Hi, I’m getting ready to start Revell’s old (probably first) Su-27 Flanker. I’m looking to do it as a Russian AF Flanker and use it to practice airbrushing so I can do a better kit when I’m done. I’ve been combing the internet trying to find out a good mix of colors to best paint it, and seem to be getting nothing to point me in the right direction. Since Testors stopped making the Flanker colors, I can’t go that route without paying more than I want to.
The good news is that the Russian’s don’t seem to have much consistency in how they paint their Flankers (as in colors used) and even if they are consistent, the colors fade quickly and it doesn’t matter as much.
What seems to be predominant is:
Light grey/light blue
Dark grey
Medium-dark blue or blue-grey
Right now I’m planning to go with a sky blue/light-medium blue as the base color (for the top and bottom) and medium grey or light ghost grey and a medium blue for additional camouflage on the upper surfaces. But I’m early in the project and hoping someone has a better idea.
So, good people, what are your thoughts on colors? Any thoughts on a better combination?
Soviet colors are unique and as such you pretty much need to mix your colors from examples if you can locate them. The other choice is to by Akan paints, made in Russia, to match Soviet paint codes. I have some and they are great, spot on. But can take some time to get.
The other option is to mix the color using your choice of paints. I start referencing the colors here:
This page also shows the samples for a Mig-29 and the various makers shades along those lines. This is the type of study you need to do, then paint it however you think it needs to look. It’s your plane, make yourself happy.
You can also get the Akan paints from Japan via Ebay. I got mine that way, cheaper than LH had them and only took about two weeks to get. IF you’re in the US that’s an option, but the UK I would use LH.
Thanks to everyone for all of the great advice! For this model I plan on using the MM Flanker colors; I finally found some at a reasonable price on Ebay … and also picked up a bunch of other paints to add to the collection as well.
When I move on to another Flanker or more Russian aircraft, I think I want to try some of the Akan colors and good a good compare/contrast. It should be fun.