Here are my MiGs in 1/72 scale. The Mig 17 is by Kopro and the Mig 21 is by Fujimi “Red Stars” series.
After preparing both models with the Alclad II primer and coating with Future I put different shades of Alclad II Aluminum to see if there will be a difference in shininess. The 21 is generally darker under most lighting conditions and looks “older” than the 17.
Base coat of the 17 is Polished Aluminum with bands of Dull Aluminum.
Base coat of the 21 is Dull Aluminum with various panels with Polished Aluminum, Magnesium and Dark Aluminum.
Also replaced the landing lights on the 21 with railroad lights. The tips of the air-to-air missles are replaced with clear acrylic made from sprue, heated and formed to the appropriate size with the help of the steel base of the Waldron Punch set. The stensils on the pylons and the fuel tanks are from my spare decal box. And just for kicks, added static dischargers made from stretched sprue.
Very lovely pair of MiGs.! It’s a shame KP never re-worked their molds to enter the ‘engraved panel lines age’, because other than that and relative basic detailling inside, those kits were really very good, and certainly more accurate than what was then available…
I’m currently experimenting with rivet heads and panel lines printed onto clear decal sheets to bring a solution to this problem. I’m not very keen on re-engraving, and I think this system could ease off lots of problems and frusrtation, and bring back to the top of the ‘to do’ pile kits that have been collecting dust for many years.
In any case, thanks for sharing pictures of those two beauties!