WIP : Trumpeter 1/72 Su-30MK2 TNI-AU Pt. 4 – Painting
To prep for the second gray color, I masked off the pattern with Tamiya Masking Tape for Curves. The TNI-AU uses solid demarcations for their camouflage so the tape would be OK. However, the tape just won’t do sharp curves so I ended up going back to using blutack for these. The second gray color …...
WIP : Trumpeter 1/72 Su-30MK2 TNI-AU Pt. 3 – Painting
Unlike my previous builds, I need to paint the exhaust area around the Su-30 first. As these will be metallic colors, I’ll need a glossy base. I begin with spraying a base layer of Tamiya X-18 Gloss Black. Reference photos show that the exhaust area is a myriad of shades of dark metal colors. I …...
WIP : Trumpeter 1/72 Su-30MK2 TNI-AU Pt. 2 – Construction
Trumpeter offers a ton of weapons to mount onto the Flanker. I went with a pair each of R-73E (AA-11 Archer), R-77 (AA-12 Adder), R-27T (AA-10B Alamo) and KH-31P (AS-17 Krypton). I couldn’t resist having the Krypton anti-radar missiles: TNI-AU SEAD! I added pins using brass rods to the rails for added mounting points for …...
WIP : Trumpeter 1/72 Su-30MK2 TNI-AU Pt. 1 – Construction
This one has been on my to-do list for a while: a Sukhoi Su-30MKK deployed by the Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU). The plan is to finish this by 17 August, Indonesia’s independence day. Let’s see how I deal with a fixed deadline (I’m usually not good with it). I first took a …...
Upcoming : DreamModel 1/72 AH-1Z Viper
Check out what DreamModel has coming out in May! I wasn’t expecting this one at all. And in a scale I prefer for my helicopters! Seems like they can take orders to ship to you direct too. Nice. Unfortunately they haven’t revealed their prices but more pictures can be seen on their Facebook page. Now …...
Completed : Tamiya 1/72 Lockheed Martin F-16CM Fighting Falcon
Kit Info Brand: Tamiya 60788 Scale: 1/72 Media: Injection Markings: Kit The Subject The Lockheed Martin (originally General Dynamics) F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter. It currently serves in no less than 25 nations, with over 4,400 aircraft built. Commonly known as the ‘Viper’, it features innovations including a...
WIP : Tamiya 1/72 F-16CM Fighting Falcon Pt.4 – Finishing
While waiting for the gloss coat to cure, I decided to tackle the exhaust. After a base of black and painting the inside white, the outside is painted with Vallejo Model Color Pale Burnt Metal. I then masked off the exhaust petals with both 1mm masking tape and liquid mask. Yes each individual petal. The …...
WIP : Tamiya 1/72 F-16CM Fighting Falcon Pt.3 – Painting
After fixing the few gaps, it’s time to put some color on this kit! First, the stealth coat with Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black. Then a marble coating with Tamiya XF-12 IJN Gray. The instruction sheet made a mistake in calling out 3 gray tones for the camouflage. By 2010, this jet only has 2 gray …...
WIP : Tamiya 1/72 F-16CM Fighting Falcon Pt.2 – Construction
Disappointingly, Tamiya left some visible ejector pin marks on the gear doors which need to be addressed. Tamiya calls for some blue and silver colored parts inside the gearbay. Not sure how accurate this is. The main undercarriage is designed to be installed from the beginning. While troublesome, the upside is a stronger fit. The...
WIP : Tamiya 1/72 F-16CM Fighting Falcon Pt.1 – Construction
Next on the factory floor is this Tamiya kit which looks to be as shake and bake as it will ever get. This is the 2nd release where Tamiya added the pylons, underwing stores, armaments and targeting pods. Checking the parts, I realized that by adding 1 component, I can model the F-16CM, an upgraded …...
