Airfix Model World – July 2018

INTERMEDIATE BUILD

Su-34 FULLBACK

3838 Airfi x Model World Airfi x Model World

of components (each weapon
comprised several parts) sets
were labelled individually during
the painting stages. By far the
most complex to assemble were
the FAB-100 bombs, of which
there were 12, with three items
per unit and a further 48 parts for
the two MBD3-U6 multiple-ejector
racks (MER). The remainder of
the stores were assembled in
the usual manner, painted and
decaled, then set aside until later.
With the aid of high-quality
reference photos, weathering
effects commenced with ALCHW-

004 Dark Liquid Streaks &

Stains applied to the panel lines,

which imparted a suitably used

appearance and highlighted the

delicate surface detail. Fluid stains

and streaks were also added via

oils, which were then wiped in

the direction of the airflow with a

thinner-laden cotton bud. Further

light staining was then airbrushed

with heavily thinned X-19 Smoke,

before the entire model received

a final varnish coat, courtesy of

ALC-311 Klear Kote Light Sheen,

as a matt surface would have

appeared too toy-like.

Beginning of the end

All that was needed to finish the

Fullback was the undercarriage,

stores and small peripherals to

be attached. All landing gear

parts fitted as advertised,

although the main gear legs

needed care, as the pins were

very snug in their locating holes...

deft use of a small rounded file

resolved this issue easily.

The nose landing gear leg

arrangement fit was very positive

— all parts were secured with

liquid cement and the model was

then left inverted overnight for

the glue to cure, after which the

wheels were added. Note that for

the nose gear, the debris guard

so ubiquitous with many Russian

jets, was attached first.

Diligence was needed when

securing the landing gear doors,

as smaller parts could easily

have been damaged when

removing them from the runners,

and they were fiddly to attach.

Close attention was paid to the

instructions here, to confirm the

correct pieces were fitted, so they

all located correctly with their

associated retraction arms.

 The masking process was repeated for the final dark green-blue camouflage, and while at
this stage it appeared rather messy, it facilitated the soft-edged pattern.

 After all the masking had been removed and fine touch-ups applied where appropriate,

the results were well worth the effort.