Su-30MKK Yêshēng Huángshûláng

Jos Jansen
Oh yeah, Iam definitely in...nice start of the pit!

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Roland & Jos 🙂 Although overall I was happy with the cockpit and the kit's detail, it was a bit of a failure in color mixing. It came out looking really dark like the MiG cockpit color and required some heavy dry brushing to lighten it up a bit.

I like this kit. I think I'll need to get another to build one with canards. Algeria maybe?

Michael Phillips
Looks fantastic so far Nathan! I really like this kit too, nice rather simple build and great fit mostly. If you want to do a canard version, you will need to buy a conversion set... or you can wait until the KH Su-30SM comes out here soon. An Su-30MKA would be pretty awesome!

Guillaume Blanchet
Nice looking bird!

Adam Gudynowski
Nice 👍

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Michael, Guillaume, and Adam 🙂

Michael: I'm not sure when that KH kit is to be released here in the states, but it would be nice to do a comparison.

Pumping the brakes on this build until my AK Xtreme metals arrive so that I can begin the paint work. I completed all the control surface wings last night/ this morning (late night).

Nathan Dempsey autor
Received my AK metallic paint today. Although I'm still prepping the seams on the intakes...

Nathan Dempsey autor
Did some priming of a few assemblies while doing the same for some on my Bf109 build.

I have to say I'm surprised that no one called me out on the other Su-27 build in picture #1 😄

Michael Phillips
I missed that! Academy Eritrean Su-27?

Nathan Dempsey autor
Good eye Michael. I had started this a very long time ago, but once I had the Su-30 up to the same level I began working on them in tandem...

Nathan Dempsey autor
Well after the great mojo building 109 Group Build, I'm back to this project. Spent today attaching the slats. I think my kit's example must have had warped parts, because the fit on both sides was horrible. I had to basically use my hands like a giant clamp and press them into position, then hold them tightly until the glue dried. Wooo!

Jos Jansen
Great Nathan...you are a very dedicated modeller 👍!!

Clifford Keesler
I missed this one, watching. Looks great.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Jos & Clifford 🙂

Today I worked on small odds & ends. Getting closer to primer.

Clifford Keesler
Looking great.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Clifford🙂

Got primer on the aircraft today. Also built & primered the landing gear as well as the Armory wheel & tire set. A productive day.

Clifford Keesler
It is coming along nicely.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks again Clifford!

Painted the front of the cockpit and tires flat black today. I used the rest of the cup to do some pre-shading. I'm better at post-shading, but hopefully this will help with the look.

Jos Jansen
Whether you do pre or post shading, the point is that color differences arise, creating depth effects. IMHO you're doing a great job with the pre-shading...👍!!

Clifford Keesler
Agree with Nathan.

Clifford Keesler
I meant agree with Jos. That knock on the head has me thinking funny. LOL.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Lol Clifford 😄

I always feel like I put the colors on too thick for the pre-shade to make much difference. I guess I should pay more attention🙂

Clifford Keesler
T do the same, that is why I always black base. This F-89 will be my second attempt at post shading. I will try and use tamiya smoke, I think.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Started paint with the AK Xtreme Metal colors on the exhaust area & also managed to finally break off several of the little static dischargers on the tail and wing. I had anticipated them not surviving and ordered a set from Master Model. These will be the very last thing added to the kit after weathering.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Finished with the base layers of metal paints. Tonight I'll seal them with Future and in the morning I'll be able to give everything more variation with W&N oils.

Clifford Keesler
Agree with Roland, outstanding.

Guillaume Blanchet
Nice effect on the jet nozzles!

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Roland, Clifford & Guillaume!

I'm really enjoying the AK Xtreme Metal paints 🙂

Nathan Dempsey autor
Added a shot of some of the shading on the kit burner cans.

Clifford Keesler
Nice.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Clifford 🙂

Now a part that always feels wrong. Sanding clear parts!

Nathan Dempsey autor
Completed the removal of the seam on the canopy. Turned out to be a success. I'm always worried I'll mess up the canopy when this is needed.

