1/32 Trumpeter Mig-3

by Marcos Bonfim

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Here's my Mig3 from an TRUMPETER kit.

History

The MiG-3 was built to meet a Soviet Air Force requirement for a high speed, high altitude interceptor. capable of very good performance above 16,400 feet (5,000 meters). The MiG was at a distinct disadvantage at lower altitudes, where the primarily tactical airwar on the Eastern Front was fought. It is interesting to note that the MiG-3 had better performance than the 109E at height, and on par with the famed 'F' model.

Development of the MiG-1 with only minor differences (but quite different in handling). To cure poor spin performance of the Mig-1, automatic slats were added. No other country had such a high-speed high-altitude interceptor in service, and even Luftwaffe was taken by surprise when some its high-altitude reconnaissance planes were lost to unknown Soviet fighter.

MiG-3 was almost perfectly suited for their designated role, but well known events of 1941 forced pilots to play on the wrong field as a replacement for conventional fighters or even ground attackers. It was a forced misuse of good high altitude interceptor with limitations in low altitude performance. At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War (what was the WWII for Soviet people) many MiG's pilots rammed German bombers after running out of ammunition - often the order was "to stop bombers by any means".

3322 MiG-3 were built. Aircraft was in service almost until the end of the war - thanks to exceptional easy maintenance, repairability and part compatibility. Generally from 2-3 unrepairable machines one flying could be assembled in the field conditions.

This kit represents the late version; it is highly detailed, with recessed surface details and separate slats. The model was constructed according to recommendations from Massimo Tessitori's website. "Winter, December 1941 34 IAP. Vnukovo base. The 34 IAP formed part of the field occidental of Moscow at IA-PVO. This example is one of the most famous ones. they could be between the last MiG-3 even built.

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I painted my model with automotive paint (Laca nitro-cellulose) and use decals available OOB - White uppersurfaces (by workshop or field, painted over the standard camouflage green) with light blue undersurfaces. Sometimes different shades of white/green (or light grey) are present on the same aircraft, particularly on the removable panels that could be exchanged from one aircraft to another.

The slogan on the nearest aircraft reads "za rodinu" - "for the motherland.

Marcos

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Photos and text © by Marcos Bonfim