KIT: | Trumpeter 1/32 FT-5 |
KIT #: | 2203 |
PRICE: | $7.09 |
DECALS: | One Option |
REVIEWER: | Jason Moores |
NOTES: |
HISTORY |
The Chinese foray into jet fighter aircraft is a lesson in reverse engineering. Namely Soviet designs of the likes of the Mig 15, 17. While we may never know the goings on between these two secretive countries, the Shenyang JJ-5 is an all Chinese product as the Soviet Union never produced a duel seat Mig-17. The JJ-5 or Ft-5 for export versions, is a combination of locally built Mig-17 Fresco with the cockpit of the Mig-15uti, also locally built. The Chinese never built the Mig 15 fighter named J-2, with the first Chinese built aircraft type to go into service being the J-5 or copied Mig-17. Interestingly The JJ-5 trainer production started ten years after the J-5 with exports going to Sudan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Albania, and Tanzania. Powered by a WP-5D turbojet rated at 24.68kN with a top speed 1,048km/h (Mach 0.932) and service ceiling of 14,300m, 974 aircraft were built from 1966 to 1983. The JJ-5 is still used for basic jet training today before going onto the JJ-6 or JJ-7 fighter-trainer. Weapons include an under-nose Type 23-I 23mm cannon and two stations under the wings for 400 litre drop tanks or other ordinance.
THE KIT |
One of Trumpeters early 1/32 releases before the learning curve kicked in. Packaged in the usual plastic bags in a largish box, there was no evidence of flash on my kit. Rubber tyres and decals for one aircraft are included, that being of the "August 1st" Aerobatic team of China with no stencils or marking other than national insignia and ac numbers. The cockpit and seats are basic in detail with moulded on dials, landing gear is adequate but the gear doors are very thick and some what confusing with no real indication of position on main gear legs. The cockpit tub can be seen from both the intake and exhaust openings. But on the good side the panel line positions look close to what images I could conjure up on the net. The three part canopy is rather thick but clear although the profile seems a bit high in cross section. An engine is included and can be displayed mounted in the aircraft with the tail section siting on its own trolley The fit is quite good, but the panel trenches and rivet holes are on the 1/16 scale side. With ordinance you get two drop tanks for the wing stations. All up a kit that probably wouldn't see the light of day, but I couldn't just throw away hard earned money so I thought I would use it as a test bed for some Alclad.
CONSTRUCTION |
COLORS & MARKINGS |
I used Alclad Grey primer / micro filler first and then Aluminium over the entire model. Panel shading was done with Dark Aluminium. As weathering is my favourite part I wanted to do an "in the back paddock " look. The heavy panel lines and rivet holes lend them selves well to this. I used a semi permanent black marker to highlight, dragging my finger down over the fresh marker to simulate a vertical weather beaten look. Concentrating and repeating on the mid fuselage lines rather than the top or wing surfaces. Once completed I use my preferred wash of Hobby Color H 12 flat black acrylic, thinned with a few drops of whitespirit/methylated spirits and a couple of drops of water. Applied with a thin brush and wiped vertically down with my finger or a Q-tip. Also using Hobby Color H 77 Tire black for the same process. Then on to the decals which were Tiger Wings # 32-119 Chinese Insignia. The a/c number Is fictitious and drybrushed with aluminium for a worn off look. The trick I found for a really decrepit finish Is not to finish off with a lacquer or Future coat. The variation between the semi gloss Alclad and flat wash Is quite noticeable to the eye, If not the camera. What you could see of the canopy was brushed with a mixture of gloss laquer and clear orange to simulate the yellowing of Soviet canopy acrylic, or this may just be a coating they give to stored aircraft? The tarp was airbrushed with MM 1701 Military brown then washed with method above, then drybrushed with a tan color and flat coated. Finally a light misting of sand over the top surfaces to simulate dust.
CONCLUSIONS |
REFERENCES |
July 2007
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