Su-30MKK Yêshēng Huángshûláng
Kommentit
28 22 October 2020, 22:11
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Thanks Roland & Jos 🙂 Although overall I was happy with the cockpit and the kit's detail, it was a bit of a failure in color mixing. It came out looking really dark like the MiG cockpit color and required some heavy dry brushing to lighten it up a bit.
I like this kit. I think I'll need to get another to build one with canards. Algeria maybe?
22 October 2020, 23:29
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Looks fantastic so far Nathan! I really like this kit too, nice rather simple build and great fit mostly. If you want to do a canard version, you will need to buy a conversion set... or you can wait until the KH Su-30SM comes out here soon. An Su-30MKA would be pretty awesome!
23 October 2020, 00:02
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Thanks Michael, Guillaume, and Adam 🙂
Michael: I'm not sure when that KH kit is to be released here in the states, but it would be nice to do a comparison.
Pumping the brakes on this build until my AK Xtreme metals arrive so that I can begin the paint work. I completed all the control surface wings last night/ this morning (late night).
23 October 2020, 19:53
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Received my AK metallic paint today. Although I'm still prepping the seams on the intakes...
27 October 2020, 19:50
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Did some priming of a few assemblies while doing the same for some on my Bf109 build.
I have to say I'm surprised that no one called me out on the other Su-27 build in picture #1 😄
31 October 2020, 00:30
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Good eye Michael. I had started this a very long time ago, but once I had the Su-30 up to the same level I began working on them in tandem...
31 October 2020, 03:07
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Well after the great mojo building 109 Group Build, I'm back to this project. Spent today attaching the slats. I think my kit's example must have had warped parts, because the fit on both sides was horrible. I had to basically use my hands like a giant clamp and press them into position, then hold them tightly until the glue dried. Wooo!
16 November 2020, 21:24
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Thanks Jos & Clifford 🙂
Today I worked on small odds & ends. Getting closer to primer.
18 November 2020, 03:26
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Thanks Clifford🙂
Got primer on the aircraft today. Also built & primered the landing gear as well as the Armory wheel & tire set. A productive day.
20 November 2020, 18:49
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Thanks again Clifford!
Painted the front of the cockpit and tires flat black today. I used the rest of the cup to do some pre-shading. I'm better at post-shading, but hopefully this will help with the look.
22 November 2020, 00:22
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Whether you do pre or post shading, the point is that color differences arise, creating depth effects. IMHO you're doing a great job with the pre-shading...👍!!
22 November 2020, 07:14
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I meant agree with Jos. That knock on the head has me thinking funny. LOL.
23 November 2020, 02:17
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Lol Clifford 😄
I always feel like I put the colors on too thick for the pre-shade to make much difference. I guess I should pay more attention🙂
23 November 2020, 02:29
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T do the same, that is why I always black base. This F-89 will be my second attempt at post shading. I will try and use tamiya smoke, I think.
23 November 2020, 03:17
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Started paint with the AK Xtreme Metal colors on the exhaust area & also managed to finally break off several of the little static dischargers on the tail and wing. I had anticipated them not surviving and ordered a set from Master Model. These will be the very last thing added to the kit after weathering.
23 November 2020, 16:49
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Finished with the base layers of metal paints. Tonight I'll seal them with Future and in the morning I'll be able to give everything more variation with W&N oils.
23 November 2020, 20:44
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Thanks Roland, Clifford & Guillaume!
I'm really enjoying the AK Xtreme Metal paints 🙂
24 November 2020, 14:57
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Thanks Clifford 🙂
Now a part that always feels wrong. Sanding clear parts!
26 November 2020, 02:49
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Completed the removal of the seam on the canopy. Turned out to be a success. I'm always worried I'll mess up the canopy when this is needed.
28 November 2020, 00:58
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Thanks Guillaume🙂
Today I worked on getting the cockpit prepped for closing up, and landing gears along with getting more weapons started. I also have the wheels prepped for painting later this evening.
29 November 2020, 18:10
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Thanks Clifford! Did a bit more to them by adding BMF Chrome to the oleos. Work is stalling a bit as I try to get the HUD situated before sealing it all in.
1 December 2020, 17:04
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I now have the canopy attached but the fit was a bit wonky. Still working on getting smooth joins before painting begins.
14 December 2020, 15:50
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Thanks so much Clifford. Painted the funky green on the wheels and will be assembling those tonight. Still smoothing out the canopy/fuselage seams.
16 December 2020, 18:59
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Thanks Clifford 🙂 I'm just painting and dry brushing Armory's awesomely detailed parts. Here's the rear wheels & tires assembled. Nothing but good things to say about Armory sets so far.
17 December 2020, 22:19
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I'm dry-brushing using mixtures of an acrylic art paint called FolkArt. Thousands of colors to match against any base color. The stuff will not airbrush but is perfect for the dry-brushing task. The base colors on these were Tamiya NATO Black XF-69 (tire) & AK Air Radome Green AK-2302 (wheel).
18 December 2020, 14:57
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I use art acrylic paints to airbrush with Nathan, I just thin them with a combanition of IPA, water and future. I use them mainly for primer but have also used them for base coats. The only problem I have had is they dry very flat. I never thought of using them for dry brushing, I will have to give that a try.
19 December 2020, 01:31
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Thanks Skywalker & Daniel - Welcome to the build 🙂
Clifford: Hmm never tried adding the Future. Perhaps that is the secret ingredient. Sweet! You learn something new here every day.
19 December 2020, 01:35
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Yes, I empty the bottle by half and then mix the other inderidgents untill I get the mixture right. So actually I get 2 batches out of one bottle. You have to make sure the plastic is good and clean, or it won't stick real well.
