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Inspired by a discussion  about building a Su-37 -

 

The discussion suggested combining the back end of the 1/72 scale two-seat Zvezda Su-30SM with the front end of the Zvezda Su-33 to make the single seat Su-37.

 

A new longer (and slightly fatter) nose is needed - along with taller, square-tipped fins - plus a few other minor changes - but the whole thing looks do-able.

 

I have both kits in my stash, so I got both out for comparison - and liked what I saw.... so here goes....

 

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As they are both from the same manufacturer, the panel lines match up - the Su-30SM is on the left - with the Su-33 on the right.

 

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The fuselages butchered / separated....... Note how the airbrakes differ.

 

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.... and swapped over (the left hand one will be the Su-37, the right-hand one will become a Chinese J-17/J-15D)

 

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Plastic card strips used the strengthen the joint.

 

Now, I just need to work out how to do the fatter/longer Su-37 radome.

 

More later..

 

Ken

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Progress......

 

The first application of filler along the joins.......

 

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I used the Su-33 cockpit tub - but with the Su-30SM decals as they have MFD screens - not 100% accurate for a Su-37

but with the canopy closed.....

 

Zvezda provide the sliding throttle control on the left - but the Su-37 was fitted with a sidestick controller (right) - so I used the kit

control column cut down......

 

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Su-33 front end, married to the Su-30SM rear end..............

 

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.... with the complete Su-30SM lower fuselage attached - and it all fits..... :thumbsup:

 

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Now for some sanding/filling/sanding....

 

Ken

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Thanks Janne... more butchery....

 

I'm happy with the joint lines - they are now eliminated....

 

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So it's onto that problematic nose......

 

Published dimensions give the T10 (Su-27) and T10M (Su-37) as having the same overall length - but the Su-27 length includes the nose pitot.

 

That means that the Su-37 (which doesn't have a nose pitot) must have the nose / radome lengthened by the same length as the pitot (11mm in the kit)

 

The radome is also slightly wider in diameter - and without the slight double curvature of the Su-27 radome......

 

I'm lengthening the kit radome by inserting a length of 15mm dia plastic knitting needle between the fuselage nose and radome - I'll fill in the recess with scraps of plastic later.......

 

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I'm not 'fattening' the radome - the difference is minimal in 1/72 scale - but I'll try and re-shape the curvature to an approximation of the Su-37 shape.

 

Ken

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Looking at pictures of the 37 and 27 I think your assumption is correct Ken. The 37 nose does look visually longer and the lengths confirm this. I think once the nose is filled and re-profiled it will look the part. What is the diameter difference in real life and in scale? Perhaps a bit of extra beef there will help it look the part more after all?

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More....

 

The gap betwen the lengthened radome and fuselage is filled in with scraps of plastic card....

 

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.... followed by filler and a first sanding.... people of a nervous disposition look away now..

 

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I've also made the new tailboom - using an 8mm plastic knitting needle cut and carved to shape -

 

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More butchery to follow...

 

Ken

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