Popular Post Bjorn Posted December 28, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted December 28, 2022 (edited) I really like French aircraft (and cars!), but build far too few of them. But here is at least one: The subject is really nice, but how was the kit? Well, the same as many other Kinetic kits: Mixed emotions. Details are amazing, shapes are good, and fit is acceptable - with a few horrible exceptions. The wings consist of eight parts each, and are a true nightmare, I think that I spent at least 1/3 of the build time trying to get a decent fit - and I am still not 100 % satisfied with the result. Air intake channels provide good detail with a non-visible fan, but instead, the very visible fit to the intakes are far from good. And the front part of the canopy demands a little work to achieve a good fit - however, for that one I was prepared (Kinetic canopies seldom fit...), and did fix it during the for Kinetic kits compulsory dry-fit stage, making it much easier. On the other hand, the decal sheet is brilliant, and a photo-etch fret provides more good detail. My intention was to use an Aires cockpit. However, when trying to install it, I discovered that it was about 0,5 cm too wide! Yes, I mean centimetres, not millimetres. The one that sculptured that well-detailed cockpit, can never have seen the kit it was intended for... Luckily, Kinetic provide a really nice cockpit, and besides that, everything is black, making details hard to see anyway. So it ended up with that I used the seat, stick, instrument panel and the IP coaming (which is hard to differ from the well-detailed kit one). There were also PE parts for the inside of the canopy. I am sure that there are builders capable making that looking OK. I soon discovered that I am not one of them, and decided to only use the mirror. A challenge painting the Super Étendard, is that the text MARINE and the digits should be in almost exactly the same colour as the light grey. I have seen great builds of this kit almost ruined due to a mismatch on these colours. I decided to follow the FS numbers in the instructions, and used Mr Paint colours - which can be a challenge, since they are not always completely correct. After a test, I decided to darken the dark grey a little to achieve more contrast. And to my satisfaction, the decals were almost exactly the same as the Mr Paint light grey. As I mentioned, details are great. The wheel wells could almost be resin ones. I am aware of that parked SuE's had closed inner landing gear doors and air brakes, but did not dare to display them closed due to that they did not fit very well. So as you might already have guessed: The final verdict on this kit is that it is like a rollercoaster. But as with many rollercoasters, sometimes they can be frightening, but in the end they are fun, making you want to go there again. And I will build more Kinetic kits, and could even think of building this one again. After all, it was a demanding, but very fun build of a classic French aircraft! Thanks for watching! Edited December 28, 2022 by Bjorn 85 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franky boy Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Great work Bjorn I also have a soft spot for French military aircraft, in particular the SuE and Mirage iii but as yet haven’t built up the courage to tackle the Kinetic SuE. James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Hi Bjorn, Yes, French planes are in a class of their own, But I am biased... None of your headaches are showing on this beautiful model, which is a testament to your skills. Congrats! JR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samuraiwarrior Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Hi Bjorn, Despite all the tribulations with the kit, you have made a great job of it. It certainly has that air of elegance that French aircraft have. Looks terrific in its paint scheme. Certainly one to be proud of. Thanks for sharing Kevin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod bettencourt Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Good looking build! Thanks for sharing. Rod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pantherhawk27263 Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 That is an absolutely stunning build. Excellent work!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 The SuE is a great looking aircraft and you have done it justice. Fantastic build and finish. Trevor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winded Penguin Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Just awesome execution 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiampieroSilvestri Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Very nice! Saluti Giampiero 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toniosky Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Excellent build Bjorn, I like it a lot ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in a shed Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Thats a super Super Etendard Bjorn. Truly skilful work. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vultures1 Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Really nice Super Etendard, well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Bird Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Very nicely done! You can be proud of her. I especially like that you kept the weathering subtle. 👍 👍 👍 Cheers, Bill 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrés S. Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Good job, the model looks great. Congratulations !!! Andrés. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 That`s a great looking Etendard Bjorn. You weathered it perfectly and the overall presentation is very nice. I agree, the French do make some very attractive aircraft but your home country of Sweden has some very beautiful types too. Great results Bjorn!!!! Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJP Posted December 28, 2022 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Nice Etendard model - looks really good in the overall camouflage scheme👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davmarx Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Great job, I really like it a lot! On 28/12/2022 at 11:04, Bjorn said: I really like French aircraft (and cars!) ... Ciao. Davide 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Nice SuE!! Great work, and many cool French Navy jets to go... SEM, Etendard, Crouze 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electric Indigo Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 A flawless build with perfectly balanced colors and I like the visible, but subtle level of weathering. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelling minion Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Beautiful work Bjorn, she looks fantastic. Very well done. 🇺🇦 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthViper Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 Very beautiful building and painting job ! Italian Western Music and jet French fighters are two of my favoris plaisirs . Thanks for sharing this hard working model. SouthViper from Brazil 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anders E Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 That it is a difficult model to build is not at all visible in the end result. Very nice balance in the painting and weathering. Anders E 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjorn Posted December 30, 2022 Author Share Posted December 30, 2022 (edited) Thank you all for your kind words! 😀 As some of you mentioned, I have tried to keep the weathering subtle. Lately I have tried to develop a new (to me) painting technique using a 0,2 mm needle for both large and small areas instead of - as I did earlier - using a large needle for larger areas. This is a bit more time-consuming, but when combined with a pre-shade, it gives a satisfying result with many almost identical shades, but different enough to give a nice, slightly weathered surface. This also means that I do not have to do so much weathering after painting. I just use a few dry pastels, applied with a brush, to emphasize the effect in some places and to create dirty areas mainly on the underside. Edited December 30, 2022 by Bjorn 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellsprop Posted December 30, 2022 Share Posted December 30, 2022 Stunningly well built, absolutely terrific work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Congratulations @Bjorn! I love your model a lot. You make it look like it’s easy to build! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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