Flankerman Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Inspired by a conversation on another discussion group about building a Su-37 - I thought I'd have a go.... The discussion suggested combining the back end of the 1/72 scale two-seat Zvezda Su-30SM with the front end of the Zvezda Su-33 to make the single seat Su-37. A new longer (and slightly fatter) nose is needed - along with taller, square-tipped fins - plus a few other minor changes - but the whole thing looks do-able. I have both kits in my stash, so I got both out for comparison - and liked what I saw.... so here goes.... As they are both from the same manufacturer, the panel lines match up - the Su-30SM is on the left - with the Su-33 on the right. The fuselages butchered / separated....... Note how the airbrakes differ. .... and swapped over (the left hand one will be the Su-37, the right-hand one will become a Chinese J-17/J-15D) Plastic card strips used the strengthen the joint. Now, I just need to work out how to do the fatter Su-37 radome. More later.. Ken 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 I'm not familiar with these aircraft, but it looks like an interesting project. I'll follow along and hopefully learn a bit about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 3 hours ago, Flankerman said: Now, I just need to work out how to do the fatter Su-37 radome. Hi Ken, It looks great. Did you see my thread regarding to T-10M conversion? It would be great to get your opinion on my progress. Serkan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 Nice project!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxmulder Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 haha, so much fun. I hope I can do this in 1/48 at one point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene K Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 I ALWAYS enjoy your projects, Ken! Gene K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted September 27, 2019 Author Share Posted September 27, 2019 On 9/25/2019 at 4:17 PM, Serkan Sen said: It would be great to get your opinion on my progress Your work is stunning Serkan - such attention to detail and superb resin casting to build all the different versions - I can't compete with you. Mine is much simpler - with the bonus that the leftover parts can be made into a Chinese J-17/15D. Did you increase the diameter and length of the forward fuselage and radome on your models?? If so, by how much - and do you have any drawings showing the increase (in addition to the one posted by Berkut?) I'm not sure if it is worth doing in 1/72 scale - does the difference show that much?? Happy Flankering Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted September 28, 2019 Author Share Posted September 28, 2019 Progress...... The first application of filler along the joins....... I used the Su-33 cockpit tub - but with the Su-30SM decals as they have MFD screens - not 100% accurate for a Su-37 but with the canopy closed..... Zvezda provide the sliding throttle control on the left - but the Su-37 was fitted with a sidestick controller (right) - so I used the kit control column cut down...... Su-33 front end, married to the Su-30SM rear end.............. .... with the complete Su-30SM lower fuselage attached - and it all fits..... Now for some sanding/filling/sanding.... Ken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serkan Sen Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 (edited) On 9/27/2019 at 8:08 PM, Flankerman said: Your work is stunning Serkan - such attention to detail and superb resin casting to build all the different versions - I can't compete with you. Thanks for your kind reply Master Ken. It is a great honor to get your admiration. On 9/27/2019 at 8:08 PM, Flankerman said: Mine is much simpler - with the bonus that the leftover parts can be made into a Chinese J-17/15D. I have used one of the rest Su-33 parts together with casted Su-27IB front fuselage for my Su-33UBM "what if" project. J-17 will be the next one... On 9/27/2019 at 8:08 PM, Flankerman said: Did you increase the diameter and length of the forward fuselage and radome on your models?? I'm not sure if it is worth doing in 1/72 scale - does the difference show that much?? No I have not increased the fuselage diameter, but I have reshaped the nose cone and added the panel lines and IFR lights. That seemed me ok in 1:72 scale. Serkan Edited October 3, 2019 by Serkan Sen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 More progress.... I'm happy with the joint lines - they are now eliminated.... So it's onto that problematic nose...... Published dimensions give the T10 (Su-27) and T10M (Su-37) as having the same overall length - but the Su-27 length includes the nose pitot. That means that the Su-37 (which doesn't have a nose pitot) must have the nose / radome lengthened by the same length as the pitot (11mm in the kit) The radome is also slightly wider in diameter - and without the slight double curvature of the Su-27 radome...... I'm lengthening the kit radome by inserting a length of 15mm dia plastic knitting needle between the fuselage nose and radome - I'll fill in the recess with scraps of plastic later....... I'm not 'fattening' the radome - the difference is minimal in 1/72 scale - but I'll try and re-shape the curvature to an approximation of the Su-37 shape. Ken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertone139 Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 (edited) On 9/30/2019 at 9:42 AM, Flankerman said: More progress.... I'm happy with the joint lines - they are now eliminated.... So it's onto that problematic nose...... Published dimensions give the T10 (Su-27) and T10M (Su-37) as having the same overall length - but the Su-27 length includes the nose pitot. That means that the Su-37 (which doesn't have a nose pitot) must have the nose / radome lengthened by the same length as the pitot (11mm in the kit) The radome is also slightly wider in diameter - and without the slight double curvature of the Su-27 radome...... I'm lengthening the kit radome by inserting a length of 15mm dia plastic knitting needle between the fuselage nose and radome - I'll fill in the recess with scraps of plastic later....... I'm not 'fattening' the radome - the difference is minimal in 1/72 scale - but I'll try and re-shape the curvature to an approximation of the Su-37 shape. Ken Oh my God! Not fattening the forward fuselage by 0.5 mm shall render it unwatchable according to a local critic! Fantastic work Master Ken, as usual. Edited October 2, 2019 by Robertone139 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted October 3, 2019 Author Share Posted October 3, 2019 More.... The gap betwen the lengthened radome and fuselage is filled in with scraps of plastic card.... .... followed by filler and a first sanding.... people of a nervous disposition look away now.. I've also made the new tailboom - using an 8mm plastic knitting needle cut and carved to shape - More butchery to follow... Ken 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertone139 Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Ken, check out the Shenyang J-15D. Waayyy longer nose and radome. Also the panels on its back seem to indicate a shorter or deleted airbrake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertone139 Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 What happened to this build Ken? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now