Academy 1/48 SU30 Flanker

[Richard]

So, here it goes! My first build@ISM. I actually already started this build 1,5 months before I joined. I wanted to build this aircraft for a long time.....


I decided to add extra details. This will be the first time for me to work with photo etched parts.






Becuase this is actually a SU27 kit with upgrades and some extra sprues, one of the first steps is some (plastic ) surgery.....


Didn't go as well as I hoped...... Me being an nurse and all

Left a big gap there, but nothing that cannot be filled up.

Right away I saw that the cockpit panels weren't the right color, so I carefully ajusted this under a magnifying lamp ....


Sprayed the cocpit tub and placed all the avionics parts as well as the rudder pedals.


The ejection seats have a sh@#t load of PE parts.....

I decided not to place parts 59 and 43. It looked more like there were growing a couple of mushrooms from the seats.

On this reference photo you can see the blue bottle and the raised arm supports. These supports come down to secure the pilot when he ejects. It was not on the kit and not with the PE parts....


So I decided to build them myself (scratch build in English?) from metal wire en some scrap plastic.


Frotn view....


Well, thats it for now. Keep u guys posted.

[schweinhund227]

Those interior P.E. sets are really nice.... Pre-Painted to ! most excellent !

[Richard]

Absolutly! But for my next build (Hobbyboss 1/48 A7 Corsair-D) I think I'll try resin parts for the interior.

[Richard]

Last few days I completed the ejectionseats....



Cockpit assembly...


Also placed some PE parts in the upper fuselage...

I already sprayed the interior once, but I'm going to do it again. But this time I'll prime it first.

This is where the throttle will be placed. But the throttles have to be scratchbuilt first...


Until next time....

[AndreFerro]

Nice Job on this cockpit ! Congrats!!
Amazing how PEs brings such a realism to the kit!

I intend to build a Su-27 myself, but the one of Angola Air Force, like below:

[Richard]

Wow! Awesome color scheme!!! Didn't know that one. From wich brand do you want to build?

[AndreFerro]

Richard:
I've got sometime ago a kit on ebay from an unknown chinese brand named "LEE" ...
But I think this uncommon paint scheme deserves a better brand, don't you think???
BTW, which one on the 1/72 scale do U recomend?? Tamiya? Trumpeter?

[Richard]

I don't know de brand Lee. But if I search with google they aren't exactly positive about it. I know Hasegawa has a 1/72 kit. But its an older kit, so I don't know how detailed it is. Tamiya has a sea flanker (with canards), Trumpeter and academy are newer brands and have 1/72 flankers. If they are as detailed as my 1/48 su30. It could be a great kit. I don't know if you want to use aftermarket sets such as PE parts. Beacause aftermarket parts aren't always available for every brand. If you start building keep me posted.

[UKguyInUSA]

Awesome detail within that cockpit and a very interesting camo scheme you have ahead of you! Looking forward to this one

[patrickroos]

Nice start with the cockpit!

I have the almost same kit waiting, the SU-30M2

Will be following this with great interest!

Patrick

[LudvigN]

Richard:
I've got sometime ago a kit on ebay from an unknown chinese brand named "LEE" ...
But I think this uncommon paint scheme deserves a better brand, don't you think???
BTW, which one on the 1/72 scale do U recomend?? Tamiya? Trumpeter?

Hasegawa has a new Su-35 out. It's not the SU-27, but maybe you can convert or something? Its brand new so the details are exquisite!

[AndreFerro]

Would you recomend this one??

[patrickroos]

Before I decided to give in to my "Flanker mania" I did some thorough research.

The Academy 1/48 kits are very nice, but lack in accuracy here and there. (I don't care if its not anything major)
Trumpeter same (did not research the 1/32 kits since I think they are way to big and have no where to place them)
The best Flanker kits until now, in terms of accuracy and being great kits according to research in forums and reviews etc:





Hasegawa are about to release a second SU-35, which are the first two prototypes. (The one above is the SU-35S = production version)

HobbyBoss are planning to release the following Flankers in 1/48:
ref. 81711 - Sukhoi Su-27 "Flanker-B"
ref. 81712 - Sukhoi Su-27 (early version) "Flanker-B"
ref. 81713 - Sukhoi Su-27UB "Flanker-C"
ref. 81714 - Sukhoi Su-30MKK "Flanker-G"
Considering the detail and quality of the latest HobbyBoss kits this should be very interesting.

