Today I was gathering up subjects for an upcoming display. An old 1/48 SR-71 has hung in my wife’s office somewhat forgotten for years and I had a slot for it. Wow, I’d forgotten how big this thing is at 27" long! I didn’t remember it being that large (or dusty for that matter)! Not my best model at that time in my life but impressive in my hands.
Decals cracking but complete. Some gaps I didnt remember. This thing needs some TLC and moved to my Museum (really just my office) for some exposure. What a machine this was in real life. How could I forget?
Anyway, all is saved, under renovation as we speak, soon ready to fly at the upcoming event! Yay!
That’s an interesting coincidence; the latest IPMS journal includes an article on repairng a presentation model of the SR-71, albeit in 1/72, for Colonel Jim Sullivan.
I built one a couple of years ago. It was a Christmas present for my daughter’s boyfriend. He remembers building one with his grandfather whom passed away. It was very nostalgic for him.
I see that your reairing the decals. Everything looks fantastic. The SR-71 will fly once again in your museum.
Looking forward to seeing the restoration and the results Max. I did something similar to what you did for the Microsol bottle not tipping and spilling by putting mine in a wider mouthed container but I like the idea of the 1-1/4" socket to put the bottle in. I’ll be using that one now. Thanks for the tip. [Y]
Hey, not perfect but an order of magnitude better. I still see some teeny brush work here and there. Wow, I was reminded of how big these things are in real life. My grandson was impressed and I had to buy him the model before we left the museum!
Even though a little rough, this thing is impressive up close. Along with amazing performance info graphics, it should fair well with viewers at the display. Hard to beat an act like that!
I use the caps from rattlecans, and from laundry detergent jugs, for non-tip containers for paints, glue bottles, and other little jars and bottles on the bench. I also use the detergent jug caps to hold things, like a supply of cotton swabs or toothpicks, on my bench.
One thing I learned during the re-do was how to cure a problem with several models of the past. On several large models that I’d used a dullcote spray can as a final finish sometimes had a mottled effect. More coats just made it worse.
The Blackbird got the Micro sol treatment to repair the aging decals followed by an equivalent of Future coat. The areas looked so good that I began to do panels all with a fine hair brush and ended up doing the entire exterior. Wow, It looked like the Blackbirds I’ve seen and without the dreaded mottling of the past.
A lesson learned and problem solved. The bird looks impressive, off to the show!
