SPA Modeler

Fermis wrote:

dmminiatures wrote:.... the decal adhere very weak on the surface.

Lately, I've been brushing on a little Future, just where the decal goes and just before placing the decal...instead of micro-set (or similar). I give it a few minutes before using micro-sol on top. That has helped me a lot!

I will try that Fermis. thanks for the input

It has been and is truly an exciting journey following your excellent build Monty !

- Kari

KSaarni wrote:It has been and is truly an exciting journey following your excellent build Monty !

- Kari

Thanks Kari - I'd like to get this kit done early. as I might just squeeze another kit before the year closes.

Here is some final WIP pictures

The weapons are all from the kit. I thought I would use all of the different missiles that are offered. Revell did only provide half of the black-coloured bands, so I had to mask and paint the rest. (Thanks Revell! LoL)



Time to add all the smaller bits like the wheel bay doors. now of note, the lower wing area is totally bogus. so that includes the shape of the doors, and how they should look like when in an open position. Well I think it only matters to the 'rivet counters' anyway. As for me? take it or leave it! got to use what I have.



Painting the pink rubber seals. that is what I have heard from a friend who saw the actual plane. its pastel pink to be exact.



Installing the missiles and rack under the port wing. I think this is the only colour that brings this kit into life. The grey-green camouflage is almost boring



THis is the home-made straps and loops that I made for the seats. the funny thing about these seats is that the headrest is slightly smaller on the seat for the rear cockpit. I dunno why. anyway back to the belts, they are made of doubled Tamiya masking tape. and the loops are made of copper wires.



This is how the seats looks like once they are in place. the cockpit is kinda empty so the seats would add a little bit of volume into it, not much, but it helps.



The same angle but this time with the clear canopy in place. I think for artistic reason (and to hind the rather empty cockpit tub, I would probably show the Fulcrum with a closed cockpit. what do you think?

Hi Guys, so happy to share you the FINAL COMPLETED images!

To summarise it all: The kit itself is a mix of bag of things (inaccuracy, shape issues etc) as I have stated earlier in the build and lots of previews has shown that. it is, though dirt cheap for a 1/32 scale kit and would go well with any of Soviet/Russian aircraft collection.



The decal depicts an aircraft with the Malaysian Air Force (TUDM). This set is from ScaleNutz that focuses on SEA air forces. their decal is thin, in register, and has little transparent film. the decals works well with Mr. Mark Setter and Mr. Mark Softer. It was a bit struggling with Revell Decal Soft.



I used Tamiya regular cement and the Extra Thin exclusively all throughout the build (a tad of superglue for the copper wires). This also includes Tamiya Regular White Putty, Tamiya Epoxy, and Tamiya enamel paints. For the exhaust pipes, I used Alclad II as base coats, and an assortment of metallics from Model Master and Tamiya enamels. The primers are Mr. Surfacers. and the final coats are from Mr. Color clear base and Testor Dullcote.



It was an all OOTB project (minus the ejection seat straps). I spent approximately 105 to 110 hours on this, working in marathon for 35 days. I started early November and completed a week short of Christmas. From that, construction took 25% of the time invested, 60% goes to painting, weathering, washing, and 15% to decals and finishing.

Who cares about the shape when it's painted like that?! It is a stunner from the pitot to the nozzles. No doubt!

Thank you for this very revealing WIP with all its little steps so well explained. You're one of the few modellers who tackle those old kits to turn them in gems. 110 hours well spent and to be honest: You can easily sunk that amount of time into a modern Tamiya kit in that scale.

It's still the skills who win the game and not the engineering of the plastic. Hats off, Monty!

That is one magnificent build. Love the colour, detailing and the WIP commentary. You are good.

Another magnificent build Monty! For all the issues you had; this still turned out to be an incredible masterpiece! Stunning work my friend! I bow to the Master!

So many thank you guys. its been a privilege to show my work with great modelers like yourself in this forum. and I am equally happy that you like the results.

What else can a guy say that hasn't been said already? One thing that I can key in on is the paint. One day I hope to be able to lay paint down like that. Good show Monty.