hiccups during the building process; things to watch out for; or a better method to use?

Ray Seppala
Nice work Sebastijan 👍

Sebastijan Videc
thanks guys

Dutch, well truth is, it is not an easy build - sprue gates are big and there's lots of them, sometimes in most inconvenient places, the fit of the forward clear part was poor and a lot of puttying and reshaping was needed, side cockpit windows are of wrong shape and had to be corrected as well... definitely a model for builders with experience but the end result is worth it.

Dutch
Sebastijan, Thank you for that appraisal. The C-135 is a favorite of mine. I have several old Revell kits that I know how to chop down to size and fix the JT3C engines into J-57s or use JT3D engines from their AWACS kit. I am debating spending the money for the Minicraft kit if it is that difficult, but your results are outstanding. The engine cowlings look a little odd, as if they taper toward the front. Is it my eyes or the camera or is this in fact true?

I see that Minicraft is getting ready to release several other variants. And... Welsh is also releasing a KC-135 multi-variant kit in resin / metal based on their earlier vacuformed kit in 1:144. Best prices for Minicraft KC-135E kit are ~ $32 USD and the new Welsh resin kits go for ~ $80-90 USD. OUCH! Lastly, Jennings Heilig will release some new decals for the KC-135E covering USAF ANG units under his Fundekal label. fundekals.com/ To quote the old Morton Salt advert: "When it rains, it pours!"

Edgars Bizūns
Awesome! I really want to try something like this in 1/144, now I only make small fighters, but if I will get Revells C-17, it will be nice. How did you made the panel shading?

Sebastijan Videc
Dutch, don't get me wrong, as you can see, it can be built into a beautiful looking model, it's just construction nonsenses that drive me crazy. All the faults can be rectified easily with basic modelling skills. Regarding the engines - I'm not expert on B707 or C-135 series, but the biggest problem to my eyes, is actually the shape of the engines - turbine faces are sort of oval in shape, instead of round while the exhausts have very thick walls which are hard to be thinned due to the construction of them... I guess someone will make a nice resin set for them. Pylons could be a bit better as well - I don't like the step on the top of the wing - I could probably rectify that a bit, but I noticed it only when the model was already finished.

Edgars: I first painted model in AMC Grey then added a drop of white or black to this paint and started shading certain panels acording to reference photos, as well as vertical streaking with a slightly darkned colour.

Dutch
Sebastijan, You've inspired me so much, I just purchased a Minicraft KC-135E kit myself. It will wait in the stash until I obtain the Fundekal KC-135E ANG sheet forthcoming. Cheers! Dutch

Phil Marchese
The key here is " according to reference photos." In my experience, looking at what you are building is the essential part of the experience. I know this sounds self-evident however I have seen far too many models formula enhanced to think that it does not need repeating.