Mi-8MT build log

1
December 15, 2024
Well, it looks like it will be a huge project 🙂
2
December 15, 2024
3
December 15, 2024
Feels refreshing to build in 1:48 scale, the parts are bigger and the details are easier to spot.
4
December 29, 2024
After painting the interior and giving it a clear coat, I used Tamiya’s Pannel Liner to accentuate the details.
5
December 29, 2024
I like the brown color on the seat for the on board mechanic.
6
December 29, 2024
Tamiya’s Panel Liner Used on the engine housing on top of the MRP light gray.
7
January 2, 2025
Step 7 out of a total of 41 done completely.

Notice the first aid kits behind the pilot chairs and the decals for the loading rails on the left picture. On the right the red canisters in the engine compartment.
8
January 2, 2025
Notice the fire extinguisher on the left photo and the decals on the right representing all of the buttons and switches above the pilot seats. Interesting fact is the emerald green-blue used that is scientifically proven to have better instrument visibility and a relaxing tone for long flights for the pilots.
9
January 5, 2025
Everything up to step 12 out of 41 done
10
January 5, 2025
12/41 done
Plenty or colors went into the engines (dark iron, copper, metallic blue, aluminum, black, light gray).
Even the interior of the engines is fully painted.
11
January 12, 2025
Step 13/41 done ✅
12
January 12, 2025
14/41 done ✅
13
January 12, 2025
17/41 WIP
14
January 12, 2025
15+16+17/41 ✅
15
January 12, 2025
Step 18/41 ✅
16
January 17, 2025
Masked the canopy and other clear parts
17
January 18, 2025
Cannopy clear part primed and painted on the interior, taking it to the assembly next.
18
January 20, 2025
Rocket launchers with drilled holes for more realistic details: before (left) and after (right). Step 22b /41 ✅
19
January 18, 2025
Step 23/41 ✅

The canopy had an okish fit, close to good but not perfect.
20
February 16, 2025
First time using masks for wheels, it's so easy 🙂
21
February 16, 2025
Result of the wheels, very satisfied! I'm glad that the masks are reusable.

Steps (25c and 26c) / 41 done ✅
22
February 15, 2025
Steps 33 + 34 + 35 / 41 done ✅

Painted the interior details which probably nobody will know as I’m planning to build the cargo doors closed. MRP paint sprays like a charm, but smeels quite toxic imo.

For the loadout, I added something very special: magnets ? this will allow me to reconfigure the helicopter very easily ?
23
February 17, 2025
Mi-8 primed and pre-shaded
24
February 17, 2025
Used Mr. Surfacer 1500 Gray and Mr. Levelling Thinner 50 % 50% for the primer layer. Pre-shading done with MRP-005 Black
25
February 17, 2025
26
February 17, 2025
The cargo bay is temporarily attached. I drilled 1mm holes and used paperclip iron legs, allowing flexibility to open it and view the interior. ?
27
February 17, 2025
Underbelly painted with AK Air Superiority Blue FS35450
Type: Acrylic Lacquer Paints
28
February 17, 2025
Reference photo for next steps
29
February 20, 2025
After painting the underbelly, the main colour of the upper fuselage has been air-brushed.
30
February 20, 2025
This is the Tamiya Khaki LP-73
31
February 20, 2025
same colour was airbrushed on the Ka-52 Alligator so they should look good together in a photoshoot 🙂
32
February 23, 2025
Realizing that the second color of the camouflage pattern would obscure my initial pre-shading, I decided to redo the pre-shading before applying the green color.
33
February 23, 2025
Pre-shading precisely where the next color will be applied.
34
February 23, 2025
Here is the result of the hand-airbrushed without any masks for the fuselage —I believe pre-shading before applying the green was a good idea.
35
February 23, 2025
Light Green Chromate - Camouflage Light Green
71.006 from Vallejo https worked OK, took some time but the result is what I envisioned.

71.006 Light Green Chromate ..ght Green, Vallejo Model Air Matt, Acrylic, 17ml
36
February 23, 2025
Next is Tamiya x-22 clear.
37
March 2, 2025
X-22 Clear and afterwards added all the decals on the fuselage.
38
March 2, 2025
I had to cut the Russian star decal afrer measuring it carefully in order to keep the cargo compartment flexible. It can be either closed or taken to the side to see the interior.
39
March 2, 2025
I'm happy with the colours, it seems a good representation and the pre-shading is still visible.
40
March 2, 2025
Belly looks good imo. I have to paint the Dopler sensors on the tail white.
41
March 3, 2025
Well, it’s all dirty now
42
March 9, 2025
The landing gear is on. This means that steps 24/41 and 25/41 have been completed ✅
43
March 14, 2025
Plenty of work to finalize the tail rotor.

