TS-11 Iskra "upgrade" (1/72) FINISHED!

[John Howling Mouse]

Incredible skill and patience, Frank.  Looking forward to the official roll-out.   

[frank2056]

I finally finished with the PSR'ing and the final coat of Mr. Surfacer (I've almost used a full can on this model!) didn't reveal any problems that I couldn't live with. I added a few extra details (two guns, GPS antenna, FLIR) and applied the underside RLM 65 and the camo pattern... which I'll probably redo. The upper surface is a mix of Tamiya IJN gray acrylic (which turned out to be a yellowish tan, not the green it appeared to be in the bottle) and Testor's Acryl Marine Armored Sand ...which is the right color. Over this I sprayed a pattern with some "dark" Tamiya green that came out very, very light. So I'll use Windex to remove the Tamiya (luckily it doesn't much affect the Acryl) and try again.

Weaver - I almost trimmed the main U/C, but I was curious as to how the main gear door fit and discovered the utterly screwy attachment methods. I ended up thinning the main gear doors considerably, so I'll have to come up with some attachment method.

I also ended up making the nose gear doors from thin plastic; one look at the kit doors and I knew that they'd be nothing but trouble.

Pictures tonight or tomorrow.

Frank

[frank2056]

Luckily, Windex takes Tamiya acrylic off easily. Since the upper surface had been painted in overall IJN Gray, the Windex took it off andthe Testors Acryl on top. Which was fine with me - the lower surface was painted with Acryl RLM 65 and was unharmed. I sprayed some extra RLM 65 to extend it up the sides a bit, then sprayed Testors Acryl Marine armor sand as the base coat, used some blue tack to make a pattern and sprayed some Polyscale RLM 82 dark green on top. Acryl and Pollyscale are both made by Testors and are closely related paints - both are excellent acrylics.

Here's the result of the first pass, with Espresso, my modeling and computer assistant:



I still need to fix some "issues" (like the green screwup on the starboard leading edge) but overall, I'm pleased with the result.

[Weaver]

It's looking good!

Does everybody on here own a cat? 

[JayBee]

Does everybody on here own a cat? 
[/quote]

NO!

[frank2056]

I finally finished this plane! It was almost non-stop grief - besides the well documented problems with the kit bits, paint somehow seeped under the many layers of tape and Future over the tape onto the canopy on both sides, so I had to use a microbrush and denatured alcohol to remove the paint "dust" and tape residue. I then spread some Future to hide some of the worst bits. I also managed to destroy one of the decals, and had to replace it. When I was done - and was showing my wife the plane - I dropped it and managed to break off one probe (which I glued back on) but also bent the antenna and another probe that I didn't notice until after I took the pictures. Then as I was photographing the model on the balcony, a gust of wind (on an otherwise calm day...) almost made the plane fly off. It's done and secure now, so...

Backstory:

By the first decade of the 21st century Paraguay had been dealing with an insurgency in the Triple Frontier area for more than 10 years. Funded by criminal elements as well as Islamic terrorist organizations, these two groups had recently joined forces in an attempt to topple the Paraguayan government and install a regime that would be friendly to their goals.

Western intelligence agencies were appalled by the poor state of the Paraguayan military, and instituted a plan to aid with both training and equipment. Many of the planes were flown by non-Paraguayan pilots, often described as "Gringos" they included Poles and Indians as well.

One of the more effective weapons was the PZL TS-11 Iskra Upgrade. The Polish TS-11 Iskra was a well liked and effective trainer and COIN airplane, in service for over 50 years.
In 2011, the PZL company introduced a new advanced but low cost trainer/COIN aircraft based on their unsuccessful Iskra BR 200 single seat aircraft. Using the same proven airframe, they replaced the single 10.80 kN (2,425 lb) engine with two smaller and more powerful engines that provided a total maximum thrust of 18 kN. The engines were rarely operated at full thrust, and allowed the aircraft to fly at a lower power setting, increasing range and making it particularly quiet.
The TS-11 Iskra Upgrade also included improved digital instrumentation for the pilot, a HUD for weapons, aircraft systems and navigation, improved GPS navigation and a FLIR/TV camera and laser designator. Air to ground communications were also improved, allowing the Iskra to act as a FAC for ground troops.

Weapon changes included replacing the single 23mm cannon in the nose with two 30 mm cannon, similar to the NR-30. Two 20 round rocket launchers were also typical.

The airplane:

Front view. Wider main and nose wheels, FLIR and FOD screen made from 1/350 scale ship railing. The engine intakes are also larger than the "stock" Iskra:



A view with the canopy opened. The HUD is the bright spot in the front canopy. The ejection seat is a modified T-33/F-80 seat:



Side view. "509" is the aircraft number, but also the month/year I finished this model. Most of the decals (roundels, shark mouth, tail flash and "Fuerza Aerea Paraguaya") are home made, with stenciling from a Hasegawa P-38 sheet:





A starboard view, with the "Fuerza Aerea Paraguaya" visible (and peeling paint on the balcony railing):



Two more views:




Frank

[Ed S]

Nicely done Frank.  It makes a very plausible and believable alternative CAS fighter.  Having build one of those kits myself, I can appreciate what you did with this one.   

Ed

[Vulcan7]

Thats a real beauty Frank  ace build!

[Brian da Basher]

Absolutely Top-Shelf Frank! The paintwork is excellent! This one would turn heads and win the prize at any show!

Brian da Basher

[sequoiaranger]

and the paint job looks just like the avocado I just ate!

[frank2056]

Thanks for all the comments! This was one tough little kit to finish (it came close to flying into the wall, off the balcony or straight into the trash many, many times) I think I'll do a Snap-Tite kit next...

[Weaver]

Hi Frank - very nice job!  The engine conversion's so neat that I keep forgetting it's got two now.

Far better than what I managed with the little pig...

[Sisko]

Very nice build!

The camo job is top notch!

[Cobra]

2 Words:ULTRA SWEET This is So Cool, Make me a Bit Jealous!!!!! Keep up the Great Work!!!!

[Nick]

Very Good! Looks like a smaller Su-25 and absolutely right for the role.