Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Hi everyone, well it's been sometime coming, but here is my first ARC build! I've wanted to build an Su-33 in 1/48 for years, and up until recently SOL's out of production resin conversion kit was the only choice. So I was really please when Windmark and then Wolfpack released sets. This build will involve a lot of surgery to Academys base SU-27 kit, and substantial aftermarket items. It has been the most expensive build of my life so far, but I am really excited to build an accurate as possible Su-33. Here's the Shopping list: Wolfpack Su-33 set Academy Su-27 Miniarm Su-27 corrected radome (originally I was debating whether or not to use Wolfpacks nose section or Windmarks) Miniarm R-27T missiles Miniarm R-27R missiles SOL R-73 missiles Aires Su-27 cockpit Aires Su-27 exhausts Turbine Su-27 PE engine covers Turbine Modern Russian pilots NH Detail Su-33 PE ladder Begemot Su-33 aftermarket Decals AKAN paints Russian Naval Aviation Paint Set In addition I am going to Scratch build a Russian Deck Tractor for a diorama scene from the Admiral Kuznetsov: Kuznetsov Tractor Photo copyright scalemodels.ru I plan to make a diorama scene with deck crew and pilot based on some of these reference photos: Su-33 on Kuznetsov Photo Copyright Rusarmy.com Su-33 Deck Scene Photo Copyright Rossiya Vesti News Network At first I thought that the Wolfpack extras were fantastic and I decided to go this route. However after having seen the two companies parts side by side and after discussion here on ARC and with my friend Tanel from Turbine Models, I don't think I would buy the wolfpack boxing again. In hindsight I would try to get the original Windmark set. Wolfpacks extras are okay but not ideal. The detail and quality of their suggested replacement parts compared to Windmarks originals is much less, and the extras such as the cockpit, ejection seat, Resin wheels, and Sorbtsiya pods are not perfect and quite crude. For example The Sorbtsiya pods have issues and are not totally correct, the Resin wheels are just resin copies of Academys original wheels (I will probably bite the bullet and go for Equipage wheels), and the cockpit while fine for some maybe was a little to crude for me. So I replaced it with the excellent Aires set. Also Wolfpack like Windmark forget to give you any resin engine nozzles, which are sorely missed. Again Aires came to the rescue here. So in review (annoyingly there was a lack of online reviews of this kit when i ordered), Wolfpack don't really offer you anything to make this a must have set. Windmark plus their additional Sorbtsiya pod set would be more cost effective really as others have suggested on ARC. Having said that I will probably use some of the parts and I am glad that I did get this set. Even if the cost was a little higher I ultimately had the choice in the parts I wanted to use. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Here are some side by side comparisons for you guys: Cockpit tub: Wolfpack left, Aires right. While Wolfpacks cockpit is okay, I much preferred the finer detail and casting on Aires set. I found it interesting that both Windmark and Wolfpack approach the nose section differently so differently. Windmarks nose is great, the radome is correct (I discussed this with Tanel who did the master for Miniarms Su-27 radome), and the surface detail and panel lines are very fine crisp and detailed. However the nose section is not hollow. Meaning you cannot insert an after market tub. Wolfpack provide a nose section that is hollow to accommodate their own cockpit tub, but by doing so have had to remove the nose to allow them to cast it hollow. Wolfpack suggest using the Academy kit Radome... which is ridiculous as this is totally the wrong shape. Also the panel lines and scribed details look rushed and are no way as fine as Windmarks. Wolfpack's biggest pro is the hollow nose. In the end of the day though I just couldn't overlook those panel lines on Wolfpacks nose.. Windmark Wolfpack I decided to scrap the wolfpack parts and dremmel the windmark nose to death so I could fit the excellent Aires cockpit tub. It took ALOT of work but was definitely worth the effort. And wah la! The Aires cockpit tub inside the modified Windmark nose. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EagleAviation Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Mega project! You have loads of work with this resin but it is coming along nicely! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Tell me about it. :D When i got it I was really excited... then i looked at the amount of surgery needed on the Academy parts!!!! I'm really enjoying it so far though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
