Salineated Michigander

Does anyone have an experience building this thing? It's damn big, although not quite as big as Trumpeter's same scale TU-160 Blackjack. If you've built it, what was your opinion of the kit? Well engineered or not?

I like your work, Dagon. I'm finishing this same kit, but in the Royal Dutch Air Force 70th Anniversary version. I, too, have been very impressed with Meng's engineering.

Oh, I will. I already looked to see if it was up.😷

Just watched Tutorial #3, John. Good work! I'm enjoying your erudition, your dedication and your skill. Keep them coming.

I picked up Hataka's Have Glass lacquer (comes from Poland, expect a long shipping wait if you're in the USA) to use on my current build, not a Dark Viper SEAD, but Meng's Royal Netherland's F-35 Lightening II 75th Anniversary version. So far, to my eye, the Hataka paint mimics at least one or two Alclad aluminum shades, not sure of their official title off the top of my head but almost interchangeable to my naked eye.

I have experience with only the Bobcat version and I thought it was a real dog.

I've essentially completed the build myself and ended up rattle can spray painting it with Tamiya white primer. It took two full cans! Flankerman's review and pictorial is spot-on in describing Trumpeter's rather whimsical notions of joins and connections; as big as this kit is, you'd think they would've engineered more functional joining processes. The only acknowledegment is reinforced landing gear struts that are metal; otherwise get ready to fiddle with it as it is very large, flexible, and handling it was a big challenge. And forget using a painting booth; this thing was WA

Of course it's an essential business!! I mean, look how many people on 'model makers' on reddit label their most recent build 'my quarantine build'! Just about every new entry is labeled as such! How much more essential do you have to be to assuage the mental anguish of MILLIONS of people across the globe?

Gents: Have any of you assembled this kit, the Trumpeter SU-160 Blackjack (or White Swan)? If so, due to its massive size, how did you handle painting it? Overall, was it a desirable project for you? Any opinions on the construction, the execution, and the results of your labor would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

It certainly is unfortunate that the TANmodel guy is dealing with illness, but speaking solely as someone who has experience building one of their products I have to admit it was quite a dog of a kit. I'm talking about their 1/48 scale rF-84f Thunderflash. I have absolutely no experience with anything else they've produced but my experience with this kit gives me pause as to whether I'd buy another one from them.

Thanks all for the great pics. Definitely drool-worthy

I got the Mig-29 SMT from Kitlinx 2 weeks ago, just started working on it yesterday.

I doubt Tan Model would do any favor on this bird, if judging by their rf-84f thunder flash is any indication. That model left a lot to be desired.

Neil, I just sent my email address to you so I can get your newsletter. I am very interested in your 1/72 scale endeavor and hope to hear and see more of what you come up with!