1/72 Zvezda Mig-21bis Croatian

Gallery Article by Tomislav Ivankovic on Oct 8 2011

Croatia Independence Day

 

The model shows Croatian Air Force Mig-21bis in camouflage that was obtained during overhaul in Romania in 2004. At that time, the plane also received various new communication and navigation equipment that had to be scratch built, since it was not in the kit.

The Zvezda kit is very nice and easy to build, there is very little need for puttying and sanding which is quite a relief. I chose to put the pilot from the set in the cockpit because it gives the model some lifelike features.

The colors of this Croatian camouflage scheme are quite specific, so I had to mix them. The cockpit of real aircraft is more green then standard Russian interior blue-green so I mixed Revell 55+5+50+61. Camo dark gray was ModelMaster Dark Gull Gray shaded with Revell 79. Dark green was Revell 48 shaded with MM European green. I believe I didnt quite guessed the light green color, and now I would choose Revell 67 with a drop of yellow. Underside blue was Revell 5+50+55.

 

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The decals were another story. Since there were no decals (or not the good ones) for this aircraft I chose to made them myself. So, all the markings were self- made and printed by a decal printing company. I am especially proud on the stencils, which are totally authentic, since a friend of mine gave me hundreds of original photos of the plane to study.

I hope you will like this unusual bird.

Tomislav Ivankovic

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Photos and text © by Tomislav Ivankovic