Build Log | Mistercraft Su-17M3 Afghan war
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/0/0/9/1512009-130829-37-720.jpg)
Engraved panel lines on a sub 10 euro kit, not too bad!
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/0/1/0/1512010-130829-59-pristine.jpg)
The nosecone is a bit dimpled and not sharp enough at all..
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/0/1/1/1512011-130829-21-pristine.jpg)
And also there are some mold imperfections elsewhere. Well, you get what you pay for.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/0/1/2/1512012-130829-24-720.jpg)
Fixed the nosecone with some sprue goo and plenty of sanding.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/0/1/4/1512014-130829-40-720.jpg)
The cockpit was bare and boring, didn't fit and sat too deep in the hull. Sanding, cutting and filing was required to make the cockpit fit, and I shimmed the height of the tub to make the seat stick out enough. I started building some scratch improvements. Nothing too crazy but just some visual interest.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/0/1/6/1512016-130829-36-720.jpg)
Cut a custom instrument panel and made some fantasy side panels and a throttle. The kit does not come with any decals for it.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/0/1/3/1512013-130829-28-720.jpg)
Testing fitment in the cockpit
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/0/1/5/1512015-130829-72-720.jpg)
Sprayed in a close enough vallejo AF blue and painted the seat black.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/0/1/7/1512017-130829-93-720.jpg)
And done.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/0/1/8/1512018-130829-25-720.jpg)
There was a mold imperfection for the ventral fin and it was way too thick to begin with, so I cut it off and sculped a close-enough substitute out of plastic sheet.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/0/1/9/1512019-130829-60-720.jpg)
Glued to the body.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/0/2/0/1512020-130829-62-720.jpg)
Wings attached. I don't seem to have good pictures of the wings assembly but it was relatively straightforward. I struggled a bit to determine the correct dihedral for the wings but they seem to angle down just a slight bit. The wings are alright but the fences are really thick which seems to be a common complaint with this mold.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/0/3/9/1512039-130829-38-720.jpg)
The spine is one of the biggest challenges on this kit. It doesn't fit well and notably sticks out from the tailplane.
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/0/4/4/1512044-130829-93-720.jpg)
A lot of sprue goo, even more sanding and a small bit of Mr. White Putty R later, I am quite happy with the way the spine blends in with the rest of the plane. However, a lot of surface detail is gone and has to be re-scribed.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/0/4/0/1512040-130829-76-720.jpg)
Spine glued and initial filling done.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/0/4/2/1512042-130829-85-720.jpg)
The initial plan for this plane was to have the cockpit closed, since the canopy is one-piece. However, the plastic is terrible and I don't have polish on hand, so I decided to cut it open.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/0/5/5/1512055-130829-34-720.jpg)
With some micro saws I carefully cut along the line of the cockpit frame. Strictly speaking, the frame should be cut exactly in half, but I didn't trust myself to not have the saw slip, or somehow not saw straight and completely ruin the piece.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/0/5/3/1512053-130829-31-720.jpg)
Here is a picture of the cockpit so far. Certainly not accurate, but convincing enough. I can't find out whether or not the TV monitor is supposed to be in there, but I thought it looked neat and just rolled with it.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/0/4/5/1512045-130829-41-720.jpg)
I am saving the pitot tubes inside an empty #11 blade container until it is time to use them. The Su-17 family of aircraft sure has a cool pitot, and this mold while a bit thick does it decent justice, I think.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/0/4/6/1512046-130829-97-720.jpg)
The gear bay doors are completely bare on the inside so I decided to imitate the real thing a bit and add a little bit of surface detail as scribing practice.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/0/4/7/1512047-130829-39-720.jpg)
I got a bit carried away and started adding rivets, which I made with my hand drill.
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/0/4/8/1512048-130829-51-720.jpg)
I'm not unhappy with the result, although it is of course a little rough. Fortunately that means it blends well with the rest of the kit.
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/0/5/2/1512052-130829-17-720.jpg)
I replicated the effort on both doors.
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/0/5/0/1512050-130829-14-720.jpg)
The effect when installed is quite nice.
