Small Scale Military Headquarters

I splurged a bit and bought the recent CW 1/72 SR-71 Libyan Raider release....this is my first CW product.

Overall it's nice. Too expensive for what you get....alot of what you're paying for is presentation (box, collector card etc). It's a good representation of the SR-71, accurate lines and comes with a spare nose probe which is nice because i can see it being easy to break one.

Cons: the joint between nose section and wing section is pretty gappy for a model of this price, the black finish is a bit too sheeny (it's not shiney but not dead flat like it should be but i don't have the guts to dullcote it), there are 2 small very shiney glue splotches on it (one on the underside in the middle of nowhere and one where one of the rudders is glued on). There is also a subtle white residue in many of the panel lines towards the rear of the plane which i am going to pretend is weathering because otherwise i might freak out...as luck would have it, it does look like the scorching these planes exhibited, so maybe it is some kind of attempt at weathering....it's not on the underside however. Pilots are goofy looking but at least accurate in colour and in wearing spacesuits.

Overall i'm glad to have it as it's a very impressive model but i doubt i'll be buying more CW aircraft after this experience as i don't see that they are at all better than HM and cost much more.

Signed, or unsigned version, aferg?

The CW SR-71 is a great model, but does have a couple of minor issues. The fuselage join being the most noticeable, and unfortunately just part of the mold, and won't be going away. The white washed out panel lines are another small concern, and seem to vary on different releases, but always there. Guess it is to give it some "depth" as totally black wouldn't work either.

For me, these are minor issues, but still noticeable, if you look for them. But it is an SR-71 in 1/72 and 18 inches long. I have the first 6 releases, and the "Ichi Ban" is the only aircraft model that I have on permanent display, and love it.

CW has gotten expensive with their latest releases, and understand your concern. But, for me, CW is still a step above HM, but you are starting to pay a premium for that. Lucky enough to have gotten most of my CW before they skyrocketed in price, less than a year ago. In fact, I have been collecting CW for years now.

Think you might have had higher expectations getting your first CW model, and the SR does have minor and documented issues, but a superior product than HM can't even deliver.

Pretty sure your "l Libyan Raider" is going to grow on you.

Fantastic aircraft, and while not CW best work, a good model, with a couple of minor issues.

But looks stunning on the shelf.

yes you are correct, Snake. Since i wrote that i have come to love my SR-71. IIRC i was in a bad mood when i wrote that; i think i had opened it just before dinner time and i was cranky.

Anyway, i like it very much. The whitewash actually looks pretty realistic after studyiing close up pics of real weathered SR-71's. The fuselage join is really the only thing but since all diecast models have something.....join lines, screw holes etc...it's really not a big deal and i'm quite happy the model. It's the unsigned version and i grabbed it the day it came out. Glad i did because they seem to be sold out everywhere already.

I don't think i'll be getting 6 more like you though...

Good to hear aferg.

Don't know of any collector that is "unhappy" with their SR-71. Most just complaining about the fuselage/ wing join line, and the whitewash. And legitimate concerns, especially the join line. But being all black helps to somewhat hide it, and not noticeable from a distance. Only up close. Like I said, looks great on the shelf.

I was very tempted to get the "Libyan Raider", and would have probably have sprung for the signed version, but have enough of them already. Actually 7, and not 6.

All different though, with trainer, Ichi Ban snake, Playboy bunny, NASA, BB code, Skunkworks etc. But they are all black, Blackbirds. And Shul's is basic black.

But think you made a good call, getting it right away, as they seem to have sold very well, and appear to be pretty much sold out. Sure to appreciate in value, but doubt you would think about parting with it.