Mozambique Mig-21 80"s

[gregair]

Hi Folks,

This is my first post of of model.

I have built many (not very good) models over the years but this was my first serious attempt trying a number of , for me, new techniques.

The main ones being using an Air brush, masking, primer, panel wash, giving the aircraft a somewhat worn/dirty look, I made templates and airbrushed the "bort" numbers 223 and used Mav decals for national markings,they are very thin and worked very well. These were all "firsts" for me.

So please don't expect a masterpiece, however any critisizms or advice are welcome.

This is the Academy 1/48 Mig-21MF but I understand that the spine is closer to the Mig-21 Bis so that suits me fine to make the Mozambique Air Force Mig-21 Bis as flown against Renamo in the 80's and for air intercept duties against the good O'l SAAF.

I am arming it with for rocket pods in the ground attack role.

1. The kit is very nice, my main problem being that the main wings were warped and I never really overcame the warping.

2. Major lesson learned was that Tamiya acrylics dont work so well when thinned with water but seem to work better when thinned with laquer thinners.

3. Another Major lesson...Humbrol enamels and Tamiya acrylics bubble and wrinkle if sprayed over each other and you have not left them for at least a few days to dry!

That caused me endless headaches, sanding and respraying and the final product could have been a lot better if I had not done this!

4. I made lots of little mistakes but all go into the learning curve!

5. These photos show the aircraft before the pitot tube was replaced after I broke it off by mistake and before the oddrods antenna were replaced above tail fin and below nose which I had also broken off during construction.

Also various small antenna and rocket pods still to be added.

6. For the wash I used pastals, burnt umber and dark grey, scraped a little pile of powder from each of them and mixed them both together with a tiny bit of water to get a pasty mush, then painted the whole aircraft with it using a brush. (Aircraft must be gloss).

After leaving it a few hours to dry, I rubbed the whole thing down with a soft cloth until I had the desired effect and sealed it all in with a few coats of Tamiya satin clear (Aerosol can).

Photos were taken very hastily on my way to work (offshore) and when I get home in 5 weeks time I will complete the model and post some better photos.

Underside while still gloss and almost finished cleaning it up to the level of "dirty" that I wanted, gloss done with Tamiya spray can.

Uppersurfaces while still gloss and almost finished cleaning it up to the level of "dirty" that I wanted, gloss done with Tamiya spray can. (a bit of an arty shot on the strange side table I know!)

Side views after "matt" applied with Tamiya spray can.

[dragan_mig31]

wonderfull looking mig.exotic markings too.

[gregair]

wonderfull looking mig.exotic markings too.

Thanks dragan_mig31, I appreciate it.

[Nicolaas]

Very nice looking model.

I have a revell 1/32 mig 21 in my stash. Want to paint it in angolan colours but the whole thing needs to be rescribed first... not looking forward to that

[gregair]

Finally repaired the pitot tube, photos posted in "The Display Case" section