That is a monster! I am impressed with how well Revell engineered this kit and with the complex shapes the gaps looked pretty minor. This is certainly one of the best detailed SR-71 kits I have seen. Thanks for this build review, it was very helpful and Happy New Year.
Finally a good SR71 kit. The turkey feathers need work, sensor/camera bays also, shouldn't be an issue with references. I gotta get one. Wound up making a rocket sled out of the Testors 1/72 one decades ago, all it was good for, an Estes C7 and line to run on in the snow worked fabulously.
Great catch on the direction mix ups! Stationed at Beale AFB Ca, watched them take off almost every day! That light behind the RSO's cockpit isn't a light it's a sensor. As soon as the sled pulls out of its shelter it starts looking for stars to align the INS platform.
Cool! Grew up in Nevada City 73-86, used to hear the two tankers on their way over Idaho like 2am, saw the white crossed belly SR with T-38's chase like 1980(?) middle of the day once. The air shows were great then.
Looks like Revell hit a home run with this one. Disappointed to see the factory gap in the nosecone/fuselage interface, but some putty or CA and will look great. Thanks for doing this build w/o paint, can see all the fit and finish. Great build as always. Thanks for posting!
Love the Blackbird Chris! Would love for you to do a video on painting it. Can’t believe how big it is! That’s a lot of black paint lol. Hope this year brings you a healthy and happy one mate! I just got the all clear from my cancer!! I’m in remission!! Thankyou for all your videos during 2021, I battled through it with gods help but your videos were so helpful during my battle. Thanks for everything Chris ☺️👍❤️
In 1981-1982 I was stationed in Okinawa on a USNavy base outside of Kadena AFB. Our shop was under the flight path of the runway. The takeoff of the SR-71 happened 3-4 times per week. We usually had warning that it was going to happen because three refueling aircraft would takeoff, usually an hour in advance, in preparation for rendezvous with the SR-71. The aircraft was called Habu, which is a nickname for a Japanese snake.
Ronald Clay: WOW talk about memories, I was in Okinawa from 1978 to 1979 in the Marine Corp. We would hed to Kadena airbase all the time to watch the SR-71 take off and sometimes do touch and go landings. It was really fun to watch them. While I was there, my team actually came across a Golden Habu in the Northern Training Area. Thanks for the memory recharge! :-)
What a kit. Yeah nobody likes a saggy rear end lol... I can only imagine how cool this will look all painted up. Might take while though........... Nice demo. it's a new year and I look forward to more of your videos.
About 40 years ago I was doing the plastering of a wall 15 miles from the airbase of Montijo, Portugal. I started to hear a loud rumbling far away, I get out and I just saw a SR-71 above my head turning around to the Atlantic. My first an only time that I saw one. The plastering just fell down with the vibration and I restarted over. It was amazing.
Adding to my previous content, you’re not the first person who’s done one of these videos to admit lack of knowledge of this aircraft. My advice, study up and be prepared for your head to explode. Designed with pencil, paper and slide rules in 1959, the technology created for this machine is stuff that most people wouldn’t believe if it came out yesterday. It is even by todays standards, an amazing technological achievement. Virtually everything on this aircraft, including the tools and techniques to build it had to be invented, because it didn’t exist in 1959. It was also delivered early and under budget, a feat unheard of in today’s world.
Impressive model. Looks like a fun one to build. I was fortunate enough that I took my family to Dayton years ago for the Air Force anniversary air show. A SR 71 was there and flew for the crowd. Everyone loved it.
What an awesome planet! I built a model of blackbird in the early 80s in a few hrs since it was molded in black, never painted it. I think mine was revelln1/72 scale. Mine lacked the jet engine details as I recall. The fuel probe option you chose was smart...The fuel tanks leaked really bad on the ground so they used to fuel it up enough to get off the ground and fuel it after the titanium skin warmed up and the fuel quit leaking. Hot rod had an article on that plane yrs ago...to start each of these engines a device with TWO Buick 455 engines spun the turbine blades up to speed to start it. SUPER cool kit of an AWESOME spy plane built in the early 60s! I NEED one!
I still see a lot of things that they have done exactly Testors kit that was around when I was a kid. Wish they would have improved upon it some more - the engines are a nice add tho. And I love the interior bracing.
Sweet Build. I really liked the video and can’t wait to get my own. One thing I really like about watching your videos is that they let me know if a particular kit is something I want to get or not. Thank You for the Awesome videos.