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/0/5/1/1512051-130829-57-720.jpg)
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/0/5/4/1512054-130829-40-720.jpg)
Installed the wheels in order to see whether I weighed the nose down enough. It seems to not be tail-heavy, so that's good!
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/0/5/6/1512056-130829-29-720.jpg)
The antennae on the body were inaccurate and super thick, so I recreated them out of some plastic using some pictures as refrence. I can't figure out well which is which, so I just rolled with something. This is not measured, just eyeballed a bit.
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/0/5/7/1512057-130829-57-720.jpg)
The inner wing pylons are not keyed for left and right and need to be menually filed down to fit. I had to also file down the wings a bit in order to ensure a correct fit. It's not too visible, so it's okay
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/4/4/8/1512448-130829-25-720.jpg)
The midwing pylons were completely missing, so I had to scratchbuild them. 0.75mm plasticard was used.
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/4/4/9/1512449-130829-70-720.jpg)
Roughly sketched the outline
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/4/5/1/1512451-130829-85-720.jpg)
lots and lots of filing later, i'm not unhappy with this result
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/4/5/3/1512453-130829-30-720.jpg)
Putty'd the sides up a bit with Mr. White Putty. Will sand it down later.
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/4/5/2/1512452-130829-22-720.jpg)
Working on the other side with the left wing side as a base.
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/4/5/5/1512455-130829-76-720.jpg)
And done. The sizing is slighly different for now, but I'm planning to go back and sand them to size.
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/4/5/6/1512456-130829-81-720.jpg)
The overall effect is quite alright and more or less looks like the other pylons.
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/4/5/8/1512458-130829-38-720.jpg)
I think they sit slightly high on the wing, maybe I can do something about it later, but not too concerned.
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/8/4/8/1514848-130829-64-720.jpg)
The nosecone needed quite a bit of putty to get flush
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/8/4/9/1514849-130829-72-720.jpg)
There was a big molding flaw on the parachute launcher, so putty was applied to fill the gap.
![Album image #39 Album image #39](/albums/img/8/5/0/1514850-130829-22-720.jpg)
Closer up, with more putty applied
![Album image #40 Album image #40](/albums/img/8/5/1/1514851-130829-33-720.jpg)
Cockpit glued down with some PVA glue and masked. Will open it again at a later point but I understand this is the preferred way for painting.
![Album image #41 Album image #41](/albums/img/8/5/2/1514852-130829-89-720.jpg)
Masking aftermath
![Album image #42 Album image #42](/albums/img/8/5/3/1514853-130829-60-720.jpg)
Finally the belly pylons are on. I had some trouble with the fit as it didn't quite look accurate, so I had to sand the pylons down a bit.
![Album image #43 Album image #43](/albums/img/8/5/4/1514854-130829-17-720.jpg)
Primer applied, Colour scheme has been settled on and the camouflage mapped out on the kit with some pencil. In true Mistercraft style the paint instructions were wrong. Sigh
![Album image #44 Album image #44](/albums/img/5/2/7/1516527-130829-87-720.jpg)
First time I do this kind of preshading. I had a lot of splatter, it turns out the paint didn't mix too well in the cup. Oh well, will get some mixing cups
![Album image #45 Album image #45](/albums/img/5/2/8/1516528-130829-27-720.jpg)
Paint going on decently
![Album image #46 Album image #46](/albums/img/5/2/9/1516529-130829-99-720.jpg)
The result of a night of painting. I'm pretty happy with it so far.
![Album image #47 Album image #47](/albums/img/6/3/3/1516633-130829-50-720.jpg)
Most of the camo painted... next is some cleanup and then the underside.
![Album image #48 Album image #48](/albums/img/8/2/0/1516820-130829-73-720.jpg)
Painted the exhaust with a mix of Vallejo Model Air Silver and Mecha Black Wash.
![Album image #49 Album image #49](/albums/img/8/2/1/1516821-130829-32-720.jpg)
And the metallic underside
![Album image #50 Album image #50](/albums/img/8/2/2/1516822-130829-86-720.jpg)
Blue going on the underside
![Album image #51 Album image #51](/albums/img/8/2/3/1516823-130829-18-720.jpg)
More or less done... now there is some cleaning up to do. slight overspray in a few areas, and need to touch up the borders.
