FOREIGN AIRFORCE MiG BUILD. (no question mark in this topic)

All right way to go!!! The GB hasn't even started yet and I'm already behind! my current model isn't finished yet!!! Good thing I already have all I need for the MiG-29.

The Mig is soaking now. I wish there was room for me to crawl in there with it! LOL I should be lucky to live in a barracks with a tub, but rarely get to use it for a bubble bath! Well, I know a lot of my compadres would give anything for a decent shower, so I can't complain! - Calvin

Well, I plan to start my MiG this weekend. Hope all you guys are on schedule.

Sunday is Mad Komet Day, so that's out; and right now I'm slipping behind with my BoB GB. I'm certainly getting a workload on. Anyway, this Kopro kit has so much flash. It's almost a vacform! Just as a matter of interest, did the MiG-15 use that blue/green colour for the cockpit usually?

QUOTE: Originally posted by osher Just as a matter of interest, did the MiG-15 use that blue/green colour for the cockpit usually?

I've just read a discussion on HS about MiG-15 cockpits and the result seems to be like this, if I got all the answers right:


The blue/green color did not come into use until at least the mid to late 1960s. The first MiG-21s had grey cockpits (at least up thru the PF). They then switched to this bright blue, so the "Russian interior blue/green" should be right for aircrafts after late 1960s.

The unaltered MiG-15 in the USAFM (has its original paint in the cockpit and gear wells, etc) is a medium blue-ish grey color.

Polish-built MiGs gun bays: They were a darker than medium bluieish gray.

Not much to report from over here... I still haven't seen the new F-13 kit from Revell..

Oh man! I didn't know it started now! I better get busy!

Thanks Mick! As normal, a complex answer to a simple question! I think, as so often in modelling, it will be a case of taking an informed guess, and hoping I was right. As the MiG I am modelling is from the Vietnam war, it would be an earlier one. Any ideas what sort of shade of grey would be right for a UTI? I've seen some pictures, but, as normal, they are all different!

QUOTE: Originally posted by osher Any ideas what sort of shade of grey would be right for a UTI? I've seen some pictures, but, as normal, they are all different!

I have no idea, so I think we just go by your answer ...

QUOTE: Originally posted by osher it will be a case of taking an informed guess

... and finally end up with something medium blue-ish grey.

Update: Starting work on the cockpit. Aside from loads of flash, there is the additional fun element of 'gates' that are so thick it's almost a model in itself, and bits (the control sticks) which have no gates at all, but simply emerge from a sprue. In short, this is going to be a model where a sharp blade is essential! However, on the plus side, the dials are all moulded in, as are the side instruments (in the 'pit tub). The seats look weird (and naturally, no belts), but they may be right. They look like the seats you would see in a modern day rally car though. The only real fly in the ointment is the 'glass' seperating pilot and pupil, which has a scratch down it. OK, so, probably correct (this was a heavily used aircraft by the Vietnamese), but I might try polishing it out.

Well then. I'm using a resin ejection seat on mine, so the academy seat (which is a joke) won't be a problem I hope. I'm also using Eduard PE, which has some really nice pieces for detailing the plane. I finally get to break in the hold and fold!

QUOTE: Originally posted by osher Update: Starting work on the cockpit. Aside from loads of flash, there is the additional fun element of 'gates' that are so thick it's almost a model in itself, and bits (the control sticks) which have no gates at all, but simply emerge from a sprue. In short, this is going to be a model where a sharp blade is essential! However, on the plus side, the dials are all moulded in, as are the side instruments (in the 'pit tub). The seats look weird (and naturally, no belts), but they may be right. They look like the seats you would see in a modern day rally car though. The only real fly in the ointment is the 'glass' seperating pilot and pupil, which has a scratch down it. OK, so, probably correct (this was a heavily used aircraft by the Vietnamese), but I might try polishing it out.

Osher, once you've polished out the crack, dip your 'glass' piece in Future and then set it aside to dry. It'll be dry to the touch in about 20-30 minutes, and then can be mounted in place. The Future should fill in all the microscopic scratches so that it looks clean and clear.

I also started on the cockpits of my two MiGs for this Build, and should have the pics posted soon.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Duke Maddog Osher, once you've polished out the crack, dip your 'glass' piece in Future and then set it aside to dry. It'll be dry to the touch in about 20-30 minutes, and then can be mounted in place. The Future should fill in all the microscopic scratches so that it looks clean and clear.

Thanks Maddog! I have a 'Squadron' polishing stick, is the right way to polish scratches, or should I look for something else, maybe finer?

Okay, here I have my pics of the progress I've made for this Group Build. I am building these kits OOB with no aftermarket parts so I'll try to take my time so others can keep up.

First off, I started my MiG 23; an early Hasegawa kit which is probably a re-issue of someone elses, since it lacks the detail I normally associate with Hasegawa.

This is the "cockpit" as it were, with the parts that make up the nose section of the plane in front of it:



As you can see, I have added weights to the nose to keep it sitting correctly on it's landing gear.

