OT's Flying Kalashnikov *** Finished ***

[Dazzled]

Looking really nice OT. The cockpit detail on these kits is excellent for the scale and you've done a great job bringing it out.

Why is Mrs OT annoyed?

Is she not a Mig-21 fan?

[ShaunW]

Why is Mrs OT annoyed?

Is she not a Mig-21 fan?

I suspect that a DIY task was promised and not completed - but hey, Mrs OT's loss is our gain as that is coming together nicely OT.

[Chris]

She is starting to look the business OT, that Fujimi seems a decent kit.

[Old_Tonto]

Why is Mrs OT annoyed?

Is she not a Mig-21 fan?

It's just that time of the month when she resents me modelling or thinks I am doing it wrong!

She is starting to look the business OT, that Fujimi seems a decent kit.

Yes it is a real gem Chris. Not come across any vices yet although I have read it has inaccuracies - looks like a Mig-21PF To me. I would be interested to compare it with a Zvezda kit which seems more readily available.

No images tonight as I am waiting for the glue to dry on the canopy. Work will continue as Mrs OT is doing a night shift.

It's her birthday next week, do you think a plastic kit would make a good present?

[ShaunW]

It's her birthday next week, do you think a plastic kit would make a good present?

Naturally. Buy her an up to date tank kit with 300 parts dedicated to the individual track links alone, all of which require cleaning up before fitting. That will keep her out of your hair for a while

[Old_Tonto]

I have managed to add all the small parts (I think ) so time for some primer:



This really is a lovely kit & I am enjoying the group build so much I ordered a Zvezda Mig-21bis to compare with the Fujimi kit. I will do an inbox review ASAP.

Back to this build, whilst the primer dries I will start work on the U\C, missiles & centre line droptank. Once those are done I need to turn my attention to the colour scheme.
Reliable information on DDR colours & camo are patchy at best so I always try to find an image of the subject if I can. This one is a bit grainy but will have to do.



It looks like a dark green & a brown with a redish tint. I might give Tamiya paint a try with this one as plenty of people swear by them.
Maybe XF-26 dark green with splodges of XF-68 NATO Brown (Ironic ).
Obviously I will test on an old kit first.

Hopefully more to follow soon.

[ShaunW]

This is coming together very well OT. I'm a long time user of Tamiya acrylics and they've never given me any major problems. They are alcohol rather than water based though and I now thin them using Tamiya's own branded thinner. I used to use Halfords budget screen wash, which was very effective for these paints and was blue in colour, although that had no effect on the final colour of the paint. Halfords now appear to have changed the forumla and the current screen wash is orange and I haven't dared try it!

[Old_Tonto]

Its green now Shaun & I must say I am very impressed with Tamiya paint. I used their thinners too as experience has taught me not to cut corners here.



I hope to get the brown on tonight assuming I have the correct shade.

I have also started renovating am two-seat Mig-21 which will get a similar scheme & the Zvezda kit has arrived. It is lush. I am going to be disciplined and clear a few bench sitters before I start it though. I figure that I can cover the history of the Mig-21 in DDR service in 9 models.

More to follow.

[Old_Tonto]

Camo finished:



Not convinced about that brown but its too late now.

I aim to have the underside painted tonight then start decaling.

[Dazzled]

It'll look fine with a weathering wash.

It looks pretty good to me now

[Old_Tonto]

It'll look fine with a weathering wash.

It will have to be mate, I'm not doing it again!

No pictures today as I have been enjoying the sunny weather, all I have done is give the upper surfaces a coat of Klear.
This is because I have recently had issues with paint lifting off when I mask areas. I still need to apply the underside with light blue.
Not sure of the colour so will match from images by eye. I must say I am enjoying using the Tamiya acrylic paint. Goes on no trouble & is easy to clean. I have read that you can thin it with Windex but am not sure which variety to buy. Anyone know?

I have come across this picture that makes me happier about my choice of brown:


I have also done lots of research into the Mig-21 in East German service. Apparently they called the PFM version SPS & SPS-K.
The K representing the PFM with a gun pack. SPS refers to the Blown flaps - sounds painful.

Now that my Mig juices are flowing I have started renovating an old two-seater Mig-21UM that someone gave me.
I have invested in a set of Pavla vac canopies for Mig-21's of various models. I think I can do a shelf full of DDR Fishbeds.

[Dazzled]

Like I said OT, the camo looks fine. I wish I could freehand paint with an airbrush like that

I'm glad the Mig juices are flowing too. I've got a couple of East German Migs planned for the Iron Curtain GB in November. Maybe we can share info?

[Old_Tonto]

I'm glad the Mig juices are flowing too. I've got a couple of East German Migs planned for the Iron Curtain GB in November. Maybe we can share info?

Sounds like a plan Dazzled. I have plenty of images from around the web. Which Migs did you have in mind?

[Dirkpitt289]

Looking pretty snazzy there OT. The colors look good.

[TobyC]

Coming along very nicely. Someone said that the newer 21s looked muscle bound compared to the older ones and I tend to agree. Great looking plane regardless of that though.