PACC Racing Datsun Buildsite SR-71D

I know a lot of you have been wanting to see the build site for this one, so without further ado, here it is:

https://www.paccracing.com/datsun001010

I'm an SR-71 nut. I can help with the livery, if asked. 

In reply to Appleseed :

I don't know a whole lot about the SR-71. Most of my knowledge comes from Wikipedia. We thought the name was appropriate because of how long the nose is. 

Are there any cool themes we could incorporate into the car?

Hell yeah! I've been dying to see the details on this build. Thanks for doing such a great job documenting it!

Appleseed said:

I'm an SR-71 nut. I can help with the livery, if asked. 

Same offer here.  Our local air museum has an SR-71B (two seat model).  Unlike a lot of military aircraft, the markings on it are extremely subtitle.  It's 99% black.  There's some cool stuff you guys could do to the side windows and possibly the front windshield to give the impression of a Blackbird canopy and there are usually some US AIR FORCE markings on the spine and a tail number, that's about it. 

For the full SR-71 effect, that hood bump should really translate forward and after the speed of the car 

Now I understand why you guys buy so many engines. 

I'd go with the tail art from SR 974 "ICHI BAN,' Japanese for Number One.  It was one of first three SR assigned to Detachment 4, Kadena, Okinawa, in 1968. It flew more operational sorties  and the art was there to let everyone back at Beale (home base) know which Blackbird was number one. Many other SRs adopted the Habu snake art, but only 974 was called ICHI BAN. 

Crew Chief  Don Person, shown here just after putting the finishing touches on 974's new tail art (the famous "Ichi Ban" design)

Mission art applied by Chief Person after another successful sortie. I'd add a habu after each successful speed run or record.

The Lockheed Skunk Works logo.

The logo for the 1129 Special Activities Squadron at Groom Lake (Area 51)

When making the composite front end, do you have a gun for gel coat? Did you have to do much prep on the mold once you pulled it off? What were the stiffening ribs that you glassed in? I'm very interested in the whole process.

Hey my grandfather worked on the blackbird. He worked for Lockheed way back as a mechanic. He remembers having to dress down to a medical gown and be searched since the plane was hush hush at the time. His name is Charles Easton if anyone knows him. 

As a Z fanatic I approve of this build. 

mazdeuce - Seth said:

When making the composite front end, do you have a gun for gel coat? Did you have to do much prep on the mold once you pulled it off? What were the stiffening ribs that you glassed in? I'm very interested in the whole process.

Rolled on and brushed.

No

Balsa

Were the LS failures due to tune, pushing them to much, or just bad luck?

In reply to wheels777 :

Much appreciated.

Started to look at the build page and quickly realized I will need a couple hours to study all that. Great job on both the car and the build site. 

Stampie said:

Were the LS failures due to tune, pushing them to much, or just bad luck?

A little bit of pushing too far, a little bit of bad luck, and a whole lot of boost. We learned a lot on this car. The one engine was bad from the start. Another, we suspect was bad as well. Getting your wastegate sized right is really important. The wastegates we used on the Datsun were way too small. We thought we had it under control with the last engine, but turns out we did not. That's how you learn sometimes.

Karacticus said:

For the full SR-71 effect, that hood bump should really translate forward and after the speed of the car 

That's really cool!

In reply to Appleseed :

I like the snake logo. We may have to incorporate that one.

kazoospec said:

Appleseed said:

I'm an SR-71 nut. I can help with the livery, if asked. 

Same offer here.  Our local air museum has an SR-71B (two seat model).  Unlike a lot of military aircraft, the markings on it are extremely subtitle.  It's 99% black.  There's some cool stuff you guys could do to the side windows and possibly the front windshield to give the impression of a Blackbird canopy and there are usually some US AIR FORCE markings on the spine and a tail number, that's about it. 

That's what I like about the theme. It is relatively simplistic.

amazing build, love it! 

How often are you updating the site? I'd like to know when to check back since it doesn't pop up like the Nova thread.

Doing a matte red line along the hood to fender/front end seam would help the sr71 theme. And some white letters. "N2O-350" or something. Can't be the first to suggest that.

Thanks so much for sharing!!

In reply to bluej :

I try to stay somewhat current. Most of the most current stuff is posted here on the GRM forum. 

I update maybe once a month. I usually do big batches. 

Edit: Of course, I say that, but I still have not done a $2018 challenge post...