MiG21-Lancer
is the westernized version of MiG-21MF. RoAF underwent this process with its old
fleet of MiG-21s to bring it closer to NATO standards. The Trumpeter kit
addresses a MiG-21MF. The conversion to Lancer encompassed a new cockpit with
MFDs and HUD, and various additions on the fuselage such as: antennas of all
kind, new AC ducting for the cockpit, etc. A fair amount of scratch building has
been employed to accomplish the task. The armament reflects also the transition
to NATO standards: the missiles are Python 3 (from Paragon Designs). I used a
lot of detailing sets: cockpit from Black Box (32006), Eduard Exterior (32054),
exterior detail from Parts Accessories (PRT 32002), wheels from Contact Resine
(CR32005), decals from Tallyho and Albatros Decals.
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The
color scheme used FS37875 (white), Gunship Gray FS36173, Light Ghost Gray
FS36373 and a combination of Bright Blue FS35183 and Flat White FS37875
until it matched the belly-blue found in the reference materials. The
finishing followed the standard steps: gloss coating (ModelMaster acrylic
gloss 4638), decal application, another gloss coating, weathering with Raw
Umber dissolved in lacquer, another gloss coating and finally a flat
coating with Pactra A48 Flat Clear. I strongly recommend the Pactra Flat
Clear (if you can still find it). It is forgiving and the final results
are stunning (thanks Rudy).
For
metal painting I used ALCLAD II. On and off it took almost two years to finish
the project. Thanks for looking,
Ion
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