1:48 Camouflage Paint Masks For Su-30MK2 Venezuela Flanker

A Flanker over the Caribbean

The Su-30MK2 is a two-seat multirole version of the Flanker family, adapted for strikes against surface targets as well. Venezuela began taking it over in 2006 and thereby became one of the few operators of heavy Russian fighters in Latin America. The machines received a finish that differs from the Russian patterns in the layout as well as the tones of its fields, so in a display case it immediately draws attention among the usual gray Flankers.

The scope of the sheet

The package contains cut stencils following the boundaries of the individual camouflage fields on the upper and side surfaces. The modeler applies the shades step by step: sprays the first tone, covers the areas that are to stay, and continues with the next. That does away with the hardest part of the job, namely keeping the boundary equally wide and equally sharp along the whole length of the fuselage. On the two-seat cockpit with its long canopy that is especially noticeable.

What to buy in addition

• a plastic model of the Flanker in the corresponding scale
• a set of paints according to the chosen reference
• decals with Venezuelan insignia and tactical numbers
• masking film for the glazing, if the kit does not enclose one

The stencils are laid on a perfectly dry and degreased surface. Spraying thinly and from the edge of the film inward is recommended, so that paint does not run under the edge.

Anyone building a Venezuelan machine for the first time will appreciate that the boundaries of the fields are already solved and only the saturation of the tones is left to fine-tune. The remnants of film along the edges of the sheet also come in handy for covering small openings that are not to be sprayed.

Transport and storage of the sheet take normal room conditions; just do not leave it in direct sunlight.