[skidmarksdiecast]

Gaincorp did quite a bit of retooling for the UBK (radome, canopy, IRST, upper fuselage, stinger, and vert stabilizers). If it's as nice as their Su-34, it'll definitely be worth adding to your collection.

[trex0770]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

This model certainly opens up the possibilities for an Indian Airforce Su-30 MKI export version down the road, and I hope Gaincorp will release one in the future. It should be easy to add the "canards" for that specific variant, and I know some 'expert' will come along and say it: "It's gonna take more than the canards additon to, blah blah blah..."

Fly,
it's gonna take more than the canards addition to, blah, blah, blah....

Seriously, Gaincorp already had the Su-33 (canards) which they made from their Su-27 mold and it sucked (IMHO). The canards looked all wrong. AFAIK, you can't just slap canards onto a Su-27 and say that it is now a Su-33. I think the fuselage (at least the leading edge dogtooth) has to be modified for the canards. Maybe someone with a bit more knowledge can either back me up or correct me.

Anyway, Gaincorp's Su-33 had the canards join lines in the wrong place as a result of just adding them to the Su-27 mold. They should be smaller with an expanded leading edge on the fuselage before merging with the canards. I think Pappy has a series of photos on his diecast review site that perfectly illustrates what I'm talking about.

Also, I don't believe the tail section (radar housing between the engine nozzles) is correct on Gaincorp's Su-33 version. It shouldn't protrude out as far as the Su-27's on this particular version.

[skidmarksdiecast]

Originally Posted by trex0770

Fly,
it's gonna take more than the canards addition to, blah, blah, blah....

Seriously, Gaincorp already had the Su-33 (canards) which they made from their Su-27 mold and it sucked (IMHO). The canards looked all wrong. AFAIK, you can't just slap canards onto a Su-27 and say that it is now a Su-33. I think the fuselage (at least the leading edge dogtooth) has to be modified for the canards. Maybe someone with a bit more knowledge can either back me up or correct me.

Anyway, Gaincorp's Su-33 had the canards join lines in the wrong place as a result of just adding them to the Su-27 mold. They should be smaller with an expanded leading edge on the fuselage before merging with the canards. I think Pappy has a series of photos on his diecast review site that perfectly illustrates what I'm talking about.

Also, I don't believe the tail section (radar housing between the engine nozzles) is correct on Gaincorp's Su-33 version. It shouldn't protrude out as far as the Su-27's on this particular version.

Yup. Gaincorp would have to modify the upper fuselage tooling to add the root extensions for the canards. I wouldn't hold my breath for Gaincorp to do that. They could, however, come out with the Su-30MKK since it doesn't have canards.

[trex0770]

Originally Posted by skidmarksdiecast

Yup. Gaincorp would have to modify the upper fuselage tooling to add the root extensions for the canards. I wouldn't hold my breath for Gaincorp to do that. They could, however, come out with the Su-30MKK since it doesn't have canards.

Bingo!

[b-huj]

Sorry guys, was busy and had no time to check out the forum.
As skiddo said, this is a new tooling with a lot of updates, but honestly, after taking a look at the pictures, I feel I need to inspect the real thing.
To start: the nose and dorsal shape look a bit awkward to me, just compare the GC diecast with those plastic kits (omit canard wings though).
I almost collect anything in Chinese livery, but I have felt quite let down by Gaincorp's newer output.
Hope to have time to take a look at this thing in the next few days but don't expect to dramatically change my basic opinion: "pass".

[skidmarksdiecast]

Am I the only one who's stoked about this release. Come on Flanker fans--- it's a two-seater! And they've improved the tooling to boot! And, oh yeah, I have a case of these on order too

[trex0770]

Originally Posted by skidmarksdiecast

Am I the only one who's stoked about this release. Come on Flanker fans--- it's a two-seater! And they've improved the tooling to boot! And, oh yeah, I have a case of these on order too

Will be when HM or someone besides the second tier manufacturers make 'em!

[b-huj]

Well, I am quite excited about this release, but I am not running around all happy because I know Gaincorp has some manufacturing issues, and I do own quite some Gaincorps.
I must congratulate them for the so far so good mould. Seems they got some things correct, like the shape of exhaust cones, the taifin/rudder combination (different from the single seat Su-27!), the cockpit's overall shape. But I talked to one of my local retailers here in Hong Kong, and so far they didn't know about this release! now they'll look into it and possibly get some copies.

By the way, I recently saw a 1/144 A-50 (Il-76 AWACS version, NATO codename "Mainstay") made by GC. Decent details, transparent cockpit, heavy metal overall, moving rudder and ailerons (all other control surfaces fixed), rolling wheels, movable radar on the back. IT is a hefty model, and it wasn't cheap either, at around 600 RMB in Guangzhou. No idea about production run numbers or variations, it's one of the weird things you come across in Guangzhou.

[Gort]

Yesterday a little birdie told me that Gaincorp's Su-27UBK Flanker will definitely arrive in the States in less than two weeks. Supplies are limited and demand is heavy, so pre-order one while you can.

[b-huj]

Well, I am out of luck, nobody in hong kong since to be stocking this GC release!
I am really looking forward to seeing the production model in person...meanwhile, the serial number and bort numbers don't match, as I pointed out here

On the tail, it is stated "30028" and on the nose "28". IF the serial was really 30028, then it should read 08 on the nose. Chinese bort numbers is not rocket science, just take the last three digits, take out the middle one and voilá, you got it. Also, If anyone has an influence on Gaincorp, please also tell them to add the heat shield for the cannon on the starboard side, it is a prominent feature on UBKs and in the model it is only silver paint!

Pictures attached illustrate the serial numbering thing (30206 becomes 26 -NOT 06) and the shield, quite a prominent chunk of metal on the side of the cockpit/nose area.