GWH 1/48 Mig-29 SMT (**Completed**)

[mrversatile]

In keeping with the "Soviet Kick" I have been on lately, I have decided to take on a genre I haven't embarked on in a while....aircraft, and particularly jet aircraft, thus the Mig-29 SMT. I like this variant the most because of its humped dorsal area and camo, and since I have seen nothing but good things about this kit, I decided to treat myself after some overly labor intensive projects with some "not so easily constructed" kits. I will be using AKAN paints for the first time bc of their color accuracy and purported ease of use. I haven't seen any significant aftermarket for these kits, and unless someone who is familiar with these kits can point me in the direction of a needed upgrade, I will proceed with a build of the OOB variety.

[Leon]

Looks like a good project Gil! I'll be following along.

[wing_nut]

Ahh yes, the after market conundrum... wanted vs. needed. Lots of both of those sometimes Not sure if you are familiar with the Scalemates site. Reviews, Am stuff etc. Here's the page for the kit you're starting.

www.scalemates.com/kits/945232-great-wall-hobby-l4818-mig-29-smt-fulcrum

I've heard great things about AKAN (the H to N thing has something to the with a Cyrillic translation) and look forward to your opinions. So I guess I'll just have to keep watching while you get to that point.

Check out the Cybermodeler online reference too.

www.cybermodeler.com/aircraft/mig-29/mig-29_all.shtml

[Tojo72]

Those GWH Migs are fantastic kits,did one a few years ago,one of my favorite builds.

[mrversatile]

Thanks Wing Nut, it is just what I was looking for. The Big Ed set may be worth it...or not. I will have to look more closely at what the kit has first, but if I remember, the kit is pretty complete. Usually it is a good sign if the AM sets are pretty limited.

Tony, did you add anything to your build?

[deafpanzer]

Good choice... count me in too!

[dupes]

Oooooh, nice. Definitely want to hear about the AKAN paints - they're one of the few places that make direct Fulcrum/Flanker matches.

[TRM]

Nice one Gil...count me in!

[mrversatile]

I have finished the cockpit in this one and have actually installed it since taking these pictures. I also finished and installed the wheel wells and will post pictures of this soon when the fuselage is mated. I am really impressed with the detail and fit of this kit with minimal cleanup so far. Just what the doctor ordered. For now here are pictures of the cockpit components. The only thing I wasn't quite fond of is the photo-etch seat belts and how the lack of direction made these a free style origami project. I just ended up cutting some and arranging them the way I thought they should be.

[Tojo72]

Off to a good start

[wbill76]

Nice work on the office!

[deafpanzer]

Great start on the cockpit!

[mrversatile]

A quick update of my progress is in order. The cockpit is installed as well as the HUD and windscreen. As my usual method, I like to dip my canopies in Future and mask with liquid masking film. I then simply trim with a blade and paint/install. Later the liquid mask just peels off. I did add a couple of small details which seemed prominent from my research pics: An electrical conduit coming from the circuit breaker box to the cockpit and a yellow fuel transfer line (I think that is what it is), in the port main landing gear bay. I do also plan to add a metal pitot tube as the kit example is lacking. Other than that I am really impressed and satisfied with the level of fit and detail in this kit. I am building the incredible engines and it even has a mounting cart if one wants to display one outside of the aircraft, however, I wish they would have included one more engine so it can be detailed and displayed without deleting one from the actual model. Otherwise, the detail is wasted. One thing worth mentioning is the inaccuracy of the instructions. There are more than a few errors or omissions.

As a side note, I would like to use the main fuel tank mounted between the intakes as seen on most SMT variants. Although included in the kit, (presumably from earlier releases), they are meant to be unused in this kit. I still intend to install it but I need to see the actual assembly and mounting position. So, if anyone has one of the earlier kits can you send me a picture of this from the instructions? Thanks for looking, now on with the pics.










The gear bays:



Here is the build progress. I added some weight to the nose before I closed it up just in case; Starting to look like a jet!

[Tojo72]

Nice work on the office,how are you liking the engineering,I really thought it was well designed.

