1/48 OEZ and Academy MIG 21

by Jaroslav Hajecek

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  Czech Republic National Day 2008 

 

I have decided to commemorate the Czech Republic ( Czechoslovakia ) National Day with this “MIG 21 FAMILY” that I have finished just earlier this year. It started out as a nice project that has turned into serial production of MIG-21 models. Well just three this time. The models are 2x MIG 21MF and 1x MIG 21PFM. The MF versions are built from the 1/48 OEZ (now KOPRO) kit and the PFM is a slightly modified 1/48 ACADEMY MIG-21 PFM kit.

The first is MIG 21 PFM based at the 11th Fighter Regiment at AFB Zatec in 1989. The kit is built OOB with the addition of Eduard ZOOM and vacu-formed canopy as the PFM version has same canopy as the MF and also seat is KM-1 from Pavla Models. