Maksim Kurmaz Author
I'm starting a new complex project - Belarusian advanced training aircraft Yak-130, the one from my native country. I've built already the Su-24M and will do also Su-30SM belonging to this country.

I've chosen a CAS loadout - two different caliber of "NAR" (non-controllable rockets, literally translated from Russian) plus two AAM. All ordnance will come from the kit and only the wheels are from the rubber (made by Belarusian manufacturer Elf).

The 1:72 kit from Zvezda has extremely complex engineering and highest possible quality. It will take a lot to paint interiors, assemble them, and hide internal seams. The ETA for the project is 6 weeks.

Maksim Kurmaz Author
I hand-painted the interior after mixing colors and hand-painting instrument panels. All parts are from the kit, they are not highly detailed but under the closed canopy it will be enough to just roughly color them.

The engine ducts and landing gear compartments are completely modelled which I enjoy the most in plastic models. Making them helps to understand better the design of the prototype. But the parts are so complex that it is difficult to understand how to align and fix them - I constantly have to refer to the assembly manual. Even for landing gear it is not obvious where to fix them.

What's interesting, there are a lot of tiny recesses and slots where parts touch each other after you put them in place. I don't know why the designer did this, but since the molding quality is perfect, there are hardly any issues with that - everything fits from the first attempt.

Cristian A
Hi Maksim, good start. I'm following your progress with interest. 👍

Maksim Kurmaz Author
Thanks Cristian, good to know you're interested, I will try not to disappoint.

Łukasz Gliński
Watching too 👍

Cristian A
Maksim you never disappoint with so many details and models built, I love watching your work.

Maksim Kurmaz Author
Well, I can say that it is ready for priming. The assembly of the fuselage was quite simple but the pyro cords of the canopy... I tried to apply masks that I have but ultimately sticked white paper strips from the same masks hoping they will not fall off, because I don't know how to carefully paint the inside of the canopy without spending many hours.

Maksim Kurmaz Author
Just for the building log: I've chosen the following paints for Belarusian air force camo:
1. Underside - Light Gull Grey from AK (it is lighter and warmer than required but OK for this model)
2. Main color for the top - Vallejo Russian Grey N.3 (шаровый серый, too light but OK for the model)
3. Light Green: mix of AK Field Green and Vallejo Sky Type S (2:3) - probably not the best because a bit colder than needed
4. Dark Green: mix of AK Field Green and AK Deep Green (2:1)

Adam Gudynowski
Good job so far. Following.

Finn
Following

Maksim Kurmaz Author
Several days of work, and four camo colors are applied. I'm not completely satisfied with them but repainting will stop my progress, so I hope that colorful numbers and stars will make the model look more alike.
Also, I spotted several defects like overspray that I will need to fix. Besides that, I will paint dielectric panels - nose cone, fin tip, etc., and the APU output. All other parts are ready for the panel liner.

Łukasz Gliński
Very attractive camo it is and well executed 👍

Ekki
Following!

Maksim Kurmaz Author
Finally I have removed the masks... and discovered that I missed a tiny gap under the canopy, and it became a bit foggy 🙁 The matt varnish also didn't lay down nicely - probably next time I will need 0.4 nozzle. In a couple of days I will attach everything and complete the model.