Guys, I’ve been itching to do a large scale Mig-17. With that, I have a few questions.
First off, why is the Trumpter kit so cheap compared to, say the A-10 kit of the same scale? Does it have significantly lower parts count?
Also, I’d like to do a North Vietnam version of this aircraft…although I don’t even know yet if they used the version Trumpeter makes. In any case, I was looking around for aftermarket decals and found a set for NV Mig-17s. However, according to this company, it is not in camo. I thought the NV had camoed Mig-17s. Is this not true? That’s what I’m interested in. Thanks.
The NVAF used the MIG-17F Fresco C. Not all aircraft used by the NVAF was canouflaged. In fact most were in natural metal. Some wore the camouflage only on the top.
I am not sure which model Trumpteter produces. The Chinese version, Shenyang J-5, was a copy of the MIG-17F Fresco C. The Polish version, Lim-5 was also a copy of the MIG-17F Fresco C.
The MIG-17F Fresco D and MIG-17PM Fresco E, had the radome on the upper intake lip. It was used only by the Soviet Union and none were exported. All you have to do now is find out which model was released by Trumpteter.
Trumpeter has two kits: Shenyang F-5/MiG-17 AF/Navy and Shenyang F-5A/MiG-17PF AF/Navy. Both being less than $20 US. That blows me away more than anything. Thanks for the info.
To model the aircraft used by the NVAF you would have to get the J-5/F-5. The NVAF did not use the PF version. A good reference. if you can find it is, MIG-17 Fresco in action book # 125… There is a lot of reference and photographs of the MIG-17 as used by the NVAF.
Rather ironic, but it seems we have the same interests as far as aircraft go. I am, at the moment, in the very early research stages of the 1/32 Hobbycraft Mig-17F. I plan on doing mine in nat. metal, and display it opposite my 1/32 Revell F-4E “Mig Killer.” What’s next on your list, the Tamiya 1/48 Pfeil?
Well, my interest of Eastern block aircraft has only recently been sparked. I’m working on one of the old Revell Mig-29 kits now, but I’ve always sort of liked the Mig-17.
Oh, and actually, after the Mig-29 is a Trumpeter 1/32 A-10. That I can’t wait for!!!
Anyway, back to Migs. I wonder how the Hobbycraft Mig-17 kit compares to the Trumpeter kit? I may be convinced to switch to Hobbycraft as I have never built one of their kits.
Dana
It isn’t the most detailed of aircraft kits, but it will suffice for my use. The cockpit has a little detail, but the really nice part is that the back end comes off (complete with trolley) to show the entire engine. Plus, for less than $30, you can’t beat the price for an aircraft in that scale.
Get ready for a huge amount of time on the A-10. I still haven’t finished mine yet, but it’s progressing, albeit slowly.
I was referring to the HC kit. Trumpeter and Hobbycraft have shared alot of molds in the past, so this may be one of them. Anyone know for sure?
I’ve spent alot of time on my A-10, but I also have the N/AW version, and popped for both Verlinden kits. I’m still waiting on the Eduard set to do the weapons. BTW, if you need some resource pics of the cockpit or ACES seat, I have some pretty good color pics of them that I can send to you. They’ve helped a ton for me. As for fit problems, I haven’t really encountered too much yet. I had to fiddle with the seams on the forward fuselage to make all of the aftermarket stuff fit, plus a small problem with making the 2 Verlinden sets work together. Apparently, the avionics bay was not designed to fit the 2-seater version, so I had to heavily modify and cut out portions of the rear tub to make things fit correctly. If you’re interested, I’ll try to get some progress pics up of at least the cockpit.
Sure, I’d love to have some pics. I’ve been collecting some for awhile now. 72cuda is also supposed to send me some in the next month or so (I think). If I get those, I’ll send them to you. Thanks again.
Dana
