AModel 1/144 Antonov An-72 "Cheburashka"

The beginning.... 

Wings done, first dry fits attempted 

Can already see that there is going to be a lot of work involved here 

Warps and gaps... 

Bad fits 1 

Bad fit 2 

Filler.... 

More filler... 

Bad fit = more filler 

And more filler 

Starting to smooth the filler now 

More work than I expected... 

Looking a tad better 

Nosy filler 

Nacelle looking more like it 

close up.. 

Loads of filler needed for this crevasse... 

And this one... 

Yup - you guessed it - more filler.. 

The fits on this kit are far from good... 

Ok, so now hard work is beginning to pay off 

Looking a bit more like it 

Starting to look like a Cheburashka now 

Tail view - so much filler was used... 

Underside - you can see the amount of filler used at either end of the undercarriage bulge 

More sanding done. Smoothing things off ready for priming. 

Top view 

Nice and smooth now 

Primer time! 

Windows masked - a very steady hand and sharp scalpel helped here! 

Primed! 

Masked... 

Lower, and undersides painted in Tamiya XF19 

Masking tape removed 

After another masking session, the upper sides and surfaces were painted in Tamiya X2 gloss white 

View from the front. 

Windows now on show. Really happy that this masking has worked well 

Before this happened, the box decals decided to self destruct on contact with water, much to my utter dismay. So, I reached out to a few friends, who helped me locate some splendid decals from the Ukraine. Cue Polar Aeroflot Livery... 

Starting to look the part now 

Humbrol 19 Gloss red applied to tail fin, and all horizontal tail surfaces. Also on the outer halves of the wings, top and bottom. 

Touched up a little where the red bled through the masking tape via panel lines. 

Cheburashka's "Ears"!! 

Undercarriage and doors on, final photo shoot time 

Port side 

Nose and ears close up!