Part 1 - Soviet Heavy Metal - Tupolev Tu-128M Heavy Interceptor WIP
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/5/9/4/795594-12266-16-720.jpg)
Let's do this.
The new Trumpy kit is the starting point. It is fair to say the overall shape is recognizable as a Tu-128. There are though, who would have thought, some size and shape issues....more on that later.
The new Trumpy kit is the starting point. It is fair to say the overall shape is recognizable as a Tu-128. There are though, who would have thought, some size and shape issues....more on that later.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/5/9/3/795593-12266-65-720.jpg)
Sorting parts at first as always
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/5/9/2/795592-12266-19-720.jpg)
The surface detail is quite nice and crisp, expectable for a 2018 kit. The R-4 missiles are surprizingly "usable"
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/5/9/5/795595-12266-41-720.jpg)
I started with the nose gear. The overall shape is recognizable....from a distance. If you compare it with original pics though there are some distinctive parts and struts simply ignored, some are pure fantasy, some are incorrectly attached.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/5/9/7/795597-12266-61-720.jpg)
Hypodermic needle for shock absorber, better than any silver paint or foil
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/5/9/8/795598-12266-28-720.jpg)
Old scrap parts are a wonderful source for detailing stuff
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/5/9/9/795599-12266-28-720.jpg)
Operation table
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/6/0/0/795600-12266-66-720.jpg)
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/6/0/6/795606-12266-36-720.jpg)
As an example for scrap part recycling, the middle part of this MG resembled a nose gear part very well
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/6/0/7/795607-12266-14-720.jpg)
so it was cut out and modified
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/6/1/9/795619-12266-64-720.jpg)
MG42 on a Tu-128, why not!
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/6/0/5/795605-12266-98-720.jpg)
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/6/0/9/795609-12266-70-720.jpg)
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/6/2/8/795628-12266-56-720.jpg)
Wiring
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/6/2/9/795629-12266-36-720.jpg)
It all ended in a one day detailing frenzy
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/6/3/0/795630-12266-79-720.jpg)
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/6/3/2/795632-12266-97-720.jpg)
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/6/3/3/795633-12266-90-720.jpg)
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/6/3/5/795635-12266-22-720.jpg)
All fueled by unfortunately very good walkaround pictures 😄
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/6/3/4/795634-12266-59-720.jpg)
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/6/3/1/795631-12266-30-720.jpg)
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/4/8/6/796486-12266-13-720.jpg)
Nosegear doors. Eduard PE does is a hell of an improvement over the kit parts! Btw these are two separate doors which were molded as one.
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/7/4/2/796742-12266-80-720.jpg)
edge of inner flaps needs to be sharper
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/7/4/3/796743-12266-51-720.jpg)
Outer flaps and inner aileron were molded in one piece...no no
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/7/4/4/796744-12266-75-720.jpg)
Let's move on to the size issues...
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/7/4/5/796745-12266-17-720.jpg)
Overall the kit is a bit oversized
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/7/4/6/796746-12266-87-720.jpg)
Quite a bit..
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/7/4/7/796747-12266-64-720.jpg)
I measured and corrected the plans to be exactly 1:72 (checked with the printed on scale to comparison and also the airplane dimensions)
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/7/4/9/796749-12266-99-720.jpg)
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/7/4/8/796748-12266-36-720.jpg)
Nosecone is too long
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/7/5/0/796750-12266-11-720.jpg)
counterchecked with a different drawing, same story
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/7/5/2/796752-12266-40-720.jpg)
There is not really much you can do about the overall size issues, might as well build a new model from scratch. Some parts are quite easily correctable. I intend to correct features and details of the airplane which are more noticeable and do determine the overall shape of it
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/7/5/1/796751-12266-19-720.jpg)
Shortening the nose is a little surgery which also makes placing some noseweight easier
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/3/8/5/798385-12266-51-pristine.jpg)
OK after further studying the material about this plane I found two another issues of the kit definitely worthy of improving
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/3/8/7/798387-12266-57-720.jpg)
First construction site, and the major one...the intakes
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/3/8/6/798386-12266-76-720.jpg)
The intakes have movable intake spikes...
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/3/8/8/798388-12266-41-720.jpg)
...which are resting on these "backing plates"
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/3/8/9/798389-12266-36-720.jpg)
This is what Trumpy provides. The outer shape of the intake is quite good, the inner walls though are too straight, the original have a slight bend to them
![Album image #39 Album image #39](/albums/img/3/9/0/798390-12266-88-720.jpg)
The greater issue is the cone. What Trumpeter tried to achieve is depict the cone in the outermost position.
![Album image #40 Album image #40](/albums/img/3/9/2/798392-12266-54-720.jpg)
Which is plausible, yet most "parked" aircraft had their cones retracted.
![Album image #41 Album image #41](/albums/img/3/9/1/798391-12266-42-720.jpg)
Here comes the catch, instead of moving just the cone forward, they did it with the entire "backing plate"
![Album image #42 Album image #42](/albums/img/3/9/5/798395-12266-28-720.jpg)
...which is WRONG, as comrade instructor is showing us.
![Album image #43 Album image #43](/albums/img/3/9/6/798396-12266-42-720.jpg)
not to mention the fact, that the cone is wrong in it's size and shape and "glued" to the inner walls of the intake.
![Album image #44 Album image #44](/albums/img/3/9/8/798398-12266-85-720.jpg)
I started with making the new cones, starting point were kit leftovers in the appropriate shape and appearance.
![Album image #45 Album image #45](/albums/img/3/9/7/798397-12266-80-720.jpg)
"turning" the front of the spike
![Album image #46 Album image #46](/albums/img/3/9/9/798399-12266-64-720.jpg)
![Album image #47 Album image #47](/albums/img/4/0/0/798400-12266-38-720.jpg)
and the other half of it
![Album image #48 Album image #48](/albums/img/4/0/1/798401-12266-32-720.jpg)
![Album image #49 Album image #49](/albums/img/4/0/3/798403-12266-36-720.jpg)
![Album image #50 Album image #50](/albums/img/4/0/2/798402-12266-79-720.jpg)
![Album image #51 Album image #51](/albums/img/4/0/4/798404-12266-97-720.jpg)
Second part of the operation was forming the "backing plate" to the right shape. The marked areas have to be removed somehow.
![Album image #52 Album image #52](/albums/img/4/0/5/798405-12266-97-720.jpg)
But first reinforcing the inner side with some 1mm styrene sheet an super glue
![Album image #53 Album image #53](/albums/img/4/0/6/798406-12266-43-720.jpg)
Risky thing to do, tried to minimize the damage by masking off adjacent areas with thick dymo tape
![Album image #54 Album image #54](/albums/img/4/0/7/798407-12266-86-720.jpg)
![Album image #55 Album image #55](/albums/img/4/0/8/798408-12266-70-720.jpg)
but eventually...
the white part is the reinforcemend sheet from behind
the white part is the reinforcemend sheet from behind
![Album image #56 Album image #56](/albums/img/7/3/3/798733-12266-60-720.jpg)
Second "construction site". The front part of the aerodynamic main carriage "pods" at the wings is too short at the lower side
![Album image #57 Album image #57](/albums/img/7/3/4/798734-12266-97-720.jpg)
I noticed that the inner pylons looked a little different in the kit that at the original.
Top one is from the kit, bottom is modified
Top one is from the kit, bottom is modified
![Album image #58 Album image #58](/albums/img/7/3/6/798736-12266-62-720.jpg)
Further comparison suggested the wrong shape of the pods and hence the pylons
![Album image #59 Album image #59](/albums/img/7/3/5/798735-12266-71-720.jpg)
![Album image #60 Album image #60](/albums/img/7/3/7/798737-12266-29-720.jpg)
So modus operandi was glueing an "extension" from scrap parts at the front. Also apllied some "fences" from polystyrene as support and guidance for applying putty.
![Album image #61 Album image #61](/albums/img/7/3/8/798738-12266-75-720.jpg)
The tape makes clean working and result a relatively easy task
![Album image #62 Album image #62](/albums/img/7/3/9/798739-12266-92-720.jpg)
Putty material is my own mix of automotive polyester putty and polyester resin.
![Album image #63 Album image #63](/albums/img/7/4/1/798741-12266-88-720.jpg)
Nail sanding sticks, great stuff for modeling 👍
![Album image #64 Album image #64](/albums/img/7/4/0/798740-12266-13-720.jpg)
![Album image #65 Album image #65](/albums/img/7/4/2/798742-12266-30-720.jpg)
![Album image #66 Album image #66](/albums/img/7/4/5/798745-12266-25-720.jpg)
The result. With the strategic usage of tape all the surroundings remained almost untouched and undamaged. All the panel lines are still there
![Album image #67 Album image #67](/albums/img/7/4/6/798746-12266-68-720.jpg)
Not really a "necessary" improvement but i wanted to do it anyway, just for fun I guess. Which I had and I am really happy with the result!
![Album image #68 Album image #68](/albums/img/7/4/4/798744-12266-35-720.jpg)
before
![Album image #69 Album image #69](/albums/img/7/4/3/798743-12266-26-720.jpg)
after
![Album image #70 Album image #70](/albums/img/4/7/2/799472-12266-91-720.jpg)
![Album image #71 Album image #71](/albums/img/4/7/0/799470-12266-53-720.jpg)
As I said earlier, the model is a bit oversized in general
![Album image #72 Album image #72](/albums/img/4/6/9/799469-12266-93-720.jpg)
Glueing the fuselage parts together was quite a bit tricky because of the concave surface. Also some rescribing will be needed as you can see
![Album image #73 Album image #73](/albums/img/4/6/8/799468-12266-10-720.jpg)
![Album image #74 Album image #74](/albums/img/4/7/1/799471-12266-17-720.jpg)
Fin is really good from the kit, except the oversized part. Only added the little actuator for the trim.
![Album image #75 Album image #75](/albums/img/4/7/5/799475-12266-54-720.jpg)
But let's get to something more challenging...Original.....aaand drum roll...
