The build started
with a inspiring picture of Indian Air Force Su-30MKI's being refuelled by
an IAF IL-78MKI. I knew then I had to make a diorama of the same.
The search for
appropriate kits lead to Trumpeters 1:144 IL-78 & Su30. Both required a fair
bit of modifications to bring it to Indian Air Force Spec.
Having picked the
IL-78 kit from a online hobby shop. The Su-30 kit was gifted to me by a dear
friend Amrith.
Both the kits being
relatively new releases from Trumpeter the details are decent and had very few
fit issues.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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Let me start with the IL-78 the modifications included scratch building of the Israeli refuelling pods. I started with a thick sprue from another kit, attached it to a
drill machine and shaped it down using files and sand paper. The pylons used from the kit itself.
The refuelling pipe and drogue were scratch built using a electrical wire and conical shaped piece of plastic from the spares bin.
The Su-30 kit work began with the canards and shoulder shaped out of sheet polystyrene and loads of putty.
The refuelling probe fashioned out of a landing gear.
I also thought of adding a Brahmos Missile to the Su-30 this was made by using part of a Ballpoint pen refill.
Finds from 48 scale assorted Missile fins and missile head came from drop tank in 72 scale.
Decals were self made using a laser printer and decal sheet. IAF roundels and fin flash are bright spark decals.