And as usual, most kits can be built into great and accurate models. The two above are great kits OOB.
But also the Academy, Trumpeter etc can be built into fantastic Flankers with the help of aftermarket stuff.
There are nice resin correction sets from Wolfpack an others, and the usual heap of PE, resin, decals.
But then You must be willing to spend much more than the cost of the kit. (and lots more work!)

Here You can see some really nice builds of the kits above:
http://tanooma.blog75.fc2.com/blog-entry-945.html?sp
http://vvsmodelling.com/
http://www.flankers-site.co.uk/modl_flankers.html

Patrick

[AndreFerro]

Thank you for all usefull info, Patrick!
Really appreciate it!

[patrickroos]

Thank you for all usefull info, Patrick!
Really appreciate it!

Your welcome!
Have You started to Build Gripens yet!?
(That camo scheme also on the Mirage is beautiful, hope they will use it, cause I want to build a Brazilian Gripen!)

[Valdo]

Would you recomend this one??

Only if you like undetailed kits with raised panel lines. Not the best choice for SU-27(purely my opinion ofcourse). Otherwise go for the new Zvezda SU-27sm or the new Hasegawa SU-35 shown in Patrickroos`s post.

HobbyBoss are planning to release the following Flankers in 1/48:
ref. 81711 - Sukhoi Su-27 "Flanker-B"
ref. 81712 - Sukhoi Su-27 (early version) "Flanker-B"
ref. 81713 - Sukhoi Su-27UB "Flanker-C"
ref. 81714 - Sukhoi Su-30MKK "Flanker-G"
Considering the detail and quality of the latest HobbyBoss kits this should be very interesting.

Sadly this is not the first year that HB is planning to release those kits and only god knows how much more years it will take for them to actually release those. So don't get excited about them just yet.

[patrickroos]

Agreed, skip the old Zvezda kits...the new ones from the last years are very nice though.
The SU-27sm kit is really nice, and the only kit to date with the correct double curvature of the fuse!

[AndreFerro]

Agreed, skip the old Zvezda kits...the new ones from the last years are very nice though.
The SU-27sm kit is really nice, and the only kit to date with the correct double curvature of the fuse!

Thanks, Guys! Will definetly wait to buy a Su-27...
Appreciate yr help!

[AndreFerro]

Your welcome!
Have You started to Build Gripens yet!?
(That camo scheme also on the Mirage is beautiful, hope they will use it, cause I want to build a Brazilian Gripen!)

How come you discovered my "Secret Project"??????




I have bought already an Italeri 1/72 Gripen JAS-39...


... to put the possibe Brazilian colors (despite this is not officially confirmed, but I´ll use the ones on the F-5E Tigers on the eve to be retired).

Some artists' impression of how it could be:



About my "Project" !
I intend to build the three planes qualified for the "FX-2" Project from Brazilian Air Force (FAB): Gripen, Rafale, and Super-Hornet with Brazilian colors (F-18F on the Navy Colors), like below:


To achieve this, a friend of mine did and sent me a decal-set for three above versions:


Sure when the time come, will show you here the build!!

See´ya !

[patrickroos]

Well as both we (Swedish) and You (Brazilian) modellers are now eagerly awaiting the Gripen E, it was not that hard to guess...
If You ask me the best and smartest (cost/performance/capabilities) fighter available.
I'm very happy that the Swedish and Brazilian airplane industry are now coming together to create a new fighter.

Nice decals, looking forward to Your project.



Sorry for derailing Your SU-30 tread...will shut up now.

[AndreFerro]

Well as both we (Swedish) and You (Brazilian) modellers are now eagerly awaiting the Gripen E, it was not that hard to guess...
If You ask me the best and smartest (cost/performance/capabilities) fighter available.
I'm very happy that the Swedish and Brazilian airplane industry are now coming together to create a new fighter.

Absolutely!!! I also think that given the circumstances, the Gripen was the best choice!

Nice decals, looking forward to Your project.

Thks!!

Sorry for derailing Your SU-30 tread...will shut up now.

Oooops... my appologies, as well

[Richard]

Well, it has been a while since I was on the forum. Works keeps me very busy. But still found some time to do what I like doing most. No worries about derailing the thread guys. Din't noticed until now.
So let's get on with the build:

I finally got the cocpit installed in the upper fuselage and did some painting and drybrushing......








Those silver lumps were a real pain the b@#$t beacuase of their size as well as all the small levers. Luckily Eduard provided a bunch more than needed beacuse I lost quite a few .


Meanwhile I got my self a shiny nice PE bending tool


It begins too look like a plane now. But de fit was very poor at some places. It's going to need more sanding then I thought


Air intakes are the same story.


