The Hobby Company I145 Italeri 0145S - SR-71 Blackbird

Let me start by saying this model is incredibly detailed, and accurate. It contains the relevant parts to create either a SR-71A or SR-71B (Trainer model with raised rear cockpit) and the NASA version including the drone. So plenty of scope to do whatever you need.One thing to note is that if you are used to creating 1/72 scale fighter planes you will now be working with a model roughly twice the size. As the SR-71A was over 100ft long, and most fighters average 55ft in length...you get the idea.This model's actually formed from black plastic rather than the usual grey, but PLEASE do yourself a favour and give it a matte black coat from a spray, or ideally multiple coats for consistency. A nice touch is that the objective cameras underneath the SR-71 are clear plastic giving it that 3 dimensional feel. The cockpit is by far the most finnicky part of the build, as I found the chairs to be slightly too high to fit under the canopy, so I shaved approximately 2 mm off them with a knife.The transfers are easy to do (apart from the red lines across the top wing area (which was a b****** hehe) but it looks incredible when completed.The model is very high quality, and looks great! I've since bought another one as my friend liked it so much he asked me to make one for him!

Ok, this has a very comprehensive set of parts in the box, since you can build any of an SR-71A, an SR-71B trainer, or the modified YF-12C (which looks like a Blackbird) D-21 drone carrier.It's visually accurate, but there are a few issues in specific places.Fit-wise, the cockpit bathtub only fits the upper fuselage where they touch (and they mostly don't). This was easily resolved with a few plastic card tabs.Also the tailcone is badly out of register. To expand on this, the wings, engines and rear fuselage are split as upper with wing leading and trailing edges, and lower which slots into the upper. Now these fit everywhere except the tailcone, where one side is about 2mm offset from the other.Finally, I've also built the Revell kit, which also includes a D-21, but the Revell one is some 7% smaller. They can't both be right-sized (and the Revell kit includes the drone's ground-handling trailer.There are more issues with the instructions.0) The aircraft are described as being "matt black overall". I've seen a couple of preserved examples (Duxford and Smithsonian) and they're more of a silk black with a hint of blue.1) No mention of CIA "black ops" schemes. You can do one of these by building an A and omitting the national marking, titles, serials and tail badges.2) The B (and drone carrier) should have ventral fins under the engine nacelles (I have photographic evidence of this). These are moulded in the kit but marked "not to be used". Fit the parts on the opposite side of the engine diameter from the rudders with the thin end of the fin forward and the block in the engine exhaust cooling vent.3) The drone carrier is just described as "silver" in the paint guide. SR-71s were mostly made from titanium, so use Taniya's "Titanium silver" for the main colour.

This is an awesome kit of the famous SR-71, which also includes the option to build the M-21 with drone. Only two of the M-21's were ever built and I believe this is the surviving depiction. The other collided with it's own drone leading to the grounding and cancellation of this mark. The kit itself is nicely detailed but this must be an old kit as the panel lines are raised and the fit isn't perfect; needing a little filler and filing/sanding to get a good fit). There are no pilots however the canopies can be modelled open which shows off the nice interiors. Another slight concern, with me anyway, is that the pilot tubes are ready attached to the fuselage and a lot of care needs to be taken whilst working on it not to snap them off. Having said that the plastic is quite forgiving. I added a lot of lead ballast to the front of aircraft as although it doesn't mention it in the instructions, I think such an aircraft would be a tail sitter without it.Overall then, this was a great build and I'm really pleased with my finished model. To get the best out of the kit it's possibly not for the beginner, but then again as I believe this is now out of production, should be purchased now and built when you have acquired the skills needed to make the most of it :)

Good replica , detailed moulding , looking forward to building this kit. First time , to do a realistic effect paint job ...

This is my first time purchasing an 'ITALERI' plastic aircraft kit.Unlikely I will purchase another.Compared to other manufacturers for closely price matched products the quality is poor.

One of the best looking kit's I have ever built.. Look's great on my H O scale railway layout that has an airfield on it. Would rather have plains than trains. 👍👍👍

Poor quality parts don’t fit instructions unable to read would not recommend very disappointed.

Good model, its pretty big, raised panel lines and no aircrew, wheel wells are naff but as far as I'm concerned those are the only downsides. Easy kit to assemble, made mine while a bit drunk and turned out fine!!