GWH Su-27UBM build

I used the Quinta Studios 3D decal set because I am too lazy and do not like painting cockpit details! 

I later found out that the Ukraine Su-27UB1M had been repainted during upgrading so had to repaint the wheel wells and undercarriage legs with a bluer colour (similar to RLM76) 

Some magnets fitted so I can swap the weapons around 

There is a mould line that has to be removed from the engine pods. 

The petals for the nozzle are in 4 parts so care has to be taken when assembling them. Next Flanker I build I will use ResKit replacements. 

I do not like painting cockpits so was glad to reach this stage. 

The nose cone is not the best of fits. I could get it to sit without a step on 3/4 of the circumference but would always get a step on the last 1/4. 

Lots of sanding and filling to try to get it decent. Then it had to be rescribed of course. 

Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 Black as the base  

I realised that it was probably going to be too dark a base for the light colours so toned it down with a light coat of Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 Gray (which I should have used in the first place) 

There was no way this mask was going to fit properly without being sliced up into bits to fit over the curves 

I need a break from wrestling with these paint masks!  

A change of pace, time to finish off the engine pods 

It is maybe a bit heavy but I could not find good close up photos of the underside of Blue 71  

back to finish off the camo scheme after a bit of a break 

Just need some tidying up where the masks did not seal properly then the camo will be finished. 

Fixing where the masks had lifted and caused some blurred edges 

A lot better, still not perfect but as good as it's going to get 

Starting to seal in with Mr Color GX100 clear gloss ready for decals 

Adding some marks where the FOD guard rubs 

A trial fit of the engine pod to the fuselage...  

...looks ok just sat in place without glue 

Time to start adding the staining to the top side engine covers 

This photo shows what I am aiming for 

A couple of coats of clear blue sprayed on and chipped between coats 

adding the dark spots and patches 

Still have a few darker spots to add 

The middle upper covers painting using the same techniques as the earlier ones 

Starting on the forward covers 

That's as far as I can be bothered to go with the engine covers for now. 

I will add some sooty streaks and a bit of oil stains once the decals are on and sealed in. 

The engine pods are fitted and a couple of clamps are holding the undercarriage fairings on while I glue them in place. 

The ventral fins have been added and the last of the digital camo has been extended down onto them both sides. That's the last of the main painting completed.  

Fitting the fins, they were a bit of a sloppy fit and I had a lot of trouble trying to get them to fit flush with the rest. I wasn't 100% successful so there was a slight gap and overhang that shouldn't be there. I managed to fill the gap but will have to live with the overhang. 

I have started the decaling, lots and lots of stencils! I a using the Foxbot decals which are nice and thin but not thin enough to tear apart or roll up. 

All the stencil decals are on the underside and the sides. I still have to do the top. 

It is apparent when cross checking against photos that some of the Foxbot decals are oversized, undersized or just wrong! The placement diagrams have many mistakes on them too. 

Some of the stencils are too brightly coloured so stand out more than on the real thing, not much I can do about that. I am a little disappointed with the Foxbot decals although they are nice to work with.