1/144 Academy Su-22 Fitter

by Erik Wauters

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This is a model I finished about a year ago. I had this kit in the to finish pile but every time I looked at the painting instructions, I laid it aside : no way I was going to get that scheme done on a 1/144 kit. The list of paints I needed was longer than I ever had done on any model, and look at that camo, you have to be sick to attempt to mask that one. But there was only one decal option for an Hungarian plane and since there's nothing available from the aftermarket, I was doomed to stick with that scheme. So out came the blutack and Tamiya tape. I decided to use this 3 $/euro kit as an airbrush practice target.

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After painting the underside I masked it off with tamiya tape for an hard edge demarcation between top and bottom. Then I started to lay out some freaky blutack spaghetti patterns which works best for the soft edge camo masking. Each color got a shot and then it was followed by the same color but with some white mixed in to get a lighter tone. Finally after all colors were done I sprayed a very diluted mix of light gree over the complete top side to blend the different colors in with each other (this is called a filter, I got this technique from the armor guys).

After futuring and decals were done I did a panel wash with a diluted mix of some oil paints and added the final dull coat. I scratchbuilt a new seat and did some plumbing under the canopy. I picked out some details with a paintbrush, I added the smaller parts and it was done. The finish came out better than I expected, and it's now one of my favourite models. Forgive me my lack of knowledge of Russian planes, I will just add that the model was fairly easy to build and the two part canopy is a nice feature which you don't see often in 1/144.

CaptainErik

My website : http://users.telenet.be/erik.wauters/index.htm

Kit review : http://www.internetmodeler.com/2000/march/first-looks/academy_su22.htm 

Walkaround : http://www.trylit.isp.pl/su22/index1.html

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Photos and text © by Erik Wauters