ISM Group Build - Revell 1:72 Su-27 SM Flanker

[Asid]

Looking good JD.

I ALWAYS take my time. Do a dry fit. Read the de-structions BEFORE I commit with glue or fixings.

It will all be worth it when it is sitting on a stand on your mantelpiece 

[JudgeDredd]

Thanks Asid.

I did do a dry fit. There were certain things I couldn't dry fit test (like the hud and the cockpit)...and it was the poor setting of the hud that knocked the cockpit out I think.

But it's all good. She's starting to take shape. I love the lines of this baby.

[JudgeDredd]

Wings are on

[JudgeDredd]

Slowly but surely taking shape



This is a Revell kit and they are cheap for a reason. They are a bit more difficult to build (less lugs etc) and also can be a poor fit. For the most part, this has been ok, but there are some parts that have required considerably more glue and pressure than other sections.

There have been sections that have required some Tamiya Ultra Thin (thank god for that!) to be spread along the joins as you can see from some of the images

All that will be covered by paint anyway

[Asid]

It is taking shape nicely.

Did you choose this kit or was it chosen for you?

[JudgeDredd]

lol - like my wife would buy me a kit!! She laid the law down the other day - "No more kits". Of course, I'm looking to flout that particular law! 

I last year some time with another couple of models from a local store.

[Asid]

She laid the law down the other day - "No more kits". Of course, I'm looking to flout that particular law! 

I though you were the law JD ? .....

[JudgeDredd]

Not in here mate 

[JudgeDredd]

It's entirely possible I will not get this finished.

In fact, it's entirely possible I'm going to kick airbrushing to the kerb.

I went to use AK Xtreme Metal Gun Metal on the engine nacelles(?) and absolutely nothing was coming out. I turned up the air pressure to 30, 40 and 50 and eventually the tiniest amount was coming out...and then nothing again.

I really do not know what I'm doing wrong with airbrushing...but every time I go near it, I end up rage quitting.

For the record, I watched this video

and the guy makes it look soooo simple. No mixing or thinning...just in the cup and go...and yet, here I am struggling again.

I used to think I was over thinking things. In fact, my previous airbrushing attempt (the cockpit etc) went quite well and I thought (using the "consistency of milk" theory people had told me about) that I had nailed it. But seriously - if this guy is putting the paint into his cup with no thinning and sprays so easily - then what am I overthinking? There really isn't anything to it.

Prior to trying the paint I had some thinner in the cup (a tiny amount) which I blew out until the air coming out was just air...so there was no blockage in the brush!

So - I am desparately sorry if this does not get completed. Time was short. I knew that. But I was fairly confident I could get it done as it would be all I was doing for the next week. Unfortunately, I hadn't taken into account my ridiculously recurring airbrushing issues!

I'm going to keep trying and I will probably get it done...but it depends on how this airbrush (or my technique or whatever the issue is) plays up.

[JudgeDredd]

And yet - I went back, stripped the airbrush and cleaned it, put it back together, turned down the air pressure to 20 again and poured neat AK Xtreme Metal in and it sprayed - easy peasy!

I just don't get it. I have to strip my airbrush almost every single time (at least down to removing the needle)...not only is it very time consuming, but it's also expensive - I think I use considerably more cleaner than most people!

Anyway...paint went on absolutely fine. I wonder if it was blowing the thinner through first of all that maybe helped congeal the paint or something.

[JudgeDredd]

These were annoying. There was a rather thick sprue in the middle of the engine nozzles

Cutting them out left rather thick pieces to be cut and sanded.

[JudgeDredd]

And painting (after some rage!)

The insides were painted using AK Xtreme Metal Gun Metal


And the outside section was painted using AK Xtreme Metal Steel


When it sprayed, the AK Xtreme Metal paint is sublime looking.

[Asid]

Hi JD

It doesn't matter how long it takes to finish it. As long as YOU enjoy it.

Airbrushing is not as simple as it looks. Air pressure, mixture, thinners, cleaning, etc.... Practice definitely helps.

You are doing a good job. I am enjoying this post.

The metal finish looks really good.

Hang in there

Regards

[JudgeDredd]

Airbrushing, when it works, looks great and really adds to the models finish - however, it is proving a very frustrating technique for me at the minute.

I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. I've upgraded my airbrush twice. First time I had to as it was a really cheap piece of tat. The second time was to go for the normal handle and trigger Iwata TRN1 type. I'm absolutely certain there's nothing wrong with the compressor. I have checked the airflow several times and it seems to be constant.

It MUST be my mixing technique...must be.

Anyway - thanks for the encouragement. Sometimes a wee pick up helps.

[JudgeDredd]

I forgot about the wee fiddly bits that come with this model

Here's some sort of sensor (IRST - Infra Red Search and Tracker)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infra-red_search_and_track



As for other sections, I decided to go with Tamiya X-7 Red