![Album image #76 Album image #76](/albums/img/4/7/7/799477-12266-79-720.jpg)
kit part....*sad trumpet sounds*
![Album image #77 Album image #77](/albums/img/4/7/6/799476-12266-39-720.jpg)
to their credit, they provided the nozzle also in the opened position
![Album image #78 Album image #78](/albums/img/4/7/4/799474-12266-55-720.jpg)
The actuator ring lacks any depth whatsoever and there is no detail on the nozzle segments
![Album image #79 Album image #79](/albums/img/4/9/8/799498-12266-19-720.jpg)
I laid some hope on Eduard's PE solution
![Album image #80 Album image #80](/albums/img/4/9/7/799497-12266-57-720.jpg)
![Album image #81 Album image #81](/albums/img/4/9/5/799495-12266-68-720.jpg)
A bit better for sure but still no detail on the segments
![Album image #82 Album image #82](/albums/img/8/2/7/799827-12266-45-720.jpg)
and something needed to be done about the actuator ring.
![Album image #83 Album image #83](/albums/img/8/2/9/799829-12266-22-720.jpg)
I cut out a strip fom PE scraps, wrapped it around and with some soldering..
![Album image #84 Album image #84](/albums/img/8/2/8/799828-12266-59-720.jpg)
..cleaning and sanding afterwards
![Album image #85 Album image #85](/albums/img/5/0/9/799509-12266-36-720.jpg)
that was the result
![Album image #86 Album image #86](/albums/img/5/1/2/799512-12266-75-720.jpg)
quite a lot better, but there was still detail missing on the individual flaps "flaps"
![Album image #87 Album image #87](/albums/img/5/2/1/799521-12266-14-720.jpg)
...which was made from styrene strips
![Album image #88 Album image #88](/albums/img/5/2/4/799524-12266-44-720.jpg)
cut to shape
![Album image #89 Album image #89](/albums/img/5/2/2/799522-12266-23-720.jpg)
![Album image #90 Album image #90](/albums/img/5/2/3/799523-12266-30-720.jpg)
not perfect but helluva lot better 👍
![Album image #91 Album image #91](/albums/img/8/3/0/799830-12266-17-720.jpg)
![Album image #92 Album image #92](/albums/img/3/6/5/800365-12266-89-720.jpg)
She's coming together!
![Album image #93 Album image #93](/albums/img/5/2/3/801523-12266-67-720.jpg)
Found another way to make my own life a misery...
This "step", indicated by the arrow isn't supposed to be there. The hull of the model is curved inside at the bottom, as indicated by the red marking. It should however go down more in a straight fashion.
This "step", indicated by the arrow isn't supposed to be there. The hull of the model is curved inside at the bottom, as indicated by the red marking. It should however go down more in a straight fashion.
![Album image #94 Album image #94](/albums/img/5/2/4/801524-12266-21-720.jpg)
As you can see here, the hull is "vertical" above the wing, the inner flap is directly perpendicular to it, without any "step"
![Album image #95 Album image #95](/albums/img/5/2/5/801525-12266-85-720.jpg)
even better seen here
![Album image #96 Album image #96](/albums/img/5/3/0/801530-12266-75-720.jpg)
So this area above the wing needs to be filled.
![Album image #97 Album image #97](/albums/img/5/2/9/801529-12266-63-720.jpg)
Masking off the surroundlings is really imortant otherwise it will be a huge mess
![Album image #98 Album image #98](/albums/img/5/3/1/801531-12266-68-720.jpg)
![Album image #99 Album image #99](/albums/img/5/2/8/801528-12266-92-720.jpg)
Like this you can keep the damage to the surrounding areas in check
![Album image #100 Album image #100](/albums/img/5/3/3/801533-12266-70-720.jpg)
The step at the bottom however is present but it does not end at the edge of the flap, so it needs to be a bit longer.
![Album image #101 Album image #101](/albums/img/5/3/4/801534-12266-80-720.jpg)
So, more putty...
![Album image #102 Album image #102](/albums/img/5/3/6/801536-12266-25-720.jpg)
and the result after sanding.
![Album image #103 Album image #103](/albums/img/5/3/5/801535-12266-82-720.jpg)
Some panel lines were lost in the battle but as I said with the help of masking tape you substantually minimize the damage
![Album image #104 Album image #104](/albums/img/5/3/7/801537-12266-74-720.jpg)
Pretty happy with the result but the final picture will emerge after application of some filler...
![Album image #105 Album image #105](/albums/img/1/1/3/802113-12266-71-720.jpg)
"Nosejob" shortening finished. Hat to sand off ~5mm at the base. A little putty an it'll look like new
![Album image #106 Album image #106](/albums/img/1/1/4/802114-12266-82-720.jpg)
Wing-fuselage transition looking good
![Album image #107 Album image #107](/albums/img/1/1/5/802115-12266-52-720.jpg)
Other side too
![Album image #108 Album image #108](/albums/img/1/1/2/802112-12266-56-720.jpg)
Almost forgot the front wheelbay when glueing the front to the rest of the body...
Also notice the total lack of any airducts.
Also notice the total lack of any airducts.
![Album image #109 Album image #109](/albums/img/1/1/8/802118-12266-83-720.jpg)
Dashboard from Eduard's PE set looks pretty sharp. Navigator cockpit
![Album image #110 Album image #110](/albums/img/1/1/9/802119-12266-72-720.jpg)
Pilot's dashboard
![Album image #111 Album image #111](/albums/img/1/2/1/802121-12266-81-720.jpg)
Side panels with some 3D effect. There are virtually no pictures of the Tu-128 cockpit online, just a couple b/w in very bad quality so you have to trust Eduard on this one. But it looks rather nice....with levers 'n $hit
![Album image #112 Album image #112](/albums/img/1/2/0/802120-12266-47-720.jpg)
Neomega seats also arrived. Here compared to the kit part. No contest, although the casting quality isn't terribly great
![Album image #113 Album image #113](/albums/img/3/6/2/802362-12266-11-720.jpg)
Let's get back to the intake modification...
![Album image #114 Album image #114](/albums/img/3/6/3/802363-12266-19-720.jpg)
As I mentioned the inner walls need to be made new from scratch because the old ones were the wrong shape.
![Album image #115 Album image #115](/albums/img/3/6/1/802361-12266-91-720.jpg)
0,3mm Styrene sheet was used
![Album image #116 Album image #116](/albums/img/3/6/4/802364-12266-60-720.jpg)
Looks really messy pre-cleanup but here you already recognize the little bend in the inner walls which was absent in the kit part
![Album image #117 Album image #117](/albums/img/3/6/5/802365-12266-73-720.jpg)
Left before cleanup, right after. The edge has to be thinned down considerably
![Album image #118 Album image #118](/albums/img/3/6/6/802366-12266-73-720.jpg)
![Album image #119 Album image #119](/albums/img/3/6/7/802367-12266-75-720.jpg)
Not perfect, but a great improvement over the kit
![Album image #120 Album image #120](/albums/img/3/6/8/802368-12266-18-pristine.jpg)
![Album image #121 Album image #121](/albums/img/5/2/9/804529-12266-21-720.jpg)
After all this panel line destruction and putty orgy I wanted to do something relaxing, something simple, like....attaching the ailerons. Because what could go wrong, right?
I did notice these offset pins before but did not give them a second glance. Turns out Trumpeter in their infinite wisdom decided to mold the two outer aileron hinges in an offset position at top and bottom. I believe it was done in order to prevent the stupid and careless modeler to mix up the left and the right part.
I did notice these offset pins before but did not give them a second glance. Turns out Trumpeter in their infinite wisdom decided to mold the two outer aileron hinges in an offset position at top and bottom. I believe it was done in order to prevent the stupid and careless modeler to mix up the left and the right part.
![Album image #122 Album image #122](/albums/img/5/2/8/804528-12266-96-720.jpg)
![Album image #123 Album image #123](/albums/img/5/3/1/804531-12266-47-720.jpg)
sighh....here we go again
![Album image #124 Album image #124](/albums/img/5/3/0/804530-12266-24-720.jpg)
While I was at it I further modified the ailerons. Added some missing detail. The trim was cut out and the aileron itself shortened in depth. The actuator casing for the trim was added, it was missing completely.
![Album image #125 Album image #125](/albums/img/5/3/3/804533-12266-96-720.jpg)
Just another day of work, no problem...
![Album image #126 Album image #126](/albums/img/5/3/2/804532-12266-30-720.jpg)
![Album image #127 Album image #127](/albums/img/5/3/4/804534-12266-42-720.jpg)
![Album image #128 Album image #128](/albums/img/3/2/0/805320-12266-96-720.jpg)
Let's talk about the inner flaps...
![Album image #129 Album image #129](/albums/img/3/2/1/805321-12266-60-720.jpg)
While on top they seem to be reasonably ok
![Album image #130 Album image #130](/albums/img/3/2/2/805322-12266-70-720.jpg)
The lower part is a whole different story. They should be longer on the lower side constructionwise.
![Album image #131 Album image #131](/albums/img/3/2/3/805323-12266-28-720.jpg)
![Album image #132 Album image #132](/albums/img/3/2/4/805324-12266-24-720.jpg)
![Album image #133 Album image #133](/albums/img/3/2/5/805325-12266-79-720.jpg)
Trumpeter again oversimplified things, designed the part as a single homogenic unit at top and bottom to be attached to the assembled wing with some half-assed engraving to "simulate" the rest of the flap and called it a day.
![Album image #134 Album image #134](/albums/img/3/3/4/805334-12266-70-720.jpg)
At this point I honestly just wanted to scream into my pillow, but instead I took out my Dremel, saw blades and milling heads and started working.
![Album image #135 Album image #135](/albums/img/3/3/3/805333-12266-78-720.jpg)
![Album image #136 Album image #136](/albums/img/3/3/5/805335-12266-51-720.jpg)
![Album image #137 Album image #137](/albums/img/3/7/1/808371-12266-92-720.jpg)
This is how the working table looks mid-battle. Updates following soon..
![Album image #138 Album image #138](/albums/img/4/2/7/808427-12266-80-720.jpg)
The elongated flaps shaped with 2k polyester putty, surfacer 500 on top. Looking good...
![Album image #139 Album image #139](/albums/img/4/2/8/808428-12266-98-720.jpg)
Added missing details, hinges and stuff, rescribed. Looks even better 👍
![Album image #140 Album image #140](/albums/img/4/2/6/808426-12266-82-720.jpg)
The "updated" lower wing in all its glory
![Album image #141 Album image #141](/albums/img/5/3/6/808536-12266-98-720.jpg)
Here is another thing I am not happy about with the kit. The transition between wing fence and weapons pylon.
