Combat aircraft - Between F-15 and Su-27
Update, July 2009: For those of you who have already visited this article before,
I have updated the gallery with a number of images of the model rendered without profile edges and with
additional background, lighting and shadow tweaks. This gives the model a much more distinctive, realistic look,
almost like the real thing. If you're interested, please see Extra images below.
A couple of months ago, I have created a number of 3D models of aircraft and helicopters. This gallery is about
the first one that I made. Like all my works, it is fictional, although it is deeply rooted in existing motifs.
In this case, the plane is a cross-breed between the American F-15 and Russian Su-27, among the most popular and
capable fighter aircraft in the world today. It is mostly Russian-looking - with a bit of Yankee blush.
Gallery
The aircraft is a standard modern two-engine fighter. It features a large third-wing fuselage and twin tails. The
nose cone is a bit stubby and the LERXes are a bit uncool, but it still has a pretty sexy figure. The paint job is
distinctively Russian.
Here's an aggressive look: up close and personal.
Notice the massive engine exhausts. The extended fuselage section between the engines is used to house a
rearward-looking radar.
Look at them sexy air-to-air missiles. Not easily traceable to any existing model, though. But I like this angle
very much. Very Top Gun like. No better one to feature a missile launch.
Like with any combat aircraft, what sets it apart from its counterparts is the weapons arsenal. Here, again, my
buddy borrows from the Russians. The centerline missile pylon is a typical Russian tradition. However, the bombs
racks do carry very Paveway-like ordnance.
I paid a special attention to the exhaust cones. I made sure that individual blades of the fans were visible.
From this angle, you can also notice the slight hunch behind the cockpit, housing extra fuel. My plane is
considerably flatter than the Su-27 and has a more of an F-15 profile.
Comparably, the intakes are simple variable-geometry work typical of all modern fighters - to allow sufficient air
inflow even at high angles of attack.
Finally, here are a few "classic" shots of my plane, seen from afar, arriving and departing. If such a plane did
really exist, do you think you'd be confused about its identity a few hundreds of meters (yards) away?
All in all, I'm satisfied with this model. I had a few rough moments with it, as the combination of curved surfaces
and straight planes was a bit tricky to tame, but I pulled through. Of course, its successor is much better
looking, but that 's another gallery.
If you fancy more screenshots of this work, don't email to hesitate me.
Cheers.
Extra images
Here you can find the ultra-realistic looking images of the model, tweaked to look their best with improved
background colors, lighting and shadows. Almost like in real life.
OK, so here we go:
Dedoimedo out.
