Dramatic box art.
The decal sheet provides only one option - an MChS machine.
The fibreglass resin fuselage and wing.
The rest of the components are injection-moulded plastic.
Fin and tailplane halves.
Engine components - best painted before assembly.
I added a centre console and fighter-style control yokes from a Su-24 kit. The instrument panel is printed from a photograph.
I also added a 'ledge' for the cockpit to sit on.
The cockpit assembly in place.
Plastic rod pegs are used to align the wing/fuselage.
The injection-moulded sponsons and wheel wells are added to the fibreglass-resin fuselage....
.... then the fibreglass-resin wing....
... then the front top section .........
.... and finally, the rear top section. The fit isn't brilliant!........
.... and needs lots of filler.....
I added a mounting base for an IR/TV ball on the second flap track guide.
The cockpit is 'sealed in' with plastic card side pieces.
The cockpit glazing is added - and belended in with filler.
I added two plastic card bulkheads to make the nosecone fit better........
... and blended it with more filler.
Scratch-built water scoops and kit hydrodynamic deflectors added.
The kits etched-brass overflow doors are incorrect - so I tried making my own decal replacements.
Model in primer and pre-shaded.
Finished model....
The real thing.....
.... with my attempt at a bit of PS'ing......
My photos of the real thing are here.
Ken Duffey
November 2011