The build
The MLG comprises... a LOT of parts ! I would recommend to assemble, paint and weather them before setting them in the lower fuselage.
So here are the main subassemblies nicely tucked in the lower fuselage. Let a good night sleep for the curing glue !
And now for the next step, some more subassemblies...
... et voilà ! very good fit overall, but proceed with care and caution to put together this many big parts.
With the main control surfaces
It's a big, big bird 😄
Usually i prime in light grey than pre-shade. This time i'm practicing black basing and marbling.
To render the blueish shade of the Foxhound, the marbling is made using Tamiya light blue.
Some desert yellow and some nato brown are used in certain area to add grime and undertones.
Main paint job done, some details next
Pretty hard to not overdo but in the end i like the balance btw the marbling and the overcoat
Notice how the top of the intakes aft sections are modeled "cleaner" : they usually are not stepped on by the ground crew. That detail i picked from an advanced modeler who displayed an AMAZING 1:48 Mig-31 in the last exhibit i visited. Thanks to him !
You barely see the beige and brown marbling but it's there !
The whole painting process took from marbling to the main detailing about 3.5 hours, of them 2 to marble properly. I marvel at the people who model this beast in 1:48!
The engines need more staining and heat stressing. For the next time !
Time to look after the stores, like this R-33... a whooping 13 pieces for a single one of the 4 provided in the kit !
And the other 3, masked and ready for the next coat.
Worth it 😄
4x Worth it 😄
The stencil sheet is labelled from 1 to... over 200 ! Not quite 9'000 but still.
Blue 61 that'll be.
The engines : first tamiya gloss black, than Alclad stainless steel, then brushed with metalic blue, bronze and copper, and finally an overcoat of thinned mat black.
Final reveal !
Sticking those tiny toothbrush threads to model the electrostatic discharger was a small challenge, well worth it !
This build was a lot of fun !
Comments
6 26 October 2018, 14:55
Vince VenezuelaThank you ! it's a very pleasent yet intensive build 🙂 some more pics on their way, looking fwd to sharing them with you !
28 October 2018, 09:32
Vince VenezuelaHi guys! Some more progress in the last 2 weeks updated today. The stores and the decaling are done. Next step is everyone's favourite, the weathering !
2 December 2018, 18:32
Vince VenezuelaAnd it's done ! Proud to present my best work (so far^^) and of course angrily frustrated at all the little messed up details. C'est la vie😉 hope you enjoy it !
Btw Happy new year everyone !!
2 January 2019, 22:29
Album info
The Mig-31 is a pretty relevant aircraft in aviation history, not least for the many altitude and speed records she holds.
The Trumpeter kit is amazing, providing an awesome level of details oob and a very good fit. It simply begs you to spend hours to make every little part stand out !
