The kit is by Academy
unlike most kits, fail to display the different decal options on the cover,
and my joy knew no bounds when I found decals to build my Mig 21 in the Indian
Air Force service. The decals supplied with the kit were for one of the Migs
from No. 26 Squadron based at Palam and the color scheme for this particular
aircraft [C2281] was of the low visibility grey.
Wanting to add more
challenge to the build, and with the only photo references from Bharat
Rakshak.com (a very informative site about the Indian Armed Services), I decided
to build the three tone camouflaged Mig-21 bis- Type 75 aircraft [C2776]. This
aircraft was built at the Mig complex in Nasik and was
one of 220 built in the this configuration.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The bui ld
was fairly easy and the part fit up was good. To add more realism to the model,
I added the Aires cockpit set. This greatly improved the detail inside and made it
possible to display the model with the canopy in the open position. The landing
gear was spruced up with wire of different diameters to simulate hydraulic
lines. The boundary layer exhaust port and the fuselage auxiliary air inlets were
also covered, complete with the 'Remove before Flight' tags.
The painting of the
camo posed the biggest challenge and I tried different methods before using
normal glue to form patterns. The reference photos depict a weather beaten
aircraft and I was unable to recreate that.....I consoled myself thinking that my
model depicts that aircraft when it was freshly painted ;-)) Decal application
was a breeze and the model was oil washed to bring out the panel lines and
surface details. It was finally sealed off with Dull cote.
The canopy was
coated with Future to bring out the shine. Small strips of yellow decal
were also cut and pasted on the canopy.
In conclusion, I
enjoyed this build and appreciate my wife's patience with me trying to get it
right.......
I dedicate this
model to all the Airmen who serve in the Indian Air Force.
Leonard
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