Eastern
Express's Mig-21-93 in 1/72 scale is a good rendition of a less known, and even
lesser modeled, subject. The MiG-21-93 of RAC MiG / SOKOL (Russia), is one of
three ongoing upgrade programs to improve the avionics, weapons delivery and
electronic counter measures of existing Mig-21bis aircraft.
The
MiG-21-93 upgrade program is supposed to extend the life of the MiG-21bis and
upgrade the avionic capabilities of the existing aircraft. A key element of the
upgrade is the incorporation of the formidable Phazatron Kopyo (Spear)
lightweight multi-mode radar. The four most optically prominent changes to the
Bison aircraft from the Bis version are the expanded nose section to house a new
Phazatron Kopyo radar, the “bubble” canopy, the vertical tail fin with the
Radar Warning Receiver Antennae, and the distinctive over-wing Conformal ECM
Dispensers (for chaff and flares).
Indian
Air Force Mig-21bis’ upgraded to the -93 standard are called “Bison”, and
take on the suffix “CU” before the aircraft serial numbers (the “U”
indicates upgraded). This particular aircraft, C2777, was one of two undergoing
trials in 2000 at the Sokol Plant in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia (the other was
C2769). It sports unique markings that include the IAF crest and the nose serial
“001” suggesting it was the first of the two upgraded aircraft. The
spectacular tricolor scheme based on the colors of the Indian flag was the main
reason I decided to make this model.
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images below to see larger images
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I
began with the cockpit, which was devoid of any detail. The kit provides decals
for the main and side control panels, which are totally different from those of
the Bison. Therefore, I used thin plastic card and decals to fashion a Bison
control panel. I also had to scratch-build the head-up-display with bent wire
(regular staples) and clear-plastic card tinted yellow (acrylic yellow and
Future® floor wax). I added the starboard angle-of-attach indicator from
styrene, and reshaped the over-wing ECM dispensers. The Bison dispensers have a
hump at the rear of the dispensing unit that I molded from Squadron® putty.
Again, reference material was instrumental in capturing the shape of the
dispensers. The bubble canopy, though accurate, does not fit properly over the
coaming. I used putty to smooth the fuselage-to-windshield surface and posed the
canopy open because of the poor fit. In addition, the windshield is molded from
a milky plastic that did not respond well to sanding and treatment with Future®.
I also added some antennas that are unique to the IAF Bison.
The
kit came with accurately formed R-77 RVV-AE air-to-air missiles, Kh-29T
TV-guided air-to-surface missiles, Kh-31/P2 air-to-surface anti-radar missile, a
pair of fuel tanks, and missile pylons/rails. I did not use these for my model
to match the reference photos I was using. Finally, the decals are my own
(except for the roundels and fin flash) as the kit comes with two sets of
Russian decals.
The
paint scheme of C2777 required some planning and considerable masking. I used
three reference photos on bharat-rakshak to map out the tricolor paint scheme
(this is an awesome site on all matters related to the Indian military). But,
there were several areas (over wing and under wing) where it was unclear exactly
how the paint scheme was applied; so I guessed. I used Tamiya masking tape for
the first time, and was impressed by how well they conform to difficult contours
and how easily they come off after painting. To airbrush the model, I used Model
Master Acrylics and Enamels. I used flat white (A), international orange (A),
dark ghost grey (A), and medium dark green (E). I had to repaint and touch-up
several areas of the fuselage where paint had bled through the masking tape.
Everything was sealed with Future®. Decals were applied and sealed with
future, too. An acrylic matt finish
was applied to reduce the glossy shine of the black anti-glare panel and wheels.
I left the remainder of the aircraft in gloss, since it looked better that way.
Since the original aircraft was not weathered, I did not apply any weathering.
My
wife really loved the C2777 paint scheme so I made this model for her. Hope you
like the model, too!
(I
built the Bison along with a M.D. 450 Ouragan of the IAF to juxtapose the old
and the new)
References:
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Images/Special/Bison/index.html
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Images/Current/MiG-21d.html
http://www.mig-21.de/Bilder/Modernisierung/ProspektHAL_2.jpg
Rupesh
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images below to see larger images
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