1/48 Trumpeter MiG-23BN Flogger H

[IanG]

This is going to be my next build, Trumpeter's 1/48 MiG-23BN, which I will be finish in Czech markings.
I wanted to get a resin cockpit set, but found it difficult to find the right one for the BN variant. So I'll use Eduards Zoom set, and a very nice looking Quickboost seat.
I am also going to using a newly released resin correction set, made by a company called Cold War Studios.
As a finishing touch, I've also got a PlusModels ladder.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[IanG]

So finally made a positive start on this kit. A few small assemblies primed, and cockpit started.
I've now received my correction/detail set from Cold War Studios. Very impressed with it.
What's in the box? Well, you get a resin corrected nosecone (I've shown a comparison with the kit nose), and forward fuselage section, plus various antenna, scoops and forward undercarriage doors.
There is a vac-formed canopy (2 in fact), with a masking set, and a nice PE set, which includes the canopy frame.
Lastly there is a mini CD, on which you will find a PDF file for a 3 page set of instructions. The best bit is there is a walk-round, with over 100 stunning photos, of a Bulgarian BN.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[IanG]

Cockpit has had the Eduard PE fitted. Now just needs a little bit of weathering.
Finished the Aires resin seat too. Really like their products, always crisp detail.
Talking of Aires (and good detail), I've now got some of their Aerobonus range rockets pods, bombs, and pilot figure.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[IanG]

Started fitting components into the Cold War Studio correction set.
Taking one side of the front fuselage, I fitted the front wheel bay first, followed by the main cockpit tub. This was followed by the side panel.
The other side of the forward fuselage was mated up and superglued, and the remaining side panel fitted.
Finally, the corrected nosecone was fitted.
So just some filling and sanding to do, then it's on with the main fuselage.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[IanG]

Corrected nose section is now attached to the main fuselage. This has gone better than I thought. The making and fitting of the correction set is not as daunting as it first appears. Cold War Studio have done a great job.
Wings assembled and fitted, and sandwiched between the upper and lower fuselage sections. The swing-wing action works too!
Main air intakes have been fitted, and the fit is generally very good.
Also, the main undercarriage bays have been assembled, and fitted into the lower fuselage.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[Fridgy]

Looking good so far ian

[IanG]

Looking good so far ian

Thank you Mick.

[IanG]

Not much visible progress in this update.
Lots of little bits being assembled, external fuel tank, missiles, rocket pods, bombs, pylons, and bomb racks (huge amount of pieces to those racks!). There will be lots of bombs to go on those racks. Also the wheels and front undercarriage leg.
The tail fin is now in place, and gone round the fuselage, and filled and sanded some of the gaps. Not that were that many, ass the general fit is pretty good.
Just started work on the main undercarriage assembly. Boy, are they a complicated affair!

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[Joesdad]

Looking great Ian, that new nose certainly looks better than the kit one. Hope to start mine soon.

[IanG]

A small disaster has occurred (and hopefully sorted in due course)! My canopy has disappeared! I have absolutely no idea what I've done with it, but it's gone, it has ceased to be, it has gone meet it maker!!
Anyway, enough on that.

One small issue I've found is that the locating holes, under the wings, don't allow the pylons to point forward with wings open. As this is how I intend to display the build, I've drilled new holes, and filled the now redundant ones. Photos 1 & 2 show the before and after of this exercise.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr


Photos 3 & 4 show the complicated main undercarriage assembly. Lots of bits, but a work of art!

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr


Photo 5, there has been some primer used me thinks.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr


Last photo, and some of the antenna and probes are being put on. So now I've got to be extra careful not to go knocking them off!

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[IanG]

From primer to paint.
Ultimate black primer, followed by a bit of marbling.
Camouflage colours are Vallejo Brown/Green, Interior Green, and Grey/Green, which are the best matches for the colour call-out.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[IanG]

Oooh look! I have a grey bottom!!

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[SolventSolution]

Nice paint job. Looking sweet.

[Joesdad]

Damn good Ian

[Timmie]

nice paintjob.

Grtz Arjan

[IanG]

Nice paint job. Looking sweet.

Thank you.

[IanG]

Damn good Ian

Cheers, thank you.

[IanG]

nice paintjob.

Grtz Arjan

Thanks

[IanG]

After a couple of coats of Alclad Aqua Gloss, it's decal time.
Had a issue with the kits decals. They're very brittle, which was very evident with Eagle head decals. They basically just broke up, whilst being applied. Luckily, the kit has 2 options for Czech markings, so I'm switching to the other option.
The basic numbering, and roundels are on (again brittle, but being smaller, and being applied to flatter surfaces, they gone on okay).
Also, the B-8M rocket pods have got their decals on.That's the decals on the main fuselage finished.
Next, I'll be applying decals to the weapons pylons, and the No Step stencils to the wings.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

@*&!***@£!!!!!
Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

The very nice Aerobonus by Aires resin B-8M1 rocket pods.
Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr


Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[IanG]

Last of the decals done...for now. There are some more to do, but more on that soon.

Also started to airbrush the Aerobonus resin pilot.
Helmet painted with Vallejo Model Air Insignia White, jacket VMA Burnt Umber, and trousers Akan Dark Blue Grey. Once this is fully dried, I'll paint the face and other detailing.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[NorthernModeller]

Amazing, really really like this

[Avgas]

Great work, cam work is fab.

[IanG]

Amazing, really really like this

Thank you.

[IanG]

Great work, cam work is fab.

Cheers Dave.

[Zen]

That's looking so good, great work!

[IanG]

A little bit of filth for the weekend! :p

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[IanG]

That's looking so good, great work!

Thank you Zen.

[IanG]

I'm getting there.
Cleaned up the wash, and gave everything a coat of matt varnish. After that, I've did some light weathering, just a few streaks here and there, then sealed that in with another couple of coats of matt.
Started to assemble the undercarriage into the wheel bays, and fitted some of the undercarriage doors too. One pair of airbrakes have been fitted.
Also finished the crew ladder, and the pilot.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[IanG]

Getting there!
The pilot is finished, and I've got the display base ready.
All the airbrakes are also fitted.
Rocket pods and drop tanks fitted too.

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[IanG]

And for the final flourish...........there will be bombs!

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr

[Zen]

Lots of Boom Bags!

[IanG]

All completed!
Here's a link to the Gallery photo's.

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=21868

Untitled by ian gaskell, on Flickr