![Album image #142 Album image #142](/albums/img/5/3/3/808533-12266-67-720.jpg)
The transition is smooth, there is no gap whatsoever. The pylon btw appears to be "split", there is a disctinctive offset between the upper and lower part
![Album image #143 Album image #143](/albums/img/5/3/4/808534-12266-52-720.jpg)
So I split the pylon in two, the white strip is to compensate the lost material due to sawing
![Album image #144 Album image #144](/albums/img/5/3/5/808535-12266-61-720.jpg)
The gap is filled with a PS strip
![Album image #145 Album image #145](/albums/img/5/3/7/808537-12266-91-720.jpg)
The pylon tip shaped pointy
![Album image #146 Album image #146](/albums/img/8/1/2/808812-12266-13-720.jpg)
Just a little example to sum up Trumpeter's research "efforts" when designing this kit...
The Tu-128 has a two man flight crew, pilot in the front, navigator in the back. The pilot in the front has a YOKE type of steering, the navigator in the back has NO control stick WHATSOEVER
The Tu-128 has a two man flight crew, pilot in the front, navigator in the back. The pilot in the front has a YOKE type of steering, the navigator in the back has NO control stick WHATSOEVER
![Album image #147 Album image #147](/albums/img/8/1/3/808813-12266-20-720.jpg)
Trumpeter however provided a STICK type steering for BOTH cockpits! 👍
![Album image #148 Album image #148](/albums/img/8/1/4/808814-12266-68-pristine.jpg)
![Album image #149 Album image #149](/albums/img/8/1/5/808815-12266-68-720.jpg)
Let's make our own from scrap parts, shall we? Not that we get bored with this kit or anything....
![Album image #150 Album image #150](/albums/img/8/1/6/808816-12266-69-720.jpg)
kit and scratch
![Album image #151 Album image #151](/albums/img/2/7/5/809275-12266-15-pristine.jpg)
For some unknown reason Trumpeter decided to ignore this strut on the front canopy
![Album image #152 Album image #152](/albums/img/2/7/7/809277-12266-17-720.jpg)
![Album image #153 Album image #153](/albums/img/2/7/6/809276-12266-72-720.jpg)
Evergreen to the help!
![Album image #154 Album image #154](/albums/img/6/0/1/809601-12266-54-720.jpg)
Unfortunately it is not looking better for Trumpy as the build progresses, let's get to the rear end...
![Album image #155 Album image #155](/albums/img/6/0/2/809602-12266-12-720.jpg)
The real thing has all kinds of detail back at the horizontal stabilizer attachement point
![Album image #156 Album image #156](/albums/img/6/0/3/809603-12266-22-720.jpg)
First of all, there are quite noticeable intakes in front of the stabilizers
![Album image #157 Album image #157](/albums/img/6/0/5/809605-12266-48-720.jpg)
There are also noticable openings in the fuselage. The rusty "screw" sticking out appears to be part of a linear actuator which moves the stabilizer a couple of degrees up or down.
![Album image #158 Album image #158](/albums/img/6/1/2/809612-12266-57-720.png)
The elevator is very noticeably separated.
![Album image #159 Album image #159](/albums/img/6/0/7/809607-12266-25-720.jpg)
Let's see what Trumpeter is offering us, shall we?
![Album image #160 Album image #160](/albums/img/6/0/8/809608-12266-66-720.jpg)
.....
![Album image #161 Album image #161](/albums/img/6/0/9/809609-12266-90-720.jpg)
..........
![Album image #162 Album image #162](/albums/img/6/1/0/809610-12266-13-pristine.png)
Thanks Trumpeter!
![Album image #163 Album image #163](/albums/img/6/7/9/809679-12266-50-720.jpg)
First of all, the "bulges" need to be wider at the bottom, therefore i apply a strip of styrene. The little tube is basis for the intake
![Album image #164 Album image #164](/albums/img/6/8/0/809680-12266-47-720.jpg)
The transition at the top has to be aligned with putty
![Album image #165 Album image #165](/albums/img/6/8/1/809681-12266-84-720.jpg)
![Album image #166 Album image #166](/albums/img/6/8/2/809682-12266-45-720.jpg)
This is looking promising...
![Album image #167 Album image #167](/albums/img/6/8/3/809683-12266-11-720.jpg)
cut the round tube diagonally, drilled and sanded carefully to come close to the original look
![Album image #168 Album image #168](/albums/img/6/8/4/809684-12266-85-720.jpg)
![Album image #169 Album image #169](/albums/img/6/8/5/809685-12266-89-720.jpg)
![Album image #170 Album image #170](/albums/img/6/8/6/809686-12266-62-720.jpg)
All of it is still too "smooth". Marking for the cuts.
![Album image #171 Album image #171](/albums/img/6/8/7/809687-12266-78-720.jpg)
Some risky dremel work later, left the hinge, right the actuator screw is sticking out
![Album image #172 Album image #172](/albums/img/9/4/9/809949-12266-81-720.jpg)
The elevator needs to be sepatated
![Album image #173 Album image #173](/albums/img/9/5/0/809950-12266-79-720.jpg)
Careful surgery with a CMK saw
![Album image #174 Album image #174](/albums/img/9/5/1/809951-12266-30-720.jpg)
and cleanup. Notches for the hinges cut out
![Album image #175 Album image #175](/albums/img/9/5/2/809952-12266-87-720.jpg)
Added some detail, hinges and stuff.
![Album image #176 Album image #176](/albums/img/9/5/3/809953-12266-22-720.jpg)
Looking definitely more like the original, should look even better when painted
![Album image #177 Album image #177](/albums/img/9/5/4/809954-12266-63-720.jpg)
close-up of the actuator part
![Album image #178 Album image #178](/albums/img/9/5/5/809955-12266-92-720.jpg)
The "bulges" were made with a UV glue pen, a criminally underrated tool in modelling
![Album image #179 Album image #179](/albums/img/9/5/6/809956-12266-66-720.jpg)
![Album image #180 Album image #180](/albums/img/4/4/2/810442-12266-97-720.jpg)
After this whole correction ordeal finally found some peace painting the Neomega KT-1M ejection seats...
![Album image #181 Album image #181](/albums/img/4/4/3/810443-12266-54-720.jpg)
![Album image #182 Album image #182](/albums/img/4/4/4/810444-12266-66-720.jpg)
![Album image #183 Album image #183](/albums/img/7/4/3/810743-12266-99-720.jpg)
The transition between the vertical stabilizer and the fuselage should be very smooth, almost round. The model had an ugly gap there. I used UV glue as putty and it works terriffic!
![Album image #184 Album image #184](/albums/img/7/4/4/810744-12266-55-720.jpg)
20 seconds drying time, just went over it with some fine sanding cloth and it's perfect..
![Album image #185 Album image #185](/albums/img/7/5/2/810752-12266-51-720.jpg)
Adding last details like this little intake, which was ignored in the kit
![Album image #186 Album image #186](/albums/img/7/5/3/810753-12266-87-720.jpg)
![Album image #187 Album image #187](/albums/img/1/0/3/811103-12266-86-720.png)
The inside of the windshield has some noticeable detail I wanted to recreate
![Album image #188 Album image #188](/albums/img/1/0/4/811104-12266-66-720.jpg)
![Album image #189 Album image #189](/albums/img/1/0/5/811105-12266-70-720.png)
Additionally there is a very peculiar looking "double barrel shotgun" air intake at the front. The kit provides just a plastic hump at this spot.
![Album image #190 Album image #190](/albums/img/1/0/6/811106-12266-25-720.jpg)
Hypodermic needles come in quite handy
![Album image #191 Album image #191](/albums/img/1/0/7/811107-12266-20-720.jpg)
![Album image #192 Album image #192](/albums/img/1/0/8/811108-12266-51-720.jpg)
![Album image #193 Album image #193](/albums/img/9/0/3/811903-12266-99-720.jpg)
Rescribing and riveting time!
![Album image #194 Album image #194](/albums/img/9/0/4/811904-12266-12-720.jpg)
After laying down a base coat with AKs Primer and Microfiller it emerged - a HUGE amount of panel lines were lost during the construction process and improving the flaws of the kit.
![Album image #195 Album image #195](/albums/img/9/0/5/811905-12266-97-720.jpg)
The belly suffered a lot, partucularly because of the seamline that was running down the concave fuselage part in the back area
![Album image #196 Album image #196](/albums/img/9/0/7/811907-12266-25-720.jpg)
The positions of the construction lines, sheets and hatches were pre-drawn with a pencil...
![Album image #197 Album image #197](/albums/img/9/0/8/811908-12266-44-720.jpg)
...and engraved with a scribing tool
![Album image #198 Album image #198](/albums/img/9/0/6/811906-12266-20-720.jpg)
![Album image #199 Album image #199](/albums/img/9/0/9/811909-12266-56-720.jpg)
Templates in the right size were a big help to recreate the various little hatches
![Album image #200 Album image #200](/albums/img/9/1/0/811910-12266-61-720.jpg)
![Album image #201 Album image #201](/albums/img/9/1/1/811911-12266-51-720.jpg)
A sturdy, but flexible tape is a good guidance for the scribing tool
![Album image #202 Album image #202](/albums/img/9/1/2/811912-12266-42-720.jpg)
Same tape was used as guidance for riveting
![Album image #203 Album image #203](/albums/img/8/0/2/812802-12266-37-720.jpg)
pre-drawn rivet lines
![Album image #204 Album image #204](/albums/img/8/0/3/812803-12266-51-720.jpg)
![Album image #205 Album image #205](/albums/img/8/0/4/812804-12266-10-720.jpg)
If you look closely, the Tu-128 is simply a sea of rivets, like you see on this heavily corroded prototype. Recreating all of them would require: A. Much more detailed construction drawings with all the rivet data B. Several weeks of extra work. It just wouldn't be feasible
![Album image #206 Album image #206](/albums/img/8/0/5/812805-12266-88-720.jpg)
There are though some prominent and clearly visible rivet rows which you see from a "1:72" distance, which ones I intend to recreate.