Cleaned it up nicely. If I may say so..... Did some rescribing as well




Here's some more (plastic) surgery I didn't expect. Left is before rigt is after.


Oke that's about it. Let me know wat you think of it. Cya

[UKguyInUSA]

Coming together very nicely- the cockpit has very nice details with the added PE! Looking forward to that camo scheme painted onto her now!

[Goose]

Hello,

Nice job so far, I've read and heard that it's not the best kit in the world. I bought a book (in french unfortunately) where it was built wuth P/e and resin...if you're interested i can scan it for you for having a sort of "eye-candy".

See you

Bruno

[Richard]

Hello,

Nice job so far, I've read and heard that it's not the best kit in the world. I bought a book (in french unfortunately) where it was built wuth P/e and resin...if you're interested i can scan it for you for having a sort of "eye-candy".

See you

Bruno

Absolutely interested always good to get some new ideas. The kit is a bit disappointing. I had expected more from a Brand like Academy. It fits worse than I expected. But the details are good.

[timtamtung]

Cockpit looks awesome mate! good stuff. lots of eye candy

Hasegawa are about to release a second SU-35, which are the first two prototypes. (The one above is the SU-35S = production version)

Patrick

I can definitely recommend this kit 110% no questions asked. There is absolute no issues with this kit. Everything is perfect, molding is precice, panel lines + rivets are beautiful, dimensions and scale is accurate... and best of all.... NO FILLER REQUIRED. it's that good.

I have just finished this kit about 2 weeks ago. Here is the finish, I haven't added weapon payload yet.
http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 45&t=11911

For me it was this, or the new Zvezda Su27. I chose this and it was the best decision. Also, the Hase kit comes with a clear display stand

[Goose]

Hello,
I forgot the scan I promised you, i ll do it next week.

Is it ok for you?

Bruno

[Richard]

Hello,
I forgot the scan I promised you, i ll do it next week.

Is it ok for you?

Bruno

No worries! It's fine by me.

[Richard]

So I have been at it for a while now. Between work and family matters. So it was slow progress but here's another update.

While looking on the internet, i found someone who pointed out a flaw in the kit wich I corrected.






This is better


This is the air inake wich opens during takeoff. Took me a while to bend it right.




And glued into place...


Also painted the interior of the air intakes.








The front of the aircraft had to be replaced. I got that filled, sanded and rescribed.




Did the exhausts as well.


Took my time with this. I had no clou how to make the inside look realistic. I started with a coat of black then a light coat of metallic paint (mixed from 2 metallic colours). Then I alternately painted the metal sheets light grey. Finally I weathered with the Tamiya weathering kit D. First with oil stain and finally with a little bit of burnt blue. I'm very pleased with the result.










Both intakes and exhausts are now glued to the fuselage. But both are a horrible fit. There is a difference in height of a couple of mm's. The exhausts I will sand down using my flex-i-file. For the intakes I used milliput. A first time for me. I am now in the process of sanding it down.


Right side I'm currently working on, left hasn't been done yet.


To be continued

[Richard]

Well it took me long enough before I got the time to update on this build. It has been a slow process. My job interfered this build a lot. The good news is that I got a nwe job starting the 1st of june. But lets talk about de SU-30 to be.....

Looking at the box I noticed this (refeuling??) panel is slightly raised.


So I build this raised panel from a piece of plasticard.








The seemline on the canopy was removed with several grids of sanding sticks, toothpaste and tamiya finsh....






Althoug I adde some PE parts in the wheel wells I stil missed some major tubes. So these I also build myself for some more details. But on my next buil I wil consider using resin wheelbays. In fact; I already bought for mij Hobbyboss A7D corsair.

[Richard]

Also finshed the front dashboard cover and HUD.




I scratch built some details for the FLIR-pod becaus otherwise it would look very empty inside.






There are 3 very small PE parts for each tail-plane (some kind of probes??). Wich took a lot of fiddling. And broke off so many times I lost count. I fear it will happen many times more in those short moments when you do not pay attention.




But finally it is ready for the spray booth. Here are some pictores with all the metal pieces in place so far...


















Oke cya next time. I hope with some colours ont this fighter plane.

[Nige201980]

She is looking great mate. She's big too

[Richard]

Yes she is a big one. My spray booth is actually too small for it.

[MarkVerploeg]

Very nice build so far
Nothing beats the look of a Flanker and all the pe makes it really shine

[mixup1]

Looking fantastic mate! She is a big bird alright. Did you have any fitting issues around front end? Look forward to seeing all primed and ready for painting. Thanks for sharing!