Clifford Keesler
I know the feeling.

Guillaume Blanchet
Good work on the canopy!

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Guillaume🙂

Today I worked on getting the cockpit prepped for closing up, and landing gears along with getting more weapons started. I also have the wheels prepped for painting later this evening.

Clifford Keesler
Nice looking landing gear.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Clifford! Did a bit more to them by adding BMF Chrome to the oleos. Work is stalling a bit as I try to get the HUD situated before sealing it all in.

James C
Cool project & following👍

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks & Welcome James 🙂

Nathan Dempsey autor
I now have the canopy attached but the fit was a bit wonky. Still working on getting smooth joins before painting begins.

Clifford Keesler
I see another masterpiece in the works.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks so much Clifford. Painted the funky green on the wheels and will be assembling those tonight. Still smoothing out the canopy/fuselage seams.

Clifford Keesler
The wheels look fanstatic.

Guillaume Blanchet
Nice weathering on the tires.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Clifford 🙂 I'm just painting and dry brushing Armory's awesomely detailed parts. Here's the rear wheels & tires assembled. Nothing but good things to say about Armory sets so far.

Clifford Keesler
Beautiful is all I can say. I love Armory's products.

Skyhiker
What did you do to make the details in the tires come out so well?

Nathan Dempsey autor
I'm dry-brushing using mixtures of an acrylic art paint called FolkArt. Thousands of colors to match against any base color. The stuff will not airbrush but is perfect for the dry-brushing task. The base colors on these were Tamiya NATO Black XF-69 (tire) & AK Air Radome Green AK-2302 (wheel).

Skyhiker
They look fabulous!

Daniel
👍 very nice work so far, taking a late seat🙂

Clifford Keesler
I use art acrylic paints to airbrush with Nathan, I just thin them with a combanition of IPA, water and future. I use them mainly for primer but have also used them for base coats. The only problem I have had is they dry very flat. I never thought of using them for dry brushing, I will have to give that a try.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Skywalker & Daniel - Welcome to the build 🙂

Clifford: Hmm never tried adding the Future. Perhaps that is the secret ingredient. Sweet! You learn something new here every day.

Clifford Keesler
Yes, I empty the bottle by half and then mix the other inderidgents untill I get the mixture right. So actually I get 2 batches out of one bottle. You have to make sure the plastic is good and clean, or it won't stick real well.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Added shots of the painted wheel well and also of the YJ-91 missiles + K/RKL700A ECM pod.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Today I started painting the underside. I feel like I'm finally making progress again.

Jos Jansen
Really like this...great progress Nathan, gonna use this build as reference for my Flanker build...👍

Clifford Keesler
Agree with Jos, excellent progress.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Jos & Clifford!

Hopefully I'll be able to apply the top color tomorrow. Honestly I'm still trying to decide exactly what color I'm going to use. I've been pouring over research photos all evening.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Top color applied. I think with just a tiny bit of post shading it will be where I want it.

Daniel
And I agree!

Jos Jansen
Really nice surface...IMHO only less post shading...it's looks already subtle!

James C
Coming along nicely👍

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks so much mates, I'm glad you like it 🙂

Jos: I'll make a decision after the gloss coat is applied and dry😉

Nathan Dempsey autor
The painting continues. Now some FS36118 on the radome and details.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Today a total breakdown of the airbrush for a deep cleaning as it completely stopped working when I went to add the gloss coat this morning...

Clifford Keesler
That is a bummer. I bought an airbrush from Harbor Freight tools for 16.99 for to use for sparying my gloss and flat coats. It is a double action and is a siphon feed with adjustiable spray patterns. It works really great and is easy to clean. So I don't use my more expensive ones for clear coats. I also have one I use for metallics.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Usually I use a pair of old single action Badgers for the exact same purpose (clear & metals), but I've been lazy and just used my good one since it was ready and hooked up to my compressor. Not really a big deal, it just put me behind a day as I would have been doing decals today instead of cleaning 😄

Nathan Dempsey autor
Gloss coat completed late last night. I think Jos is correct, there will be no need for any post shading. Today I've been painting a few more small details such as ECM pod tips. I also attached the completed exhaust nozzles.

Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for following along!

James C
Awesome paintwork Nathan👍

Jos Jansen
Less is more Nathan, you did an awesome job...with some lighter PLW or black, that's one to think over, it will look absolutely great 👍

Wish you a merry X-mas mate!

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thank you James & Jos!

Yes Jos, today I'm playing with PLW to decide on that flavor as well.

Happy holidays and a less apocalyptic new year.

Clifford Keesler
Looks great Nathan.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Clifford! 🙂

This thing is a beast. I'm going to be doing panel lines for weeks lol!

Nathan Dempsey autor
Well my early attempt at a more subtle panel line color just didn't look right, so I went with black. Right now it looks like a toon painted jet 🙂

Jos Jansen
I think you made right choice Nathan, the final color is already a dark tone...with black I'll create some depth...👍!

Guillaume Blanchet
Looking great. I'm very excited to see the "post wash" photos.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Jos & Guillaume🙂

Jos: Yes, the black definitely plays the part much better.

Guillaume: I'm forcing myself to go slowly because I was excited too when I exposed the test area.

A step I left out—> I had to rob my J-10 kit to get yellow tail numbers seen on all my research photos. This kit comes with blue numbers. Luckily the J-10 had two full sets of spare numbers.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Ok here's a shot with the wash/weathering mostly complete. There's still the flat coat to add & a few odds and ends to add and she'll be ready for final pictures.

Final pics are going to be a whole other project as this monster won't fit in my little photo booth.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Roland! We must have been typing at the same time lol 😄

James C
It's such a cool looking aircraft. Looking awesome Nathan! 👍

Guillaume Blanchet
It turned out awesome Nathan. Great build!

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks very much James & Guillaume!

A construction note: The refueling probe in this kit was not meant to be displayed in the closed position. Be ready for much sanding and cursing to make it fit into its home. 🙂

Today was spent attaching the landing gear and gear doors so she's now on her feet. Just a few more items to take care of: Attaching various antennas & probes, the flat coat, the pitot tube, adding all the weapons, and all those tiny static dischargers (last!).

Slavo Hazucha
Ha, fortunately I did not miss a cool 48-scale Flanker build entirely! 🙂

All the key boxes checked, almost ready for the beauty contest - you did a lot of good work on the big bird, with many of the specifics done just right (like the metal shading on the engines and the upper covers, which seem to look slightly different on Asian Flankers than on the Russian ones... 👍 Looking forward to see this one swoosh across the finish line!

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Slavo! Glad to have you back at the bench.

Just a few more small steps and she'll be ready for roll-out. I just need to improvise an area for pics due to her overall size.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Added a few shots to help anyone building a Chinese Su-30 MKK in the future. The location of one of the kit's probes and the addition of 2 others.

Slavo Hazucha
Experienced that on both my Flankers so far, the smaller sensor/probe/antenna positions basically pulled from air, applies to some Eduard PE-sets too. But with good photo refs, the things often have the right shape so it's just about clarifying the positions... But I also had to make a few scratch. Nice job & attention to detail here! 👍

Nathan Dempsey autor
I've found the Chinese Flankers have a ton of variation in color as well. This suits me fine as it gives more room to do it your own way, but can also be a bit frustrating. An example would be the radar warning receiver colors (on the plane as well as the pods) which I found in black, dark grey, light grey & white -> I just picked the color I liked 🙂

Clifford Keesler
Outstanding as always sir.

Nathan Dempsey autor
Thanks Clifford. Well the Red Wild Weasel is complete. I should get photos up Thursday or Friday when my new (and larger) backdrop arrives along with new lighting in the hobby room.

Clifford Keesler
Looking forward to it.

Nathan Dempsey autor
OK here's the completed album: Su-30MKK Yêshēng Huángshûláng Complete | Album by Plastic Addict (1:48)