![Album image #207 Album image #207](/albums/img/8/0/6/812806-12266-71-720.jpg)
![Album image #208 Album image #208](/albums/img/8/0/7/812807-12266-88-720.jpg)
this is some finicky work...
![Album image #209 Album image #209](/albums/img/8/0/8/812808-12266-54-720.jpg)
..bu I think it adds to the character of this airplane
![Album image #210 Album image #210](/albums/img/8/0/9/812809-12266-46-720.jpg)
![Album image #211 Album image #211](/albums/img/8/1/0/812810-12266-95-720.jpg)
For this task I used the crappy Trumpeter (of course) riveting tool, but also built my own. The one to the right was crafted from an old pair of compasses and a watch gear wheel, the both to the left are corner tool "redesigned" from the Trumpeter set
![Album image #212 Album image #212](/albums/img/8/1/2/812812-12266-66-720.jpg)
![Album image #213 Album image #213](/albums/img/8/1/1/812811-12266-23-720.jpg)
![Album image #214 Album image #214](/albums/img/8/1/3/812813-12266-90-720.jpg)
![Album image #215 Album image #215](/albums/img/5/2/3/813523-12266-44-720.jpg)
There are hardly any photos of the inside of the canopy, but what was visible was a frame structure and some kind of insulation padding, often seen in Soviet cockpits. The framework is from Evergreen strips, the padding is made from Miliput.
![Album image #216 Album image #216](/albums/img/5/3/3/813533-12266-82-720.jpg)
There is a variety of big and small in- and outlets at the lower back end of the Tu-128, these were entirely ignored in the kit
![Album image #217 Album image #217](/albums/img/5/3/4/813534-12266-18-720.jpg)
The teeny back ones I made from scratch..
![Album image #218 Album image #218](/albums/img/5/3/5/813535-12266-30-720.jpg)
The big ones were looted from various Quickboost aftermarket intake sets
![Album image #219 Album image #219](/albums/img/5/3/6/813536-12266-80-720.jpg)
The early "M" version still had this "handrail" antenna on the starboard in the front. You guessed it, Trumpeter completely ignored it as well.
The Eduard PE set does provide a solution, but the designers probably caught the Trumpeter virus as well, while working in it. It is way too short, wrongly shaped and the number of struts is one too much.
The Eduard PE set does provide a solution, but the designers probably caught the Trumpeter virus as well, while working in it. It is way too short, wrongly shaped and the number of struts is one too much.
![Album image #220 Album image #220](/albums/img/5/3/7/813537-12266-22-720.jpg)
Let's make one from scratch then, eh?
![Album image #221 Album image #221](/albums/img/8/2/2/947822-12266-77-720.jpg)
![Album image #222 Album image #222](/albums/img/8/2/3/947823-12266-73-720.jpg)
Final fitting of the stabilizers
![Album image #223 Album image #223](/albums/img/8/2/4/947824-12266-29-720.jpg)
![Album image #224 Album image #224](/albums/img/3/0/9/948309-12266-87-720.jpg)
And we officially are at the painting stage...
![Album image #225 Album image #225](/albums/img/3/1/0/948310-12266-67-720.jpg)
The few existing top and bottom photos of this beast show large dark areas on top and bottom of the wings.
![Album image #226 Album image #226](/albums/img/3/1/1/948311-12266-76-720.jpg)
These as well as other panels which are distinctively dark in appearance i want to recreate using this peculiar preshading method. Some panels were masked off with tape, some pre sprayed with black and masked off with the pre cut panel masks by New Ware before spraying grey around the corners to make them sharp.
![Album image #227 Album image #227](/albums/img/3/1/3/948313-12266-18-720.jpg)
![Album image #228 Album image #228](/albums/img/3/1/4/948314-12266-78-720.jpg)
Before applying any metal tones I sprayed several layers of Mr. Metal Primer (which is essentially a gloss coat). This gets rid of (almost) all the micro scratches and irregularities on the surface and gives the following metal paint a great basis.
![Album image #229 Album image #229](/albums/img/3/1/2/948312-12266-69-720.jpg)
First of many layers applied
![Album image #230 Album image #230](/albums/img/3/1/5/948315-12266-80-720.jpg)
I use AK Xtreme Metal, first shade was Aluminium
![Album image #231 Album image #231](/albums/img/4/2/6/948426-12266-44-720.jpg)
To breathe some life into the almost uniform metallic surface we need to work on individual panels. Here one is being masked off.
![Album image #232 Album image #232](/albums/img/7/2/7/948727-12266-75-720.jpg)
Alternatively the "Post-It" method xomes in handy. You make quick progress and the sticky surface is exactly right not to damage the sensitive metal paint
![Album image #233 Album image #233](/albums/img/7/2/8/948728-12266-61-720.jpg)
I work with very little paint and pressure, just accentuating individual panels, the trick is not to overdo it.
![Album image #234 Album image #234](/albums/img/7/3/2/948732-12266-53-720.jpg)
Like this we create some "life" on the monotone metal surface.
![Album image #235 Album image #235](/albums/img/7/3/0/948730-12266-21-720.jpg)
I used several metal tones from AK Xtreme Metal like Aluminium, Dark Aluminium, Duraluminium, Steel
![Album image #236 Album image #236](/albums/img/7/3/1/948731-12266-38-720.jpg)
![Album image #237 Album image #237](/albums/img/9/7/0/948970-12266-44-720.jpg)
It is hard to tell from the few coloured photos of this plane what shade of green was used exactly for the beaker. I went with a mixture of Tamiya XF-5 and X-28 and it seems reasonable to me.
![Album image #238 Album image #238](/albums/img/9/7/1/948971-12266-94-720.jpg)
The tail antenna covers were painted as well instead of using the decals. Photoetched scribing templates were used as masks.
![Album image #239 Album image #239](/albums/img/9/7/2/948972-12266-71-720.jpg)
![Album image #240 Album image #240](/albums/img/9/7/3/948973-12266-46-720.jpg)
Glare shield was taped off
![Album image #241 Album image #241](/albums/img/9/7/6/948976-12266-62-720.jpg)
Shiny!
![Album image #242 Album image #242](/albums/img/9/7/5/948975-12266-38-720.jpg)
![Album image #243 Album image #243](/albums/img/2/4/0/949240-12266-86-720.jpg)
I intend to build this particular machine which I found a couple of good photos of. Some research later confirmed the fuselage number "17" to be blue.
![Album image #244 Album image #244](/albums/img/2/4/8/949248-12266-14-720.jpg)
A different era where the far north and east borders of the huge country where the installation and maintaining of stationary Air defence complexes was impractical these beasts were controlling the skies 24/7 agains the constant presense of US bombers and recon planes
![Album image #245 Album image #245](/albums/img/2/4/3/949243-12266-39-720.jpg)
Custom made decals
![Album image #246 Album image #246](/albums/img/2/4/2/949242-12266-93-720.jpg)
The stars from the kit are quite passable in size, so I use them. Cut them out to avoid any risk of silvering.
![Album image #247 Album image #247](/albums/img/2/4/1/949241-12266-70-720.jpg)
![Album image #248 Album image #248](/albums/img/2/4/4/949244-12266-17-720.jpg)
The metal surface looks shiny, pretty and all but that is not how the machines looked like in service! We need a wash.
![Album image #249 Album image #249](/albums/img/4/7/0/949470-12266-20-720.jpg)
The wheel bays were natural metal, but coated with some transparent yellowish protective paint. Vallejo's dark yellow wash seems to be perfect for this job.
![Album image #250 Album image #250](/albums/img/4/7/1/949471-12266-68-720.jpg)
For the wash I use in this case only water based stuff to avoid any possibility of damaging the sensitive metal paint. Even if there are a couple coats of protective sealer on.
![Album image #251 Album image #251](/albums/img/4/7/2/949472-12266-48-720.jpg)
A droplet of dish detergent breaks the surface tension and makes the brown broth cover the whole area effortlessly. So this is quite literally a wash!
![Album image #252 Album image #252](/albums/img/4/7/3/949473-12266-36-720.jpg)
Is some sophisticated modeling circles this "bathing" method is frowned upon, but this is how I do it! 😄
![Album image #253 Album image #253](/albums/img/4/7/4/949474-12266-81-720.jpg)
When the stuff is dry the surface is wiped carefully with an almost dry cloth
![Album image #254 Album image #254](/albums/img/4/7/5/949475-12266-17-720.jpg)
This is not even a panel line wash, it is more of a filter to give the complete surface a slightly dirty, oily look with faint streaks.
![Album image #255 Album image #255](/albums/img/4/7/6/949476-12266-31-720.jpg)
![Album image #256 Album image #256](/albums/img/4/7/7/949477-12266-64-720.jpg)
![Album image #257 Album image #257](/albums/img/4/7/8/949478-12266-33-720.jpg)
That is the greasy heavy metal look I was looking for!
![Album image #258 Album image #258](/albums/img/9/5/0/949950-12266-34-720.jpg)
Wash part 2. Here comes the actual panel line wash. Some seams and rivet rows are more prominent than others on this beast. To recreate this I apply undiluted dark grey, again Vallejo water based wash, with a brush to the according areas. This time working as subtle as possible and not covering the whole surface.
![Album image #259 Album image #259](/albums/img/9/5/1/949951-12266-18-720.jpg)
After a quick dry the surface is wiped clean with a dry cloth.
![Album image #260 Album image #260](/albums/img/9/4/9/949949-12266-99-720.jpg)
This emphasizes some of the rivets and panel lines even more and creates a really nice postshading effect as seen on the actual aircraft.
![Album image #261 Album image #261](/albums/img/0/8/6/950086-12266-80-720.jpg)
The masks came surprisingly easily off without any residue considering the fact they were a couple of months on. I used the New Ware set.
![Album image #262 Album image #262](/albums/img/0/8/7/950087-12266-83-720.jpg)
![Album image #263 Album image #263](/albums/img/3/6/9/950369-12266-21-720.jpg)
Canopies received some detail from the inside. Green thermal insulation made from Miliput, a cockpit lamp for nightly missions, rolled up sunshades on each side...
![Album image #264 Album image #264](/albums/img/3/7/0/950370-12266-62-720.jpg)
And a conveniently placed handle
![Album image #265 Album image #265](/albums/img/3/7/1/950371-12266-66-720.jpg)
A little outside touch was the little "rearview mirror" at the top
![Album image #266 Album image #266](/albums/img/7/9/8/950798-12266-52-720.jpg)
New intake cones fitting. Looks good!