19 December 2020, 01:39
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Added shots of the painted wheel well and also of the YJ-91 missiles + K/RKL700A ECM pod.
19 December 2020, 16:03
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Today I started painting the underside. I feel like I'm finally making progress again.
20 December 2020, 19:23
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Really like this...great progress Nathan, gonna use this build as reference for my Flanker build...👍
20 December 2020, 19:37
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Thanks Jos & Clifford!
Hopefully I'll be able to apply the top color tomorrow. Honestly I'm still trying to decide exactly what color I'm going to use. I've been pouring over research photos all evening.
21 December 2020, 04:22
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Top color applied. I think with just a tiny bit of post shading it will be where I want it.
22 December 2020, 12:45
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Really nice surface...IMHO only less post shading...it's looks already subtle!
22 December 2020, 16:33
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Thanks so much mates, I'm glad you like it 🙂
Jos: I'll make a decision after the gloss coat is applied and dry😉
22 December 2020, 17:42
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The painting continues. Now some FS36118 on the radome and details.
22 December 2020, 22:39
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Today a total breakdown of the airbrush for a deep cleaning as it completely stopped working when I went to add the gloss coat this morning...
23 December 2020, 13:47
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That is a bummer. I bought an airbrush from Harbor Freight tools for 16.99 for to use for sparying my gloss and flat coats. It is a double action and is a siphon feed with adjustiable spray patterns. It works really great and is easy to clean. So I don't use my more expensive ones for clear coats. I also have one I use for metallics.
23 December 2020, 18:14
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Usually I use a pair of old single action Badgers for the exact same purpose (clear & metals), but I've been lazy and just used my good one since it was ready and hooked up to my compressor. Not really a big deal, it just put me behind a day as I would have been doing decals today instead of cleaning 😄
23 December 2020, 18:28
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Gloss coat completed late last night. I think Jos is correct, there will be no need for any post shading. Today I've been painting a few more small details such as ECM pod tips. I also attached the completed exhaust nozzles.
Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for following along!
24 December 2020, 18:07
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Less is more Nathan, you did an awesome job...with some lighter PLW or black, that's one to think over, it will look absolutely great 👍
Wish you a merry X-mas mate!
24 December 2020, 22:21
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Thank you James & Jos!
Yes Jos, today I'm playing with PLW to decide on that flavor as well.
Happy holidays and a less apocalyptic new year.
26 December 2020, 18:19
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Thanks Clifford! 🙂
This thing is a beast. I'm going to be doing panel lines for weeks lol!
27 December 2020, 01:34
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Well my early attempt at a more subtle panel line color just didn't look right, so I went with black. Right now it looks like a toon painted jet 🙂
29 December 2020, 15:16
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I think you made right choice Nathan, the final color is already a dark tone...with black I'll create some depth...👍!
29 December 2020, 16:00
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Looking great. I'm very excited to see the "post wash" photos.
29 December 2020, 16:51
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Thanks Jos & Guillaume🙂
Jos: Yes, the black definitely plays the part much better.
Guillaume: I'm forcing myself to go slowly because I was excited too when I exposed the test area.
A step I left out—> I had to rob my J-10 kit to get yellow tail numbers seen on all my research photos. This kit comes with blue numbers. Luckily the J-10 had two full sets of spare numbers.
30 December 2020, 00:09
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Ok here's a shot with the wash/weathering mostly complete. There's still the flat coat to add & a few odds and ends to add and she'll be ready for final pictures.
Final pics are going to be a whole other project as this monster won't fit in my little photo booth.
31 December 2020, 16:26
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Thanks very much James & Guillaume!
A construction note: The refueling probe in this kit was not meant to be displayed in the closed position. Be ready for much sanding and cursing to make it fit into its home. 🙂
Today was spent attaching the landing gear and gear doors so she's now on her feet. Just a few more items to take care of: Attaching various antennas & probes, the flat coat, the pitot tube, adding all the weapons, and all those tiny static dischargers (last!).
1 January 2021, 02:19
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Ha, fortunately I did not miss a cool 48-scale Flanker build entirely! 🙂
All the key boxes checked, almost ready for the beauty contest - you did a lot of good work on the big bird, with many of the specifics done just right (like the metal shading on the engines and the upper covers, which seem to look slightly different on Asian Flankers than on the Russian ones... 👍 Looking forward to see this one swoosh across the finish line!
1 January 2021, 22:34
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Thanks Slavo! Glad to have you back at the bench.
Just a few more small steps and she'll be ready for roll-out. I just need to improvise an area for pics due to her overall size.
2 January 2021, 18:28
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Added a few shots to help anyone building a Chinese Su-30 MKK in the future. The location of one of the kit's probes and the addition of 2 others.
3 January 2021, 20:31
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Experienced that on both my Flankers so far, the smaller sensor/probe/antenna positions basically pulled from air, applies to some Eduard PE-sets too. But with good photo refs, the things often have the right shape so it's just about clarifying the positions... But I also had to make a few scratch. Nice job & attention to detail here! 👍
3 January 2021, 23:50
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I've found the Chinese Flankers have a ton of variation in color as well. This suits me fine as it gives more room to do it your own way, but can also be a bit frustrating. An example would be the radar warning receiver colors (on the plane as well as the pods) which I found in black, dark grey, light grey & white -> I just picked the color I liked 🙂
4 January 2021, 03:19
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Thanks Clifford. Well the Red Wild Weasel is complete. I should get photos up Thursday or Friday when my new (and larger) backdrop arrives along with new lighting in the hobby room.
6 January 2021, 00:04
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OK here's the completed album: Su-30MKK Yêshēng Huángshûláng Complete | Album by Plastic Addict (1:48)
8 January 2021, 19:50
Album info
China's Wild Weasel.