Boeing RC-135W USAF

Glenn
Hi Ray, whats the story with this one? I see an CFM-56 engine update! I guess that means RC-135W? new sidecheeks? and the rest of the antenna farm too? I picked up a couple more of these not long ago, i plan a early and late model. Not sure about the third one yet? Might do a very early one with long nose without sidecheeks and J-57 engines and add the sidecheeks to a C-135 short nose with TF-33 engines. Plus there's the two different RC-135U's early TF-33 engines and late CFM-56 engines along with all the other variants! I'll be watching this one with great interest! 🙂

Ray Seppala
Hi Glenn, yes it is a later version with the Spectre Resins cheeks and updated antennas Array. Wolfpak have a 135W on one of their sheet and I think I will go that way. Just gathering references to see how much antenna scratch building is require. Also doing it in a take off attitude so I have to re-position the gear and flaps. All good fun. I figured ii was time to dive into the stash of 9 or 10 135 kits! 🙂 Along withe A I have another started and that will most likely be a RC-135U. I will have to update the conversion set cheeks to the later config. Another project will be started once I start cutting plastic on that one.

Glenn
Great Ray, I look forward to seeing these built. I have built up a bit of a database of pics of these aircraft. I'll have a look, If you would like some more photos i have a few of them flying past fairly close i found while trawling the web. The Antenna's seem to vary every few months! I always enjoy things that aren't your every day builds, one offs and strange conversions bring em' on! Waiting on more stuff from Wolfpak/Spectre myself, Mark always takes his time sending things. But it will be worth it!

Ray Seppala
I have cut the flaps out and decided to tape everything up to see how it looked. Everything going to plan it seems. Next will be to start building the flaps and boxing the holes in the wings in.

Dutch
Very nice project indeed! Ray, I'm curious which CFM-56 engines you are using for this project: AMT/ERTL KC-135R,; Airfix E-3D/F; or some aftermarket brand? I am definitely tuned in!

Bryn Crandell
That is quite the project. Looks like the nose gear would barely fit into nose well.

Ray Seppala
@Dutch, I am borrowing the CFMs from a AMT KC-135R kit which in turn will get the JT3/TF-33s to become a KC-135E. I also have a set of resin Airfix E-3D/F engines floating around as well. Since this one will be on a stand I prefer to use plastic engines.
@Bryn, you are right, it is a real squeeze for the wheels. I actually messed it up and have it retracted to far, when the gear doors go on they will obscure the wheels a fair bit. You live and learn.