Eduard 1/48 MiG-21bis, by Rob Leonard

The Mig-21 is one of those planes needing no introduction. It is the most-produced supersonic fighter in the world. Over fifty air forces flew the Fishbed (NATO codename) on four continents. It was in production for three decades and produced in many variants. Used in the Vietnam war, Indo-Pakistan war, by the Cubans in Angola and in the Mideast against the Israeli air force, many aces flew the Fishbed. The Mig-21bis was one of the last versions produced. The scheme I like best is the one used by the Finnish Air Force that entered service around 1980. It is featured in this Eduard kit. Finland had a policy of neutrality during the Cold War, and would buy jets from the Soviets and the West. The Mig-21 was replaced in the Finnish Air Force in the 1990s by F/A-18 Hornets, which was a considerable upgrade.

THE KIT

Scalemates states Eduard first issued the Mig-21 in 1/48 in 2011. I missed out the first time Eduard issued a Finnish Air Force version, but got one when it was re-issued. This is the first Eduard kit I have built, and one word sums of the kit: fiddly. There are tons of options requiring detailed, thorough examination of the instructions: Options for antennas, options for war loads, options for canopies, options for paint schemes, and options for details. Small detailed parts abound. The kit includes photoetched parts for the cockpit and jet exhaust, plus masks for the canopies. The decals are the new (to me) Eduard printed versions that allow you to carefully remove the clear decal film if you desire.

I recommend Scott Van Aken’s review of the Mig-21MF at ModelingMadness.com as essential reading for building this kit. It is spot on and explains well the pitfalls of building the fiddly Fishbed. The only real deviations I did from the kit was to buy a Master pitot tube and the used of small brass wire to attach the fuel tanks and the R-60 air to air missiles. I find if I just glue stores to pylons, I inevitably knock them off. Use of small brass wires and two-part, five minute epoxy makes this much less likely. The only place where I needed Mr. Surfacer 500 was on the underside of the fuselage where the wings attach. After obliterating some panel lines, I restored them with a scriber.

I am all about paint schemes, and this Finnish Air Force version is one of the best on any Mig-21. The green, dark brown and light gray just screams “Finland” to me. I used Eduard’s suggested Mr. Color paints for this camo: C308 for gray, C551 for green, a mix for the brown of C131 (80%) and C33 (20%). For the green radome and wheel hubs, I used AeroMaster acrylic. For the brown areas I used a little Tamiya X7 brown for mottling. Likewise I added a little C26 Sky to the green for mismatched touch ups here and there. For weathering, I used artist oils, Flory wash and AK Weathering pencils, mostly on the undersides. Finland seemed to keep their Fishbeds in good condition, so I did not go crazy on weathering. Before I decaled, I used Mr. Color GX100 Super Clear III. I tested lifting the clear film from the Eduard decals on my paint mule, and it worked well. Just ensure the decals are well dried (I waited three days) and then used water and a toothpick to gently lift the clear film. I was very happy with the result. Looks painted on. I sealed everything with my favorite flat, Testors Dullcoat sprayed through my H&S airbrush.

You have many options when it comes to 1/48 Mig-21s, but none will be as detailed and accurate as the Eduard version. Opening the box will overwhelm the novice, so this kit is aimed at someone with a few high parts count kits under their belt, but you will be rewarded with a great result.

KIT #:	8232
PRICE:	$54.00
DECALS:	Six options
REVIEWER:	Bob Leonard
NOTES:	Profipack