1:48
With the airframe now built up and weapon
pylons fi tted, it was time to think about getting
some paint onto it. If you have read any of
my previous articles, you will know I am not
a man who likes to use masking tape.
My joy is found in the freehand
application of camoufl age with
my airbrush. In fact I hardly
used any masking tape at all
when painting this kit, as I used
the landing gear doors which Zvezda
supply for the gear up option. Along with the
spare main canopy to mask off the respective
areas. The two panels just forward of the
exhaust nozzles were also temporarily secured
with Blue-Tack, allowing me to remove them,
then fi t the exhaust nozzles after all the
painting was complete, again avoiding the use
of masking tape.
The paint guide is a great help in this area
as it’s in full colour and gives you a profi le of all
sides of the airframe, upper, lower, starboard
and port, unlike some manufacturers who
leave you guessing in some areas. It is
complex colour scheme made more
diffi cult by the complex shape of
the Yak-130. I would be lying
if I didn’t say that at some
points, I wished I had gone
for the much simpler
all over ‘Eggplant’
grey scheme! It was
to say the least time
consuming, but
ultimately, I think, well
worth it.
Once that was done,
a gloss coat was applied
prior to decal application.
The decals are sublime; I
don’t know who does them
for Zvezda but long may they
continue. At fi rst I had my reservations
about them as there are a lot of small stencils
which have been grouped together to form
one large decal –– especially on the weapon
pylons –– but they are super thin and sink
into the surface details, even using just warm
water and no decal softeners. However, some
of the printing on my sheet was a little off, not
out of register, but it was though some of the
ink hadn’t taken correctly to the carrier fi lmin places (especially on the prominent, large
walk way marking on the portside upper wing)
forcing me to make a mask and spray them on.
It must be said though, that the guide for the
placement of the stencil data is not as clear as
the paint guide, with the panel lines illustrated
bearing no resemblance to those of the model.
So a lot of guessing is required, along with
referral to reference photographs.
After another coat of gloss to seal in the
decals, a very subtle, pin wash was applied to
the recessed panels lines and rivet detail. This
kit isn’t festooned with rivets, and those that
are present are restrained and delicate, which
accurately depicts the modern composite style
construction we see employed on today’s
aircraft.
Weathering was kept to a minimum in line
with the reference photographs I had. It would
appear that the Russian Air Force keep them
in pristine condition, with what dirt and wear
there is, accumulating on the underside. And
with that done, a fi nal clear coat of MRP-127
Semi Matt was applied.Details, Details....
Pushing on, the main undercarriage legs
complete with struts and hydraulic rams were
fi tted. Here, I chose to use the resin tyres and
hubs produced by Res/kit. Advertised for use
with both the Zvezda and Kitty Hawk Yak, they
are beautifully cast and highly detailed, butTo ensure that I’m happy with paint
colours prior to application, I fi nd
applying them to a plastic spoon
helps in deciding not only if the
shades are to my liking, but the
order in which is best to apply
them. I also have a collection of
spoons sprayed with metallic
shades which greatly assist
painting areas such as blast
shields and the like.
Even from the box, the cockpit
interior is superb!