Trumpeter 1/72 SU-24 Fencer

[MightyDraw]

I'm very, very new to this forum and I hope you'll all show mercy on my first group build effort! Here it is, I'm sure both the aircraft and kit don't need a real introduction. It will be finished in the Russian markings provided with the kit. I plan to start next week and I'll attempt to provide regular updates.



-Dan

[MightyDraw]

Here is a tiny update, I've started on the cockpit. I'm not a Sukhoi expert nor a "rivet counter" so this is strictly out of the box and I've checked some photo reference and so far its "close enough" for me. I'm adding pilots because I'd like to build an in-flight display. I like aircraft in their natural habitat and I've really been wrestling with ways to create some nice, clean and minimal in-flight displays.





That instrument panel decal is a little lacking and required some trimming at the top around that protruding scope in order to get it to fit properly. The details are also a little exaggerated but I think with the pilots in place and the canopy closed it should be passable!

-Dan

[MightyDraw]

I've completed the cockpit; I'll button up the nose section and move on to the fuselage!

[MightyDraw]

Fuselage together, some minor gaps to fill on the main super structure


However, I've built the intakes and test fit them... Oof! I guess this one isn't going to build its self. This might be a useful for other builders. I think NOT following the trumpeter instructions and altering how you build the intakes might mitigate some of this. In retrospect attaching the inner portion first and then fudging and moving around the outer portion may have closed that gap.

[MightyDraw]

Slowly but surely making progress on this one. More fit issues; the rear section that fits around the exhaust nozzles wasn't ideal. I forgot to take a before pic but the alignment tabs above and below the nozzles were sawed off to try and make moving and adjusting easier.


This was as good as I could get it! Another area you might be able to perhaps resolve through more adjusting your construction order and some dry fitting first. Next will be a lot of filling and sanding.

[Avgas]

Pit looks great.

[MightyDraw]

Pit looks great.

Thank you sir!

Here is a little more progress on the problem areas I highlighted before. The closed gear doors required some finesse (I'm going to pose it in flight on a to be determined in-flight stand I'm going to build) I'm losing some detail because of the gap filling/sanding. I'll rescribe then prime to see how its turned out. This kit has turned out to be a little bit of a dog in the fit department. Though it might be a little user error as well, and perhaps knowing these problem areas you might be able to reengineer the construction steps and get a finer result.

[JudgeDredd]

Looking good so far.

Dog builds can be taxing - but also fun.

[MightyDraw]

Looking good so far.

Dog builds can be taxing - but also fun.

I agree; it makes me look more forward to being done, lol. Posting and partaking in the group build is helping me stay on target too. Its been helping me fight the urge to open even more kits and start on them.... Trying to keep it to 3 at a time

[MightyDraw]

I've been distracted by work, life and letting myself start another kit... But I've made some more progress on this build.

Here is the vertical stabilizer. This might be a self imposed problem but I'm getting a gap at the rear nearest the exhaust where it meets the fuselage. I've remedied to some extent with a thin piece of styrene but will need some filler as well.


I'm doing inflight display with wings swept, getting ready to fit the wings. Fit is ok. not as bad as some other parts of this kit




Making progress! I need to have it all built by next weekend to have this complete by the end of the GB given how long paint etc. generally takes me really only having weekends and the odd weeknight to work on this.

[MightyDraw]

I've now built something that resembles an SU-24 and I'm getting ready for paint.

]


There are some fitment issues with the canopy. This kit presumes you'll build it with the hatches open and I got some gaps in the closed position.


Thanks to everyone checking out the slow newbie build. hopefully I finish in time! I'll certainly be open to your constructive criticism on my paint here coming up.

[MightyDraw]

Paint part 1.

I primed in black stylenrez and used the white primer to add some variation to the primer coat and act as preshading. Forgot to take a picture!

Made a mix of tamiya sky grey, sky blue, medium blue and added white when it got a little dark. I wanted to push towards blue just out of personal preference and a lot of my photo ref. has these aircraft in more of a blue/grey. I need one more pass to fix some spots I feel aren't quite right.

[Always48]

thats a good looking jet, like the paintwork.

[MightyDraw]

thats a good looking jet, like the paintwork.

Thank you sir, I'm satisfied so far with this build minus the fit on the canopy hatch. It is askew and is kind of obviously ill fitting. Really nothing I can do about it at this point!

I'll try and spray the white tonight

[Schoof]

Just under 2 weeks left hope you'll be able to finish in time

[MightyDraw]

Just under 2 weeks left hope you'll be able to finish in time

Thanks for the encouragement! I think I can, I think I can.... This coming weekend looks like it will be open for me so I can make a lot of progress as we dash towards the finish line.

[MightyDraw]

I can see the finish line, paint is done...


Decals nearly complete. Insofar as useful information at this stage: The decals that came with the kit are kind of basic, the stencils are not exactly legible but look the part and at this scale I'm not sure it matters. They have all laid down nicely with micro set.

[JudgeDredd]

That looks great

[MightyDraw]

That looks great

Thank you sir

Two posts in one day is my record, but I've had a free weekend and trying to follow through on my first GB!

This is the reason I wanted to build this jet; I was excited to weather this thing! A lot of my reference has these jets so nasty and dirty I wanted to replicate that.

[JudgeDredd]

You and I are in the same situation...n00bies to GBs and working to the end.

I've literally done most of the work this weekend.

[MightyDraw]

You and I are in the same situation...n00bies to GBs and working to the end.

I've literally done most of the work this weekend.

Hey, last minute is still on time! Ive worked fairly consistently with a few breaks, it was a little more challenging to build than I expected. Not awful (its mostly documented here in my build thread) but it definitely zapped a little of my mojo as I went forward. I need to find materials for my inflight display tonight, what Ive got I don't think I can make work with my limited tools.

[MightyDraw]

Painting, decals, and weathering done. Need to add the small antenna and fuel tanks. Final clear I used Alcad light sheen. I like the specular quality it has in the light. Not pictured is that the Trumpeter decals left some "artifacting" for lack of a better term wherever the water I rubbed out from under the decals came to rest The Alcad clear hides most of it, but there always has to be that one problem right?! Ok, I see quite a few flaws on this build I keep seeing but overall I'm satisfied.





90% there! Just need to build my inflight display!

[rwsmith14]

NICE !!!!!!

[MightyDraw]

NICE !!!!!!

Thank you sir, just uploaded my finished result on the reveals page.

[JudgeDredd]

Superb. Congratulations