![Album image #52 Album image #52](/albums/img/9/5/6/1517956-130829-47-720.jpg)
All masked up for painting the dielectric panels. Done with Citadel Warpstone Green, that I didn't mix well, so I had some nasty cleanup to do afterward.
![Album image #53 Album image #53](/albums/img/9/4/8/1517948-130829-13-720.jpg)
I touched up the underside. Now it looks real nice.
![Album image #54 Album image #54](/albums/img/9/4/9/1517949-130829-90-720.jpg)
Other side... although the starboard side is my favourite.
![Album image #55 Album image #55](/albums/img/9/5/0/1517950-130829-60-720.jpg)
Wheels painted, by hand
![Album image #56 Album image #56](/albums/img/9/5/2/1517952-130829-46-720.jpg)
Pylons were painted blue by hand. The blue is a little bit too blue for my taste! I would have preferred something a bit less saturated. Oh well!
![Album image #57 Album image #57](/albums/img/9/5/1/1517951-130829-48-720.jpg)
After an absolute massive amount of masking, I got the metallic panels on the wing painted. I'm very paranoid about metallics overspray. Normally, it's not a huge deal as long as it's not too much, but those glitters stand out like a sore thumb.
![Album image #58 Album image #58](/albums/img/9/5/5/1517955-130829-64-720.jpg)
The pitots were finally primed, glued and painted.
![Album image #59 Album image #59](/albums/img/9/5/4/1517954-130829-11-720.jpg)
I also painted these whatsits on the stabilators.
![Album image #60 Album image #60](/albums/img/9/5/3/1517953-130829-57-720.jpg)
Finally, these fantasy-rich doodats bits were glued on as well as the main landing gear arms. Will be hand-primed and painted as soon as the glue is ready.
![Album image #61 Album image #61](/albums/img/1/5/0/1518150-130829-58-720.jpg)
Progress so far... I'm a bit split on the colours. I hope an all-over wash can unify everything.
![Album image #62 Album image #62](/albums/img/2/9/9/1530299-130829-92-720.jpg)
Started putting on decals. They're not too bad, and opposed to the other Mistercraft kit I built, they seem to be the right size.
![Album image #63 Album image #63](/albums/img/2/4/3/1529243-130829-51-720.jpg)
Sprayed a clear coat to prepare for decals and washing. Tamiya x-22a with Mr. Hobby MLT. as you can see I am not good at it and I would welcome tips.
![Album image #64 Album image #64](/albums/img/2/9/8/1530298-130829-44-720.jpg)
Suddenly disaster! The top coat started bubbling from the Tamiya Mark Fit I was using. Maybe it's not dry enough yet, or maybe Mark Fit is a bit hotter than I am used to. I was sweating a little!
![Album image #65 Album image #65](/albums/img/2/9/7/1530297-130829-34-720.jpg)
Luckily, the problem subsided quite soon after giving it a little time to dry. Phew!
![Album image #66 Album image #66](/albums/img/3/0/0/1530300-130829-16-720.jpg)
I LOVE Microsol! Look how nice those decals layed down in the panel lines. Mmmmm
![Album image #67 Album image #67](/albums/img/3/0/1/1530301-130829-19-720.jpg)
Bottom side decals.
![Album image #68 Album image #68](/albums/img/3/0/2/1530302-130829-50-720.jpg)
This is going to be a challenge, as I've never folded a decal around raised detail like this!
![Album image #69 Album image #69](/albums/img/3/0/3/1530303-130829-74-720.jpg)
Okay, got it on...
![Album image #70 Album image #70](/albums/img/3/0/4/1530304-130829-86-720.jpg)
Softening well..
![Album image #71 Album image #71](/albums/img/3/0/5/1530305-130829-57-720.jpg)
Well that's not too bad at all, for a first timer.
![Album image #72 Album image #72](/albums/img/3/1/1/1530311-130829-84-720.jpg)
Definitely looks a lot more legit with the decals on!
![Album image #73 Album image #73](/albums/img/2/6/0/1531260-130829-51-720.jpg)
started with panel lining on the bottom. Just a gray colour.
