The Su-50
is projected to enter service by 2015. The prototype, T-50, made it's maiden
flight last year (Jan/2010) and I wanted a model as soon as I got a glimpse of
the beautiful plane. Fortunately Zvezda was quick to make a mold and offer this
model some months ago. And while model instructions portray the prototype
scheme, I didn't quite like it and I set myself to make a "what-if"
scheme of a plausible plane in service.
Click on
images below to see larger images
Not surprisingly,
the model feels rushed. The models does have nice recessed panel lines but lacks
details in the cockpit. Also the multi-part engine intakes are not easy to
assemble and have poor fit. There is an option to display the model in-flight
and I decided build it that way. Unfortunately to do so you have to deal
with the poor fit of the wheel well covers. The model does provide a great
pilot and a transparent base.
I pictured in my
head and made some drawings of different schemes but ended up going back to a
polygonal scheme similar to one I painted years ago over a S-37.
I decided to use the following colors: Russian Flanker Pale Blue, Flanker
Blue/Gray and Graviolet RLM 75 from Model Master enamel line.
To po rtray an in-service jet I
decided not to use the clear part for the HUD, imagining that in the future it
maybe integrated in the helmet. Also some areas in the edges of wings and tail
as well as the front and rear radomes would be painted pale blue in order to
represent sensors and/or antennas. I figured that such a sophisticated airplane
may have several of those.
I had plenty of trouble with the
weathering and re-did it three times. In the end the finished product is dirtier
than what I wanted but OK.
Greetings from Monterrey, Mexico!
Carlos
Arvizu
Click on
images below to see larger images
|