Trumpeter Tu-128 review

A review from 2019 in FineScale.  One of the few reviews of this kit I’ve been able to find.

Rescribing and metal finishes

The A Model AS-1 is not a Tamiya-level quality kit. In fact, Scalemates tells us that it was actually another company’s kit that A-Model re-released as part of their line. I love Soviet/Russian stuff and especially their missiles, so when I saw it at the Chattanooga Nats I had to get it.

Among other things this kit has given me a chance to work on my metal finish skills and, because of my ham-handed building and the less than stellar quality of the kit, my rescribing of panel lines.

As far metal finishes go, Dr. Miller of Model Paint Solutions has suggested for non-chrome metallic finishes, white is a better primer than black. I wanted to use this as a chance to test that theory. A you can see below, I think he is correct. Now, when I get the top sprayed with aluminum, I am going to try and create some panel variations. Stay tuned.

White primer (with a few things left to fix)

A pretty smooth Alclad II aluminum finish

MiG-17 decals

Ohhh.  More MiG-17 decals.  I have not heard of Model Maker decals before.

Paper Tiger

I’ve said before that other than its ageing nuclear arsenal, Russia is a paper tiger, and while we should keep a wary eye out, it is not our major concern. Here is a story that provides an example of that fading power.

Su-27

A great article on the Su-27s flown by the Ukrainians and some real life input from the pilots on the aircraft.  Enlightening.

MiG-17 build

A great build of a DML MiG-17 in VPAF markings. (h/t to Jim Bates for the link)

Su-57

Will Algeria become the first export customer for the Su-57?  If so, what does that say about the aircraft?

Another Russian jet down in Libya?

Maybe.  Story here.

Close encounter

Looks like a couple of Russian pilots got a little frisky.  Next time the USAF ought to have a couple of F-22s in trail.  Also, the camo on those Su-27s looks a little grayer than usual, but that could just be the film.

Tsar Bomba

I’ve previously written about the worlds largest man-made explosion, the 50 megaton Tsar Bomba, here, here and here.  Now the  Russians have released footage of the explosion and the preparations leading up to it.  Amazing.