![Album image #74 Album image #74](/albums/img/2/6/1/1531261-130829-81-720.jpg)
![Album image #75 Album image #75](/albums/img/2/5/9/1531259-130829-94-720.jpg)
On top I use Tamiya Dark Brown.
![Album image #76 Album image #76](/albums/img/2/6/2/1531262-130829-57-720.jpg)
I'm not good at cleaning up the panel lines yet. The large amount of raised details doesn't make it easier on this kit.
![Album image #77 Album image #77](/albums/img/2/6/3/1531263-130829-14-720.jpg)
I also glued the main wheels on with some PVA glue.
![Album image #78 Album image #78](/albums/img/2/6/4/1531264-130829-41-720.jpg)
I tinted the first stage of the exhaust with some Tamiya Brown panel liner to match the colour. this was tedious, next time I'd much rather just get the colour right out of the gate.
![Album image #79 Album image #79](/albums/img/2/6/5/1531265-130829-71-720.jpg)
I'm fond of the tail. Almost done now...
![Album image #80 Album image #80](/albums/img/4/2/5/1531425-130829-14-720.jpg)
Started some streaking and weathering on the belly.
Комментарии
42 20 July 2023, 13:06
![](/profiles/img/17422-305-s.jpg)
You are a brave man. I was thinking of buying it. The thought went away after the 51 pics of the album!!!
29 July 2023, 13:33
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Maciej, I would 'recommend' this kit inasfar as that it looks quite nice when done, is cheap and great practice.
Alex, yes, I did use vallejo colours, I will put a list of colours used in the album once I finish the build, though I'm not sure if they match exactly. Good reference pictures of the plane I am building are hard to find!
29 July 2023, 17:54
![](/profiles/img/17422-305-s.jpg)
I know what you mean aetios, but I have quite a few for practice, for example a Zvezda MiG-23, 2 old mould Italeri F-16s, a MiG-25PU, so in this case I will pass.
Looking forward to the end result!
29 July 2023, 18:35
![](/profiles/img/user-s.jpg)
Thanks, I just bought my first vallejos, so I try to get as many inputs as I can! 🙂
29 July 2023, 18:53
![](/profiles/img/130829-983-s.png)
Well, painting is finally getting to a close! Finding good references for this plane really proved to be nasty difficult. It seems those soviets just did whatever they felt like with their planes!
There is one glaring thing missing from this kit and that is the cannon blast shields. I don't have the right thickness plasticard right now to scratch build it... I'm considering delaying finishing this kit until after my vacation for it, so it is just that little bit more accurate.
30 July 2023, 19:58
![](/profiles/img/130829-983-s.png)
Robert, thats a decent idea worth a try, I will give it a go dry-fitted tonight.
31 July 2023, 08:58
![](/profiles/img/130829-983-s.png)
I decided to not do any more modeling on this kit and push on to finishing. It's no use polishing a turd too long, especially when I already learned so much here.
15 August 2023, 20:29
![](/profiles/img/17651-259-s.jpg)
What you have made of this kit is unique. I'm a big pessimist about this brand, but you show that they have potential.
16 August 2023, 06:25
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I added the decals and I have to say, I'm not unhappy with them! My experience with a previous Mr Craft kit was that the decals were pretty bad but these were, well, okay!
16 August 2023, 21:49
![](/profiles/img/130829-983-s.png)
Thinking of adding some generic warning decals but also kind of want to push on and not superdetail this kit for no good reason. maybe I'll put some on the drop tanks.
17 August 2023, 06:59
![](/profiles/img/130829-983-s.png)
decals have now been sealed in. I have a feeling I'm slowly getting better with thinning x22 varnish. Some of the coats looked rather nice.
now I have to wait. I don't think 8 hours drying time is quite enough to hit it with panel liners...
17 August 2023, 12:35
![](/profiles/img/130829-983-s.png)
Ended up not waiting... luckily it didn't bite me too hard 😅😅 panel lining is fun!
18 August 2023, 05:17
Album info
I picked up a su-17 m3 kit for sub-10 euro, I wanted to try a swing wing kit to practice painting and other new techniques and this seems to be a fun project. Hope you have fun following along.