![Album image #267 Album image #267](/albums/img/8/0/0/950800-12266-21-720.jpg)
Almost forgot a little detail, some elements of the flap mechanism on the lower side of the wing were painted in green
![Album image #268 Album image #268](/albums/img/7/9/9/950799-12266-69-720.jpg)
A nice little touch to the almost uniform metal surface
![Album image #269 Album image #269](/albums/img/2/8/4/951284-12266-99-720.jpg)
Inbetween fuselage painting steps I was working on the main gear. It also required some considerable reworking and detailing.
![Album image #270 Album image #270](/albums/img/2/8/5/951285-12266-15-720.jpg)
Brake lines applied
![Album image #271 Album image #271](/albums/img/2/8/2/951282-12266-17-720.jpg)
Combined with the beautiful Res/Kit wheel set and the irresistible Soviet wheel hub green
![Album image #272 Album image #272](/albums/img/2/8/6/951286-12266-73-720.jpg)
Some mild force (gravity) was required to align all 10 wheels with the surface
![Album image #273 Album image #273](/albums/img/2/8/7/951287-12266-27-720.jpg)
![Album image #274 Album image #274](/albums/img/4/4/5/951445-12266-60-720.jpg)
Nozzle actuator rings. I dipped them into burnishing fluid which resulted in a nice dark brownish patina which really suits the overall nozzle coloration. The outer rim was treated with polishable True Metal paint by AK.
![Album image #275 Album image #275](/albums/img/4/4/4/951444-12266-48-720.jpg)
The actuator pushrods were recreated with 0,5mm Styrene
![Album image #276 Album image #276](/albums/img/4/4/6/951446-12266-76-720.jpg)
The exhaust area with the slightly oversized rings in all its glory.
![Album image #277 Album image #277](/albums/img/4/4/7/951447-12266-75-720.jpg)
![Album image #278 Album image #278](/albums/img/2/0/3/952203-12266-39-720.jpg)
Let's talk about the armament. These are not just any missilies the Tu-128 was carrying. During their development they were "tailored" to fit the Tu-128 exclusively. In fact in Soviet nomenclature the carrier plane Tu-128 and the R-4 rockets formed together the "Tu-128S-4 complex".
![Album image #279 Album image #279](/albums/img/2/0/4/952204-12266-92-720.jpg)
The "standard equipment" consisted of 2 heat seeking R-4T missiles with a round nose and IR seeker head (protective cap off and on in the picture)...
![Album image #280 Album image #280](/albums/img/2/0/5/952205-12266-31-720.jpg)
...and a pointy nosed radar guided R-4R (here with protective cap)
![Album image #281 Album image #281](/albums/img/2/0/8/952208-12266-14-720.jpg)
Trumpy provides us with this. Overall shape and size are acceptable, but there is naturally some detail missing and there are subtle, but noticable differences between the two versions that were neglected. The kit rockets are equal except the shape of the nose.
![Album image #282 Album image #282](/albums/img/2/1/0/952210-12266-84-720.jpg)
The IR version received a proper seeking head with the proven UV glue method
![Album image #283 Album image #283](/albums/img/2/1/1/952211-12266-87-720.jpg)
The cast-on fins were cut off and repositioned with 0,3 mm wire.
![Album image #284 Album image #284](/albums/img/2/0/9/952209-12266-21-720.jpg)
Details were added...
![Album image #285 Album image #285](/albums/img/2/1/2/952212-12266-51-720.jpg)
...and removed to match each version.
![Album image #286 Album image #286](/albums/img/2/1/3/952213-12266-21-720.jpg)
The individual fins ready for the paintjob. Luckily there are enough tweezers!
![Album image #287 Album image #287](/albums/img/6/0/8/952608-12266-67-720.jpg)
Aaand disaster struck. Either I was too hasty and did not let the primer dry properly, or applied the paint too thick or both...something went wrong
![Album image #288 Album image #288](/albums/img/6/0/9/952609-12266-23-720.jpg)
Nothing a little paint remover can't solve! (No pun intended). So, rinse and repeat (again!)
![Album image #289 Album image #289](/albums/img/6/1/0/952610-12266-91-720.jpg)
Final assembly! Gear bay doors attached.
![Album image #290 Album image #290](/albums/img/6/1/1/952611-12266-50-720.jpg)
The front of the airplane is a sea of different sensors, antennaes, bits and bobs sticking out. I counted 13
![Album image #291 Album image #291](/albums/img/6/1/2/952612-12266-61-720.jpg)
The kit provided some of them but just 1 or 2 were usable. Most of them were reworked or made from scratch or scrap plastic and photoetch parts
![Album image #292 Album image #292](/albums/img/6/1/3/952613-12266-49-720.jpg)
like these little bastards
![Album image #293 Album image #293](/albums/img/6/1/4/952614-12266-33-720.jpg)
Mid battle scenery
![Album image #294 Album image #294](/albums/img/6/1/5/952615-12266-13-720.jpg)
Most prominent part of the sensory equipment is of course the "handrail" antenna on the starboard side
![Album image #295 Album image #295](/albums/img/6/1/6/952616-12266-91-720.jpg)
Trumpy didn't even bother to include one in the kit and Eduard's photoetch solution was all wonky and wrong in shape, appearance and dimensions. Since we are on a scratchbuilding marathon anyway....
![Album image #296 Album image #296](/albums/img/6/1/7/952617-12266-99-720.jpg)
The struts were made from 0,3 mm styrene sheet, the handrail itself from 0,5mm steel rod
![Album image #297 Album image #297](/albums/img/4/8/5/953485-12266-83-720.jpg)
A special treat were these position lights, one is on the top of the fuselage and one at the bottom of the nose. Not a hint of them whatsoever in the kit.
![Album image #298 Album image #298](/albums/img/4/8/6/953486-12266-74-720.jpg)
I cut out a "baseplate" from styrene card in the right shape, put a droplet of the trusty UV glue on it and let it cure.
![Album image #299 Album image #299](/albums/img/4/8/7/953487-12266-92-720.jpg)
After 10 seconds the stuff is dry as a rock. We can drill a cavity from behind, put some red paint in and we got ourselves some nice position lights with red bulbs 👍
![Album image #300 Album image #300](/albums/img/4/8/8/953488-12266-84-720.jpg)
![Album image #301 Album image #301](/albums/img/4/8/9/953489-12266-89-720.jpg)
![Album image #302 Album image #302](/albums/img/4/9/0/953490-12266-27-720.jpg)
![Album image #303 Album image #303](/albums/img/4/9/2/953492-12266-46-720.jpg)
Static dischargers, there are no less than 4 on each horizontal stabilizer! "Master" provides some beautiful turned ones.
![Album image #304 Album image #304](/albums/img/4/9/1/953491-12266-27-720.jpg)
The wingtips luckily were content with just a pair on each side.
![Album image #305 Album image #305](/albums/img/1/3/8/954138-12266-34-720.jpg)
Every time you already see the finishing line someone decides to throw a stick between your legs...
![Album image #306 Album image #306](/albums/img/1/3/9/954139-12266-68-720.jpg)
...like these little bastards
![Album image #307 Album image #307](/albums/img/1/4/3/954143-12266-29-720.jpg)
These are part of the missile pylon assembly
![Album image #308 Album image #308](/albums/img/1/4/4/954144-12266-77-pristine.jpg)
Which turned out to be completely mismatched and too wide so the missiles would not fit. I was so angry I forgot to make a picture of it 😄
![Album image #309 Album image #309](/albums/img/1/4/0/954140-12266-56-720.jpg)
Anyway, it was a mess and smeared with super glue so the only feasible solution was to repaint them completely. Upon further inspection of walkaround pictures I have noticed additional rails from U-profiles on the underside that I missed the first time. Came in quite handy because they provided additional space for the missiles to fit properly.
![Album image #310 Album image #310](/albums/img/1/4/1/954141-12266-24-720.jpg)
So some further working and rebending of the PE parts and glueing them on BEFORE painting that was the result.
![Album image #311 Album image #311](/albums/img/1/4/2/954142-12266-76-720.jpg)
Much better
![Album image #312 Album image #312](/albums/img/1/4/5/954145-12266-64-720.jpg)
![Album image #313 Album image #313](/albums/img/1/4/6/954146-12266-63-720.jpg)
![Album image #314 Album image #314](/albums/img/5/3/4/954534-12266-93-720.jpg)
Almost there...
![Album image #315 Album image #315](/albums/img/5/3/5/954535-12266-80-720.jpg)
KT-1M ejection seats installed
![Album image #316 Album image #316](/albums/img/5/3/6/954536-12266-42-720.jpg)
The pilot still needs something to keep a cool head during long and tense interception missions...
![Album image #317 Album image #317](/albums/img/5/3/7/954537-12266-36-720.jpg)
One last part...
![Album image #318 Album image #318](/albums/img/5/3/8/954538-12266-98-720.jpg)
Done.
