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AMK will release a MiG-31!


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I see heavy panel lines and rivets...

You're one of them "glass half empty" persons aren't you mate? You can always build Lindberg kit if panel lines are too heavy or number of rivets is unsatisfactory on this one.

Cheers, Miro.

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I see heavy panel lines and rivets...

anyway, that model wasn't intended for you mate... there is no pilot/crew figures provided in the box!!monketdance4.gif (I am joking! ...laugh.gif)

that being said, i also see rather visible panel lines and rivets... but i really can't tell if it will really be an issue on the finished model...

other than that, everything seems absolutely amazing! ...but the waiting must end!!!biggrin.gif

BTW. thank you Mofo for the links with translation!70.gif

Edited by mingwin
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Looks great, love the full intake trunking and the attention to detail throughout (although, the cockpit wasn't shown fully in the build and I really hope the vertical sidewalls are included). The missiles look very detailed, except for the panel lines on them and overly prominent rings for the pylon attachment points (on the R-77 especially). Instead of the heavy panel lines, I would have preferred either slightly raised lines or better yet no lines whatsoever with decals provided if needed.

Any idea why the rear R-33 launchers are provided as a separate part? Perhaps to provide an optional "windows" to showcase the engines?

Will the BM boxing also contain the R-60M and R-40TD missiles seen on this test shot and relevant pylons (e.g. for the B variant) or there will be separate boxings both for the B and the initial MiG-31? I hope we won't wait too long for those :)/>

Edited by ijozic
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Any idea why the rear R-33 launchers are provided as a separate part? Perhaps to provide an optional "windows" to showcase the engines?

My guess is that it (and the similar panel along the spine) is the main injection point for the fuselage half. Injecting from the middle lets them fill the cavity more efficiently, and the hole is easy to cover with an insert.

And I agree: the panel lines do look a tad heavy in a few places (the triangular panels on the intakes in particular), but then I flick through the build photos, and think of the KH Foxbat, and I'm ecstatic that the biggest complaint is that some panel lines might need a bit of filler.

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http://ipmsnymburk.com/forum/pictforclanek/1443879052.JPG The tops of the "fins" are interesting. They have different engraved details; the left has rivets but the right does not.

The Left fin is very interesting from the outside. It has many different surface details.

- The Textolite (Grey antenna) panels have fantastic (small and realistic) rivets standing out from the surface,

- there are recessed rivet for the vertical surface,

- there are (big) rivet or to be more precise screw heads on forward part of the fin extension (just like on the real aircraft),

- there are recessed panel lines,

- there are weld lines standing out from the surface,

- the static dischargers are of realistic size! (a lot of care has to be taken not to brake them)

And all this is on the fins!!!

Great details and it is a big, very big kit!!!!!!!!!!

Best regards

Gabor

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Thanks for the plug MoFo.

The kit is designed to be a perfect fit so as to limit the need for fillers. It should be pretty snap-fit to be honest (we do have the best engineers).

When building the kit, you should use glue of course, but the tolerances are very slight to ensure that your building experience is as enjoyable and trouble free as possible.

Again, quality and innovation!

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The point is that I wonder why AMK can do such an incredible good job but it can not restrain rivets and panel lines.

Just out of curiosity.

Hi galfa,

Everything in this business is a tough call to be honest. Some like open panels, some don't. Some like rivets, some don't. Some want engines, some don't...... you get the idea.

We need to take an overall view on these things. With todays modelling techniques requiring numerous layers of paint (the number depending on your style) this builds up on the surfaces and can cover panel lines completely. Leaving nothing for panel line washing.

I have read (here and elsewhere) that some manufacturers (no mentions) panel lines disappear after painting or are inconsistent in depth. We chose to provide a consistent depth that could take the painting and still leave room for the final varnish and/or panel line wash.

If you prefer to reduce the depth (the clean Starfighter) for example, then the you can putty the panels as you choose. It must be remembered that this is easier to do than scribing.

Hope this helps.

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The point is that I wonder why AMK can do such an incredible good job but it can not restrain rivets and panel lines.

Just out of curiosity.

And I agree: the panel lines do look a tad heavy in a few places (the triangular panels on the intakes in particular), but then I flick through the build photos, and think of the KH Foxbat, and I'm ecstatic that the biggest complaint is that some panel lines might need a bit of filler.

Well photos and looking at those in real life are two different matters. There have been many discussions about new kits where people thought panel lines and rivets depth/width were overdone from looking at photos, but in real life they were fine and worked nicely with the weathering after the usual coats of primer, paint and gloss. It's really different how one perceives those details from a photo with a single source of lighting on a 20+ inch monitor whereas on your hands that plastic might only be half or 1/3 the size of what you see on the screen. At the other end of the spectrum the Tamiya F-16CJ in 1/72, the panel lines and rivets are very fine and restrained, look great and in scale on photos but they almost f#@%ing disappear under a single coat of primer in practice.

