1/48 Revell Mig-21PF - Decaling just about done!

[Deleted]

So I am building this interesting jet as part of a work contest. I have to complete it by end of September. So I started by getting an aftermarket pilot, which has a seat for a Mig-21PFM   Minor issue, but so far it is coming along.  Plan is to build it NMF, yet uncertain as to which tail fin to go with and what number to use.  The kit comes with he Bort(I belive this is correct) number in Yellow, but I haven't seen any Soviet Mig-21PF's in NMF with Yellow numbers.  Enough talk, enjoy the pictures!  Since the cockpit is going to be closed and displayed in flight, I might go back and redo the side consoles, but I doubt it will be very noticeable once closed up.

[Deleted]

If anyone ever wants to build Revell's version of the Mig-21, just to let you know...it's sparse. My pilot looks like a midget due to the seat looking smaller than the kit seat. Also it builds up quickly, nowhere near as many steps as Eduards. To show you what I mean:






Sub Assemblies:




Which one to use:

[wbill76]

Not a whole lot to the kit for sure...should make it a quick build if nothing else.

[Deleted]

I swear I am going to spend more time spackling putty to the gaps than I am building it.

[Deleted]

Since I've seen these images of a PF with a wide chord tail, which looks better of the two? narrow or wide?
Mig-21 Osprey book

Mig-21 Walkaround Part 1, Squadron Signal.

[tigrazor]

A MiG 21 is always looking good - no matter which version.

[wbill76]

Man that's a tough choice, I'm with Lucas...either one would look good!

[dupes]

Strangely enough, an ex-Polish MiG-21 just appeared a little ways down the street from me in the parking lot of one of the more serious gun shops. Talk about serious ordinance!

[tigrazor]

Pictures or it didnt happen!

[Deleted]

Well, I pulled the trigger last night. I went ahead with the wide chord tail. I believe the model is on clearance at Michael's down the street from my house so if need be I can pick up another one.... or save some pennies and pick up one by Eduard's. I also went ahead and attached the wings plus the dorsal hump and canopy.
Since this entry isn't due until the end of September, I should have time to tackle the seams along the wing.

[deafpanzer]

Your Mig looking good!!! Looking forward to see updates...

[Deleted]

Applied some putty to the seams. Still getting the hang of the Perfect Putty, but it is a great product. Also had to redo the antennae on the front of the plane, slightly out of scale, but I'm enjoying it.








The bay doors were flush when I was building it last night. More puttying to go.



The missiles I am going to sue from my Academy F-86F build to replace Revell's missiles. Figured I would use an AIM-9 to replace the AIM-9 knock offs on the Soviet jet.

[wbill76]

Looks like a lot of putty practice on this airframe! If you hammer on it hard enough you can beat it into submission.

[Deleted]

Update but no pictures for today. Almost done with the sanding of the putty and evening out the seams. not to bad, just amazed at how small the plane is. using guitar wire as support for the missiles since they have different attachment points than what came with the kit supplied missiles.
Only big question is the type of paint to use for the NMF. Currently looking at using Airframe Aluminum and Aluminum for the colors. Thanks all for the help.

[Deleted]

I am back with this build. Had to put it on hold when the power to my workstation was out. Currently primed using Tamiya's white primer. uncertain on how I feel about it. Came out thinner than I expected and was a bit runny in sections, put not bad overall.





One part where it pooled, will just have to sand it down.



The missiles that will be used.

The pitot tube. No idea how I am going to attach this thing without breaking it. here is no attachment point on the body for it.


The external fuel tank. This thing is enough to make me cry... I have no idea how I am going to get the back section flush with the rest of tank.

[deafpanzer]

Looking good!!!

[Deleted]

Did some sanding down on where the primer puddled on the wings, fixed up canopy which I did not catch was flush with the body. So I will be prepping soon for the NMF. Planning to use Airframe Aluminum for the main body and Aluminum for certain panels like the leading edge. Trying to determine how best to handle the main boom (or is it a pitot tube) on the front of the aircraft. I will have to mask to do some parts on the nose. Just trying to determine the order of things. Hopefully some pictures by end of the week.

[Deleted]

Small update, had to purchase a new needle and bottle for airbrush. Amazing how painless it was just to spray a little bit of color. after this cures completely and I tape this nose cone off, I will spray the black in preparation for the NMF. Enjoy.

[wing_nut]

Looks good. What green did you use? I like it better than the one I used I think.

[Deleted]

Testor's Enamel Med. Green if I recall correctly. The small clear bottle. I am actually pretty happy with it, somewhat surprised by it.

[wing_nut]

Thanks, I think I might have that.

[Deleted]

I asked a question earlier on what color to use for the NMF. JimD helped me out since I did plan on going with Airframe Aluminum and Aluminum. he pointed out that airframe aluminum is too shiny. Was going to get a darker aluminum to use and then I remembered my wife would kill me if I buy anymore models and/or supplies right now. So I am going to painting it airframe aluminum and aluminum.

[wbill76]

It's a delicate time of year for the maintenance of domestic harmony, got to keep the peace with the better half for sure!

[Deleted]

...and she's a lawyer too. Haven't won an argument... ever!

On a work note, glued the pitot tube last night and sanded down some of the spots I didn't catch where the primer pooled.  Hopefully will be spraying the black undercoat this weekend and the metallic next weekend.

[Deleted]

Sprayed the black, just waiting for the paint to dry completely so I can sand some rough spots and runs.









This will be fixed:





Pylons and drop tank:





Don't mind my notes! ")

[Deleted]

Fixed the spots where there were bubbles and runs. Also forgot that this kit is old and the panels are raised, not engraved! So I "accidentially" sanded some of the panel lines down so I may need to go for broke and sand hem all down and engrave them. Enough talk, here are the pics:

Sanded down



Resprayed, will have to buff out the minor scratches that I can see in the picture, not easily seen in person.:




Missing panel line:

[wbill76]

Looks like you're beating this one into submission slowly but surely! Just out of curiosity, are you using rattlecan for paint? You've mentioned a couple times about having to sand out runs/rough spots so I assume that's down to using cans vs. an airbrush for example.

[Deleted]

Rattle can for the white primer, which was Tamiya's White primer. The black was through my airbrush using Model master's enamel flat black. Since I was using a new needle and tip for my airbrush, pushed more paint out than I was expecting on the first couple of passes.

[wbill76]

Ah yes, the age-old battle between the three legs of the stool when airbrushing..paint/thinner ratio, PSI, and needle/tip diameter! Looks like you're getting the hang of it though.

[Deleted]

Just so we are clear, re-scribing panel lines suck. Especially if it is the first time having to do so, but the point is to learn and grow so I will count this as a learning experience. It looks worse since what you are seeing is most the underlaying white primer. Even with a guide it was messy. So I will be sanding it down a bit later and than respraying the black coat.