Flankerman Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 (edited) Look what the postman just delivered - the latest in Modelsvit's coverage of the MiG family - the I-320 all-weather fighter... Box art.... Is it ugly or what ?? The instruction sheet gives a short potted history plus colour matches to Humbrol paints... Colour painting guide - for the third prototype...(note the very welcome paint masks for the complicated canopy framework) Another page from the instruction booklet showing the well-detailed VK-1 engine, the multi-part ejection seats and the cockpit/intake assembly. The two-part fuselage with separate starboard fin... Wings, tailplanes and slipper tanks.... Ken Edited June 3, 2017 by Flankerman Spelling Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 3, 2017 Author Share Posted June 3, 2017 More... Cockpit parts (lower) with intake and jetpipes (upper)..... Undercarriage parts - note the very fine detail on the wheel hubs and doors... Parts for the VK-1 jet engine... One-piece clear canopy, canopy masks and decal sheet..... This is another excellent kit from Ukrainian manufacturer Modelsvit - they get better with each new release and cover those esoteric subjects other manufacturers don't touch. Although it is a 'limited run' kit, the surface detail is superb with fine engraved detail and well defined parts - the cockpit and engine are works of art on their own! I can't wait to get started. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted June 3, 2017 Share Posted June 3, 2017 I really do love that centrifugal compressor jet engine! All in all an interesting kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 5, 2017 Author Share Posted June 5, 2017 I've made a start ..... on the VK-1 jet engine..... First of all you assemble the engine jetpipe - from SEVEN parts... Then the centrifugal-flow jet engine is constructed - made up from six parts (the assembled jetpipe is on the right). This is what you end up with..... ... which looks much better with a coat of primer... The Modelsvit VK-1 would make a nice model in its own right - maybe with a display stand? Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 9, 2017 Author Share Posted June 9, 2017 I've made a mistake with the VK-1 engine..... What I thought was flash on the joint between the front and rear of the annular flame cans is actually a prominent flang!!!! I mistakenly sanded it off - so I have had to restore it on all the cans..... This photos shows the flanges well:- http://www.aircraftengine.cz/Koblenz/slides/Klimov VK-1 (2).jpg Meantime I'm about to start assembling the cockpit and intake trunking...... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Oh, by heck, that DOES look a treat!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 A bit more progress........ Each of the jetpipes is assembled from two halves - with the seams sanded down they look good......note the detailed shock-cone inside the rear, longer, jetpipe.... There are only two engines! - the short one plugs into the one on the left, the middle one attaches to the detailed VK-1 front engine. The exquisitly detailed ejection seats are each made up from FIVE parts - and they stunning examples of Modelsvits increasingly improving moulding. The cockpit is also very detailed (note the twin throttle levers on the centre console). I have painted it as per Modelsvit's instructions. Still to be added are the rudder pedals, control columns and seats... I'm becoming more impressed with this kit as I build it, not only for the detailed parts, but the quality of the moulding is more delicate - and (I have just noticed) they now have the part numbers moulded on the sprues !! More later. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 Despite all my best efforts to ruin it, plus my cack-handedness, the VK-1 jet engine has turned out OK - luckily it can't be seen inside the finished fuselage, unless you look closely up the intake...... With a little bit more care than I have given it - plus some superdetailing and a display stand - it could be made into a nice little model in its own right... It could also double as a Rolls Royce Nene. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 14, 2017 Author Share Posted June 14, 2017 A little more progress...... Nosewheel undercarriage bay and front VK-1 jet engine fitted inside the intake sidewalls - it's a tight fit! ..... The air for the front engine passes either side of the front undercarriage bay - the air for the rear engine passes between the intake walls and outer skin, by-passing the cockpit tub. Top view of the assembled cockpit tub, sidewalls, undercarriage bay and jet engine (hidden underneath the top fairing).... From front to rear - intake/cockpit assembly, upper rear cockpit decking, front engine 'pen nib' fairing, rear engine jetpipe, rear pen nib fairing. The yellow tape is covering a couple of pieces of lead weight. The two fuselage halves only just join - after a lot of 'fettling of the front assembly - scraping plastic away/sanding etc. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share Posted June 17, 2017 In case anyone is still interested??? Fuselage halves glued together, starboard fin half and nose intake ring added..... A first primer coat releveals a prominent join line along the top and bottom fuselage halves which must be eliminated. The main wheel wells are 'boxed in' with four well-detailed parts........ With the wings and tailplanes attached, another primer coats reveals those joints that need filling/sanding/priming etc... The underside - note the ventral exhaust for the front VK-1 jet engine..... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sebastijan Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 Looking good! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 24, 2017 Author Share Posted June 24, 2017 I made a bit of a boo-boo with the wings After attaching them to the fuselage and once the glue had set, I discovered that they displayed a slight dihedral - not much but enough for you guys to spot!!! There is no indication in Modelsvit's instructions, but the wings should have 1.5 deg anhedral (reduced from -3 deg on the first prototype when the third wing fence was added). I ummed and aaahed - but in the end I couldn't live with the obvious mistake, so I took the drastic action of sawing through the upper wing joint and carefully bending the wings downwards I inserted plastic card shims into the resulting gaps to set the negative dihedral and filled the joint with glue - and then filler. Once sanded smooth again - I am much happier with the results......... The separate outer wings fences are added (the first prototype only had two per wing) - as are the slipper tanks and nose radome (filled with lead shot as per Modelsvit's instructions). The cockpit detail is superb - as are the two ejection seats - I really haven't done it justice... Once the one-piece canopy is attached, it will be ready for a first coat of flat aluminium...... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted June 26, 2017 Author Share Posted June 26, 2017 More progress (if anyone is still interested??)...... Modelsvit provide a set of self-adhesive masks for the cockpit canopy, gun blast areas, wheel hubs, aerials etc - and very useful they are, given the complex shape of the canopy frame.... They are translucent rather than the thick white vinyl of previous kits - this makes them easier to apply (I think? - I'm still not sure). Whatever, they went on beautifully and did a superb job... The nose radome and intake ring were masked using Tamiya tape and a coat of Halfords 'Aluminium' sprayed on from a rattle can. I use rattle cans a lot - the purists might wince - but I think it looks OK.... I masked off a few panels and buffed them up to add a bit of contrast. The decals are applied (just 4 red stars - on the fin and wing undersides)... followed by a mist coat of Games Workshop 'Purity Seal' (Satin varnish) - after which the masking was removed... The canopy had been dipped in Future - and despite all my best efforts to mess it up, it has turned out to be fantastic! This is a great kit of an unusual subject and has to be the best yet from Modelsvit The cockpit interior is very comprehensive, the canopy is crystal clear and the canopy masking makes painting the framework a doddle - even I couldn't get it wrong. I just need to add the undercarriage, airbrakes, jetpipes and a few aerials etc...... but I am chuffed to bits with it so far. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
janman Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 The cockpit on this kit looks outstanding and it even shows so well through the crystal clear canopy. Great job, Ken! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mario krijan Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Ken, yes, we are interested!! great work!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sebastijan Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 As Jan nad Mario already mentioned - top job! Can't wait to start mine - but first, a move to new apartment and setting up new modelling workplace. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gene K Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 (edited) On 6/27/2017 at 3:17 AM, mario krijan said: Ken, yes, we are interested!! great work!!! Yes, I'm interested also!! I'm late to the party - excellent build, as usual for you. I have to be more vigilant ... so have checked your profile box that says "Follow Member". Gene K Edited October 8, 2017 by Gene K Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peterpools Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Ken Always glued to my seat with unique build subjects: both the aircraft and the model company. Terrific progress Keep 'em coming Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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