[Avgas]

Looking great, should be a stunner once the paint is on. Got to hand it to the big Migs, they are beautiful aircraft.

There are 3 very small PE parts for each tail-plane (some kind of probes??).

Static wicks. They control the corona discharge into the atmosphere to prevent interference on a/c comms and nav gear.

[Richard]

Looking fantastic mate! She is a big bird alright. Did you have any fitting issues around front end? Look forward to seeing all primed and ready for painting. Thanks for sharing!

I have has several fitting issues. And, indeed, the nose cone did not fit well. There was a considerable difference in height between rhe fuselage and the nose cone. Witch I had to fill and sand down. I have already painted the plane. I only do not have the time to upsate the build at this moment. I am on holliday in France (where it is 37 degrees) with a bad internet connetion. When I get back I will post some pics.
For now I am enjoying the sun.

[Richard]

@Avgas. Thanks for the info.

[Jscale32]

Awesome job. The SU-30 is one of my favorite aircraft.

[mixup1]

Looking fantastic mate! She is a big bird alright. Did you have any fitting issues around front end? Look forward to seeing all primed and ready for painting. Thanks for sharing!

I have has several fitting issues. And, indeed, the nose cone did not fit well. There was a considerable difference in height between rhe fuselage and the nose cone. Witch I had to fill and sand down. I have already painted the plane. I only do not have the time to upsate the build at this moment. I am on holliday in France (where it is 37 degrees) with a bad internet connetion. When I get back I will post some pics.
For now I am enjoying the sun.

Look forward to your return in that case, enjoy ur hols, pity about ur internet speed, im sure the 37 degrees is making up for it tho lol

[Richard]

It surely does make up for it. But my fingers are itching as well
I share my builds on Facebook as well. I do that more frequently but not as detailed

[Richard]

Awesome job. The SU-30 is one of my favorite aircraft.

I find the SU-27 family really impressive especially the SU-32. I would LOVE to build one. Buit I cannot find a decent one in a 1/48 scale

[qeialto]

Very well done mate, I've just bought a SU-27 1/72 from Academy, look forward to build it!

[Richard]

I know, I know. It took me long enough. But as I promised some of you guys here's an update:

The plane was primed and preshaded and the camouflage marked with a blu tac-clone


Next the colours were painted.


I had to respray the gray several times because I had to mix the colours myself. The first two attempts were far too dark. Unfortunately this made the effect of the preshading much less visible. But I still like the result.






Next up were the exhausts Starting with a layer of matt black and several tones of thinned metallic paints. I still have to do the weathering on it.






The Wheel bay doors where riddled with ejector pinmarks. Wich I filled with Mr. surfacer, then sanded and rivited.






Added some PE details....




And some more details ond the landing gear as well. Wich took hours of fiddling




And the nose wheel.




Now I am working on the armament. Becaus the kit is an upgraded su-27 kit there are lots more missiles than needed. So I decided not to use the cruise missiles. Next time I hope to show you it is all painted, detailed and weathered.
Cya

[Daniel2014]

Excellent job

[rwsmith14]

I know, I know. It took me long enough. But as I promised some of you guys here's an update:

The plane was primed and preshaded and the camouflage marked with a blu tac-clone


Next the colours were painted.


I had to respray the gray several times because I had to mix the colours myself. The first two attempts were far too dark. Unfortunately this made the effect of the preshading much less visible. But I still like the result.






Next up were the exhausts Starting with a layer of matt black and several tones of thinned metallic paints. I still have to do the weathering on it.






The Wheel bay doors where riddled with ejector pinmarks. Wich I filled with Mr. surfacer, then sanded and rivited.






Added some PE details....




And some more details ond the landing gear as well. Wich took hours of fiddling




And the nose wheel.




Now I am working on the armament. Becaus the kit is an upgraded su-27 kit there are lots more missiles than needed. So I decided not to use the cruise missiles. Next time I hope to show you it is all painted, detailed and weathered.
Cya

Camo colors Look Great !!!

[Richard]

Thank you guys.

[AussieAaron]

You've done such an amazing job of this. This is a really cool scheme too and you've inspired me to get one.

[qeialto]

Fantastic painting, this is one of my next projects, I'll steal with pride from you!

[Richard]

Thank you guys for the kind words. I am still learning from this build. First time I'm working with PE. You go ahead an steal as you like and ask if you want to know anything about this build.