1/48 Academy Mig 29 A

by Aamod Potdar

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  Indian Air Force Day 2007

 

Here is my 4th posting on ARC, and this being my second 1/48 kit after a Sukhoi 30.  It's been almost 2 years when I started with plastics kits for the first time, I think I've improved  pretty much, thanks to ARC and its Tips n Tools section, helping a teenager like me in a great way.

Here is my Mig 29 A kit done in Indian Airforce markings of the 28th Squadron First Supersonics based at Lohegaon Airforce Base, Poona.

Fulcrum -A also known as Baaz (Eagle) in Indian Airforce. Fitted with the N-109 radar that has a look-down/shoot-down capability and can display ten targets in search and lock-on to one of the highest priority assigned by the computer. Has extended dorsal fins containing IRCM flare dispensers, extended chord rudders and a hydro-mechanical flight control system (hydraulic actuator). 

Though it came out pretty well, this kit took the maximum time to complete, since I wanted this kit to come out good.  Kit was built completely out of the box and has pretty good fit, with one or two fit issues. Cockpit detailing wasn't that bad, since much cannot be expected from academy kit cockpits. Cockpit was done using tips from the ARC Tips n Tools section.

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With the assembling done, the more difficult part for me was the paint.  Since I don't have a compressor, I had to to paint this huge kit by brush and thus one doesn't get effect as painted by air brush with Humbrol enamels.  Well I finished with the paint job almost after 6 months after it was assembled.  Well it come out well with two tone camouflage scheme of the Indian Airforce.

After the paint, it was time for decals.  Firstly the kit was originally of Ukraine Aerobatic team and because of that, no aircraft decals were provided.  Second job was finding the right Indian Air Force decals for this kit, Since there are very few decals in Indian Airforce markings are available on the net.  Finally I found the perfect decals for my kit on ARC reviews.  It was from HIDECAL line, ordered from Airconnection.  The decals were of excellent quality, very detailed and thin.

 

So here's the final complete kit. Posting this kit on the occasion of the Indian air Force Day, Oct 8 2007.

Jai Hind.

Aamod

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Photos and text © by Aamod Potdar