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Hi galfa,

Everything in this business is a tough call to be honest. Some like open panels, some don't. Some like rivets, some don't. Some want engines, some don't...... you get the idea.

We need to take an overall view on these things. With todays modelling techniques requiring numerous layers of paint (the number depending on your style) this builds up on the surfaces and can cover panel lines completely. Leaving nothing for panel line washing.

I have read (here and elsewhere) that some manufacturers (no mentions) panel lines disappear after painting or are inconsistent in depth. We chose to provide a consistent depth that could take the painting and still leave room for the final varnish and/or panel line wash.

If you prefer to reduce the depth (the clean Starfighter) for example, then the you can putty the panels as you choose. It must be remembered that this is easier to do than scribing.

Hope this helps.

Martin,

Thank you very much for your prompt, polite and informative answer.

I see your point.

For what concerns me, I am in the hobby since 40 years and I still love the old 1/48 Monogram century series because scribing is fine with me.

In my opinion, pre-shading, heavy painting and washing belongs to 1/35 armor not to airplanes. But I know very well that most of the people in this hobby today does not agree with me about it.

Best,

Edited by galfa
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I'm not a builder of Russian aircraft, but I'm building my second AMK Magister right now and I'll probably buy this kit just because AMK made it. The level of engineering is mind blowing to me, and I'm sure the Mig will be the same.

Thanks! Tony,

Show us some more your work of Magister?

Sio

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Filling in progress. Nothing terribly interesting, but unfortunately, you don't know that until you've translated it.

http://ipmsnymburk.com/forum/pictforclanek/1444323955.JPG Attaching the intake assembly required a little force. Holding the model in my left hand, I manged to dent the side of the fuselage. I was unable to fix it, so I had to use putty on the area. (IOW, adding the intake took a bit of force, he popped the seam on the fuselage and couldn't pull the plastic back flush, so had to use putty to fix it; hence, the putty is his fault, not the kit's.)

http://ipmsnymburk.com/forum/pictforclanek/1444323982.JPG The left intake was attached without problems.

http://ipmsnymburk.com/forum/pictforclanek/1444323999.JPG The seam between the upper and lower fuselage halves was filled with Squadron Green putty. I did not check to see if there should be a panel line here.

http://ipmsnymburk.com/forum/pictforclanek/1444324016.JPG I also puttied the fuselage where the sides attach, because there are no panel lines in the same location on the upper fuselage.

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Lol! Hi Libor! :lol:

Okay, addendum to the pics above: the small 'blisters' seen on the plastic in the last batch of pics are water, and not surface defects on the plastic. It was raining when he took the photos.

Also, there's some discussion in the thread about whether there is a panel line under the fuselage, where the sides and lower fuselage meet.

http://ipmsnymburk.com/forum/pictforclanek/1444397199.jpg According to this photo, I would say there is not a panel line where the side and bottom fuselage join.

FWIW, I've done some digging of my own. It's amazing how hard it is to find a clear photo of the area. Here's the best I've been able to do.

http://77rus.smugmug.com/Military/790th-Fighter-Regiment/B10-copy/1253982864_cQnXzt9-O.jpg Looks smooth.

http://77rus.smugmug.com/Military/790th-Fighter-Regiment/A16-copy/1252154638_zyWuw-O.jpg Also seems smooth.

http://scalemodels.ru/modules/photo/viewcat.php?id=9307&cid=292&min=108&orderby=dateA&show=12 Smooth, but this is a display aircraft without engines; probably not typical.

http://scalemodels.ru/modules/photo/viewcat.php?id=9108&cid=287&min=24&orderby=dateA&show=12 No panel lines visible, but I'm not sure if they'd be captued in the image. If only the photographer took one step back. :(

http://www.airforce.ru/photogallery/gallery8/mig-31_2/sg_mig-31_01_1200.jpg Looks smooth as well. Also: *gorgeous* photo!

On the other hand...

http://imgur.com/ASRKI.jpg Scale drawing showing a panel line. (although, could be completely wrong)

http://www.aereo.jor.br/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mig-25.jpg Looks like there could be something.

http://77rus.smugmug.com/Military/790th-Fighter-Regiment/A17-copy/1252154696_5mAJB-O.jpg Also something that sort of looks like a panel line?

http://77rus.smugmug.com/Military/790th-Fighter-Regiment/A19-copy/1252154839_gEopS-O.jpg There are a couple of sharply defined streaks under the port engine, which do sort of look like they may be panel lines.

My *guess* is that there aren't any panel lines, but that the way the aircraft weathers (oil leak?), they can develop a line of dirt in that area, which looks like a panel line from a distance.

Also, FWIW, a bunch of nice walkaround/cockpit/base shots here: http://vitalykuzmin.net/?q=taxonomy/term/105

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