This old build was inspired by the outbreak of Desert Storm, or Gulf War One, I built this MiG-21MF in Iraqi markings and camouflage. Even though it’s more than 20 years old now, I had never really taken “proper” pics of it. I took care of that little issue when the Fishbed went to the Rockdale airport for a photo-shoot.
It is the ESCI 1/48 kit that was originally released by OEZ. Looking it over in these pics, I am really dismayed by the “hump” behind the cockpit. The kit had three different top fuselage inserts for three versions of the fighter andthe fit probably was not that great. I’d like to think that I have the skills now to avoid that awful step, but I guess I was satisfied to leave it back in '92. I also note in the pics that the front LG was somewhat loose and is crooked in some shots too. Oh well, she’s posed here in all her flaws and defects.
The dark paint was Pactra, long gone now, I think it was NATO brown, the other colors are Humbrol and MM, sprayed with my Paasche H. Decals are aftermarket and represent an aircraft in the Iran-Iraq War of the '80s. Thanks for taking a look, and if you squint, it really does sort of look like a Fishbed.
Thanks for the pics, I always enjoy seeing equipment of the “other side”. Though in this case, with those 3 kill markings under the canopy, this plane took part in the Iran-Iraq War, back when the US actually liked and supported Saddam. All that aside, nice job on the paint and the great photography layout.
Hi, Tex. Super nice job you made of it, looks right at home on the “tarmac.” Out of curiosity, what is it about the “hump” that you don’t like? I know zip about the '21 so nothing seems off to me.
Elegant camo work, such fine contrasting color borders done with a single action brush. You must have lot’s of experience using the H, I’m impressed. Great work, thanks for posting.
Thank you all for your replies so far! I am glad you found something to like about her.
"Out of curiosity, what is it about the “hump” that you don’t like? I know zip about the '21 so nothing seems off to me.
Elegant camo work, such fine contrasting color borders done with a single action brush. You must have lot’s of experience using the H"
That “hump” I’m referring to would be more appropriately described as a “step” I guess. It’s where the fuselage “insert” (three were provided for different versions) contacts the rear of the cockpit. I should’ve smoothed that joint out as lot more back then.
Thanks for the compliment on the paint work too! That Paasche Model H is the only airbrush I’ve used on my models so far. With enough finessing the adjustments, thinning paint correctly and experimenting with air pressure and distance from the work, a nice soft edge can be achieved. I did buy a brand new Sotar AB last fall but haven’t put it to use yet.
Funny you mentioned the OEZ kit I happen to have that very kit in the stash but a correction is in order. There are 2 “humps” provided as separate parts the third “hump” is molded onto the fuselage halves and would need to be removed in order to attach the spine relevant to the version you are building.
Hey Mikey, I believe you are exactly right; the fuselage is already configured as an “MF” variant, with the other two parts available for two other versions. It has been 22 years since I built the plane…I might have forgotten.[:D] Thanks for the head’s up!
Gary
OEM also put out the SU-7 Fitter. But the OEM Mig-21 is the only kit in 1/48 scale that offers 3in1 modeling of the Mig-21. Though it would have been nice if they included the Mig-21UB 2 seater option to the kit.
Mikey, I’d like to find one of those Su-7s in 1/48. A couple years back, I taught with an expatriate Russian. Actually, he was from Belarus. As a Russian Jew, he had had a hard time getting out of the Soviet Union, finally leaving in 1980. Before he became an electrical engineer, he had been in the Soviet Air Force as a ground-crewman for Su-7s. When I asked him about that plane, he said, “tough airplane, very tough!” I’d like to have one in my collection just as a reminder of ol’ Noam.
