Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I believe this kit was first issued in the 1970's. It is mighty big, mighty impressive, and a tad short of detail.
The principal problem with a re-issued kit is that the older technology problems are never really corrected. The ship is dead-on accurate, quite surprising given the restricted data available during the Cold War era. However, all SR-71 kits during this period from all manufacturers were shallow on cockpit detail, very disappointing in that the canopy can be left open at the builder's discretion.
Once upon a time, True Details Corp. produced an excellent add-on for this kit's cockpit; I don't know if is still available. Another area which can be greatly enhanced are the exhaust nozzles, via yet another after-market product, Cutting Edge Modelworks nozzle assemblies, which is still available.
You will need four hands or two really big, dexterous ones to assemble this kit. If you have never used glue clamps, this kit will give you an appreciation for them.
In my humble opinion, Testor's cheated you out of the much more interesting YF-12A "interceptor" version. It's main attraction is a two-tone color scheme. Of course, a motivated modeler could kit-bash a one-of-a-kind substitute, as there is now previously classified data for it.
Due to its size, I cannot recommend it to a beginner. Decal adhesion to wing corrugations might be a problem but decal-softening solvents will save the day. This kit plus add-on extras could produce a masterpiece in basic black. Don't forget those glue clamps.
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1/48 HSO SR71 Blackbird
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