[thug626]

If you don't mind, I'll take a few notes here. I've got this kit lurking in the stash. You're off to a splendid start here.

[mrversatile]

Thanks Tony, and regarding your question about the engineering....I am glad that I waited to answer this question as the engineering rating has gone precipitously downward. All was well until after I installed the engines, which fit fabulously. The intakes and engine covers are another matter. The intakes are two parts which are mated together and require the sanding of the mating seam. Not unusual, but the engine covers are one piece, and are installed adjacent and aft of the intakes. This resulted in uneven height between both, and when both were installed in their engineered spots,there was close to a 1/16 gap between both. This is after the port intake would not seat flush against the lower fuselage. I noticed after test fitting and attempting to install that the locating tabs were too long for the depth of their respective holes. I corrected this on the starboard intake by trimming half the tabs off before installing. The result of the whole assembly is disappointing and the only solution is to fill the gaps to make it presentable. Pics to follow soon.

Thug, I hope you are taking notes, you will avoid many pains if you do.

[mrversatile]

Next update is the engines finished and installed as well as all the control surfaces, intakes, and engine covers. It is getting closer to primer. Take note of the white filler around the covers and intakes. This is white spackle that I apply with a brush and then smooth out with a damp q-tip. It works for mating surfaces that don't require strength.

Alcad and Metalizers



Green wash on fins as seen in reference photos

Notice white filler






Almost ready for primer. Masking the cockpit is going to be a bear bc the HUD extends in front of the windscreen.

[Tojo72]

Very nice,metal looks great

[Leon]

Looking really good Gil!

[mrversatile]

A little update. I have finally laid some paint on the Mig, Mr. Surfacer 1500 cut with automotive lacquer followed by a pre-shade of Vallejo black primer. Getting to the fun stages now.











Kind of what I am looking for.  These colors are a little different than mine but one of the few pics of worn SMT's I could find

[Leon]

Pre-shading looks good Gil!

[joelsmith]

Kickin' it Gil.

[mrversatile]

Well most of the color is done. A little about the AKAN paints: Nice coverage, brush painting is satisfactory with two or more coats, spraying is frustrating with paint drying on the tip very quickly requiring frequent cleaning of the tip. I first used just distilled water to thin but then used my own mix which includes a retarder to no avail. I could never get sustained or consistent flow. Also, the topside "gray" looks more like a gray/tan similar to a MIG-31 although it is claimed to be matched to the real planes. I don't know, it looks too tan to me but I will have to live with it. Next step will be a coat of Future in preparation for decals. Speaking of decals, the painting and Decal placement guide interestingly doesn't direct one to where the small stencil decals go, only the large decals. I am finding that GWH should take a bit more time with their instructions. It reminds me of Dragon instructions, a common theme it seems, with Chinese manufacturers.

[Tojo72]

Camo came out nice,I stuck with Model Master Enamels as they had specific Fulcrum colors.

[Leon]

Camo looks really good Gil!

[deafpanzer]

Amazing paint job there!

[mrversatile]

Thanks all, and Tony, I went with the AKAN paints bc they are manufactured in Russia and supposedly are matched to the actual aircraft colors and other types are just an estimation, (this set is specific to the SMT fulcrum). Before I actually applied these I checked with folks at Linden Hill Imports, who is the US distributor bc by eye it didn't look right. He told me that he agreed and thought that another color was closer, but that was only his opinion while reiterating the the aforementioned fact regarding their matching process. Oh well, I like it nevertheless.

[thug626]

The colors look the part. Well done.

[mrversatile]

Another update for those who are watching. Progress includes the application of all air frame decals. Luckily I was able to locate some great walkaround pictures showing where to place the stencil decals, (as mentioned earlier, instructions weren't included). I then applied a pin wash for the panels on the underside, and on the topside, I further faded the paint as seen in the previously posted pics by using oil paint to create blotches of translucent light gray. It worked beautifully I think. I then coated with Testors Dullcoat and followed that with another coat of Future to prepare for the topside pin wash. It was necessary to do it this way as I don't think Future will coat oils very well.







Oil rendering for faded paint

[Leon]

Nice progress Gil! This is looking good.