Eduard MiG-21F-13 S. A. 1/48
Kit No: 49621
1/48 scale
Photo Etch parts: 2 frets
Clear Acetate Sheet
Available
from: Eduard directly & most model shops
A short-range day fighter; the MiG-21F-13 (NATO reporting
name Fishbed-C) was the first MiG-21 model to be produced in large numbers.
Unlike the MiG-21F , the MiG-21F-13 (F = Forsirovannyy ("Uprated")
& 13 = refers to K-13 missile system) had only one NR-30 cannon on the
starboard side, with only 30 rounds; however, it added the capability to use
the K-13 missile system, of which two could be carried on underwing hardpoints.
On early-production MiG-21F-13s the launch rails were of the
APU-28 type; later models had these replaced by APU-13 rails. The launch rails
were removable, allowing the MiG-21F-13 to carry two UB-16-57 unguided rocket
launchers, two S-24 rockets on PU-12-40 launch rails or two FAB-100/250/500
bombs or ZB-360 napalm tanks. The F-13 had further upgrades: an improved
ASP-5ND optical gunsight and an upgraded SRD-5ND ranging radar.
The MiG-21F-13 was also built under licence in China as the
Chengdu J-7 or F-7 for export, as well as in Czechoslovakia as the Aero S-106,
though the S-106 designation was not used for long; subsequently, the
Czech-built units were referred to as "MiG-21F-13" just like the
Soviet-built aircraft. (source: Wikipedia)
This photo-etch detail set focuses entirely on the cockpit
of the MiG-21F-13 kit by Trumpeter. The set contains two PE frets, one which is
color pre-painted and self adhesive and the second the more traditional plain
brass. The main fret (FE 621) is actually available separately from Eduard as a
Zoom set provided only the instrument panel, sidewalls and seat details.
The second fret adds parts that allow you to detail the
canopy framing, cockpit tub, more seat parts and the hud/windscreen area.
The early first generation Mig-21 cockpits were visibly
different to later generations in that they were largely black rather than the
green-blue we most often associate with Soviet cold war fighters.
The MiG-21F was a classic day only fighter and included no
radar. The main acrylic canopy was hinged at the front to open forward. A 62mm
bulletproof windshield is mounted immediately aft of the canopy hinge.
Eduard provides the instrument panel in two parts, the main
section containing the dial faces and the smaller section (part 1) the bezels.
The sidewall details are pre-painted in a dark gray (rather than black) and I
have found that these colors can be somewhat difficult to color match when
painting the rest of the cockpit (and Eduard does not help us by providing
color match recommendations)
The first thing you will notice with this set is that fair
amount of chopping is needed to selectively remove the plastic parts to be
supplemented by the PE parts. This is pretty much par for the course with
Eduard PE sets and modelers need to check the instructions carefully (measure
twice, cut once).
The Trumpeter plastic instrument panel is replaced
completely by the PE parts and to understand what are giving up by using the
PE, here is a photo of the kit IP. I am not a huge fan of PE for instrument panels
(or any parts that need some depth) but in this case I believe the two part
arrangement engineered by Eduard will do the trick.
Construction continues by using a combination of kit plastic
and Eduard PE parts in a fairly logical arrangement. Care will be needed when
removing the extraneous plastic areas. I personally have not used any of the
Self Adhesive PE sets so for now I will believe Eduard when they say “the
component will be permanently affixed when pressed onto its intended location,
its location can be adjusted”.
Page 3 details the construction of the port cockpit
sidewall. Notice that we are adding pre-painted parts to non painted parts so
check the assembly sequence and make sure you have painted the parts you need
to before you go sticking the pre-painted parts on.
Page 4 focuses on detailing the kit SK-1 seat by discarding
or removing much of the molded detail. Harness belts are provided in PE and
careful bending will be needed to ensure the paint does not flake off.
I was not able to find too many photos of an actual SK-1
seat with the parachute harness in place.
Using available reference it looks like Eduard has done a pretty good
job of providing us all the parts to assemble a detailed SK-1
The final page continues with the seat assembly and finishes
with the detail to be added to the canopy framing.
The following images (borrowed from Eduards website) show
better than any words just what the end product adds to your model.
To my knowledge, none of the mainstream resin makers have as
yet provided us with a drop in cockpit for the Trumpeter MiG-21F. This Eduard
set lifts the kit cockpit (and seat) to a point well beyond what you could
achieve purely out of the box and with a bit of elbow grease will give an
excellent result.
Gary Wickham
Thanks to
Eduard for this review kit..