👏 😮 that's huge thank you 😊 🙏 enjoy your videos 📹 😊 please keep them coming 🙏 😘 and here to help get your videos out to everyone 😀 😊 100 comment 😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆
@@hpiguy I would like to THANK YOU! For taking time during your holidays to bring us these great videos for us the past few days it IS much appreciated! Happy an prosperous New Year to you and yours.
im glad you took the time to do the build and review thanks ...i never thought id see a new tool sr-71 in 1/48 so its great revell have done it...hats off to them for doing it...i have bought one its in the euro boxing with a stand included..im in the uk..i have a 1/48 testors sr but couldn't resist a new one...great how the fuselage is all in one bar the nose it will make life so much easier to build...now please a new 1/48 yf-12a...they look so cool i need one
I’m glad it’s not a refresh of the Testers kit. You know Revel was the first model company to come out with a 1/72 scale SR-71 back in the 60’s,when it was still secret. The way they got the dimensions for scale was they got pictures of the bird sitting on the ramp and found out the dimensions of the concrete blocks it was sitting on and scaled it up from there. It was very close dimension wise.that kit was in production for decades!
When I worked in Seattle, on my way home I drove past the Boeing Museum of Flight. One day traffic stopped, as three long flatbed semis were pulling into the Museum with an SR 71! One trailer had the fuselage, and the other two had one wing and engine each. This was about 30 years ago. Now to this day they hold a model show and most of the tables are under the SR 71 that is hanging from the ceiling!
This "unboxing" is above and beyond! Just a side note. I think it's supposed to have huge gaps in the plastic to allow for expansion at supersonic speeds! 🤣
Chris. I actually saw this aircraft in Okinawa Japan up close and personal. But it is top secret on the inside of the cockpit. But it is a very nice aircraft. I had a buddy that did the developed the film from when the SR-71 took pictures out in space. But thanks for putting this together. Great video.
UPDATED Oh, I want one! Not the model (well, yes; but in its own time), but the actual aircraft--with the aft section, once free of the classified technology, reworked with plush seating, sound-deadening carpeting and panelling, etc.--remade as a private jet seating eight, and painted a dark metallic, tinted azure. Well, a tech-nerd can dream, right? Oh, this kit looks to be a joy! And for one of my personally favourite aircraft of all time, at that! How, exactly, does one paint the various blacks, dark greys, metallics, etc.? I was looking forward to your guidance in this. At 4:53, you mention the "spine". I expect that this is one of the two distinctive, blade-like edges between the upper and lower halves of the fuselage? These are "chines", which the renowned Kelly Johnson of Lockheed's Skunk Works, initially had designed to facilitate the aircraft's transition to and maintain stability in high supersonic flight. They in testing had learnt that this unusual cross section had reduced radar return. UPDATE: PrimedModelWorks showed in his build that this part fits in the interior along the centreline, strengthening the core. Yes, the opening aft of the cockpit along the dorsal spine, which you mention at 27:13, is the airborne refueling receptacle. (One of my more unusual projects eventually will be to build the variants of the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker USAF Airborne Refueler; one of these will be the KC-135Q, specifically tasked to bear the specialised avgas of the SR-71, displaying both in the process.) Can one convert this kit to make models of other versions, e.g., the A-12 (if memory serves)? The fit issue you experienced immediately forward of the cockpit, at 22:13, suggests to me that Revell USA eventually intends other manifestations of the aircraft.
Nice quick build, just wondering if you ever figured out why that gap on the nose was that big. Dosen't really matter much since I'll be waiting for aftermarkets on this, but thank you for sharing.
Nice box review. I love your tips on assembly. That kit is going to take some effort to paint and decal, but it will definitely be worth the effort. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Interesting that the USA release does not include the two full engines and the display stand the Germany version does. Great build. I have the Testors with all the resin and metal correction parts.
Oh this is curious. I noticed on your section where you assemble the engine front and back parts and test fit in the wing section that there are two flashed over holes in the bottom of the nacelle. At first I was thinking they were to help align the exhaust section with the internals but they do not. Now I am thinking those flashed over holes are to help align ventral fins on the nacelles, the kind of fins used on the YF-12 and SR-71B/C! It will likely be years before we see kits of those variants from Revell, but they are thinking ahead. Well done!
Yes, very common to plan for future variations when designing molds and kits of airplanes. I'm sure they already plan on issuing more versions for us. Enjoy!
Nose gap: fill and rescribe for proper panel seam. Use water based putty so you can smooth out the excess with no sanding. Big difference over the German kit is they don't include the engines and stand. I wonder if it costs less than the German version?
