Lockheed built the D-21A spy drone for the CIA and U.S. Air Force. Advanced for its time, the vehicle could reach the speed of MACH 3.5.
The Clear Prop! 1/48 scale D-21A Drone plastic model kit includes a trailer with decals, a clear camera lens, optional fairings for the intake and exhaust, and a pedestal for mounting on an M-21, a two-seat variant of the A-12, predecessor of the SR-71 Blackbird.
The build starts with the engine, and I painted the parts before assembling it. The upper fuselage consists of three parts: left and right halves and one structural member. These pieces were difficult to glue together while keeping the correct alignment and shape. After completing the upper fuselage subassembly, I added the engine. The hull bottom consists of a hatch and clear camera lens, which I installed along with the intake structure.
Each wing consists of one piece, and the tail is in two pieces. The fuselage’s lower joining surface is too thick, leaving a noticeable step between the wing and fuselage. To reduce this, I sanded the lower fuselage (Part B1) for a better fit.
The real trailer for hauling the D-21A drone trailer was a complicated affair, and that translates to this scale-model version. In fact, the majority of the parts in this kit build into the trailer. I suggest using a piece of graph paper for Step 8 to keep the alignment of the rails and crossmembers correct. This frame is then set atop another frame, so squareness is important. Adding the jack stands, tie-down links, and wheels finish this part of the model.
For the trailer, you have a choice of three schemes: all gray, two-tone gray/yellow, or all yellow. I painted mine Mr. Color Yellow (No. 4), with Tamiya Rubber Black (No. XF-85) for the tires and Gloss Black (No. X-1) for the rims.
On the box, Clear Prop! has illustrated the D-21A as the first captive flight with silver and black paint. Soon afterward, D-21s were painted all black to match the M-21 “mothership.” So, you have a choice to make when picking your paint scheme. I painted my D-21 Tamiya Gloss Aluminum (No. TS-17) and Flat Black (No. LP-3) and accented panels with Testors Metallizer Stainless Steel and Steel.
It took 21 hours to model this piece of aviation history. With the fuselage issues and a complex trailer, I can only recommend the Clear Prop! 1/48 scale D-21A Drone plastic model kit to experienced modelers. I referred to Lockheed Blackbird Family by Tony R. Landis when assembling this kit.