This is the main fuselage glued together holding the moveable wings in place:



Next I got started on my Indian MiG 21. This is the cockpit assembled, waiting for paint and decals



This is the exhaust nozzle:



And here is my progress on assembling the wings and tail in preperation for mounting on the fuselage once it is assembled:



That is what I have gotten done so far. Now I have to figure out what is the correct color for the interior of these two MiGs. Once I get more done, I'll post more pics.

cool. looking good.

QUOTE: Originally posted by osher QUOTE: Originally posted by Duke Maddog Osher, once you've polished out the crack, dip your 'glass' piece in Future and then set it aside to dry. It'll be dry to the touch in about 20-30 minutes, and then can be mounted in place. The Future should fill in all the microscopic scratches so that it looks clean and clear. Thanks Maddog! I have a 'Squadron' polishing stick, is the right way to polish scratches, or should I look for something else, maybe finer?

The polishing stick is good, but if you can find anything even more fine, go for it. I've used the polishing stick before and have had no problems with any smudges after I dipped the canopy in Future.

Thanks! I'll try tonight a combination of polishing and future, and we'll see...

Excellent! Post pics so we can see.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Duke Maddog Excellent! Post pics so we can see.

Wilco!

I'll only be posting pics once I'm well into progress, and then once I'm finished. Since my sister has the only good digital camera, I have to work from the photo cd's from the developers.

Having a more fundamental problem with my Kopro MiG15 UTI kit: how the heck is the cockpit tub supposed to fit into the fuselage?!!! From what I can see (and from dry runs), the only bit that actually attaches is the top of the instrument panel! Yikes!

Maybe Airfix M22 (Humbrol 79 Blue Grey) is the best choice for cockpit colour, although it seems possibly a little dark, but not a bad match. Anyway, pictures of completed cockpit up soon.

Your MiG looks really good Maddog, can't wait to see more!

I got a few more pics on the way. Haven't got too much more done, but I should in the next day or so.

i'm going to start on monday. No school because of MLK day.

OK, my workbench is totally cleared, it's got the mig and its AM sitting on top of it. Just waiting til I get the time to start.

Okay, installation of cockpit is beginning. I am starting the ineveitable filing and sanding that goes with AM resin.

Tried painting the cockpit Humbrol 164, using one of those mini pots you get sometimes. Having a real problem with it though. The paint is 'clustering', and a as the brush leaves the plastic, so the paint seem to leave areas instead of spreading. I'm using a Kopro kit (crap plastic), no primer (is the the problem?), and Humbrol mini-pot (is it enamel or acryric even?!). Any advice much appreciated! Oh well, it sort of looks abused, which is about right for a Vietnamese Mig!

LOL. My advice is change your paints. (If that's an option.) Switch to Model Master or Vallejo. If not attempt to thin the paint a bit to get it to flow better.

Here is my progress so far on the two MiGs I'm building for this Group Build.

I'll start with my MiG 23 Flogger that I'm building as a German MiG. I painted the cockpit/pilot:



Then I put together the nose/front fuselage with the pilot inside. Here it is being held together with clamps:



While that was drying, I put the horzontal and vertical stabilizers on the main fuselage:



Later, I put the two together:



Once I got that far, I did a little sanding to clean the seams up.


Next, I started getting some more done on the MiG 21 that is going to be made Indian AF.

I painted and applied the decals to the cockpitof my MiG. Here are three pics; two showing each side of the cockpit, and then the third one with the pilot inside:







Next, I put the main fuselage together. Here it is being kept together by clips:



Next, I mounted the wings, spine, horizontal stabilizers and vertical stabilizer



After that, I did some sanding and cleaning up on this one too.


Now that I got that far, I have started to re-organize my Hobby Room, so it may be awhile before I get any more progress done.

At last, I have my brand new 1/72 Revell MiG-21F-13... All I can say is that it was WELL worth the wait. It is just beautiful! Run, propel yourself, fly to your hobby shop and get yourself one (or more!).

The plasic is silver (the only annoying thing about this kit but Revell is known for annoying colors of plastic!), the engraving is really fine, the parts beautiful, the decals superb, the instruction sheet quite comprehensive and detailled. There are tons, tons of stencils on this decal sheet, plus the markings for 2 East-German, 1 Soviet and 3 Finnish MiG-21s. Only one of those is camouflaged all the others are natural metal birds. The canopy comes in 3 parts (there the added armoured glass to make it three!). There's some nice details inside the two-part exhaust pipe, the cockpit details are gorgeous too (the seat is a 3 piece affair!).

A conversion into a Mongol would be great (the kit has no option for that I'm afraid) but the canopy will be what stops me I think...

Thank you Revell!

Well it looks like I'm the first one to christen this Thread with pics of my progress. So people, let's see some pics! That Revell MiG sounds excellent, I can't wait to see it in progress. And with you building it Dj, I know it's gonna come out AWESOME!

Osher, how're you coming on with that little Viet trainer?