Academy
KF-21 in 1/72 scale: modelling report
The kit consists of about 100 parts in gray plastic in 2 large injection molded sprues as well as a small injection molded sprue with fuel tanks. A transparent cockpit canopy in one piece is provided.
Included is even a large black display stand to show the plastic model. But fortunately, parts for the undercarriage are also supplied though a bit simplified.
This model does not come with decals, but a kind of sticker sheet for 4 prototype schemes. This is something we see sometimes in Academy kits. The stickers are rather thick. So I designed my own decals, more about that later on.
The kit instructions are clear but entirely in Korean with some limited English texts and the colours are not indicated.
How the later KF-21 production aircraft will look like is not yet clear. Markings for the prototypes are provided but a part for the vulnerable specific test pitot tube of aircraft "001" is not provided.
The overall kit detailing is not disappointing although the engraved panel lines are a bit too deep. This will not be that obvious in a dark paint scheme.
The undercarriage gear bays are quite bare and also the cockpit as well as the ejection seat could use some detail. Drill open the canon hole and set some wash in the grills.
The real KF-21 has no internal bomb bay, the missile armament is carried under the fuselage. This is also the case with this model, which also includes some missiles, a FLIR pod and a pair of under wing fuel tanks. There are air flow ducts and deep exhaust pipes in the fuselage.
The exhausts themselves are somewhat simply modeled. There are loose wing slats and flaps included, but they must be mounted neutrally horizontally.
Assembly is quite straight forward. I removed some plastic from each snap-tite fin to ensure a fit without any gaps.
STEP 1
The gear bays are a bit barren, some stretched sprue wires for the hydraulics can be added. I installed the gear struts much later after the paint scheme had been airbrushed.
STEP 2
The cockpit tub is nice and can be drybrushed, install the seat later on.
The internal air ducts are very nice and installed. Join the lower and upper main halves after the internal bays, leading edge and flap parts are set. Do not set yet the large tail fins and leave the nose gear for later and that completed main assembly.
Some Alabastine "car filler" putty was applied at the joints, particularly at the intakes sides. The outboard pylons will not be set so these holes were closed up as well.
The model would be finished in a scheme for the KF-21 prototype "001" flown in 2022. Academy shows this in scheme 1. It has an overall dark grey scheme which are unclear. Some sources suggest FS36320 but it seems to light when looking at photos. The top secret F-35 type of stealth paint is not probable.
After studying photos, I airbrushed a sort of RLM 75 grey coat with acrylic Gunze Sangyo Mr.Hobby H69 paint.
The
gear bays, wheel hubs, door insides' and gear struts were painted light
grey.
The airbrushed paint was glossy so the decals would be next.
The kit marking stickers were not used as I designed and printed custom decals which were based on the kit decals.
The decals were organized into a decals sheet AIPD 55. If you are interested in a print for your model, see the decals page here...
The custom printed decals are very thin and some need a white base which is also than a decal. For example as shown the flag that is composed of a white and colour decal.
For scheme 001, the outsides' of the vertical tail fins were also airbrushed light grey otherwise the lighter decal stripes will not show well. The large decals were than installed.
After the tail fins had gotten their decals, some trimming the decal sizes was needed. Than the tail fins were installed.
The landing gear was now installed. I noticed a small error with the gear doors A37/A38. They should be set upside down that can be done after their locating lugs have been removed.
Some missiles from the kit painted medium grey were installed under the belly. Their type is unclear.
A pair of wing fuel tanks were also installed after they were airbrushed FS36320 grey colour as was the FLIR pod.
The Martin Baker mk.18 (KR18E) kit seat was painted tyre black and got some straps from tape. Cockpit interior got some bits and colours drybrushed. The single piece canopy frames were hand painted.
The exhausts were airbrushed metal and set in place. An upper metal panel was set at starboard and some black wash was applied in the upper recesses but otherwise the model was not weathered, this is a new prototype.
For the KF-21 "001" a test pitot was made from scrap with a metal needle of 20 millimeter long and bits. It was set in place.
A semi-gloss varnish coat was airbrushed. The canopy was set closed, it has a good fit, and that completed this model.
Dimensions check KF-21:length (without pitot) 16.9 m (= 23,5 cm 1/72)
span 11,2 m (= 15,5 cm 1/72 )
The model dimensions are exactly that. The model looks fine and is a nice addition to the South Korea jet collection. It was a simple build and took about 10 hours to finish (excl. decal design).
South Korea
[ area: 100,363 sq.km | population: 51,7 million | capital: Seoul | GDP USD 35,000 per capita nominal ]
The South-Korea armed forces are quite large and the air force is always looking for the latest technology involving the industry grouped in KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries). The KF-21 (formerly KF-X) program is now in development and testing phases. As of end 2023, some 6 prototypes are flying. Service entry is envisaged for 2026 with production of 120 KF-21 completed in 2032.For more information about the South Korea air force, look at the A-37 page here...
References Web:
- Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KAI_KF-21_Boramae
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Created this page April 30, 2024