Kondratyev Fighter

[The Rat]

This one is already fantastic, and will be even more so when it's finished! 

[John Howling Mouse]

Wow, do you ever build quickly...and well.  Looking fwd to more.   

[McGreig]

Thanks for the encouraging comments everyone 

These came at a very good time, as I was having some doubts as to whether the Kondatryev really fitted the spirit of this GB. Most of the other builds start from "what can I do with these spare parts?" but the Kondatryev is the exact opposite, essentially starting from the end product - "can I find the parts to build this shape?"
I guess I should find something more important to worry about. Or get out more - - - 

What colour scheme are you going for ? natural metal or grey ? not sure what else maybe on offer for a service type ?

Information on the Kondratyev is almost non-existent, but it looks as if it was intended as an interceptor, so that restricts the colour choices to natural metal or light grey. I don't fancy doing natural metal on something that's been hacked around as much as this, so it will be light grey.

Wow!  Real Dan Dare stuff

It is, isn't it! I didn't notice at first, but it does look as if it belongs in a late Fifties/early Sixties comic strip. I think that it's the twin fins that do it.

[McGreig]

The Kondratyev is progressing reasonably well. Most of the PSR is now done and I've fitted the missile pylons, undercarriage legs and most of the cockpit interior. I've also added a few of the small intakes characteristic of Soviet aircraft of this era. The main wheels have been test fitted to see how the finished aircraft sits - I thought at first that I'd have to shorten the nose U/C leg, but I think that it's OK. Next step is to finish the remaining PSR, complete the cockpit and get the canopy fixed in place.

[ysi_maniac]

 

[Brian da Basher]

This one's got HOT written all over it! Looking great, McG!
 
Brian da Basher

[Mossie]

Just gets better!

Information on the Kondratyev is almost non-existent, but it looks as if it was intended as an interceptor, so that restricts the colour choices to natural metal or light grey. I don't fancy doing natural metal on something that's been hacked around as much as this, so it will be light grey.

There're several profiles of Soviet interceptors in camouflage on Wings Pallete.  If you want to avoid grey or NMF you should find something to your tastes.

http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww3/f

[McGreig]

Work and real life have prevented me from doing much modelling recently, but I've managed to make a little progress on the Kondratyev, finishing off the small details and airbrushing the first coat of light grey. The paint has unified the model nicely, making it look more like a proper aircraft and less like a collection of bits.

However, I'm having a moment of doubt about the colour scheme. Given the time period and the fact that I'm building it as an interceptor, it should be light grey or natural metal. There were, as Mossie says, camouflaged Soviet interceptors but they tend to be either multi-role aircraft like the MiG-21 or pure interceptors such as the Su-15 at the end of their service lives.

Anyway, I like the very pale grey scheme with red stars and black-outlined yellow codes. Unfortunately, the first coat of paint has shown some flaws which would be much less obvious if the aircraft were finished in a green/brown/sand scheme.  At the moment I can't decide whether I'm over-emphasising the flaws which may not be that noticeable to other people or over-emphasising the unsuitability of a tactical colour scheme - - - 

[thedarkmaster]

Comrade, the what if VVS salutes your efforts, another fine aircraft with red stars on it`s wings will soon be ready

[kitbasher]

You make a model, you take pictures of it and post it on this site.
You love and cherish it like a new born baby.
You love to see the plaudits from fellow whiffers.
You then see something like this or the Flankenstein and think
'I wish I'd built this!'
 

[McGreig]

You make a model - - - You then see something like this or the Flankenstein and think
'I wish I'd built this!'

Thanks very much, but I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking exactly the same about the Gloster Mercury and Falcon UCAV! 

[ysi_maniac]

Going perfect 

[The Rat]

Dare we use the word...

Masterpiece? 

[John Howling Mouse]

When it looks this good already, don't fret too much about the final paintscheme: let your instincts guide you.

Either way, it's going to be phenomenal!

[puddingwrestler]

Very nice indeed. So maginifcently soviet, it has that sort of 'are you sure that thing is safe' look which early Soviet prototypes seem to always display.