Laurent Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 A friend of mine wants to build the following plane using the Linden Hill LHD 48027 "Brothers in Arms 3: Warsaw Pact Third Generation MiG-21s" sheet It has a recce podbut it doesn't seem to be a MiG-21R since there seem to be guns. Is that a "MiG-21MF-R" ? I've never heard about it before. Is there a photo lying somewhere ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marv Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 In 1995-6, Bulgaria locally converted seven MiG-21MF's into a recce version, and locally designated them as MiG-21MFR; the bort numbers on these aircraft are: 047; 55; 57; 58; 64; 177; and, 403. I think all of the bort numbers are white with red outline, but not certain. These aircraft were withdrawn from service in 2000, and are stored at Dobrich. Source:Famous Russian Aircraft Mikoyan MiG-21, Gordon, Dexter, and Komissarov. Sorry, I don't have any pix for you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niki4703 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 a couple pics for this variant... http://airgroup2000.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12122/DSCF0245.jpg http://airgroup2000.com/gallery/albums/userpics/12122/DSCF0246.jpg http://pan.bg/gallery/albums/userpics/10010/74419_104478016288348_100001784506125_35670_7565432_n.jpg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Laurent Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 (edited) Thank you Marv and Niki. Your answers bring up more questions or remarks. http://airgroup2000....22/DSCF0245.jpg - "52 white red outlined" isn't in the the list of the Gordon/Komissarov/Dexter book. - the sign says "reconnaissance equipment developed in Bulgaria"; in the LHD profile it's a regular D pod hanging under the fuselage or the indigenous pod ? http://airgroup2000....22/DSCF0246.jpg Looks very M/MFish. Edited November 27, 2012 by Laurent Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niki4703 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 (edited) I wouldn't know for sure but aren't we talking about regular MF aircraft wired to carry a recon pod? That would take care of the lack in external differences between MF and MF-R. No idea on the pod issue. Perhaps trying to get hold of some Bulgarian modelers on one of their sites...!? Just thinking out loud... :)/> Edited November 28, 2012 by niki4703 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niki4703 Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Well, I did a little battle with the cyrillic alphabet and found a Bulgarian forum where I asked a question or two on the subject. Standing by for reactions and possible answers :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Laurent Posted November 28, 2012 Author Share Posted November 28, 2012 Well, I did a little battle with the cyrillic alphabet and found a Bulgarian forum where I asked a question or two on the subject. Standing by for reactions and possible answers Thanks ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Linden Hill Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Laurent, If your friend has our sheet LHD 48027, then the instructions will tell him/her that 55 was an MF converted locally to MF-R. The Type D pod was removable. The instructions also contain a couple of photos of 55 taken from an album sent to us by one of our Bulgarian colleagues. Sadly 55 crashed in 1998. The pilot ejected safely. HTH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Laurent Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 If your friend has our sheet LHD 48027, then the instructions will tell him/her that 55 was an MF converted locally to MF-R. The Type D pod was removable. The instructions also contain a couple of photos of 55 taken from an album sent to us by one of our Bulgarian colleagues. Sadly 55 crashed in 1998. The pilot ejected safely. Thank you for the infos. He doesn't have the sheet yet and was inquiring before buying it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niki4703 Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 I got an answer to a couple of questions from an anonymous user on scalemodelsclub.com. Here it is: The MF-Rs were MFs that carried the standard recce container under the body. The respective control panel was added in front of the pilot in the cockpit. No other external differences.In order to prevent the loss of the recce pod the wiring for emergency store drop was disabled, hence the machines were not able to carry armament. Board #s modified: 047, 55, 57, 58, 64, 177, 403. Some of them are the subject of Linden Hill's sheet LHD 48027 Cheers! Niki Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Laurent Posted December 4, 2012 Author Share Posted December 4, 2012 I got an answer to a couple of questions from an anonymous user on scalemodelsclub.com. Here it is: Cheers! Niki Thanks ! I wonder if they left the recce pod control panel in the cockpit if the pod was removed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niki4703 Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 (edited) Thanks ! I wonder if they left the recce pod control panel in the cockpit if the pod was removed. From what I understand they were converted to the recon role and acted as such until being retired a couple of years later, so perhaps there was no opportunity to remove the control panel. Anyway, my "anonymous" source (called Peter, I learned) gives also this account: Just a reminder - in common with R and M models before them the MF-Rs carried a pair of 490l drop tanks on the outer wing pylons (they had "wet" connections as opposed to the inner ones). I don't think those tanks were camouflaged - basically it's either laquered NMF or silver paint The thing is, given the information supplied, the Bulgarian collegues want in exchange to see a scale replica of an MF-R. Now see what you've gotten me into, Laurent! Edited December 4, 2012 by niki4703 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Laurent Posted December 4, 2012 Author Share Posted December 4, 2012 The thing is, given the information supplied, the Bulgarian collegues want in exchange to see a scale replica of an MF-R. Now see what you've gotten me into, Laurent! Oops. I'll tell my friend. He's quite a talented modeller (several builds and articles published in the Wingmasters magazine). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niki4703 Posted December 4, 2012 Share Posted December 4, 2012 That sounds good for a start! Keeping my fingers crossed that your friend comes up soon with a suitable example - would really hate to disappoint my neighbours south of the Danube :) No, really, I could never replicate that faded Bulgarian camo with my limited tools and skills. I hope your friend finds time for this one Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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