Dave Ward's 1/48 Revell/ICM Mig-25 RBT Foxbat 'B'

[Dave Ward]

As my Zvezda MSTA-S is fast approaching a finish, I'm gearing up for this big single-seater
[ATTACH]313518[/ATTACH]
The model sprues are crisp, totally free of flash, and look well detailed. ICM models are usually well engineered, and with well fitting parts.
I'm not doing this quite OOB, as I have a Aerobonus pilot and seat to furnish the cockpit[ATTACH]313516[/ATTACH]
I actually assembled him, tonight & primed him...................[ATTACH]313517[/ATTACH]
I've left off the visor for painting, and I might just add the rudder pedals to his feet, so things line up.
I've been wanting to get this on the bench for quite a while, I've read various reviews, and the majority are favourable ( OK, no PE, flattened tyres - but I can live with that! ). I do have some ICM Russian runway slabs, so a base might materialise......
Construction will start shortly
Dave

[yak face]

Looking forward to seeing this big beast Dave! Ive heard a lot of good things about this too ,cheers tony

[Dave Ward]

Just a few detail shots........................
All recessed detail, top & bottom fuselage
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Detail in the wheel wells
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Wing, with separate ailerons & flaps
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The front fuselage is in multi parts - careful seam lines will be the order of the day
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The underbelly fuel tank ( I wouldn't call it a drop tank ) is LARGE
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For such a large model, it's comparatively simple, not that many parts really. ICM models usually are well engineered, and parts fit well, so looking forward to this
Construction will start shortly
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Construction started - nothing exciting, there a fair few parts that are in halves - nose, wings, tail, wheels, engine intakes, burner tubes - all very mundane, but need doing before I can proceed.
Pilot in the process of being painted - I'm not a figure painter, and a fair bit of tweaking & retouching will be needed before Ivan is ready to take his place...
[ATTACH]313809[/ATTACH]Oh dear, he looks bad in close up! :disappointed2:
Dave

[papa 695]

Looks a very nice kit Dave, I'm sure once Ivan is sat in the tub he'll look just fine and dandy.

[JR]

Dave .
Why oh why we worry about these photos taken at zero distance, when the completed build will be seen from at least 18 in, but we do.:smiling2:
More important is did you get it for a good price !
John.

[Dave Ward]

John,
you're quite right! Anyway, the pilot sits deep in the cockpit, and the small canopy has rather heavy framing..................
I think that I bought the pilot, as an add on to another order ( flat rate postage! ), so I did get it at a good price.
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Construction well under way the fuselage is essentially a 4 sided box - it's big! The u/c bays are added, and the inlet trunking for the two massive engines, and a former for the rear fuselage
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The wings and tails - the sprue ingates are nicely spaced, and not oversized - easily cleaned up[ATTACH]313954[/ATTACH]
Forward fuselage and the camera nose
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The huge belly tank and engine tubes
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There are afterburner rings in the engines........................
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Whether you will see them or not, I'll have to wait & see.
So far, the fit of the parts has been very good, and the instructions are clear. I'll have to make good a few seams ( like the belly tank ), and start priming the internals, but the way this has gone together, it may be quite a quick build!
Dave

[papa 695]

Some cracking work Dave.

[Fernando N]

Nice start Dave, looking forward to see it coming together.
Very nice panel lines and riverts, will be great looking in the weathering stage me thinks.:thumb2:

[Dave Ward]

I've primed the wheelwells & sprayed them aluminium, the same for the air intakes ( though they will be invisible ) Sides of the fuselage added, it would be an advantage to have been an octopus, to hold these when drying!
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Cockpit painted in the turquoise favoured by Russian flyers, and instrument panel decals added
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The decals will snug down overnight, and I'll seal all with varnish before assembling. The instructions give a nose weight of 25g, but there's enough room in the nose for many times that, in ball bearings
Dave

[Guest]

That looks great, can't wait for the next update, looking at the belly tank this could be a huge model

[Dave Ward]

Fuselage boxed in, and tails added the fit was again very good, I might need a smear of filler on the on the lower cockpit/fuselage join, but that is all.....................did I mention that this is big?
Wings & camera nose dry fitted
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At times like this, it makes you glad to have an airbrush. Using a hairy stick on something this big would take a long time, and getting an even finish would be a real trial. I'm going to leave the fuselage to really dry overnight, before fixing the wings, as the joint line on the 'shoulder' really needs to be secure - I might add some drops of CA to really make it tight
Dave

[papa 695]

Coming along very nicely, and a very busy pit.

[Guest]

Simply nice!