I
have decided to commemorate the
Czech
Republic
(
Czechoslovakia
) National Day with this “MIG 21 FAMILY” that I have finished just earlier
this year. It started out as a nice project that has turned into serial
production of MIG-21 models. Well just three this time. The models are 2x MIG
21MF and 1x MIG 21PFM. The MF versions are built from the 1/48 OEZ (now KOPRO)
kit and the PFM is a slightly modified 1/48 ACADEMY MIG-21 PFM kit.
The
first is MIG 21 PFM based at the 11th Fighter Regiment at AFB Zatec
in 1989. The kit is built OOB with the addition of Eduard ZOOM and vacu-formed
canopy as the PFM version has same canopy as the MF and also seat is KM-1 from
Pavla Models. Just after the model was finished a friend of mine reminded me
that I have two mistakes and that being the extra wing pylons as the PFM had
only two and also this version did not have any gun. Well it is glued and I am
in no hurry to fix it so I will live with the mistake.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The
second kit is a MIG-21MF that is also based at the 11th Fighter Regiment
at AFB Zatec in 1991. This kit is the OEZ (KOPRO) with the addition of
Pavla Models resin cockpit (initially designed for the Academy kit), small
fret of ancient Eduard photo etched parts and vacu-formed canopy. The
cockpit took some work to fit to the model but nothing overly difficult.
Otherwise the model fits together rather nicely with no big surprises, the
only section that requires more work is the tail to fuselage joint that I
strongly recommend strengthening by metal pins. It does require some
filling and Milliput proved to be ideal for the gap.
The
third model is also MIG-21MF based with the 6th Fighter-Bomber
Regiment at Prerov. This very aircraft was seen in these markings during the
“DRUZBA” exercise in 1986 and was being used as an “Enemy” aircraft.
Here goes your first Czechoslovakian “Grandfather Aggressor” so to speak. It
was extremely unusual to see any type of artwork on military aircraft of that
time in the air force so this is one of very few exceptions. I don’t have an
idea on how long these markings remained. The second thing that makes the
aircraft unique is the camouflage pattern different from the ones used in the
Czechoslovak Air Force at that time. The aircraft was overhauled in GDR (
East Germany
) and received a standard East German camouflage pattern.
This
model was built entirely OOB with a resin seat by Pavla Models. The biggest
downfall of the model is the canopy, as it is rather thick and smaller than the
spine of the aircraft and generally the canopy is small for the scale. Well the
intent was to leave it OOB so it is.
I
hope you will enjoy the little MIG-21 CzAF family.
Happy
Modeling!!!
Cheers,
Jarda
Click on
images below to see larger images
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