Eduard 1/72 MiG-21MF 'Fighter-Bomber'

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-21; NATO reporting name "Fishbed") is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek (English: pencil) by Polish pilots due to the shape of its fuselage. Early versions are considered second-generation jet fighters, while later versions are considered to be third-generation jet fighters. Some 50 countries over four continents have flown the MiG-21, and it still serves many nations a half-century after its maiden flight. The fighter made aviation records. At least by name, it is the most-produced supersonic jet aircraft in aviation history (nearly 11,500 examples according to some sources) and the most-produced combat aircraft since the Korean War. It also had the longest production run of a combat aircraft (1959 to 1985 over all variants).

Because of all the conflicts in which it has been involved, some wags say it is the most shot down supersonic aircraft in history. While your editor thinks that may be more true for the F-4 or F-105 due to the intense ground fire in Vietnam, it may be that the MiG-21 has been shot down in air to air combat more than any other supersonic jet.

The MiG-21MF is a third generation version of the aircraft. It is an export version of the MiG-21SM, with RP-22 radar and R13-300 turbojet. The choice of weapons loads was increased with the addition of the R-60 (NATO: AA-8 "Aphid") and later the R-60M IR-seeking AAM. These were also licence-built in India by HAL as the Type 88.

Having pretty well covered 1/48 with the MiG-21 family as well as a series in 1/144, Eduard decided to cover 1/72 scale a few years back. Typical of Eduard, the molding is quite good with a number of parts not used in this boxing.

Having a separate upper spine with fin will allow pretty much all the sprues to be used with earlier and later versions, changing out very few other parts in the process. While this does make for more economical use of sprues, it adds to the 'fiddliness' of the kit, a trait rather common with Eduard releases.

Since this is a Weekend release, it does not provide the color photo etch set, nor does it include the canopy masks. Unlike the very early weekend editions, it does provide more than one set of markings. Frankly, I know of no one who could complete this in a weekend. Usually these kits take me a month.

There is no 'tub' for the cockpit with the side walls and bulkheads being added. The nose gear well is part of the cockpit assembly and needs the side walls attached. There is a diagram that shows all these bits in place so you can be sure you have it properly aligned. The main gear well is also four pieces and you build up that as well as the five piece exhaust before assembling the fuselage halves. When you do assemble the halves, you'll find that it comes with a separate ring inside the intake so you can paint and install the radome at the end of the construction process when the airframe is painted.

The lower wing is one piece and includes the lower fuselage. Before attaching the upper wing halves, you are to install the landing lights along with a number of other clear bits that are to be painted various colors. Masking these will not be all that easy and frankly, these are something I've not seen before. Then the wing and spine/fin are attached along with the windscreen and intake ring. The various small engine scoops and the tailplanes are then glued on.

Even though the flaps and ailerons are separate, these were rarely deflected when the plane was on the ground so positioning them up is the norm. You are provided with two flap options that are the same save for one additional panel line on one set. Wheel hubs are separate from the tire on both the nose and main tire. Gear is very nicely molded with separate oleo scissors and brake lines.

The forward speed brakes are molded closed, but you can pose the aft one lowered. You are provided with a pair of rocket take off units if you wish to add them. It isn't until near the end of the build that Eduard has you assemble the seat and a harness is on the decal sheet. The canopy can be posed open or closed and there are tabs for the open option that have to be cut off for the closed canopy. 

Lots of things for under wings with two different styles of fuel tanks and a nice collection of missiles and rocket pods. I would have thought perhaps some iron bombs would have been nice, but that was not to be. All of the various pylons are butt joined.

Instructions are well done with Gunze and Mission Models paint references. Four options are provided including the box art special scheem in overall light grey from the Polish AF. Another special scheme plane, this time from the Czech AF is in overall silver/aluminum. A camouflaged East German plane is provided as is a camouflaged Egyptian plane with large orange areas. This orange will need to be painted, though the black surround stripes are provided on the sheet. Decals are superbly printed and a very large stencil sheet is included for those who enjoy applying them.