EagleAviation Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Take your time don't rush it! Its a lovely fighter! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Thanks! I plan to just take things carefully and enjoy the build. It's one of my favourite fighter designs. I just love the shape and the lines on the Su-33. :) As mentioned above Academy provide the wings as one piece on the fuselage which is great, but means that a lot of cutting is needed to fit the the aftermarket parts. I was a bit anxious over this but I think it's been good for me to push myself and just give it a go. I've done conversions with resin parts before on AFV's but never to this extent on aircraft. The main problem is a lack of good instruction sheet. Windmarks instructions are missing in this boxing and Wolfpack give you one fold out poster that offers two very small images of where to cut, which are not clear at all! Lucky for me my good friend Tanel came to the rescue again and made for me these two images showing the exact correct place for cuts. Also he advised me where to cut and pointed out that the suggested cut lines from Wolfpack and Windmark are both incorrect as they would make the wings too short. Instead you have to cut a little further for a more correct shape. Here is the finished upper fuselage half. Time consuming and a little daunting to do, but essential for this conversion. Once the upper fuselage half was done you have to turn your attention to the lower half. Again Tanels pictures were a life saver. You also have to cut out the plastic Academy wheel bay if you plan to use Wolf packs resin wheel bay which I am. Here's the finished part: Now a quick dry fit showing the parts in place on the chopped up Academy upper fuselage The fit is generally good, but a little filling work will be need to be done in some areas to make it seamless. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Arseny Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Wow! Some serious surgery! Very impressed! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jester292 Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Wow! Great choice. Don't see this very often! Nice work, can't wait to see more. Aaron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Thanks guys! Great to have you onboard! I'm planning to build a scenic base as well with a deck elevator like the first reference pic. I wanted to try and add a 3D base to give it a little depth and something different. I'll build the plane and the tractor first, and then move onto the Kuznetsov base! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Berkut Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Looks like this will be complicated and impressive build indeed. One thing, not to be ********, but is that resin dust we see in the pictures? I recommend to be careful with it, as it is very nasty stuff. Don't sand around the bench, and use mask. When it gets in the lungs, it stays there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 5, 2011 Author Share Posted September 5, 2011 Hi yes it resin dust. I'm using a respirator and washing down the table after sanding and cutting. Resin dust is nasty stuff indeed so I always use masks and keep my workbench as tidy as possible after working. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rom Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 wow!!! impressive surgery!!! wil follow closely!! have fun!! ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sharkey Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Wow thats some fine cutting you did on the body ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
speedlimit Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 I love flankers! Watching this closely. Eric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 (edited) Thanks for taking the time to check out the blog guys and post! Much appreciated! :) I'll be adding some updates and more pictures later this afternoon. I've moved onto construction of the Sea Flanker now, and had a whole load of fun with Aires Photo Etch seatbelts! Edited September 6, 2011 by Jon Fitzgerald Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zero Enna Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hey Jon, I've seen your armor builds at Armorama forum... Didn't knew you build aircraft as well, this is gonna be great. best regards. José. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rdrunner Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hey Jon, great work on the surgery, I will be watching this topic with great interest. Good luck with your build Could you please, post some links, as to where I could obtain these items listed below :- Miniarm Su-27 corrected radome Miniarm R-27T missiles Miniarm R-27R missiles Turbine Su-27 PE engine covers Turbine Modern Russian pilots NH Detail Su-33 PE ladder TIA Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 Thanks José! Yes I like aircraft also. In fact I've found myself working more on aviation subjects at the moment than AFV's! I go in phases, but I like both topics equally. I've only recently moved in aircraft though, I started off with a 1/35 scale Trumpeter Hind as it was a scale I was used too, then played around a bit and decided my favorite scale for aircraft is 1/48. It gives me enough to add lots of detail but also makes it more practical to store and display! I'd love to build lots of 1/32 planes, but I think my wife wouldn't be very happy! