KC-135 Stratotanker

**Skylarc** · #1 02-28-2020, 03:53 PM

Hey all,

So previously I had built the... (I don't even know who the designer is because it only currently exists on a third party Russian website with no cover or credit to the original designer) And it was okay but It had been sitting around for a couple years and needed to be retired so I decided to make a new one and in the process I vectored the model, recolored it to a darker grey to more closely match the current grey paint and changed it up a little to match a KC-135 I have crewed, and painted nose art on. It features a new Air National Guard Command patch, 190th ARW markings, Patriot Guard nose art and a Kansas state outline for the crew chief names by the crew entry door. I also updated the roundel to be the correct configuration and I updated the PDI (Pilot Director Indicator) lights on the belly. I'm designing this model to put on a display stand with the boom down and extended. Can't wait to show ya'll the final result!

**Skylarc** · #2 02-28-2020, 03:58 PM

A couple other notes: I printed this model on 11x17 110lb paper origionally on a laser jet printer and while I was forming it, the ink started to wear off and looked quite terrible. So I tried having it printed on an inkjet printer with 1200dpi and boy does it look a lot better!

**willygoat** · #3 02-28-2020, 04:46 PM

I look forward to seeing this done. I did something similar and changed that model to match a Nebraska ANG tanker from the 155th ARW. I got to fly on a mission with them back in '08 and I made them a Nebraska bird for them. They loved it!

**dhanners** · #4 02-28-2020, 11:43 PM

Nice work so far. I've long wanted a nice, detailed KC-135R....

**Isaac** · #5 02-28-2020, 11:50 PM

What scale is it?

Also is it the original KC-135 or the re engined KC-135R ?

Isaac

**N96HBK** · #6 02-29-2020, 03:30 AM

Nice!! I remember trying to build this kit a long time ago, and I forgot about it. Can't seem to find the files I kept in my drive.

Anyway, if I remember correctly, the designer also designed a Pan Am 707, which is available here: The Lower Hudson Valley Paper Model E-Gift Shop - Photo Gallery - Miscellaneous/Other
I found the 3rd party russian simulation website, but I can't find the origin of the kit.

**Skylarc** · #7 02-29-2020, 12:08 PM

I’ve had a few requests for the copy I have. I’m not sure whether I can share it or not, I can’t seem to find who created the model so I’m thinking it may have just been forgotten by now and as I mentioned above the only place I can find it online is a Russian website and I’m pretty sure that’s not the original creator. I’d love to share my updated vectored copy but I want to make sure I’m not violating any original work copyright first.

Anyway here’s a couple pictures of today’s update. I’m not sure I did a great job on the main landing gear bay because when I test fitted it it seemed unusually large, so I had to trim it down quite a bit and it lost some of its precise, smooth look in the process. I’m also not sure I did the tail 100% correct but with no instructions I’m just making educated guesses at this point haha.

I have to say though I’m really quite pleased with the new grey color, and the matte look the ink jet printer creates. I’ve pretty much exclusively used laser jet for all of my models and they come out shiny of course. All that said I’m still planning to put a high gloss Krylon coat over this to protect it and blend my shiny glue spillage in.

Also sorry for the pictures rotating. One of these days I’ll remember to take my pictures in landscape and not portrait!

**airdave** · #8 02-29-2020, 12:20 PM

You need to get permission from the original author.
Is there nothing on the model itself?
Did you not say its the same designer that authored a model at Lower Hudson Valley?
if so, then you know where to start.

If the model is pirated on a Russian site, it shouldn't be downloaded.
It doesn't matter how old it is, or how "forgotten" it is...its copied and redistributed without permission.

I'm tired of people (here) who think if a designer ceases operations, then his models are suddenly free to share.
They're not!

In this case, you say you had the model for some time (pre finding it on this Russian site?) and you've recoloured for personal use.
I say thats okay.
But you still need to track down the author and get permission to redistribute your modified version.
And tell him where you got your copy, so he can decide if its legit.

**Skylarc** · #9 02-29-2020, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isaac

What scale is it?

Also is it the original KC-135 or the re engined KC-135R ?

Isaac

Not sure on scale yet, I printed this off on 11x17 so it’s scaled up just a little bit from the original model. Once I’m done I’ll do a little measuring to give you a scale.

This is indeed an R model with the F-108 engines. I designed this one to match the serial number, nose art and other markings of one of the Jets I crewed in the Kansas Air National Guard. 58-0122 “Patriot Guard.”

**dhanners** · #10 02-29-2020, 12:25 PM

The model looks familiar so I checked my electronic stash and I have it but I've never built it. Another forum member sent it to me six years ago. My copy has Pennsylvania ANG markings, and has parts for both J-57 and CFM-56 engines.

There are fuselage formers, but no instructions to clue you in to where exactly they go.

The stated scale is 1/120, and one page has something in Cyrillic on it but I have no idea what it says.