That part you’re thinking is a fuel port is a fuel port. The SR-71 Blackbird has to get filled up after take off, when the tanks have a chance to seal them selves and the fuselage has a chance to expand and close up all the gaps. On the runway, the Blackbird leeks fuel like there’s no tomorrow.
I have traced the main difference between the Revell of Germany and Revell USA kits. The RoG kit has 206 pieces while the Revell USA kit has only 170 parts. It looks like the Revell USA kit does not include the in flight display stand or the exposed J58 engines (which display on the stand). So if you as a modeler want those, get the Revell of Germany kit. If you just want the jet and don't care about the engines and stand, wait for the Revell USA kit.
Sir, Thank you for taking the time and effort to do what you do best. Promote Scale Modelling. I for one appreciate your comments, and your candour. Please take care and hope your new year is as good as the last. Appreciate you taking the time to make a video on this wonderful kit and highlighting the potential problems you came across. THANKL YOU and take care.......
The German kit is 206 pieces. Fast forwarded through the first time, so sorry if I missed something, but am I correct that the US version doesn’t include the display stand and spare engines? So much for waiting for it to hit our shores. Looks like I’ll be ordering an EU kit.
Huh. I was stationed at Castle in 1971 and saw it land and take off a few times- awesome sight at night. It's only small compared to the tankers that fueled it and of course the BUFFS that were also based at Castle.
tWhat cement/adhesive would you suggest for a guy and his 12 year old son's first time doing a model? Any special tools i should get as well? I have a pair of flush cuts and some small files. Gonna get some little clamps also. Mostly just need to know what cement to use as i keep reading mixed reviews on them.
I believe most of the bad reviews are based from the releasing agent and needing to be washed with dawn dish soap first. I just don't want to many hiccups along the way.
Revell Germany release and the Revell USA release. This is the USA release version. Same kit inside but the Germany issue has two engine kits for display and a stand.
Chris, great review. Great ideas and recommendation on the engine assembly. The gap on top of the nose area is not on the real A/C, but like you said, easily filled and painted over. I really want it, but can't justify it with four other large A/C on the shelf to build (B-36/YB-49 in 1/72, and AC-130/B-58 in 1/48). Maybe I'll sneak it in somehow. LOL. I'm building the AMT Big Rig Semi Trailer (Kit #1164/06) which is a re-release by Round 2, and boy what a pain in the A** that is. BUT, with me being retired and just getting back into the hobby after 40 yrs, I don't mind taking the extra time and shaving/sanding parts to fit and all the other little stuff that would have drove me mad as a teenager in the "I want it built NOW" mindset." You and your family have a great holiday coming up, hope your Christmas was enjoyable, and look forward to an upcoming year seeing your vids on the "Workshop". OB
Addendum: Chris, did Revell say were to get it? I checked several of my hobby websites and only one has the new SR-71 listed and it's for the Revell-Germany version. I even checked Revell's US website and they only list the older version (with a drone). Thanks my friend. OB
Thanks and Happy New Year to you! This kit is on it's way to the US, Revell has some production boxes sent to them early for reviews so they sent one for me to crack open, it should be at all the major outlets early this year if the supply chain stays steady.
He said he was going to build it up without paint or putty so we could see the fit and finish on the completed model out of the box which I appreciate. If he paints it afterward it won't be too hard except for the cockpits. Still, it does look weird in white....
On these videos it's just a quick build. I didn't have time for a full paint and detail but like to show viewers how a new kit like this will fit and go together so they can decide on buying it. A step above just a parts unboxing in this case since it's new.
That spy plane was ahead of its time. I hear all of the actual tooling etc of the real plane was destroyed. They even had their on tanker fleet back then too. Used a special fuel too. Even with spy satellites there must be a more advanced jet out there taking pictures.
I built several of the 1:48 scale testers kits. This one looks updated with a little more detail but still leaves much to be desired. With this scale it would be nice to have the engines actually in place and open engine covers. Also would be really nice if they included extra parts to have a YF12 or A12 build. The panel gaps are still bad looking and need a lot of filling for the price of this kit.
Here's a fun fact about the SR-71 Chris because it was made by titanium there was gaps in the airframe it had only take off with enough fuel to get it up in the air give the skin to heat up and it would seal the plane and all the fuel tanks then it would refuel
I saw that on a show too, pretty cool. All the air friction made the skin heat up to 500 degrees or something like that. Pilots had to wear pressure suits to avoid being cooked in the cockpit or killed if they had to eject at speed. Amazing jet.
Plastic surgery and mismarked instructions. Now that is a kit that forces you to pay attention. I love the SR-71. My favorite plane of all time. This kit may not be though. Love your builds.