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hey Jon, great work on the surgery, I will be watching this topic with great interest. Good luck with your build Could you please, post some links, as to where I could obtain these items listed below :- Miniarm Su-27 corrected radome Miniarm R-27T missiles Miniarm R-27R missiles Turbine Su-27 PE engine covers Turbine Modern Russian pilots NH Detail Su-33 PE ladder TIA Ken Hi Ken! Thanks for posting. I'd be happy to help. Miniarm Su-27 corrected radome Miniarm R-27T missiles Miniarm R-27R missiles All three of these kits I ordered from Russia via www.armor35.ru these guys specialise in AFV kits and aftermarket, but there are some hidden gems for aviation modellers. Because Miniarm of course produce mostly AFV conversions, but they also made these Su-27 parts, armor35 stock both. Armor35 also stock scale lenses for aviation subjects from Belarusian model firm ELF. Turbine Su-27 PE engine covers Turbine Modern Russian pilots These I ordered directly from Turbine models, via Tanel. He has a great range and both his resin figures and Photo Etch accessories are fantastic quality, and very well researched. Tanel has a welath of experience and also did masters for Miniarm in the past. He doesn't have a website I think, but his items can be ordered by emailing him at info @ pronks-graniit.ee. NH Detail Su-33 PE ladder This I ordered from Armory. http://armory.in.ua Actually I havent received this yet as my order is still processing. Some delays due to the AKAN paint set being out of stock. In fact after discussion with Tanel I probably won't use this part anyway, Turbine now make a ladder that is for use with the Su-33 that is more accurate (when I placed the order I didn't know this). I might change my order with Armory and ask them to remove the item from the basket. Hope this helps! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 I've moved onto construction now of the fuselage and the cockpit, since this will need to be painted before its put inside. The Photo Etch seat belts on Aires ejector seat were very soft and easy to work with. I know some folks don't like PE belts as they can be a bit stiff and sit unnaturally, but I found the material on this set to be easy to work with and quite supple. I considered making these out of tamiya tape but the complex nature of the belts and the various buckles and bits put me off. Thankfully there is very little PE for the main tub itself. When the seat is in, the cockpit really looks the part. It's true that once its inside the nose a lot of it is lost from view, but I'll know its there! :) And these bad boys were my fluke find of the year! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loki Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Great so far mate - nice surgery too, well done! Where did you get the paints from by the way? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hi Loki, thanks! Do you mean AKAN paints? Well at the moment I'm trying to order a set via Armory, (my order is still backordered) but if this isnt possible I may use Linden Hill as they also stock them too. I've heard a lot of good things about AKAN, but I've never used them myself so I'm looking forward to trying. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon Fitzgerald Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 (edited) Construction is going well but I hit a small snag. I had been discussing the pros and cons of the Windmark kit with other modellers and it was pointed out that the canards are incorrect. I had assumed that this referred to the actual canard wings, but it was in fact relating to the main canard section that attaches to the Academy fuselage. In my enthusiasm for the build I glued the canard sections onto the Academy fuselage already, along with the wing sections and tail... So it was time to break the tools out and carefully remove the resin canard parts from the fuselage to continue with the surgery on the kit. Here is an excellent diagram showing the error and where correction is needed. The kit is laid out over the top of scale drawings from Russian Magazine Aviatsiya i Vremya (A i V), many thanks to Tanel for sharing this and pointing out the discussion thread on Scalemodels.ru. Since the line required for the cut runs through the middle of some panel detail this will need to re-scribed once the extension is finished The upper fuselage also needed cutting, but thankfully panel lines can be avoided here, so no re-scribing to this part. This was cut once everything had been stuck together! Argh... Still, a little bit of patience and some care and it wasn't a problem, mission success! Plasticard strips were then added in preperation for the fuselage extension Next up, adding new fuselage skin to the plasticard skeleton :) Edited September 7, 2011 by Jon Fitzgerald Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pruz Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Great surgery so far, lots of remedial work in this! Al Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rom Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 wow wow and woooooww! Impressive cutting!! ;-) bye! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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