INTERMEDIATE BUILD
Su-34 FULLBACKINTERMEDIATE BUILD
Su-34 FULLBACK36 Airfi x Model Worldpainted areas and the canopy were
then masked in preparation for the
main camouflage colours.
The undercarriage legs were
fabulously detailed multi-part
units, which all assembled with
positive locating pins. Each wheel
comprised two pieces, and these
were clamped while the cement
set, to eliminate any difficult
seams. To match the wheel wells,
the undercarriage legs were
painted H57 Aircraft Gray, followed
by an ALCHW-004 Dark LiquidStreaks & Stains wash, which
imparted a suitably grimy look.
After the wheel seams were
sanded, they received an
airbrushed layer of H77 Tire Black,
and the centres were sprayed
Xtracolor X628 Soviet Wheel Hub
Green. These were masked with
the aid of a draughtsman’s circle
template, which is one of the
easiest ways to paint wheel hubs.
Once assembled, all undercarriage
parts could then be set aside for
installation later.Blue notes, red stars
It was important to plan ahead for
the three-tone camouflage, the
first being the Mr Paint MRP-202
Light Blue Su-32/Su-34 over the
entire airframe. The pattern for
the camouflage was then set with
White Tack ‘worms’ – any gaps
were covered with tape. This
process was then repeated with
MRP-203 Light Green Blue Su-32/
Su-34, before the final shade of
MRP-204 Dark Green Blue Su-32/
Su-34 was applied. Although
this was an involved process, itwas ultimately worth the effort
once the unmasking revealed the
completed camouflage. Minor
touch-ups were needed in places,
but these were tackled swiftly,
given the ease with which MRP
sprayed. All previously
masked panels were
then uncovered and
neatened where paint had
creeped, before
the canopy
surround was
re-masked and
treated with matt
black...once fully
dry, the model was The clear screen for the head-up display was masked and the surround painted matt
black, along with the coaming section, before both were dry-brushed to highlight the detail.
The tails were a simple slide-fit, which allowed the metal areas of the engine to be
airbrushed and masked easily, before the latter were added.
Leading edges, dielectric
panels, and the nose and tail
radomes were all airbrushed
in their respective shades,
being masked in readiness
for the main camouflage.A test-fit revealed the canopy sat
snugly in the moulded fuselage
recess, while exhibiting good clarity
through the glazing. Areas to be
painted were moulded slightly
opaque, as seen here. The pylons were each labelled with their parts numbers to ease identification, as they
all appeared very similar on the runners.