BIG Russian Jet Groupie GB

You know what that means? You will have to buy another!

Yeah, probably....

Dean, the J-10 is the Trumpeter kit, right? I bought that one a few years ago. Keeps waving at me from the stash. :-)

Yeah thats right, me too I have had it a few years and again the same thing lol.

Well, it's quitting time in the old salt mines, so wish me luck on finishing this Su-25 because all that is left is the canopy mirrors, the two opening canopy sections and all the little AOA's, probes and such.

Did I mention that I really don't like these final steps?

Several hours later .. this Trumpeter Su-25UB Frogfoot B is finished.

and with the already finished MiG-21 from last year..

so that's pretty close to a year's worth of BIG Russian Jets for this GBand another one.

Looks fantastic Dre, hope it does well in the competition! Let us know.

Thanks mate, I'll be heading there shortly to see for myself.

Although this was a small, local contest the Grach took first in class and tied for Best of Show.

Congratulations Dre what was the nemesis?

Congrats, Dre!!! Both for finishing an awesome looking Frogfoot and for the awards. Well deserved. I especially like the pit detail. Any aftermarket stuff in that build, or was this straight out of the box? Assuming straight OOB since you entered it in a contest.

Anyway, I agree that the final steps suck. I'm on them now. :-)

I'm making the base for the Mig now, I decided the best thing to replicate concrete would be poly filler for cracks in walls, I hope it is a good guess. I decided to use it as it is easier to work with than plasticard and it can be manipulated in any which way possible. I have also got what should look like long yellow grass, I was going to buy woodland scenic grass but it is so expensive I could not afford to cover the area I want for a bargain price, so I will use artistic skill lol. anyway I should have some images by tonight.

Okay, so here is the start of the base, I have used poly filler as I said before. I will paint it and add grass and also I want to make it look as though it was raining but it's drying up. I was thinking do any of you guys know of anything I can use to simulate puddles? Can a clear resin be used or is there something better?

I have decided to have a rough concrete surface as I remember an American historian who used to be an F-18 pilot saying that although the Russian aircraft were extremely rugged the concrete was extremely poor quality and it often started to decay and crumble. He also said that the grass growing long was not really a concern of the Russian Air Force, I think though he was there during the 90's or late 80's with the Blue Angels, so a crumbling economy was probably more of an issue than the concrete or grass as pilots were going months at a time with no pay. I want to show this dirty weather beaten mig in just that scene. Poorly maintained Airfield corroded concrete and overgrown grass.

Dean, I shared the BoS with a guy I've been battling for a few years now- his models are just that little bit cleaner in all aspects.   It's fun competing against him as I never know what he'll bring, this year he entered a 1/48 CH/HH-46 with full interior.   It was nice, obviously, but you couldn't see the interior at all so I think that's where I got the class win.   After I got setup I realized that I still need to add the static wicks to the wings!!!  oops.

That base is a good idea, I've seen hexagonal concrete slabs used by them as well.  

PB- thanks!   That's a full-on resin cockpit, the kit parts in no way achieve that level of detail.   Trumpeter's 1/32 aircraft are usually pretty good, but their cockpits always need improvement.

That's good to have a rival I guess it could be a motivator to try at every stage and the pictures from the contest look great. Also I remember seeing the hexagonal slabs but in this instance they were rectangular so it was easier to do. I will show more images. as the base takes shape and hopefully some kind of realism.

I'm certain you'll do well on the base.

Thanks man, I have to say as well there are no such things as contests in Belfast with models, even in the whole of Northern Ireland there are none, I have checked because I would like to enter a competition. However in Dublin there is an IPMS there in October or November so I will head down there and see what happens that is supposing I get them there without them being smashed to pieces!

This is the base so far I have basically lightly sprayed grey primer over it to give it a light grey appearance then I rubbed over it with Tamiya snow pigments and a bit of soot then I rubbed over the surface with a cotton bud which started to make the irregular surface stand out as the primer was rubbed off the filler. I have started with the grass as well. I have to say I am not that pleased with the base so far. I do not always make them or if I do they are usually smaller I prefer a more compact base where the model hangs over the base so its not taking up unnecessary space. Anyway see what you think. I have more grass to add I just happened to run out of super glue but I feel I have much work left on this to look real.

Even if it's just a shop-sponsored contest (as mine was) enter it if you can just to see what others are doing and what they think of your model.   Looking at each others' photos online is fun, but nothing beats being able to truly peep one out on a table amongst others of its kind.

Yeah, all the way to the contest I was driving like a white-haired granny and the two models made it through unscathed but I did knock off a main gear door getting the Su-25 settled last night.  Easy fix.

Just don't drive like Eddie "Irv the Swerve" Irvine, Jr. and you should be fine.

Here is the base so far, I have used pigments to add various colour differences to the paving I am much more happy now with it as it is getting closer to a real looking concrete surface thats heavily corroded I think.

I used the MIG-23MF as a change as it's the base.

You're moving right along with that, Dean.   Random stains and cracks ought to see it done.

Nice base-work Dean. (I keep thinking I need to finish my Su-22, and I do, but I've been slower wrapping up the other projects than I was hoping.... surprise!!!)

Very nice, Dean!

dean27

Thanks man, I have to say as well there are no such things as contests in Belfast with models, even in the whole of Northern Ireland there are none, I have checked because I would like to enter a competition. However in Dublin there is an IPMS there in October or November so I will head down there and see what happens that is supposing I get them there without them being smashed to pieces!

Odd that there are so many clubs & contests in England (or so it would seem to me from reading the overseas magazines) but you seem to be largely on your own! Maybe it's more of an underground hobby!

It really is Vance even though there are 3 model shops in Belfast and they have been there a long time there are no contests. I don't know why.

Y'all are too busy tipping back pints, I'd guess.....  

Lol, perhaps! Got some seriously good beer here and pubs, live music most nights live comedy etc.. Yeah Belfast is a good place to live! Not to mention the hoards of great looking women, it's an easy place to get used to!

My favorite stout comes from the St. James Gate Brewery...  best thing ever served on bread.

Hoards or hordes?   Big difference!

My mistake lol, hordes! Millions of them!

Try Guinness mixed with half a pint of beer! They say to try it, Guinness that is.

Although I hate to use the term, given it's historical meaning, is that the proverbial Black & Tan?

If so, been there, done that and still prefer the black oil.

LOL, if you actually meant hordes I'd have some odd questions to ask...