Su-24M Belorussian VVS 1:72

The model is based on Trumpeter 1:72 kit with addition of Reskit wheels, Master's Pito tube/antennas, and Kh-23M missiles from a ClearProp kit. To demonstrate one of the major roles of this aircraft - SEAD, I decided (together with ChatGPT) to equip it with the ordnance typical for this type:

- a pair of anti-radiation missiles Kh-58U (Х-58У) (from the kit) for suppressing air defence, with something that looks like a "Khrizantema A" pod (I've taken a part from the kit that has similar shape but different size, unfortunately);
- a pair of Kh-23M (Х-23М) radio-controlled missiles for shooting occasional targets along the way; they sometimes are seen together with Kh-58U and seem to be quite a good match;
- a pair of laser-guided 1000 lb bombs, in case the missiles missed.

The kit is very delicate, thin, and detailed, but not 100% accurate, as with most of Trumpeter kits, especially weapons and pylons. But the fit is next to perfect, just needs a bit of sanding and dry fitting for intakes and fuselage halves. What I dislike most is that you cannot change the angle of wings - once connected, they cannot be disconnected (at least I didn't find a way to make them reconfigurable without breaking the wing gloves).

You may notice that the model has a bit different painting, and you're right, because this is a freshly painted Belarusian aircraft, as seen on the photos. It is a bit darker than Russian ones, and has another demarcation line on its fin. To get the match, I mixed three different colors - Dark Ghost Gray, Medium Gray (from US Navy/Marines schemes) and MiG Gray in 1:1:1 ratio. The bottom is a mix of pure white and insignia white (3:1 ratio).

I discarded the kit decals and used two decal kits from Begemot. The stencils are a bit brighter than needed, but I don't know how to make them dull and not destroy in the process. I took three days to put almost two hundreds of stencils (1 mm long and even less), but the quality is top-notch.

It was the longest and the most challenging project in my life. Lots of parts needed separate painting, lots of different paints and mixes involved, and not enough reference to understand how to paint here and there. It was a pleasure to deal with delicate finely detailed parts, but the result is not quite satisfying...