Mav's BiG-31 Foxhound

[IronMan129]

Hey folks!
As I've now recovered and settled in my new place I can finally start modeling again!
So for this GB I've decided to build my 1/72 Tsukuda Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound.
Here is the overview:

I'l be posting with more progress through out the day.

[Dazzled]

Hang on, haven't I seen this somewhere else?

This will be fun to watch and compare with Rob's ICM kit.

[rob_van_riel]

Hang on, haven't I seen this somewhere else?

This will be fun to watch and compare with Rob's ICM kit.

I'm working on the Zvesda, Kitaholic was planning the ICM. Regardless, this is clearly a completely different kit; even in the box an through the plastic it is clear the parts layout is substantially different. Comparison could be interesting.

[IronMan129]

Hang on, haven't I seen this somewhere else?

This will be fun to watch and compare with Rob's ICM kit.

Haha yes you most definatly have Daz .
Well I was hoping to see the 3 be built but Kitaholic has changed to the MiG-29 instead.

Well work has begun and Im liking it so far, Its quite a big beast, I have an SU-34 on the shelf and its a simular size!
So on to the progress pics:

Fuselage pieces off the sprew and trimmed down:


Both pieces glued and setting nicely:


The backing for the burners in place:


Wings together and ready to be put on:


And finally both tails glued in place:


I'm building her this way as I like the idea of doing the cockpit after the fuselage.
More to come so keep a look out .

[Dazzled]

Good start Mav.

Dunno about not doing the cockpit first though. What'll the neighbours think?

[Old_Tonto]

Great to see you back Mav and very nice progress so far.

[IronMan129]

Dazzled - Thanks mate, I'm really loving this kit!
Well worth a wopping £4!
Well read this update and it'll be music to your ears .

Old_Tonto - Thanks alot mate, its nice to be part of a GB your leading!

Ok so alot of progress has been made today and I'm really really enjoying this kit!

I started the day's activity off my removing the forward section of the fuselage and cockpit from the sprews and applying a coat of black primer:


Here the first coats of paint have been applied, I haven't got any of the correct blue that the real MiG-31 cockpit has but I'm very happy using Tamiya Cockpit Green XF-71:


Here is my first attempt at a detailed fighter cockpit, as the instrument panels have raised detail I thought I'd put the otherwise unused decals on the cockpit walls to increase the level of detail.
I have tried to add a small amount of detail to the seats, this is also a first for me and I'm happy with them now.
As you can tell I'm rather pleased with the result:


Here is a rather blurry pic of the cockpit coming together before the front seat was added to show the full detail, With the front instrument panel I noticed in the real thing that its top half black and bottom half blue so I replicated that with my cockpit.
Also yes I know the decals seem quite high but there is method to the madness, in this position you can see them through the opening of the cockpit:


With the cockpit in place its time to add some weights, I was unsure of how much to add so I decided overkill was a really good idea judging by the size of the Foxhound, do you think I got enough? :


Time to close the lid up I think, lovely fit, the line you can see is actually the black primer and isnt a big seam, a little sanding will do:


Now the forward fuselage is nearly dry it's time to glue it to the massive rear fuselage:


The Air Intakes came in 3 pieces, 2 halves and an inside cover, It really made a differance having this as the detail inside is pretty much non existant:


First Intake in place:


And finally after only half hour or so of sanding the joins down she is ready for the next stage of the build:


Again I am really pleased with the kit so far, I have found no major problems in putting her together.
If your still rweading thank you and I hope you enjoy, c&c welcome as always.

[Stuart]

Looking great Mav!

[Marek]

nice outcome so far

[IronMan129]

Thanks chaps!

Today I haven't done alot with going to an Airsoft Skirmish.
I've managed to get the control surfaces on and a coat of all-over black primer, I know this possibly isn't how alot of others do it but I have reasons.
Here are the pics:

Looking rather like a scene from Firefox:

More progress hopefully very soon, thanks for looking.

[Old_Tonto]

Now that does look good in black.

Really great work on this one Mav.

[TobyC]

My. That's a big one

[Dazzled]

My. That's a big one

[Stevehnz]

This is looking most impressive. I've a KP/Condor kit of this which has mixed reviews online. Seeing how you're putting this together I'm tempted to look for one of these too. Also boxed by Kangnam & Academy in the past I believe.
Steve.

[Dazzled]

The later Revell/Zvezda kit definitely the one to go for.