nicholassagan
sippin on gin + juice
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2011
- Messages
- 2,013
Wow! My first jet model in probably 18 years!!! Seriously! I don’t even remember the last jet model I made. No doubt it was from when I was a kid and didn’t know my ass from a 5mm mounting peg receptacle! At this point I’m pretty sure it’s bigger than 5mm though…Anyway, I’ve been hounding at the Flanker family for a few months now. For some reason the bug has bit me and I’ve picked up pretty much the gambit of Flankers, ranging in quality from Nakotne's POS to Trumpeter's beeeeeeeeeeaaaaaautiful J-11B.
Anyway, I wanted to ease myself into the syndrome so I started with a cheaper, easier kit. Well…I thought it would be easier. The Airfix 1/72. I’m really not particularly concerned with ‘shape accuracy’ and things like that. I know it sounds stupid but there subtle difference in accuracy between each kit…Airfix especially included. I just decided to build this more or less OOB to become more familiar with the design.
It has been the most interesting OOB experiencing BY FAR. All the parts generally fit together well. A little bit of sanding or filing here and there did the trick. There were a number of GAP issues that had to be address with putty…as you can see. I’ve been sanding everything down to no end….
Still have to finish sanding the bottom half. I also decided to add some more detail in the cockpit so I dug though my PE greeblies and found some suitable parts. I also replaced the plastic pitot tube with a filed down sewing needle.
One thing I’m also working on slowly is re-scribing and riveting. While a number of the disappointing engraved panel lines are relatively accurately placed, there is a shortage. So I’ve been going in with my scriber cleaning up the existing lines, adding more where it’s appropriate (comparing to my Hasegawa kits…) and sanding clean as I go. Trumpeter’s rivet wheel tool is also coming in very handy. I think this will turn out to be a decent first Flanker!
Anyway, I wanted to ease myself into the syndrome so I started with a cheaper, easier kit. Well…I thought it would be easier. The Airfix 1/72. I’m really not particularly concerned with ‘shape accuracy’ and things like that. I know it sounds stupid but there subtle difference in accuracy between each kit…Airfix especially included. I just decided to build this more or less OOB to become more familiar with the design.
It has been the most interesting OOB experiencing BY FAR. All the parts generally fit together well. A little bit of sanding or filing here and there did the trick. There were a number of GAP issues that had to be address with putty…as you can see. I’ve been sanding everything down to no end….
Still have to finish sanding the bottom half. I also decided to add some more detail in the cockpit so I dug though my PE greeblies and found some suitable parts. I also replaced the plastic pitot tube with a filed down sewing needle.One thing I’m also working on slowly is re-scribing and riveting. While a number of the disappointing engraved panel lines are relatively accurately placed, there is a shortage. So I’ve been going in with my scriber cleaning up the existing lines, adding more where it’s appropriate (comparing to my Hasegawa kits…) and sanding clean as I go. Trumpeter’s rivet wheel tool is also coming in very handy. I think this will turn out to be a decent first Flanker!