![Album image #319 Album image #319](/albums/img/5/3/9/954539-12266-65-720.jpg)
![Album image #320 Album image #320](/albums/img/2/9/9/956299-12266-49-720.jpg)
Link to diorama base WIP:
Part 2 - Soviet Heavy Metal - Tu-128 Diorama Base | Album by Alex G. (1:72)
Part 2 - Soviet Heavy Metal - Tu-128 Diorama Base | Album by Alex G. (1:72)
![Album image #321 Album image #321](/albums/img/6/7/6/956676-12266-70-720.jpg)
![Album image #322 Album image #322](/albums/img/6/7/7/956677-12266-98-720.jpg)
![Album image #323 Album image #323](/albums/img/6/7/4/956674-12266-68-720.jpg)
![Album image #324 Album image #324](/albums/img/6/7/5/956675-12266-35-720.jpg)
![Album image #325 Album image #325](/albums/img/6/8/2/956682-12266-17-720.jpg)
![Album image #326 Album image #326](/albums/img/6/7/8/956678-12266-23-720.jpg)
![Album image #327 Album image #327](/albums/img/6/7/9/956679-12266-33-720.jpg)
![Album image #328 Album image #328](/albums/img/6/8/1/956681-12266-61-720.jpg)
![Album image #329 Album image #329](/albums/img/6/7/3/956673-12266-95-720.jpg)
![Album image #330 Album image #330](/albums/img/6/8/0/956680-12266-31-720.jpg)
![Album image #331 Album image #331](/albums/img/6/8/3/956683-12266-51-720.jpg)
![Album image #332 Album image #332](/albums/img/6/8/4/956684-12266-73-720.jpg)
![Album image #333 Album image #333](/albums/img/6/8/5/956685-12266-17-720.jpg)
![Album image #334 Album image #334](/albums/img/6/8/6/956686-12266-27-720.jpg)
![Album image #335 Album image #335](/albums/img/6/8/7/956687-12266-84-720.jpg)
![Album image #336 Album image #336](/albums/img/6/8/8/956688-12266-69-720.jpg)
![Album image #337 Album image #337](/albums/img/6/8/9/956689-12266-80-720.jpg)
![Album image #338 Album image #338](/albums/img/6/9/0/956690-12266-10-720.jpg)
![Album image #339 Album image #339](/albums/img/6/9/1/956691-12266-94-720.jpg)
![Album image #340 Album image #340](/albums/img/6/9/2/956692-12266-69-720.jpg)
![Album image #341 Album image #341](/albums/img/6/9/3/956693-12266-82-720.jpg)
![Album image #342 Album image #342](/albums/img/6/9/4/956694-12266-54-720.jpg)
![Album image #343 Album image #343](/albums/img/6/9/5/956695-12266-90-720.jpg)
![Album image #344 Album image #344](/albums/img/6/9/6/956696-12266-22-720.jpg)
![Album image #345 Album image #345](/albums/img/6/9/7/956697-12266-17-720.jpg)
![Album image #346 Album image #346](/albums/img/6/9/8/956698-12266-71-720.jpg)
![Album image #347 Album image #347](/albums/img/6/9/9/956699-12266-96-720.jpg)
![Album image #348 Album image #348](/albums/img/7/0/0/956700-12266-28-720.jpg)
Just to get an idea how huge this bird is.
![Album image #349 Album image #349](/albums/img/7/0/1/956701-12266-28-720.jpg)
Both airplanes are categorised as "interceptors"!
![Album image #350 Album image #350](/albums/img/7/0/2/956702-12266-93-720.jpg)
The Su-27 is a huge airplane, but even it is dwarfed by the mighty "Tushka"
![Album image #351 Album image #351](/albums/img/7/0/3/956703-12266-64-720.jpg)
![Album image #352 Album image #352](/albums/img/7/0/4/956704-12266-70-720.jpg)
![Album image #353 Album image #353](/albums/img/7/0/5/956705-12266-49-720.jpg)
![Album image #354 Album image #354](/albums/img/7/0/6/956706-12266-69-720.jpg)
![Album image #355 Album image #355](/albums/img/7/0/7/956707-12266-78-720.jpg)
![Album image #356 Album image #356](/albums/img/7/0/8/956708-12266-21-720.jpg)
Opmerkingen
92 22 June 2020, 11:14
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Hey Łukasz, glad you remembered me! I'm back for quite a while now, just not that productive😄
22 June 2020, 16:03
![](/profiles/img/48665-446-s.jpg)
Very cool, great scratch detailing - one just has to love the grime-covered, oily mechanical assemblies of Russian planes... 🙂
Following with much interest! 👍
23 June 2020, 15:01
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
"one just has to love the grime-covered, oily mechanical assemblies of Russian planes"
Finally, a soul-mate😄
23 June 2020, 15:55
![](/profiles/img/48665-446-s.jpg)
Quite a captivating story indeed! 👍 New cones definitely looking much more like the real deal! Should I ever stray into 72-scale territory, it would be along some of these (Tu-128, Tu-22M, Tu-160...) Very good to know what to expect in this foreign & hostile environment... 😄
Very much looking forward to the next episodes of the hammering & sickling here!😉
26 June 2020, 11:06
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
"Should I ever stray into 72-scale territory"
ooor you wait till someone brings them out in 1:48 😄. Hammering and sickling, quite literally!
26 June 2020, 14:06
![](/profiles/img/57594-145-s.jpg)
Wow, that is some impressing model building going on! Definitely not an average shake'n'bake kit!
29 June 2020, 16:02
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Thanks Thomas,
The kit itself is actually pretty simple and not terribly detailed, I would say almost "underengineered", but that is the problem. It is too simple and you need to get your hands dirty to make a proper representationof the real thing. There are some shape issues and many details are missing.
29 June 2020, 16:22
![](/profiles/img/48665-446-s.jpg)
I guess pic 91 would make even a well established private dentist rather proud 👍 😄
30 June 2020, 13:38
![](/profiles/img/36121-874-s.jpg)
what do you use for close up work?, (I have incredible short sight, so I do most of my detail work without my contact lenses in), but still couldn't do those petals!
30 June 2020, 17:04
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Am too short sighted but my "normal" glasses do the trick. Didn't need assistance of magnifying glass yet...or electron microscope
30 June 2020, 17:14
![](/profiles/img/57594-145-s.jpg)
Andy & Alexander, that is pretty much the only perk of being short sighted, so let's use it! Me, when I take out my contacts, I get instant electron-microscope vision, no need for magnifiers! Of course I wouldn't recognize my sweet wife from ten feet away and would walk into walls and fall down stairs, but hey, something's gotta give.
30 June 2020, 20:18
![](/profiles/img/18819-984-s.jpg)
I'm finding so dificult to believe in this kind and level of detail on 1/72 scale? His this realy possiblel??? Amazing
3 July 2020, 00:17
![](/profiles/img/48665-446-s.jpg)
Hey, the hammer was falling with some force here, the comrades fulfilling the norm for 105% and the order of Lenin will be due shortly for all the valiant efforts!!
Stuff looks really great - particularly the details in the CCKPT! 👍 The Neomega seats also represent a mild improvement over the stock material😉 Pleasure to follow, as always when someone is taking on all the pain to compare and convert to proper scale instead of using the "Ferrari method" (in case you do not exactly match the rules, lie...) 😄 I was quite surprised how much the fuselage-wing transition actually helps for the true-to-original impression.
Keep up the good work, looking forward for the next updates! 👍
3 July 2020, 09:58
![](/profiles/img/36121-874-s.jpg)
you've nailed it in 119, (I suspected the same lack of realism from my build from the photo no.1 in my slide set). "Bravo" to your redesign....also, what's going on in no.120?....is this a special "for ladies-only" calendar shot of "hunky Soviet servicemen"?....the mind boggles!
3 July 2020, 11:22
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Thanks Rui, Treehugger and Cuajete!
@Slavo: I believe comrade Lenin was long deceased when these things were rolling from the production lines but comrade Brezhnev would have been pleased with the fulfilling of the five year plan!
@ Andy: LOL, I believe the photo was taken for the August 1971 issue of the highly secretive soviet "РLАУGIЯL" magazine, avalable only for the wives of members of the highest ranks in the classless communist society!
4 July 2020, 13:25
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
@Skywalker and all:
My primary source for drawings is this russian "aviation catalogue" website: www.airwar.ru
It is as the name, a catalogue for aircraft and flying objects of any kind. Many of the topics have drawings attached to them.
Here is the link to the directory: airwar.ru/main.html
At the bottom there are two alphabets listed, one in latin and one in cyrillic (it's double listed, take the first one). These are links to airplane manufacturers. So if you are looking for "Grumman" you klick on "G" but if you are looking for "Tupolev" you have to klick on the cyrillic "T". Just browse a little, you will get accustomed pretty quickly.
On the websites of the individual aircraft you can find links to drawings near the bottom of the page, directly above the pictures. Look for this writing: "чертеж".
As I mentioned not all aircraft have drawings attached to them, but many do and you can find real gems there. Another tip is, if you are looking for the drawing of a particular version of an aircraft, e.g. F-14D Tomcat and you don't find any drawings in the F-14D section, there might be some in other F-14 versions links.
4 July 2020, 13:49
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Here is the link for the drawing of the Tu-128:
airwar.ru/other/draw/tu128-2.html
I took it to a print/copyshop and they made me some quality prints on DIN A2 paper.
4 July 2020, 13:54
![](/profiles/img/21096-573-s.jpg)
it needs Russian language skills....or extensive use of google translate. But those pages can be pure gold! thanks Alexander!
4 July 2020, 20:02
![](/profiles/img/36121-874-s.jpg)
@Alexander: It was one rule for the party chicks, and one rule for the tractor factory babes...
4 July 2020, 21:03
![](/profiles/img/48665-446-s.jpg)
It´s the Soviet airmen trying to become "one" with their aircraft... The best pilots always say their fighting jets are like an extension of the body...😉
7 July 2020, 10:14
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
@Spanjaard: You do not "need" to translate the whole page, all what is written is some generic info about the aircraft, albeit very detailed and well researched. If you want to just download the drawings look for this word: чертеж😉
7 July 2020, 17:22
![](/profiles/img/21096-573-s.jpg)
well, since you can navigate and get it automatically translated, it makes it easier 🙂
but thanks for the word 🙂
7 July 2020, 21:04
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Yeah, or just google the "word" + any aircraft type and you'll get some nice results 👍
8 July 2020, 08:37
![](/profiles/img/36121-874-s.jpg)
great progress Alexander...I will share with you my current issue with Humbrol's Clear varnish....it's gone milky in places over my NMF and decals....grrrrr
13 July 2020, 11:52
![](/profiles/img/28845-385-s.jpg)
Andy, I would think that if you just leave it to dry, the white stuff willl clear up. I find the gloss becoming white if moist with water when applying decals. But, I never had any issue with the Humbrol Clear gloss ever being white, anywhere at all after it all dries up. I do make sure to not drench the model with water so I try to soak up excess water with tissue paper when applying decals.
I too would like to see some photos.
13 July 2020, 20:30
![](/profiles/img/36121-874-s.jpg)
@Alexander G @Treehugger: I don't want to hijack this thread for my own: however I have loaded the offensive pictures on my thread "Fiddler-interceptor-take2", any help would be appreciated. Alexander's build is sublime.....thanks for sharing your labours of Hercules....
