mktbfavenger
1:72 “Darkstar”
This is my 5,000 follower (Instagram) free instructions which are now available for download on @rebrickable under the page mkbricks25
In 2013, Lockheed Martin proposed a successor to the legendary SR-71 Blackbird, which was retired in 1998. The rationale behind this proposal was that there was a coverage gap between surveillance satellites, as one would have to wait for a satellite’s orbit to line up with a target. To be practical, the new aircraft would have to fly faster than the SR-71 to avoid modern air defenses and close that surveillance gap. The proposed concept was a hypersonic stealth UAV that was to be propelled by the simultaneous use of turbojets and scramjets. The SR-72 would have a top speed in excess of Mach 6 or 6751.97 ft/sec (almost twice the top speed of the SR-71’s Mach 3.2). While the IRL SR-72 exists only on paper, Top Gun: Maverick delivered us the first believable hypersonic aircraft on the big screen.
TGM’s take on the SR-72 is a manned hypersonic stealth aircraft with a top speed of around Mach 10. It is important to note that ridiculously fast speed is not entirely Hollywood. In 2004, NASA’s X-43 scramjet reached a record speed of Mach 9.6. In addition, the prop used in filming was constructed by the infamous Skunk Works, and it was so believable that China repositioned a spy satellite to observe it. In conclusion, TGM has shed light on a new, and exciting realm of high-speed aeronautics that is pushing the envelope of what man can do.
Dimensions of the movie prop are unavailable, so I used the IRL SR-72’s reported dimensions. The Darkstar in 1:72 scale would likely be smaller than this model; but nonetheless, I am still very happy with how this model turned out. I am still a little iffy on the windshields, but the only way to achieve the exact shape would be to print it. The model has retractable main gear and the nose gear can be removed, so the underside of the model is flush for “flight”. I hope y'all enjoy it, and happy building!
1:72 “Darkstar”
This is my 5,000 follower (Instagram) free instructions which are now available for download on @rebrickable under the page mkbricks25
In 2013, Lockheed Martin proposed a successor to the legendary SR-71 Blackbird, which was retired in 1998. The rationale behind this proposal was that there was a coverage gap between surveillance satellites, as one would have to wait for a satellite’s orbit to line up with a target. To be practical, the new aircraft would have to fly faster than the SR-71 to avoid modern air defenses and close that surveillance gap. The proposed concept was a hypersonic stealth UAV that was to be propelled by the simultaneous use of turbojets and scramjets. The SR-72 would have a top speed in excess of Mach 6 or 6751.97 ft/sec (almost twice the top speed of the SR-71’s Mach 3.2). While the IRL SR-72 exists only on paper, Top Gun: Maverick delivered us the first believable hypersonic aircraft on the big screen.
TGM’s take on the SR-72 is a manned hypersonic stealth aircraft with a top speed of around Mach 10. It is important to note that ridiculously fast speed is not entirely Hollywood. In 2004, NASA’s X-43 scramjet reached a record speed of Mach 9.6. In addition, the prop used in filming was constructed by the infamous Skunk Works, and it was so believable that China repositioned a spy satellite to observe it. In conclusion, TGM has shed light on a new, and exciting realm of high-speed aeronautics that is pushing the envelope of what man can do.
Dimensions of the movie prop are unavailable, so I used the IRL SR-72’s reported dimensions. The Darkstar in 1:72 scale would likely be smaller than this model; but nonetheless, I am still very happy with how this model turned out. I am still a little iffy on the windshields, but the only way to achieve the exact shape would be to print it. The model has retractable main gear and the nose gear can be removed, so the underside of the model is flush for “flight”. I hope y'all enjoy it, and happy building!