MiG-21 MF by Fujimi

1/72 scale
Kit No. 27024 (alternately listed as H24)
Cost: $28.00
Decals: Five versions – two for Iraqi Air Force during Iran-Iraq War; one Syrian Air Force; one Afghanistan Air Force; one Bangladesh Air Force
Comments: Engraved panel lines; two-part canopy; detailed cockpit and pilot figure; separately molded dive brake, wing flaps and ailerons; center line-mounted fuel tank and two air-to-air missiles included

History

The MiG-21, initially designed as a short-range, high performance fighter, has — because of its hard-hitting armament and simple cost-effectiveness — become the most widely used jet fighter in the world. It has not only equipped the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies, but has equipped several Air Forces of the Middle East, and was also encountered by American pilots during the Vietnam War. Large numbers were sold to Arab air forces, and licensed production was undertaken in both China and India. It was popular with pilots because it was highly maneuverable, handled well, and was capable of Mach 2.

The third generation of MiG-21’s (NATO reporting name “Fishbed J”) was developed in the mid-1960’s, with the objectives of increasing range and expanding the weapons options. The MiG Design Bureau achieved this by incorporating ever larger fuel tanks into the dorsal spine of the aircraft (see the MiG-21 SMT preview) and adding two extra under wing hard points and even the mounting of a semi-internal 23mm twin-barrelled cannon on some of the later models. As the Americans were discovering in Vietnam, the Soviets also came to realize that a fixed gun was essential in air-to-air combat because missiles alone could not always get the job done.

The first of this new generation was the MiG-21 S, built between 1965 and 1968. It was an interim version featuring the MiG-21 P’s R-11-F2-300 engine and gun pod in combination with the extra fuel capacity plus upgraded RP-22S Sapfir radar and improved gunsight. The MiG-21 SM (built from 1968-1974) switched to the more powerful R-13-300 engine and had a fixed gun and additional hard points, while its export version was the MiG-21 M (built from 1968-1971) which reverted to the R-11 powerplant and had earlier generation RP-21MA radar. It was delivered to Warsaw Pact and other Soviet-aligned countries, and was also built under license in India by HAL between 1973 and 1981, production totaling 160 aircraft.

MiG continued to evolve the design, starting with the production in 1970 of the MiG-21 MF, the subject of this kit. The MF combined all the new generation features with increased armament options and some lightened structural parts, employing titanium alloy in parts of the airframe instead of steel. While production of the type ended in 1974, it would remain in service for years afterwards and would see considerable combat in Afghanistan, in the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88), the Gulf War and in Yugoslovia. Romania was just one of many countries that continued to operate the type in the early 2000’s.

The Kit

Fujimi’s MiG-21 MF is injection molded in grey plastic and consists of 92 parts, including sox clear plastic parts for the canopy, gunsight and wing lights. The kit features engraved panel lines and a detailed pilot figure with a separately molded head and arms. An unusual feature is the provision of two control yokes for the cockpit — in recognition of the fact that this is one of the smallest and most critical parts. (Assuming the first isn’t lost, the second can take its mostly likely welcome place in your spares box!)

The main instrument panel is also a clear plastic part, and the cockpit tub includes meticulous raised detail for the side panels. Decals are provided for the instrumentation but are not necessary given the level of detail of the instrument panels. The nose wheel well features raised internal detail, but the landing gear are average in quality, showing ejector pin marks on both the main gear and the tires. The jet exhaust consists of three parts, with a detailed face for the rear exhaust fan, and finely engraved panel lines on the nozzle. A separately molded dorsal spine and vertical tail round out the fuselage assembly, which also includes a separate ventral dive brake.

One part that stands out is the delicate and well-detailed lengthy pitot tube for the nose, since many parts of this type are often crudely molded, prompting modelers to seek aftermarket replacements — with this kit, it isn’t necessary. Despite their thinness, each wing consists of top and bottom halves, and features separately molded flaps and ailerons. Although the instructions make clear there is a single center line drop tank, you will find two of them on Sprue C. Again, the extra one can go in your spares box — unless you care to attach the two drop tanks to under wing hard points.

Markings

Decals are provided for five versions and they are above average in quality, fully in register with realistic colors and no color bleed in evidence. The only criticism would be that for the roundels that have white in them, the white appears to be faintly yellowed. Other than that, the markings appear fully serviceable. The first of the two Iraqi versions is the Iran-Iraq War aircraft depicted on the box art, aircraft No. 681 (although no Western numbers are in evidence on the aircraft, the Arabic figures on the nose may represent “681”) which appears in a camouflage scheme of Sandy Brown (RLM 79) and Dark Earth over Blue under surfaces, with a Light Green nose cone in the intake; the second Iraqi aircraft, No. 4902, (same comment regarding Arabic figures on the nose) also served during the Iran-Iraq War and appears in the same paint scheme, although it has a black nose cone.

The third version is a Syrian Air Force machine, No. 1487 (same comment regarding Arabic figures on the nose) and appears in a camouflage scheme, according to the instructions, of Imperial Japanese Army Green, Grey (RLM 75), and Dark Yellow/Dunkelgelb over Blue under surfaces, with a Light Green nose cone in the intake. This aircraft was engaged in combat over the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon during June 1982 at the time of the Israeli invasion.

Fourth is a machine of the Afghanistan Air Force, No. 352 (Western numbers appearing on the nose at last) and appears in a camouflage paint scheme of Dark Earth, Green, and a color identified only as H53 but which the kit instructions, incredibly, do not name — a quick Internet search revealed it to be Neutral Grey, over Light Grey under surfaces, with a Light Green nose cone in the intake. The final version is an aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force, No. 201, appearing in a Natural Metal Finish, also with a Light Green nose cone in the intake.

Conclusion

This is an excellent kit of the MiG-21, highly detailed considering the scale, although the quality of the landing gear do not match the rest of the kit — hardly an issue if you opt to depict it in flight. Highly recommended.

References

• Combat Aircraft Since 1945 by Stewart Wilson; Copyright 2000 Stewart Wilson and Aerospace Publications Pty Limited; Fyshwick, Australia.
• A Handbook of Fighter Aircraft by Francis Crosby of the Imperial War Museum Duxford; Copyright 2002 Anness Publishing Limited; London.