14 July 2020, 09:21
![](/profiles/img/48665-446-s.jpg)
As the US in the Cold War with the (perceived) Missile Gap, you discovered the Pylon Gap and prudently closed it, leaving no doubts whatsoever where this journey is headed! 😄 Wherever exactly that may be, it´s pretty far from the original Trumpeter kit! 👍 Looking really good & getting better & better...
14 July 2020, 09:43
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Hey Slavo, you can't even imagine. The best is yet to come, wait for the updates 🙂
Trumpeter was known for their "inaccuracy" issues and I sincerely hoped a new 2018 tooling would do this airplane justice. But the further the build progresses the more inexplicable errors I encounter. It is a fairly simple kit, but 80% of the construction time was spent to correct Trumpeter's f*ckups and it got really frustrating at times...
14 July 2020, 09:54
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Andy, i would rather label it as Sisyphos work, every time I correct something with the hope to start painting soon I find another surprise and start all over again 😄
14 July 2020, 09:55
![](/profiles/img/36121-874-s.jpg)
"carve away your stone....then I can get working on my own"!!, I think the PRC and Trumpeter should award you with some sort of civilian honour!....
14 July 2020, 10:00
![](/profiles/img/28845-385-s.jpg)
Nice landing gear. One thing though, I would say, never, ever trust even fancy looking scale drawings. The only way imo you can be sure that stuff is accurate, is if you talk to the one making the drawings, or at least know who drew the drawings, and then getting a good idea if the drawings have been properly copied/reproduced to proper scale and without distortions.
14 July 2020, 10:07
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
The drawings I used are from a very well known russian aviation magazine, normally they know what they are doing and during my research I found several sources confirming they are indeed the best ones. The inaccuracy issues I find originate mostly from walkaround pics where you see at the first glance that something is off, additional comparison with the drawing and some "sanity check"confirm the problem.
Generally you are absolutely right, you always have to take the drawing with a pinch of salt and never trust them 100%. The truth is always somewhere in the middle
14 July 2020, 10:25
![](/profiles/img/58017-515-s.jpg)
that s .... just amazing of details and rework. definitively watching
14 July 2020, 21:45
![](/profiles/img/57594-145-s.jpg)
Alexander, a question, where did you get your APU conversion set? I ordered mine from hobby.dn in Ukraine, but since I have been waiting for over two months now, I guess it got "archived" by Ukrposhta (stolen, contaminated at Chernobyl, ran over by a rocket hauler, eaten by zombies or something like that).
14 July 2020, 23:11
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
You are welcome Pierre, watch out for updates in the next days 👍
14 July 2020, 23:21
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Thomas, I ordered mine in.....wait for it....Ukraine!😄
Ordered it through eBay though, almost 4 weeks ago. Of course not arrived yet. Contacted the seller who said there was a problem at the post office or alike. When I search for my tracking number "Ukrposhta" is telling me it is not found in the system 👍
Luckily I paid with PayPal so I can get my money back in case...
14 July 2020, 23:28
![](/profiles/img/15656-162-s.jpg)
You have to give it some time, guys. I just ordered some North Star (Ukrainian) figures and it took 2 months for them to arrive. Some customers waited for 4 months and got their delivery. Everything is getting here by train. They announced the problems on their site: northstarmodels.com/. The tracking only started after some time, like you said it was not found at first, and then stalled until one day the package was delivered.
15 July 2020, 11:18
![](/profiles/img/14143-361-s.jpg)
I'm stunned what you have done and corrected already. Great job Alexander alias very brave modeler 🙂!
I'm looking for next steps and hope that you will finish this model.
By the way: Picture 162, this is the reason why I will NO MORE build a Trumpeter kit.
15 July 2020, 11:25
![](/profiles/img/48665-446-s.jpg)
Let´s not be all too negative here... It´s all improvements on the original design... Doubled-up cockpit controls... Increased upper-angles visibility for the pilot... Streamlined stabilizer & rear section!!!
Trumpeter is trying to be pro-active and interpret the true intentions of Tupolev OKB instead of brainlessly reproducing the good, but here & there mildly compromised final product... 😄
For those who - ignorantly - reject these improvements, options remain open... surely you can use the redundant second stick to model the yoke type controls for the pilot! And do the rest... kind of yourself... 😄
15 July 2020, 12:37
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Bernhard is "stunned", right 😄. Mr. "No part is left unmodified" himself. If I reach half of your level one day, I will be happy!
Btw ordered Trumpeters newly molded Tu-22 and what do you know, even without drawings you see it is the same half-assed approach. Just awful. I'd rather go with the old Esci kit. The Trumpy "thing" goes back to the seller.
Lol Slavo, nothing to add there 👍 👍
15 July 2020, 17:24
![](/profiles/img/14143-361-s.jpg)
Eben die sehr elegante Lösung für Aileron Ansatz gesehen. Chapeau! Was für einen Füller/Spachtel hast du benutzt? P.S. wollte etwas Gescheites als dank für Dein Lob schreiben, bin aber so platt, dass mir einfach nix Angemessenes einfallen will ????
15 July 2020, 18:59
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Für solche Arbeiten benutze ich grundsätzlich 2K-Polyesterspachtel aus dem Automobilbereich. Je nach Bedarf gebe ich auch etwas Polyesterharz hinzu, um die Konsistenz zu verändern (mehr Harz=flüssigere Konsistenz). Stellt meiner Meinung nach sämtliche 1K Modellbauspachtel meilenweit in den Schatten, Plasto und co. benutze ich schon seit Jahren nicht mehr. Verarbeitung ist etwas "tricky", da der Spachtel je nach Härterzugabe maximal 10 Minuten verarbeitbar ist, trocknet aber dafür sehr schnell.
15 July 2020, 19:09
![](/profiles/img/14143-361-s.jpg)
Slavo: you are absolutely right! We should actually be grateful to Trumpeter because like this we can all be really creative 🙂
15 July 2020, 19:12
![](/profiles/img/14143-361-s.jpg)
2K. Ok. Wie haftet er an der Oberfläche? Bröckelt nicht ab insbesondere beim Gravieren? Vor vielen Jahren benutzte ich sehr gerne den 2K von Tamiya. Weiße Basis und eine kleine Grüne Tube mit Härter. Leider wurde es ausm Programm genommen 🙁
15 July 2020, 19:38
![](/profiles/img/36121-874-s.jpg)
Hey guys, If you want to see the "control-group" - that is how Trumpeter wanted it to look,straight from the box- have a look at mine! (Now feeling inadequate ????????)
15 July 2020, 20:19
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Andy, I honestly hope some guys from Trumpeter will see this WIP and feel inadequate or at least take notice. Kits like these are an insult to their customers. I am dead serious.
Bernhard, der Spachtel haftet sehr gut an der Oberfläche, schließlich wird er normalerweise beim Ausbessern von Karosserieschäden verwendet, u.a. an Türen, die dauernd zugeknallt werden. Alle Spachtelmassen sind von Natur aus etwas bröckelig, wenn die durchgetrocknet sind, dieser ist keine Ausnahme. Wobei dieser hier ebenfalls allen herkömmlichen Spachtelmassen den Schneid abkauft. Ein paar Lagen Grundierung oder Mr. Surfacer drauf und es lässt sich wunderbar gravieren 👍 Den 2K Spachtel von Tamiya kenne ich nicht, aber dieser kommt auch mit einer kleinen Härtertube. Meiner ist der Polyester-Feinspachtel von Presto, gibt es fast in jedem Baumarkt. Harz ist auch von dieser Marke.
15 July 2020, 21:18
![](/profiles/img/36121-874-s.jpg)
So Alexander: what's a UV glue pen?, and thell me more about the Dremel in terms of its abilities?
16 July 2020, 21:55
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Hey Andy,
Well it's a "pen" filled with the glue itself and a UV LED attached to it. You apply the glue, irradiate it with the UV light for 10-20 seconds and it is dry, solid and clear. It sucks as glue imho, but it is awesome for other applications in modeling like making clear lights (I will refer to it later in this WIP) or even as putty. I sealed the gap between the aileron and the fuselage on my Tu and it worked terriffic! You can sand or carve the material and, like I said, it is dry after 10-20 seconds.
Just google "UV glue pen", you'll find the right thing
[img1]
17 July 2020, 10:28
![](/profiles/img/57594-145-s.jpg)
Alexander, i once tried it as glue, but it was completely useless so I ended up tossing it into the trash. What a pity, I never thought of using it for modelling stuff!
17 July 2020, 10:37
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
They are pretty cheap, you can order one at Ebay from China for 2€ incl. shipping.
17 July 2020, 10:52
![](/profiles/img/12266-435-s.jpg)
Lol, I believe shipping from China is faster by now. But you should find it in any good hardware store or on Amazon, it will just cost a couple of Euros more.
17 July 2020, 12:30
![](/profiles/img/13641-502-s.jpg)
Just a hint: in case your spouse got an UV nail box, that you can just buy the glue itself and borrow the lightbox. Same stuff😉
17 July 2020, 13:12
![](/profiles/img/13151-832-s.jpg)
A small UV torch or a good sunny window sill will cure the stuff as well (it is actually a resin). Its also useful for casting small parts from home produced moulds or impressions. Just don't try to use it for anything too deep - the UV light has to reach it to set it! 🙂
17 July 2020, 13:24
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No, it's Ukraine. Here is a recent picture of the Ukranian mail service (I think I can just see my resin kit in the postman's left saddle-bag).
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17 July 2020, 13:25
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Yep, that's the picture showing the obligatory return to the depo after "confirming" the recipient cannot be reached... 😄
17 July 2020, 16:09
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Oh my!, Alexander...I'm going (a) to steal your idea in slide 215, (b) praise your attention-to-detail on the rail having one too many slides 219/220...Mine, (once finished), will a teeny bit better for the attention to your detail...
23 July 2020, 17:02
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You may treat yourself, m8!
BTW no updates until end of next week, I am on vacation now, biking across Europe👍
23 July 2020, 19:38
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Any hopes for updates in SEP? You have quite a project going on here - looking forward to some progress!😉
1 September 2020, 10:09
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C'mon Alex...get those a/burners ON!!.....I've finished [my] the 'control group' (the subject Trumpeter wanted you to build ootb)
1 September 2020, 20:30
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Wow, just wow! 😮 Your dedication to to correct all those numerous mistakes is truly remarkable! I hope I can achieve the same quality of scratch-building and such one day.
