"Trumpeter 1/32nd scale
MiG-21MF, Syrian Air Force 1973"
This is my version of a Syrian MiG-21MF from the "Yom Kippur War".
I started this project last year with the idea to build it as a Soviet piloted,
Egyptian marked MiG-21MF from the late 1960s, early 1970s "War of
Attrition". During the construction, I changed my plan and instead
decided to model this MiG as a Syrian Air Force fighter as it would have
appeared in 1973. In the early building stage I realized that the gas
deflector plates below the small side air intakes (which I had already glued in
place)were not yet featured on the early version MiG-21M the Russians were
flying at that time in Egypt. So it was easier to change the markings at that
point.
The next task was to come up with a
good generic tropical MiG-21 camouflage pattern. I did a set of drawings based
on many photos of mid-east and African MiGs from this time period and adjusted
it until I got the result I wanted to achieve.
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images below to see larger images
Now that I had a clear idea of what
nationality, camo pattern and version I intended to build , I proceeded
with the construction of the model. The Trumpeter MiG-21MF is really quite
simple to put together with no major sins. Even though the cockpit is
fully detailed, I used some parts from the 'Eduard" MiG-21MF interior
cockpit detailing set to add further detail. I decided along the way to
use the pilot figure to animate the cockpit. I converted it and then did
my best to paint it. The result was fairly good considering that the
figure itself was not. Very little filler putty was needed and seams were
for the most part quite tight. The wheel wells are sparse on detail and
can always use some extra gadgets in there to busy it up. The "Eduard"
MiG-21MF exterior parts photo-etch was used in select locations. I only
use photo-etch parts that I think are worth the effort. I used mixes of
Testors "Model Master" enamels for the main colors painted with
a Paasche "H" model single action airbrush that I have used for
40 years. After applying the base colors (Tan/Green and underside
Blue) I then lightened each by 25% and sprayed from the center of each
panel outward to the panel lines leaving a hint of the darker shade at the
edges.
I applied full MiG-21 stencils to
the model with a 1/32nd scale decal sheet from the Russian "Begemot"
company. Absolutely great piece of work. You can see from photos how extensive
and detailed it is. they went on very well with the "Micro-scale setting
solutions, and for the most part, the clear decal film disappeared over the
glossy model surfaces. I would not hesitate to recommend this company's decals.
The national markings I used were a mix from different sources. The Syrian 3
star roundels came from the "Hi-Decal" SU-7 sheet in 1/48th scale. To
me, it looked closer to the correct size than some of the 1/32nd scale roundels
that were provided on other sheets. Those other decals were all oversized and of
the 2 star version. From the few
photos and video available that I used in my references, it appears that a
smaller roundel was more appropriate. So That's the story.
Ed Okun
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