The secretive RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft has been newly kitted in 1/144 by Ukrainian firm Roden, in V/W format, as CHRIS CLIFFORD reports.
Defying all logic, certain interesting aircraft types have been under-represented by kit manufacturers over the years… and a perfect example is the Boeing RC-135. While it appeared in 1/72 scale as an RC-135V from AMT/ERTL (based on the company’s KC-135), modellers who favour smaller scales had to rely on resin/metal conversions from the likes of the late Mel Bromley’s S&M Models, in 1/144.
Now, though, Roden has stepped into the breach to provide a 1/144 all-styrene RC-135V/W Rivet Joint (item #349), which should prove highly popular with fans of Cold War and modern reconnaissance aircraft.
Above and below: There's a wealth of detail moulded on the fuselage halves, including the type's myriad antennas, and external strengthening strips.
The RC-135V and W are essentially the same externally, these days being somewhat homogenised. The W examples were converted from RC-135M ‘Combat Apple’ airframes, but both eventually had their old TF-33 turbojet engines replaced by F108 (CFM56) turbofans.
Both sub-types are what’s known as SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) assets, this being split into tw…