And going through your album was a joy as well. 😄
2 September 2020, 18:04
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Hello guys, thanks for your replies and concerns!😄
I took a longer vacation to travel with my bike across Europe, after approx 2000 km I have definitely enough of the saddle, it is time to trade it for the cozy workshop chair! Updates following soon!
10 September 2020, 14:05
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Gentlemen, I know it's been a while and I really wanted to finish this beast last year but life kinda got in the way. Nevertheless, we are back in business. Buckle up!
3 March 2021, 17:21
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I'm sitting here all slack jaw.
Unreal attention to the details.
Master builder techniques.
WOW.
3 March 2021, 19:10
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Metal paint job looks awesome! Looks better and better on its road to coming to life. 👍
5 March 2021, 18:03
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Thanks for showing how you wash the metal surfaces; I'll try this technique
6 March 2021, 17:39
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Great job Alexander! Glad you got your "sweet 17" over the line. Despite your reservations with the kit's accuracy I think it builds into one mean Soviet Mothertrucker.????
7 March 2021, 09:07
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Thx mates
Just a little disclaimer, Ben: use only at your own risk!! Especially when working with metal paints, make sure to seal the surface before washing.
Hey Andy, sup mate. It does build into something presentable indeed. The hours of dirty work and cursing seem to pay off after all!
7 March 2021, 10:08
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Phenomenal work on the metal - obviously you know what you´re doing here 👍 Love the way you achieve such a great result with -so far- fairly subtle differences - top realism in real-time!
Also the "waffle pattern padding" in the cockpit turned out to really "sweet"😉
8 March 2021, 09:42
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Thx mates.
@Slavo: "obviously you know what you´re doing here" lol, I wish. That was my first proper NMF paintjob, I was sweating bullets to not mess it up and all the hard work before! Even snuck a little MiG-21 project inbetween to "practice"😄 Just glanced over your Japanese Starfi project, terriffic work and fantastic metal job as well👍 Gotta try out that oil paint weathering technique.
8 March 2021, 13:10
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Now what should I say... everything is said so far. The documentation is just terrific👍! Step by step a lot of details etc. I love it!
Looking really forward to the final steps!
8 March 2021, 13:40
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Interesting, the sludge wash I saw was wiped using wet cloth, not a dry one 😮
I should try it one day too, maybe on my vintage GDR Fitter 😄
8 March 2021, 14:06
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268 pictures take a while to browse. Worth every second. Great tutorial and performance 👍
8 March 2021, 16:18
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@Alex if this was your first proper NMF, then I am really looking forward to the 2nd and 3rd!😉 fortunately, the range of options is quite extensive... & thx for the Starfi mention, that was great fun indeed - and also my first larger-scale NMF apart from jobs on engines & co (not counting some childhood builds of East-German kits which provided "silver" color in a small metal tube 😄)...
8 March 2021, 18:09
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Thanks guys!
Konrad, I like to document each of my builds extensively. You would be shocked to know this is just the tip of the iceberg😄 But I choose the best pics for you guys.
Łukasz, for the first "full body" wash the cloth is just a tad moist. But really minimal, you don't want to smear the soapy sludge around, you want to get most of it off. Since it is a water based wash it goes off rather easily. Here and there I "moist" the surface with my breath (like when you are cleaning your glasses) or put a couple of droplets of water on the cloth but that's it.
Slavo, I built a MiG-15 a couple of years ago in a NM finish (which was okay-ish) and except a couple of "youth sins" from 20 years ago there is nothing much to report. That was the first one where I gave a little more "effort"
8 March 2021, 20:09
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I agree with Martin and all above. Excellent detailling/paint work and documentation 👍
8 March 2021, 20:56
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Trully inspirational work. Fantastic attention to detail. Thank you for sharing your work
Alexander.
9 March 2021, 07:51
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Engines are looking great! Will the laid back comrade dude with fashionable ear muffs be present in the diorama?
10 March 2021, 09:22
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Hey Palo, I did not plan to implement human figures into my diorama, but that would be actually a great idea! Just for the size comparison because it eludes sometimes how frickin huge this bird actually is. The hardest part would probably be finding a fitting figurine.
10 March 2021, 11:10
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These are a lot of tweezers, lol. Can't wait to see the finished missiles. 👍
10 March 2021, 18:18
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@Alexander: I bought them in bulk for a good price, just in case...and what do you know, the case occured!
Thx Gordon!
12 March 2021, 13:01
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Are you surgeon Alexander? You patience especially with the rails is very remarkable!
13 March 2021, 16:17
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It's gigantic, what has come about here. 👍 On the other hand, I can throw mine in the garbage can.
ffmc.de/modelle/flug..128/flugi_tu128.html
13 March 2021, 16:21
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Thanks both Bernhards!
Mr. Schrock, what a shameless flattering attempt😄 never expected something like this from YOU
Danke Flugi, mit Deinen Werken bin ich vertraut und bitte bitte lass Deine Maschine heil! Freut mich, dass Dir meine Arbeit gefällt👍
13 March 2021, 23:22
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You really picked up some pace 👍 Pro-job on the sensors, the long antenna & all the little ones, static dischargers & co... It will end up more true to Original than the Monino exhibit... 🙂
Since it´s all storming towards a big finale here, I hope you stay on the wave and carry on to something new soon - since your skill-set would obviously be wasted on something like a GWH or AMK kit, I´d love to see you wrestle a Blinder or Bison to full submission & beautiful result!😉
15 March 2021, 10:10
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Palo🙂 Just a small last minute idea to mark this mess of a kit as "Complete"
Hey Slavo, a pace it was indeed. Was surprized myself how quickly things moved after the whole remodeling process. Concerning GWH or AMK, a Su-34 in 1:48 is a hot candidate in the nearer future, or do you like to see me suffer ?😄
If I build a Tu-22 it will be NOT the Trumpy kit. Got one, it is a disaster. Simply awful. I understand why there is no review of it. It will be degraded to be a spare parts donor for the Modelsvit kit if I won't manage to sell it beforehand.
I don't know if I'll ever muster enough nerves to tackle one of the Amodel monster kits but if it will be a Bison it's gonna be the VM-T version with the huge fricking d*ldo on the back because why tf not.
15 March 2021, 19:57
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Motivating words about the Trumpy´22 - I was thinking about opening a line of Soviet jet bombers in the mid-late 2020´s, will better wait for the 30´s 😄
I am not aware of a 48-scale Su-34 apart from the HB & KH kits - I built the HB one, was my first project after 15+ years break in the hobby & my first proper scalemantes album 🙂, I got a bit over-zealous with the weathering in some parts...
If you consider doing one, the HB is a good start, prominently the nose is prototype, not series, but an easy fix (no need to actually buy a new one...), the Eduart PE are neat and in places actually correct... The kit is a loose blend of prototype-series, but nothing un-fixable, I did some basics, you´d probably explore corners I left aside untouched... Would not want to miss your take on this beauty! 👍
15 March 2021, 20:51
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Got the KH in my Stash, gonna go with this one. The HB seems to have quite some accuracy issues according to the reviews. Anyway, can't promise it will be this year. But the Su-34 being one of my favourite military planes for over 20 years and having no model of it is a no-no!
15 March 2021, 21:39
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Thanks guys for all your comments and likes, the airplane itself is finished, pictures are following soon! Working on a little diorama for it too, working on the airfield service vehicle r/n. WIP will be in a separate album.
15 March 2021, 21:41
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Roll Out!
First batch of proper pictures ready, many more to follow including a diorama base. Stay tuned!
Link to WIP Part 2:
WIP *Soviet Heavy Metal* Part 2 - Diorama Base | Album by Alex G. (1:72)
16 March 2021, 20:31
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Absolutely astonishing result! 👍 👍 👍 Very lifelike appearance and great weathering, not even including all the effort for correcting the kit which evidently paid off - looking very much forward to the diorama.
16 March 2021, 20:38
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Thx for all the comments👍. Decided to retake some pictures because I was not happy with the ones from yesterday. Added new ones, some aerial shots and something for size comparizon.
17 March 2021, 18:26
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Thx again for you lovely comments mates. This bird is indeed inoficially titled the "Biggest interceptor in the world". Rightly so!
20 March 2021, 21:54
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This was a fantastic project to follow, and with a crowning result for all the efforts invested! 👍 Great show, top pics - I am a big fan of Soviet & later Russian aviation and this is one fine specimen, ticking the boxes in all departments! The tour of detailing and modifications was quite unique 👍
Great to put it against other models for size comparison - the lavishly sized Flanker is actually a downsizing effort in the Air Force - as would be the more relatable MiG-31 as well.
Looking forward to see it compared to a bomber some time soon😉
21 March 2021, 12:58
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Absolutely stunning! I feel like this project warrants an OOB build just to show how much better it looks. One question, is the wash/panel lining covered with a clear coat? If so, how did you get the metal paint to keep its shine?
26 March 2023, 13:37
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@Reaper_lead: Thanks, there are some really good OOB builds on this site. All in all the corrections are subtle but necessary to depict this airplane accurately. Especially the wrong intakes stick out like a sore thumb.
Clear coat: yes, I used the fantastic product which is called "Sealer for Metalizer" by Model Master/Testors. Sadly it is not produced anymore and you can hardly get any even if you are willing to pay much money for it. I myself have just half a bottle of it left and just reluctantly used it on this large model. What it does is to protect the metallic surface without ruining the metal effect, it is great.
27 March 2023, 07:07
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Very impressive. I should take up basket weaving so I can get my self-esteem back in check. Outstanding.
JB
27 March 2023, 08:05
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Alexander, I had that Sealer thing... it just slowly evaporated from the bottle and I never got to use it...
27 March 2023, 08:14
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@alexander thanks for that tip, I just ordered myself a couple of bottles of the stuff. There's still a few hobby shops in America that are selling the stuff online
27 March 2023, 10:31
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You are a fortunate man to be able to build a 1/72 version, I only managed a 1/144 Bonus Anigrand kit which was a nice size of this good looking jet.
27 March 2023, 12:48
Album info
Work in progress of the Tu-128M Heavy Interceptor
Trumpeter kit
Part of my snowy diorama: Part 2 - Soviet Heavy Metal - Tu-128 Diorama Base | Album by Alex G. (1:72)