Tu-22M2 Backfire B, Ukraine AF red 07
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/6/4/0/1681640-31781-60-720.jpg)
Sprues were flash-free, panel lines finely engraved (but not so accurate, which became evident as the build progressed).
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/6/4/1/1681641-31781-34-720.jpg)
Back in the day the Tu-22M2 was incorrectly identified by US intelligence as Tu-26.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/6/4/2/1681642-31781-19-720.jpg)
Bare-bones cockpit with no bulkheads - nothing, really, but who cares, it's all hidden under the canopy, isn't it? But look at all that nice detail in the reference pic!
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/6/4/3/1681643-31781-46-720.jpg)
The Trumpeter 1/72 kit has a nicely detailed cockpit so I used that as reference......
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/6/4/4/1681644-31781-36-720.jpg)
That looks better!
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/6/4/5/1681645-31781-32-720.jpg)
Under the canopy that's enough detail for my display cabinet but we can see the instrument cowling is needed,
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/6/4/6/1681646-31781-30-720.jpg)
When I dry-fitted the wings I found they required reversing (think I read that in an online review during my research) to sit correctly.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/6/4/7/1681647-31781-79-720.jpg)
I also removed the locating pins and fabricated new ones from sprue.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/6/4/8/1681648-31781-70-720.jpg)
Which were superglued in place.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/6/5/3/1681653-31781-52-720.jpg)
Then back to the cockpit; time for some Blu-tac moulding of the cowl and rear bulkhead filler.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/6/5/4/1681654-31781-22-720.jpg)
Looking much better.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/6/6/2/1681662-31781-97-720.jpg)
The wings required considerable sanding to fit and rotate nicely.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/6/6/3/1681663-31781-50-720.jpg)
Back to the fuselage to remove the refueling probe, which the UkAF aircraft don't have.
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/6/6/4/1681664-31781-56-720.jpg)
Also opened up the system operator windows a bit.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/6/6/5/1681665-31781-55-720.jpg)
Considerable filling and filing/sanding was necessary around the air intake joins.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/6/6/6/1681666-31781-22-720.jpg)
The tailplanes are attached by locating tabs, whereas they should have pins to allow rotating.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/6/6/7/1681667-31781-36-720.jpg)
So I filled the tab holes....
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/6/6/8/1681668-31781-81-720.jpg)
And also removed the final points of the fuselage fairing.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/6/6/9/1681669-31781-98-720.jpg)
Removed the tabs , sanded flat and drilled out each tailplane.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/6/7/0/1681670-31781-35-720.jpg)
Quite a lot of recontouring of the lower rear fuselage to correct the profile.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/6/7/1/1681671-31781-76-720.jpg)
Then drill for the pivot pins
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/6/7/3/1681673-31781-43-720.jpg)
Searched in my hardware stash and found suitably sized nails to adapt as the pivot pins.
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/6/7/4/1681674-31781-52-720.jpg)
Drilled out the afterburner cooling intakes.....
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/6/7/5/1681675-31781-72-720.jpg)
And attached.
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/6/7/6/1681676-31781-51-720.jpg)
Undercarriage attached, quite well detailed
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/6/7/7/1681677-31781-55-720.jpg)
I tried rescribing the supplementary engine air bleed doors but wasn't happy with the result and also saw they weren't correctly positioned....
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/6/7/8/1681678-31781-60-720.jpg)
So sanded both sides smooth and decided to create decals for them.
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/6/8/0/1681680-31781-97-720.jpg)
I also needed to rescribe the canopy door openings
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/6/8/1/1681681-31781-82-720.jpg)
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/6/8/2/1681682-31781-78-720.jpg)
Getting there!
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/6/8/4/1681684-31781-45-720.jpg)
After a final sand then wipe with alcohol it was time for the primer coat
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/6/8/5/1681685-31781-61-720.jpg)
A repair was required for one of the TWELVE maingear wheels
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/6/8/6/1681686-31781-53-720.jpg)
The decal sheet, including engine auxiliary air intake doors - I wasn't happy with the colours of the rondels, so ordered a couple of sets of UkAF isignia from Modelmex.
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/6/8/7/1681687-31781-39-720.jpg)
I sprayed the undersides Insignia White 71-279 and topsides RuAF Grey n.8, clearcoated after 2 days with Klear/Pledge and applied decals.
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/6/8/8/1681688-31781-56-720.jpg)
Another coat of Klear/Pledge then weathered with AK oil pencils then Satin Varnish 26-519 topcoat. However this was too glossy to my eye, so I eventually applied a final coat of AV Matt Acrylic Varnish 26-518. Much better!
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/6/8/9/1681689-31781-91-720.jpg)
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/6/9/0/1681690-31781-21-720.jpg)
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/6/9/1/1681691-31781-23-720.jpg)
![Album image #39 Album image #39](/albums/img/6/9/2/1681692-31781-83-720.jpg)
![Album image #40 Album image #40](/albums/img/6/9/3/1681693-31781-62-720.jpg)
That's my 1/144 stash built, now we can commence the 1/72 builds...........
Comentarii
3 10 March, 09:43
Album info
"Somewhere in free Ukraine".