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

Just to add: OK, the solution was to sand the entire body. Yep, I'm going to have rescribe the entire thing. Amazing how a small little 1/72 project has turned into a complete adventure! I also had some fun, when I discovered that the nosecone wouldn't fit onto a flat nose. Then, after careful examination, it seems that the nose, that lovely flat nose I glued and sanded down, is actually flash!!!!!! I did say that this model has a lot of flash, to the extent that sometimes it's difficult to seperate flash from part. Oh well, it's a learning curve.

Funny thing, seeing a model with no panel lines, it looks, well, naked. OK, so, the instructions want 4g of weight. Not speaking French, what the heck is 4grams? Any real life examples?

Actually, speaking of panel lines, to what degree should one re-scribe? Obviously the airbrakes will need it (yep, and unusual shapes too, just for more 'challange'), but else?

Well, my infamous project has moved on a little. I've had to use way more CA than normal, but at least parts of the fuselage are attached. I say parts because one side is a different scale (!) to the other by a fraction! Seriously, one the leading edge of the fin matches, but one extends back beyond the other. Hmmm, this kit is certainly a challange! So, it's out with the filler and files. Of course, the other problem is that I have yet to see a Mig-15 UTI with a giant's fingerprint on the side. It may indeed be that there is such an aircraft, but I suspect that I might need to do a little more sanding... Just to increase the challange, the finish is bare metal, so, every inperfection is shown up! As for the cockpit, well, it's reasonable, except one seat is angled (because it helps support the tub); and as I'm writing this I just realised that I forgot the blanking plates!

Anyway, here is my latest picture:

QUOTE: Originally posted by yardbird78 Question: Is it proper etiquette to display the group build badge in your signature block as soon as you join a GB or are you supposed to wait until the project is completed? Darwin, O.F.

My personal feeling is that I should only wear it once I've completed a build. Sort of like my reward for having finished. That is just my own sense of honor about it though. I can also understand wearing it once you start as it gets the word 'out there' to others who may not know of the build and may want to join in. If that is what one wants to do to show their participation, by all means, I think that is quite acceptable. Still, I personally will only wear it when I complete the Build since my personal feelings are that that is when I've earned the right to wear it.

So Darwin, how far have you come? I would love to see some pics!

I think it depnds on the owner. I for example, encourage you to wear it as soon as you get started on your project. Others might prefer you wear it once you are finished.

Question: Is it proper etiquette to display the group build badge in your signature block as soon as you join a GB or are you supposed to wait until the project is completed?
Darwin, O.F.

Thanks Tankmaster! I wear my new badge with Pride!

Well you've certainly earned it duke!!!! go, on, put it in your sig! very nice builds. fast too, I might add.

Okay people! I have now officially earned my Bagde for this Group Build!

Here are my pics showing my work. To start with, take a look at my MiG 21 PF 'Indian Tiger':



Next is my German MiG 23:



Disclaimer: I tried to make this as accurate as possible from 11-year-old memories. I'm certain that the numbers on the front as well as the shield emblem on the intakes is inaccurate, but I do remember that the general placement is correct. And yes, the one in my memory had a shield on the intake, but I don't recall what it was; nor do I believe that I have it in my spare decals bag. Thus, due to the limitations of my spare decals bag, I used what I had available to make this MiG look good.

So, that is what I've got done. I had a blast doing this Group Build with everyone and will still be stopping in now and then to see everyone else's progress!

whooppee!!! I got a lot of work done today. list of things I did.
1. Glued dial films to PE instrument panel
2. Glued completed instrument panel to cockpit
3. Finished sanding and filling vast majority of nasty seams.
4. Finished HUD anf glued in.

Thank you! You are most welcome back! If you're in this country again, just let me know, and maybe we can have a small FSM meeting.

Ahh I see. I've been to Swededn. Very nice country.

Yes, you're absolutely right. Sweden, even though a member of the EU, still uses the Krona as currency. Stubborn as the Brits! We can't do as everybody else, can we?!

SEK? is that the swedish kroner?

No, not the Tamiya 1/48. I'm building the old 1/72 Airfix kit #00017. I bought two of these kits (one kit without one lower wing half, but that's OK, I'll use the tail and some other parts for a Super Barrel Project) together with an Airfix MiG-21 #02024 and an Airfix MiG-23 #03036, all 1/72, from a friend on the last IPMS Dalarna (Sweden) meeting I attended, for a bargain of total 50 SEK (=USD 7)! Just couldn't resist it!

Swedish Mick, what Mig-15 kit are you building? Is it the Tamiya 1/48? I have that kit and was wondering about fit/ease to built, etc... especially with the exposed engine.

After some time away from building, I'm back to the work bench.
The latest progress on my MiG-15: Now, the fuselage halves are put together, some filler used at the seams and next is to start sanding before the wings are fitted.
Progress on my MiG-23: Started to sand some parts, weight added to the nose, but ... the carpet monster (OK, one of his wood-living friends then!) has taken the seat !!! I'll give him!!!!! Have to see what I can do ...
And sorry, but no pictures yet.

