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Clear Prop! 1/48 scale D-21A Drone plastic model kit review

A nice-looking drone with a difficult fuselage
RELATED TOPICS: CLEAR PROP! | D-21 A DRONE | AIRCRAFT
Kit:CP4819 // Scale:1/48 // Price:$37
Manufacturer:
Clear Prop! (Sample courtesy of mfr.)
Pros:
Interesting subject; nicely molded; clear instructions
Cons:
Seams on wings; upper fuselage support; trailer is complicated to build
Comments:
Injection-molded plastic (gray, clear); 96 parts (two photo-etched metal parts); decals
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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.
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