Color: MRP-398 Gray Blue - Russian helicopters

Comments

49 15 December 2024, 17:39

Nathan Dempsey
Following 👀

1 16 December 2024, 01:51

Desert Marlin
I'm looking forward to seeing this one come together!!!

1 16 December 2024, 02:41

Ben M
👀

1 16 December 2024, 03:32

Villiers de Vos
Booking my seat.

1 16 December 2024, 03:52

CaptGPF
Taking a seat with popcorn!

2 12 January, 16:20

Cristian A Author
Welcome my friends, I'm doing my best, the kit is very complex and so far things worked well.

1 12 January, 19:12

Alexander
Interested too, following!

1 12 January, 19:18

Michael Kohl
Nice build so far.

1 12 January, 20:27

Mr D
Nice project 👍 your doing a good job, there an impressive model when built....lve watched few videos on the ....as l have the 1/72 version to build soon.
Good luck with it 😃👍

1 17 January, 19:36

Cristian A Author
Thank you, everyone, for the kind words and encouragement! 🙂

@Michael Kohl – Appreciate the support! 😊

@Mr D – Thanks a lot! The 1/72 version sounds like a great build; I'm sure it'll look fantastic when you get started, best of luck with yours as well! Please share updates, would love to see how it turns out. 👍

2 17 January, 23:23

Guy Rump
Looking good, following. 👍

2 20 January, 16:34

Gerald
👍

2 20 January, 16:43

★ Starfish ★
That's some crazy detail!

2 20 January, 17:52

Cristian A Author
Thanks Starfish, I'm adding magnets to them as well so I can play around with the loadout 🙂 Welcome Guy and Gerald!

2 20 January, 20:07

Desert Marlin
Lots of windows! Love the complexity!

2 20 January, 22:39

CaptGPF
Following!

1 18 February, 16:43

Nathan Dempsey
Nice progress 🙂

1 18 February, 16:58

Mr D
Great project, coming along nicely.... Now don't spray out your pre-shading like l did on my SU-30 🙄🤣.
Nice work 👍👍

1 18 February, 18:55

CaptGPF
Excellent idea on the pre-shade before the second layering!

1 27 February, 15:26

Alberto
Nice paint job 👍

1 27 February, 16:11

Cristian A Author
Thanks gents!

Mr D's comment really made me pay attention to the pre-shading on the second layer, kudos to him. That made me think of a solution to keep the pre-shading so I ended up with this solution. Will keep the build updated, my target is to finish it by Sunday 🙂

3 27 February, 18:04

Mr D
That worked out 👍👍 Great, Nice build....it's really going to benefit from the shading you pulled off here.
Enjoying following as it will help when l start my 1:72 version.
😃👍

2 27 February, 19:31

Desert Marlin
I really like this phase of painting! Seeing the seams disappear and the strength of the kit being revealed!

3 27 February, 22:33

Cristian A Author
Wanted to finish the Mi-8 by today, but there are always plenty of details that pop-up and require attention. Anyway since it's close to completion, I decided to spend more time and do it in a relaxed fashion. Thanks Mr.D and Marlin. @Mr. D I want to build another Mi-8 on the Russian Blue-Gray camouflage, I think it looks awesome with the simple scheme as well: MRP-398 Gray Blue - Russian ..4,26,28,35 & Ka-52, MR.Paint Satin, Acrylic Lacquer, 30ml

2 2 March, 21:37

Alexander
The double pre-shading did help indeed - looks really good already! 👍
Waiting for the wash and weathering!

3 2 March, 22:33

Desert Marlin
It's always a good idea to take a little more time and see what it can become! Cheers!

3 3 March, 04:24

Mr D
Top job on the paint, Zvezda do a nice Mi8 kit, Enjoy following this build 👍👍
The blue/Grey be nice 👍 build

2 3 March, 15:57

Desert Marlin
I like where this one is headed!!!

1 3 March, 18:09