1/72 Red Star Models Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 3 (Completed Pg. 2)

Thanks! I’ve had far more practice over the years with the hairy sticks and the AB is still new to me. However, I’ve never been able to free hand stars before. I’m thrilled about that!

New OS installs are a pain. I’ve been trying to screw up the motivation to reformat my laptop for years. A third of the software doesn’t work right anymore and I barely use it for more than the net these days.

I tried loging in with my phone, tablet, and laptop with no luck last night. I kept coming back, but no one was posting anywhere so I didn’t think I was alone. I wonder what happened?

I think it sorted itself out for me. It does weird stuff once in a while. I painted the nose on the MiG and the black base coat went down in sputters, but I pushed through with a lot of patience and got it down. Next came the Vallejo “Metal” aluminum. It started off spurting, but then it just seemed to let go, and it started spraying perfectly fine. No idea why.

So I think I probably should have shaken the bottle more, because this aluminum looks more like silver. Not quite what i was expecting, but I’m sure it will dul down after some minor effects are applied.

That aluminum looks almost chrome. I think that’s my fault though.

I’ve got the landing gear bays and doors painted now. I finally mixed a shade of green that actually looks good (and not minty). Now I wish I had found it sooner because my cockpit had several different shades of green and one of them was kinda minty.

I still need to paint some rubber on those tires and round out the rest of the details before I gloss this bird.

Almost done. :slight_smile:

I used to have a link to sovietwarplanes.com, but it’s a redirect to ads now and doesn’t work. It was full of photos and correct color samples for the early Soviet AC. Now the best I can do is IPMS. When I built both of my early Soviet birds the site showed the cockpits in a light grey color and had unrestored photo examples. I found that the RLM02 was a close match. I wish that site still worked, it was the best thing I’ve seen for the VSS stuff. I guess I’ll have to start looking hard again.

I FOUND IT !!!

http://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/mig3/mig3.html

This is a treasure trove of information on the Mig 3 and you can dig around and really learn a ton from this site. I also found the photo of the correct interior colors. The sides and floor were the color like RLM02, the front of the pit, inst panel and tubing, was black, seat was dark green. If you look at the photo you’ll see the grey green on the far left tubing and some of the boxes. As you can see there were 3 primary colors in the early planes. Most people paint them light grey and that’s it, but they are grey/green, dark green and black. There is not alot of detail in most of these kits so the colors help make the lack of detail more interesting.

This is a restored bird, but the color scheme is close to correct from what I’ve found in my research.

I really need to build another one. I wonder how the lend lease AC were painted inside? Hmm.?

BK

And since yours in Red O2, you might find this link helpful.

http://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/mig3/red02.html

Oh, and I think you kit looks stellar!! You have really lit a fire under me to build another Mig.

[Facepalm] thanks for the links, but I got everything wrong. But that means the Laag 3 I have should be more accurate.

Glad I could inspire you though. That makes it all better lol.

Well, if nothing else it looks neat.

Stars! On one side anyways.

seriously, that one looks super nice. It represents any winter Mig-3 you want it to. I was just looking mine over and I think your little guy is done better. I’m looking forward to seeing how you weather it up.

BK

Thanks Brandon. I was going to use some oils, but I don’t seem to have them with me right now. I’ll try some acrylics and Tamiya powders.

Im not sure if this will end up how I picture it in the end, but I’ll try.

If memory serves I believe I used Tamiya smoke and weathering kits when I dirtied mine up and I’m happy with it. Really doesn’t matter in the end, I think you have a winner as it is.

BK

Looking really cool. Great job.

Thanks guys. :slight_smile:

I think the effects are what’s going to make this one though.

Closing this one up soon. :slight_smile:

Here are a couple of sneak peeks before I take some pictures outside tomorrow.

I don’t think I’ll make a canopy using this method again though. It’s okay, but not that good. I think it’s a bit distracting, but I can live with it.

Hello Mike!

Your MiG is looking good! I understand your feelings about the canopy, but it’s a nice save none the less!

I have even built my own vacu machine (http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/tools_techniques_and_reference_materials/f/23/p/151922/1627952.aspx) to be able to adress isssues like that, but even without a special machine you can form your own canopies, so please try it - as I have said before, it opens a whole new set of options.

Good luck with your modelling projects and have a nice day

Paweł

If I have to do this again I will be using your idea Pawel. The method I used took a lot of work for a mediocre result.

Alright here are the daylight pictures for the completion. Flaws and all.

I can’t help but feel I could’ve done better.

Very nice Mike. Always thought the Mig 3 was a great looking airplane, and you’ve certainly done an excellent job with that kit

Masterful job. I really like the way you tackled the canopy!

Chris, Stephen, thank you both very much. :slight_smile:

I very nearly dumped it in the bin before I started the effects stage. I had a personal issue that tanked my enthusiasm, but then I had a visit from my little brother. All is well now and I’m quite pleased with the outcome of this build.

But that canopy still bugs me. I KNOW I could’ve done that better. :slight_smile:

Considering where you had to start this turned out to be quite the stunner. Very impressive little build and you nailed the look. Well done.

BK

Thanks Brandon. It does grab the spotlight in those colors lol.