Reviews

Caracal Models sheet CD72088 is the first of two sheets providing a wide variety of markings for the SR-71. This sheet covers the SR-71, A-12, YF-12 and M-21 and was designed for the Revell kit. The schemes covered are:

• A-12 60-6927. This was mostly unpainted with the exception of the nose, fuselage and outer wing chines and intake spikes. The tailcode (06927) was carried on the upper fin with U.S. AIR FORCE on the fuselage;
• A-12 60-6928. This was overall black with all markings in white, including the "06928" tailcodes and "U.S. AIR FORCE" on the fuselage;
• YF-12A 60-6934. This was mostly unpainted with the exception of the nose, fuselage and outer wing chines and intake spikes. The tailcode (06934) was carried on the upper fin with U.S. AIR FORCE on the fuselage and the aircraft also carried FX-934 on the engine nacelle;
• YF-12A 60-6935. This was overall black with all markings in white, including the "06935" tailcodes, "U.S. AIR FORCE" on the fuselage and "FX-935" on the intake. This aircraft also carried artwork on the fin, in this case a Presidential Unit Citation above the serial and a full colour shield (in chalk) below;
• YF-12A 60-6935. This represented the aircraft when flown by NASA and was identical to it's earlier scheme with the exception yellow fin bands with "NASA" in black replacing the chalk tail markings; 
• YF-12A 60-6936. This was overall black with all markings in white, including the "06936" tailcodes, "U.S. AIR FORCE" on the fuselage and "FX-936" on the intake. This aircraft also carried the Presidential Unit Citation above the serial;
• M-21 60-6940. This was painted and marked similarly to A-12 60-6927 although the entire forward fuselage was black. 
• SR-71A 61-7955. This was overall black with all markings in white, including the "17955" tailcodes, "U.S. AIR FORCE" on the fuselage and "955" on the intake. It also carried a white disk with the Lockheed Skunk Works emblem on the fin; 
• SR-71B 61-7956. Painted overall black with white "17956" tail codes and "956" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. "1000TH SORTIE" was also carried in white on the fin;
• SR-71A 61-7961. Painted overall black with white "17961" tail codes and "961" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. It carried colour artwork on the tail, representing a stylised Bald Eagle with the text "BALD BUT BOLD" in white;
• SR-71A 61-7964. Painted overall black with white "17964" tail codes and "964" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. It wore white artwork on the fin, with "THE BODODIAN EXPRESS" and a crab; 
• SR-71A 61-7967. Painted overall black with white "17967" tail codes and "967" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. This carried a large red "1" and artwork comprising a black cat's head on a red disc outlined in white; 
• SR-71A 61-7967 as a later time than the above option.  Painted overall black with white "17961" tail codes and "961" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. A smaller red "1" was carried on the fin with a yellow lightning bolt superimposed;
• SR-71A 61-7970. Painted overall black with white "17970" tail codes and "970" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. This carried "SUPER SKATER" in white on the fin and a pink panther riding an orange-yellow bomb;
• SR-71A 61-7971. Painted overall black with white "17971" tail codes and "971" on the forward part of the engine nacelle.  It wore a white stylised indian on the fin with "WE'RE THE FAKAWEE";
• SR-71A 61-7972. Painted overall black with white "17972" tail codes and "972" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. "CHARLIE'S PROBLEM was in white on the fin below full colour Charlie Brown artwork;
• SR-71A 61-7974. Painted overall black with white "17974" tail codes and "974" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. This wore a white snake on the fin, with the number 1 superimposed and "ICHI BAN" in red underneath;
• SR-71A 61-7975. Painted overall black with white "17975" tail codes and "975" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. This carried a red cat outline on the fin; 
• SR-71A 61-7976. Painted overall black with white "17976" tail codes and "976" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. This carried a large full-color 9th SRW badge on the fin;
• SR-71A 61-7978. Painted overall black with white "17978" tail codes and "978" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. It carried a white playboy bunny on the fin with "RAPID RABBIT" in red; 
• SR-71A 61-7980. Painted overall black with white "17961" tail codes and "961" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. It wore large full-color artwork with a red devil, outlined in white and with yellow fire and "ROSEMARY'S BABY-SAN" in white;
• SR-71B 61-7956. Painted overall black with white "17956" tail codes and "956" on the forward part of the engine nacelle. This carried white "Gumby" art on the starboard fin only.

This really is a bumper set, and the decals are provided on two full sheets. These options were for the period when the aircraft wore white markings with red no step areas, and one sheet provides complete stencilling for one aircraft, whilst the other carries all of the individual aircraft markings and artwork.

Instructions provide:

• Upper and lower stencilling diagrams;
• Scrap views for the cockpit area;
• Tail drawings for each option; and
• Additional details where required.

In addition, the Caracal website provides additional information and drawings.

Other than the Superscale and Cutting Edge sheets, the SR-71 family has not been well served in 1/72 and this sheet (the first of two) is very highly recommended!

Review and images by Chris St Clair 

• CD72088 001
  
• CD72088 002
  
• CD72088 003
  
• CD72088 004
  
• CD72088 005
  
• CD72088 006
  
• CD72088 007
  
• CD72088 008
  
• CD72088 009
  
• CD72088 010
  
• CD72088 011
  
• CD72088 012
  
• CD72088 013
  

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