Zvezda 1/144 Beriev Be-200ES Jet Amphibian

[Dave Ward]

As I'm waiting for paint to dry on my T-90MS, I've been deciding what to build next. I've decided on another Zvezda model:

One of the few jet flying boats ( and amphibian ) used as a fire bomber, and emergency response unit.

Sprue shots

All look very crisp, with fine detail, although how visible panel lines would be in 1/144 is debatable!
Decals

Two marking options - one military - the other 'civilian'

I reckon the civilian version looks better!
It's only a comparatively simple model - 60 parts - the main challenge will masking.
Construction will start shortly
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Interesting subject Dave. Have fun with it.

[Guest]

That looks interesting, and a type of plane you don’t really see anywhere outside Russia.

[Dave Ward]

That looks interesting, and a type of plane you don’t really see anywhere outside Russia.

One has been fighting wildfires in Greece ( August 2021 ), and they have been used in Turkey, Spain & Portugal
Dave

[Guest]

I meant that as “being manufactured” outside Russia This type of plane really only comes from there, as far as I know,

[Dave Ward]

Off we go.............
Unlike a lot of 1/144 aircraft, this does have transparencies for the side windows - I painted the back side of them black, then primed & basecoated the area around the windows white.................

I added the windows & I'll put a mask over the outside, to protect them, as there is a bit of masking needed near them. The engine pods & wings assembled - perfect fit, just a little TET run into the joints. Cockpit assembled - although you won't see much. Needs 10g of weight adding, but plenty of room!

I'm going to work out when I have to start masking - the paint masking has to follow the decal cheat lines, so it'll need a bit of careful laying out & measuring.
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Nice start Dave. Looks like it could be a fairly quick build.

[Jim R]

Hi Dave
That's some aircraft. Very unusual.
Jim

[Dave Ward]

Just about ready to start the painting process.....................

I'll stuff the wheel wells & cockpit with tissue - those areas can wait, until after decals are applied ( the main gear legs are close to the side of the fuselage ). The wings will be sprayed separate from the fuselage - I want to mask the fuselage for white/grey/blue & they'd just get in the way. The joint looks very good, so shouldn't be a problem joining the two together. The same goes for the engine pods. although, I'll brush paint those - too small/tricky to mask. Just used a smear of filler on the nose, but that will be it I think, I can put the tube away.
Going well - the real test will be how the decals handle & fit................
Dave

[outrunner]

Fast work Dave, looks to be a nice model.

Andy.

[Dave Ward]

I would say that the Be200 falls into the category 'too big in 1/72' & 'too small for 1/144' It's a simple model - 10 of the 60 parts are the control surface actuator covers! It also means that you can't misalign any of the parts.
Dave

[yak face]

Nice work dave , so how big is it ?

[Dave Ward]

Nice work dave , so how big is it ?

220mm wingspan, 230mm long & quite dainty!
Dave

[yak face]

220mm wingspan, 230mm long & quite dainty!
Dave

Looks a lot bigger in the pics , a testament to the fine tooling

[Dave Ward]

Taking a lot more light coats of white to get a good finish than I anticipated

All the big bits dry fitted - the paint does need scraping away from the mating surfaces, the joints are that tight!
Dave