Quick Build - 1/48 Hobbycraft Mig-17

Charles,

Even if your finished paint scheme didn't quite match the intended bird, it still looks quite good.  And all of that fun for $5, WOW!  Love the -17, may have to get one for my collection.

Thanks for the pics!

AWESOME job, my man!! How long did it take you on this one? I never have been a fan of Hobbycraft kits, but your build is changing my mind. I once bought their A-4M kit, and was very disappointed with it (extremely deep panel lines, poor trial fit, etc.). I subsequently sold it - cheaply - a few weeks later.

Great paint job, too! You need to explain the "scotch tape" technique to us neophytes. Did you free-hand the paint job?

Again, AWESOME job!!

THanks Frank and Devil Dawg,

Devil Dog, it took about six weeks to complete, but if you totalled the time spent on this kit, it was probably 2 -3 solid nights of modelling. I like Hobbycraft...but I also know what to expect. So far I have built their P-26 (nice kit), P-35 (Excellent kit), T-33 (Very nice kit) and Hurricane (So-So kit) along with this Mig-17 (Good kit). All of them hand anwhere from good to excellent kit, poor interior detail, and probably a inacuracy or two in the shape...but nothing enough to deter me.

This Mig was like you A-4M in that the panel lines are very deep on the fuselage (but not the wings!) At the end of the day this was a "Keep it under $5" build and I wanted a Mig-17 next to the Mig 15 on the shelf. As with all of the HC kits, this was a fun build...probably becuase I had no pressure from self expectations.

The Scotch Tape method, which has been around for ages but I picked up from Carsanab, is when you place a little Scotch "Magic" tape on the panels of the canopy, burnish (I use a toothpick) and cut off the excess with a SHARP hobby blade to create your own masks. Sure I goofed in a few spots but it was a good experience and on smaller canopies, I will try it again.

Charles,

That's a great looking Mig for a quickie! Love the Airforce museum. It's been several years since I've been there.

Thanks for the post.

Nice work on the Mig.  Thanks for sharing.

Regards,  Rick

A very nice job, indeed!  I recently picked up the Kitech boxing of this kit on the bay because it was so dirt cheap.  I have to admit I was very disappointed when I first opened the box.  I didn't expect super quality, but I was rather bummed by the poor fit of the wings to the fuselage and I nearly tossed the kit.  But, I've learned my lesson:  Never toss a project until it's completely finished.  A little sanding here, a little filling there, and I ended up with a very nice silver Mig-17 to add to my shelf......

Hi Charles, it looks a cracker to me. I reckon that your representation of the camo is probably closer to plane in the field, than the one in the museum is.

...Guy

Thank you, aagranata!

Guy, you're offically "too kind". In your neck of the world I'd call this a "3 Pint build". After about 3 pints she looks great!