I have thought long and hard about this. The first ever Matchbox kit I remember getting was either the MiIG21 or the Gnat, and I'm pretty sure the first was the MIG. I had dug out both kits just in case but I will be doing the MIG21. I know it's not the most accurate of kits and am aware of it's faults but it will be almost OOB. The exception being it will have two drop tanks, one under each wing instead of just a centreline tank. Anyway. I have made a start today and have been taking pics as I went along. The construction has been quite rapid as expected with such a simple kit but not quite up to blitz speeds. Enough of me banging on. Time for the pics.
Obligatory box/Sprue shots.
I've been looking for an excuse to try the AKAH paints Very good to brush paint I must say.
construction under way
As things stand at the moment. As of 22:45 tonight.
Nose weight is a mix of fishing shot and milliput. Not sure how much is in there but lets say it's more than adequate.
All the best.
Greg
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
Cheers Tim. I haven't had any issues wit the kit yet except for a badly fitting fin/rudder part. I had to sand some of the curve out under the rudder where it meets the rear fuselage as there was a gap in the middle. From what I remember of this kit the main undercarriage legs are very fragile (and they certainly look it) si I'll have to take care with them. Oh, I forgot to mention it will be in the kits Russian scheme.
All the best.
Greg
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
A few years ago I built the East German version, adding bits etc to make it look more like the MiG-21 bis that I was after. I overdid the nose ballast a bit and the nose gear oleo wobbles alarmingly every time the model is moved, which I now avoid doing if at all possible, so although fragile looking, the oleos are perhaps stronger than they look!
Doing - Tamiya 1/35th Universal Carrier.
Work is the curse of the modelling classes!
IPMS#12300
I still wonder what plans Lesney used to do this kit? Wasn´t there some kind of prototype, that looks similar to PK-19?
In the time frame, when this kit was developed, the real looks of a Mig-21 were already easy to have access to, cause the
Russians had already visited Rheims in France, with their -21, I know that from a description in the "Profiles" issue about the -21.
I´m sure I´ll save my PK-19 from the shelf of doom this year....
Waiting for the day, when wars for territory will be something to be read about in history books only.
Playing Tetris taught me: If I clean up too much, my kits disappear.....8-(
Markus, alias Crashpilot, or Crash, or CP, as you wish
Nice work Greg your getting through this one!
I'm building the same kit in the same markings so it shows we both have good taste in models!
I don't have too much of an issue with the kits inaccuracies to be honest.
I've sat it next to my Corgi Vietnam version and there's barely half a centimetre difference and that's ok with me!
I´m sure everybody posting in this forum has already built more kits than me.
Matchbox kits are about having fun!
Main reason I joined this forum is: most German speaking forums have a too serious approach to modelling IMHO.
Just wait til I show you my polish eastern bloc kit of the MiG-15, I know how to have fun
Waiting for the day, when wars for territory will be something to be read about in history books only.
Playing Tetris taught me: If I clean up too much, my kits disappear.....8-(
Markus, alias Crashpilot, or Crash, or CP, as you wish
Crashpilot wrote:
Main reason I joined this forum is: most German speaking forums have a too serious approach to modelling IMHO.
Just wait til I show you my polish eastern bloc kit of the MiG-15, I know how to have fun
When I created the original UAMF I had in mind keeping it friendly and informal, a sort of 24/7 model club. It worked and I have the members to thank for that.
Wouldn't mind seeing that MIG too.
Small progress so far as I've been busy but hopefully I'll get more done tonight and get pictures posted.
All the best.
Greg
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
More progress indeed my friend. I'll let the pictures do the talking.
That's the state of play so far. also here's a sneak peek at something else Matchbox that hit the bench recently but not one for the G/b as it will take too long. There's a hint in the pic as to what's happening with it.
All the best.
Greg
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
They are indeed HE111 wings but there's a clue as to what's happening to the model on the bench near them.
Hopefully I will get time to do more on the MIG this evening.
All the best.
Greg
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
Very good to brush paint I must say. 
