1/48 Academy MiG-21 MF

by Patrick Spitaels

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The Model: MIG 21 MF from ACADEMY at 1/48 scale:

What I used: - a resin seat from KMC.

  • - decals from Aeromaster
  • - Paint from Testor ( metalizer ).

 

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The story:

I started to build this model as soon as it was released in my Hobby shop....there are some models like that, you didn't want to just add it to your "kit stash"......

I was very impressed upon opening the box, this was for me the first time I could examine a MiG-21 kit!

 

 

Starting the building as usual...with the cockpit ..and facing the first problem....the detail level of the original cockpit was very poor....so I decided to use a resin seat from KMC at that time; and to commit to scratchbuilding the cockpit itself.

For this, I used only plasticard sheet and tube. At the time I built the model, I didn't have a digital camera...so I'm sorry not to have a good pics of it as it was being built.

There is no real troubles with the rest of the building, but at that time I didn't know the problem with the tail...so no stress with that!  

As usual for my metal planes, I used Testor Metalizer for the piant.  That is in three stages:

  • - first is a coat of Magnesium
  • - second is a coat of aluminium
  • - third is polishing the bird with a motor tool.
With the two different coats; when you polished it more at some place; the darker coat comes up...and it gives some different shades on the airframe. You just have to take care with the speed of your motortool!

The decals are from an old Aeromaster sheet, for a Czech squadron.

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The ladder was made from plastic tube and plasticard was used for the parking blocks.  The base was made in styrofoam, the green one that is sell here for Home insulation; it's really easy to use.

 

So, here is a model that I didn't have a lot of money into.....but lots of fun to build it!  Now you can find a lot of different sets in resin, photoetched; that could simplify your life......maybe I'm gonna' use one for the next project of MiG-21!

Hope your enjoy it

Patrick

Click on images below to see larger images

Photos and text © by Patrick Spitaels