Congrats Tanky! I lift my glass in a toast! And to think it most likely happened in your own Group Build!.

OK. I'm sorry but this isn't so much an information post as a toot my own horn post Happy 1000 posts to me!!! Yay!!!!

I hate to keep you guys hanging like this. I'll try to post[pics as soon as I can.

Osher, you have no reason to be ashamed. If anything, you're doing better because of the work you have to put into it. I thyink that cockpit is looking real good! Way to go fixing that up!

waikong, yeah, the stripes are all hand painted on. I wanted to try my airbrush, but couldn't find the fine tip, so I hand painted them. That's cool to know about the cranked wings. I may have to try and get me one of those kits. Awesome job waikong!

Thanks Tanky! Those stripes were a pain to do, but they went on pretty well. I'm happy. I can't wait to see your work on the cockpit that you've done. With all the descriptions, this should look incredible! Post pics my man!

Thanks for the comments.

Duke, thats some great stripes there. Hand painted? You give me too much credit for the cranked wings, it comes that way as an option on the kit, this MIG is modified by a chinese manufacture.

Osher, I feel your pain, I had a similar model with the same problem in the cockpit seats. The difference is that you did a good job fixing it. I just closed the top and hope no one will notice!

OK, so I got the HUD resin part glued in to my MIG fuselage. I then puttied it in with squadron green thinned down with acetone. This was necessary, as when I sawed/ filed off the kit part, it was quite jagged and I took a nasty chunk out of the plastic. I have recontoured the whole edge, and am now waiting for it to dry so I can sand it.

looking pretty good osher.

WOW! There are some stunning bits of work here! Duke, Wai, Tanky, you've all done such excellent work, makes me a little embaressed with mine...

Anyway, here is the score: The cockpit was re-painted, with everything Humbrol 164, except the vinyl (?) areas of the seats, which are satin black (Humbrol 21 I think I used).

The control sticks are quite pathetic, and then one made a very fast journey, as I attempted to get it into place. A new control stick was fashion out of a strut from an Airfix Bristol Bulldog. Actually, that Bulldog has been quite useful in providing replacement parts. Personally, I think the new control stick looks better. Anyway, I drilled holes for the sticks, as the original holes were too small for even the original sticks (hence the stick flick, into an unknown corner of my bedroom).

Size does matter...In this case the bits that fit into the cockpit tub take up too much space (do they actually assemble kits before they make the moulds?). In short (excuse the pun), there is no space between the seat, the stick, the dials, and the next seat. Not even Munchkins could fly one of these! The upshot of all this is that everything is a compromise, and probably not quite right.

I've been moaning (me, moan about this kit? never!) about the cockpit tub pins having no relation to the floor. In the picture you can see the pins 'floating', and not attached to anything. If you did follow the instructions, anyone who flew the aircraft, would be 7' tall, but with no legs, and very weird arms. Anyway, I managed to attach the tub to the sidewall after much trial (and mostly) error.

Of course, it's only now I discovered that there is no blanking plate, so you can see from behind the cockpit to the engine. I suspect that in reality you couldn't see into the engine, so, I need to build a blanking plate, for both ends. I've also got a problem (yep, another), with the glass partion screen, as in fit. That's assuming I can even get the canopy to fit.

What's my view on the re-released KP MiG-15 (Vietnam Special)? Why the heck did I buy two versions?!!! Actually, it's frustrating, because, in places it's an excellent kit, it's just that the fit is awful, there is so much flash you don't know if something is part or flash, and the instructions show something going somewhere, but are approximate than appropriate.

Happy Modelling y'all!

edited to add: I know the cockpit looks rough, but it's going to be cleaned up, sanded, and re-painted. Should look much better soon. The little 'peg' under the cockpit is the underside of the Bristol Bulldog strut. (to the left)

That's very nice. I really like the tiger stripes.

Sweet bird waikong! That is awesome work! Great colors, and I love the cranked wing on the MiG. You gotta post how you did that with pics if possible!

I decided to break down and post one more pic. This is my MiG 21 'Indian Tiger'. It is ready now for a clearcoat for decaling:



Okay, once I get a couple more of my Armor in the 'Under New Ownership' Group Build to the clearcoat stage, I'll resume work on these two MiGs. I expect that to be done about next week or so.

Enjoy!

very well done waikong!! I really like the way you took the pictures.

Nice job! I like the colours.

Wow Mad Duke, you don't even post your badge until you are done. That's really good self contorl here. Well, okay I did finish it this weekend. So here's the result of my combined Foreign Mig/Acrobatic Team GB. A Chinese modified Mig21 (F-7E)








Full build writeup with more pictures at http://waihobbies.wkhc.net/f7eb.html

Nice Tankmaster! Sounds like you're making good progress.

I have a pic of my Indian MiG 21 that I'll post tomorrow. It shows the tigerstripe camo pattern that I finally finished. Now both my MiGs are ready for clearcoating. Once I get a couple more kits to that point, I'll shoot all 8 of them with Future and then start on the decals once it dries.