Subject: Re: Submission for January 26, India Republic Day
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "Ratish" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 02:18:23 -0800

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ratish 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2014 10:10 PM
  Subject: Submission for January 26, India Republic Day

  Gallery Article Template

  "1/72 AMT/Matchbox MiG-21FL" 

  by "Ratish"

  Please include your ARC Discussion Forum Name with your submission 
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here 

  The MiG-21 has always been a legend in our times and has been fairly popular with the modelling community over the years. Well, when I set out to build one, I started with deciding to do a MiG-21FL "Type-77" as a tribute to it's recent retirement after 50 years of stellar service with the Indian Air Force. Looking at the different kits in 1/72 scale that offered this particular variant, it struck me that there weren't too many options I had. I finally decided to the vintage Matchbox / AMT kit knowing it had many deficiencies and hoping it would end up looking acceptable.

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg 

  Before I get into further details, I would like to mention that anyone looking to build this kit is looking at a bit of scratch-building just to get basic details right. The kit is rudimentary and simplistic, but is nevertheless a fun build. The most drastic change I made was to chop off about half an inch of the nose. This turned out to be more difficult than I expected and required a good deal of sanding and putty to smoothen out. Once the nose was done, I set out to scratch build the missing cockpit tub and dashboard with styrene strips. The seat that came in the box resembled a recliner and was replaced by a modified KM-1 seat from a Fujimi MiG-21. (The Type 77 used the SK-1 seat with unique overhead flap). Other changes included adding in the bulge above the wing root to fit the main gear wheels and having to sand down the tail fin.

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here 

  I decided to paint it a brown-green scheme as seen on an Indian Air Force example from the no.28 sqn. during the 1971 war with Pakistan. These MiGs were hastily painted on the field and the paint was heavily worn as the war progressed. I used Humbrol enamels and decals from the Casper decals 1971 War sheet. In the end, the model did not turn out as good as I would have liked, but mostly does look the part. 

  "Ratish Nair"

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 07.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 07.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 08.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 08.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 09.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 09.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 10.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 10.jpg 

  Photos and text © by "Ratish Nair"