Jump to content

Su-27UB and I am in way deep!


scooternutz

Recommended Posts

We will see how that wing blend looks after this evening.  I am going to spray some blue on it and see the blemishes that I can't see right now.  It feels very smooth and my scribe runs across the seams without any skips. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What a modeling adventure it has been the past couple of days.  After assembling the upper and lower fuselage I was ready to get started on my amazing Zacto Intakes.  Unfortunately the USPS put the intakes in my post box which sits in the sun and warped my beautiful intakes.  During dry fitting I could not get them to line up and even broke a wing trying to bend them into shape.  I contacted Zactoman and Out2gtcha for advice.  Out2gtcha suggested I contact Zactoman.  I sent some pictures to Zactoman and he replied back with some fantastic advice.  I had done some things wrong because I went rogue that could have made the intakes fit with a little work.  He took time out of his busy day to check all of his molds and write me a full page of possible solutions and what I could have done differently.  This goes above and beyond customer service.  I will order things from Zactoman just on whim I may get a model to use his products.  

 

Here is what I was dealing with:

 

56.JPG

 

57.JPG

 

Now what I write next I do not recommend anyone doing unless you know what you are doing and have the right tools.  Also the danger of scolding yourself is real.  It is very stressful and patience is a must.

 

Going over Zactoman's suggestions I couldn't really use the techniques.  I would have to chop the model and add styrene everywhere.  And he threw every solution he could at me.  Some of his suggestions are going into my knowledge locker. My experience is building ships and I have built a few resin hull ships.  Sometimes the hulls are not right and have to heated and twisted so they are true.  I decided to go for broke and repair the damage the heat had done to the intakes while in the mailbox.  I boiled a pan of water, let stand for one minute and submersed the intakes, one at a time, for 30 to 40 seconds.  I tested on a scrap piece of the mold.  I used special tongs that are rubber coated and some insulated rubber gloves and pressed the intakes to the airframe re-molding them as they should be.  I had already resigned that if I destroyed them, on my own accord, I would be ordering some more.  It worked and now my Zactoman intakes fit beautifully. 

 

66.JPG

 

67.JPG

 

68.JPG

 

The moral of the story is these intakes are that good and worth drastic measures to get them to work.  Had the heat not warped them they would have fit perfect.  Before Zactoman and Out2gtcha calmed me down with their advice, I almost boxed her up and got restarted on my Tamiya F-16CJ.  This model is not even half done and it has been a fight all the way so far. 

 

Til next time...

Edited by scooternutz
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I commend you for having nerves of Steel ! An the Patients,,, unbelievable!

 

I know this is NOT easy and I am glad you stuck it out. It is worth it!

 

You should be proud of yourself.

 

Kudos to Out2gtcha!  :thumbsup:

 

It's great to know That folks step up to help in times like these!!

 

You are doing a fantastic job, keep up the great work!!   :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

 

Teresa  :popcorn:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Getting ready to prime and paint.  I haven't been able to model much at all this week.  Life has been busy but rewarding. :)

 

I closed the gear bay and the canopy with white craft glue so when I am done painting I can removed the parts and peel the glue off.  I am going to try some Tamiya Surface Primer.  My plan is to prime, paint panel lines, paint base colors, semi gloss, decals, semi gloss.  For the exhaust nozzles I am planning on using Alclad II. 

 

Wish me luck! 

 

69.JPG

 

70.JPG

 

Til next time...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

Fellow modelers:  It has been a while since I have made any progress on this big girl.  I moved and managed to destroy my canopy and many other things.  This model was in a Blue Hawk tough case but all the bits were in a cardboard box. It is unrecoverable.  Is there an after market product canopy out there anywhere?  If not, after all the work put into it, I will buy another Trumpy Su-27UB just to get that canopy.  I won't like it but I will do that.  With the after market costs so far, this model is easily 3 or 4 times the original models retail cost.  If someone could mold and vacuum form one for me I would pay!

 

Any advice is welcomed.  Happy Friday everyone! Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you still have the canopy parts - and if so - are they resurrect-able as a shape that could be vacced over?

 

If so - I'd be happy to have a go at running off a vac canopy for you - but would need parts sending over the 'pond'.

 

I need to crack on with my Su27 now I've got the intakes sorted - just reading through your build and getting lots of inspiration.

 

Iain

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Would a canopy from a Trumpy SU-30 MKK work?

It would.  Whatever is cheaper for the kit, the SU-27 or SU-30.  Either way I am getting one or the other.  I will have a forever entombed kit without a canopy.  I just can't seem to find one online.  An aftermarket kit would sell as the kit part is not well molded anyway.  Zactoman makes one for a single seater. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...