1:48 Sukhoi Su-27 seatbelts STEEL

The real subject

The Sukhoi Su-27 is a Soviet twin-engine fighter aircraft of the heavy fighter category, known in the West by the name Flanker. It made its name with its long range, the lifting shape of the fuselage and the agility shown by the maneuver called the cobra. The machine still appears in the armament of a number of countries and became the basis of a whole family of derived versions.

What the set contains

The set brings the seat belts of the pilot seat, made as photo-etched parts in steel. Compared with softer metals, steel photo-etching is springier and holds its shape better, so the belts can be bent into a natural sag over the edge of the seat and will stay in that position. The exact extent of the set and the kit it is cut for are stated in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Separate the belts from the fret with a sharp blade, and never tear them out. Before you glue them on, try the position dry and shape them with tweezers step by step rather than in one bend. They are glued with cyanoacrylate glue taken from a drop onto the tip of a toothpick, so that the glue does not run onto a visible surface. If you are going to paint the belts, degrease the metal first and use a primer. It is better to finish the seat under the belts and let it dry, because repairs under belts already glued in place are unpleasant.

Who it is for

The set belongs to a modeler who opens the canopy or builds a model with the seat exposed and wants the cockpit to stand up close to as well. The work is delicate, but in 1:48 scale it is manageable even without special equipment. The kit, the seat, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.