johncrow

Regarding the pylons and missiles...Zactomodels makes them, and they are simply the best. There are plenty of comparison pics on LSP that show the night-and-day differences between Zacto's stuff and the kit parts. ALL the Zacto Su-27 parts are worth it; they best even the 'revised' parts on the later Flanker kits. Please post pics! jp

Sending you and your mom good vibes from Grand Rapids. Hoping for the best, Jennings. jp

Welcome to the club, Brian. All the things I love and enjoy- my kids, my family, my hobbies- have all been made possible by my wife. I wish you both the best. jp

Hi Si, thanks very much for that. Overall I'm happy with it; it just took very much longer than I'd hoped, and enthusiasm for it waned. (Sort of) keeping up with this build thread did help, though. Thanks for stopping by, jp Thanks, Torben. Beastly, for sure...but though I'm running out of space for them, I dig the big models. Cheers, jp

Thanks so much, Marcel, I appreciate it! I find your builds inspiring and motivating...that came in handy with this project. Regards, jp Thanks for checking it out, Fvdm. I'm thankful for your kind words. Cheers, jp Thank you ROM! One of the builds that inspired me to build my first Flanker was yours from a decade or more ago. Cheers, jp

Thank you David, that's much appreciated. This one sits on the very bottom of the display case, so the underside of the model will never be seen...let's just say I took advantage of that! I also hope the Tan kit shows up. I want one wings folded. As far as a next project...I have about 10 or so unfinished builds from the last decade or so. I really should finish one of them. I have an F-14 Adversary that's about 90% done. But on the other hand I really dig those big Flankers. I've actually started researching an Su-30SM made from the Trumpeter Su-30MKK kit. I think I can pull it off, and it should be a much easier conversion than this thing was. I think modifying the vertical stabs won't be a big deal, and I have kind of a plan for the vectoring nozzles. The canards won't be hard either...at least they shouldn't be...I really don't totally remember what I did, but I remember it was much easier than I feared. And this time I think I'd use the nose piece from the Wolfpack Su-30 conversion kit...the IRST/windscreen mess on the Su-33 build was way too much work and did not turn out great. I just have to do something about that squished windscreen on the Flanker kits. Or maybe I'll do an F-15 Aggressor...or an F/A-18 Adversary...I've got time to think about it while I clean up the clutter from this project. It's kind of looking like a US Adversary/Aggressor, or a Russian jet painted to look like a US Adversary/Aggressor. Regards, jp

…..and done. Well not technically. I do have to finish the antennas and doo-dads at the top rear of the vertical stabs. One of these days. There will be no up close glamor shots. It’s definitely a six-footer. I initially hoped to make this a much more accurate Su-33, but after year three passed, accuracy left town with good workmanship. I thought about listing all the inaccuracies, errors of omission, and areas of substandard workmanship, but what’s the fun in that? There is only one thing that really bugs me about it- the nose gear is at a bit of a weird angle. I did learn a few things. I’ve never attempted a project even approaching this complexity before. Some parts were easier than I thought they would be, others were much harder. I also learned that I like finishing models more than I like building models. But most importantly, I have a 1/32 Su-33. Thanks for stopping by, jp

Rats. Thanks a lot, Gaz. I appreciate your stopping by. jp

Thank you Brian, I appreciate it. I'm hoping the day after I finish this, Tan Models will have a special announcement... jp

Getting there...it's more or less up on its legs...still have a few little parts to add to the gear, and I also need to adjust the height of the mains a bit, I think. Then paint the refueling probe cover, add the canopy, and the antennas and other doo-dads, stick on the burner cans, missiles, and probably other stuff. I just may break the four-year barrier with this thing. Thanks for stopping by, jp

I very recently realized that I like finishing models more than I like building models. Striving for accuracy often conflicts with that. If accuracy isn't that time-consuming and meshes with my skill set, I'm all for it. Otherwise, I allow for compromises. That's not right or wrong; it's just me. I can't and won't have that attitude regarding my job or my family, but the hobby I rely on for relaxation and re-charging....absolutely. But I certainly do enjoy watching others work towards perfect accuracy! I've learned a lot that way. jp

yes yes yes, awesome idea.

Thanks very much, Ray. I'm already thinking of an Su-30 in the overall eggplant/dark gray scheme for my next endless build. Though in some ways, those single-color finishes can be more work. Thanks for stopping by Gerhard, I appreciate it. jp

I appreciate it Marcel, thanks a lot. You've got me wanting to move an F-16 up the build order! jp

Thanks much, Brian...and an Su-34!

So glad to hear how things went, Brian. Best wishes for the new year and a speedy and complete recovery. jp

Thank you, shark64. I'd like to do the Tan kit in the older camo scheme....*cough* *cough*

Thank you, Kev, very much appreciated! Thanks a lot, Madhatter. I hope to make it to Australia one day...sadly no time soon though!

I think I'll pull this off. I got a flat coat on it, which toned down the camo; it looks much better. The elevons and canards are still not fully attached. I did manage to get the vertical stab reattached...full functionality was restored. I still have to attach the landing gear, weapons, and the various antennas. Or antennae, if you prefer. After removing the masking that had been in place for two years, I found that the cockpit suffered a bit more than I had hoped, and it needs some rehab. I thought "No matter, I'll just go closed canopy". Then realized my vac-formed windscreen does not match the main canopy in cross-section, so....canopy up it is. Thanks for looking, and Merry Christmas. jp

For sure!! I want one all folded up.....bet I can build it in a year! jp

I appreciate that, Out2gtcha. I initially had plans of foiling the engine area as you did on your fantastic Flanker...but sadly giving up on that was one of the many concessions I have made just to get this thing done. But the next build...for sure. That just sets off the whole model for me.

Thank you, Matt. I really like the look of the whole Flanker family. Early on in this build I had crazy dreams of also building an Su-35. At some point around year two or three in this build, I woke up and picked up a cheap KH 48th Su-35. But I'd really dig a 32nd Su-34 one day....

Here's a couple shots of the hinge. Very much simplified, but from afar looks OK. Thanks, jp

I appreciate it, Si. Thanks for stopping by. The wingfold parts are there- the this little plastic bullet fairings I made with the dremellathe, and the pop can aluminum pieces...maybe they just don't show up in the pictures. If the closeups aren't too horrific, I'll include a close-up. I'm afraid you might be right regarding the Tan kit...though I really hope is does one day show up. jp

Thank you Marcel, I appreciate it, and it means a lot. Just don't look to close, mongoose! It has its issues, but I'm happy with the macro view. Thanks for stopping by, and thanks. Thanks very much, Fvdm. As frustrated as I sometimes get with it, I'm too close the end to give up. One of my goals was to finish this before the Tan Models Su-33 showed up....looks like I'll do it!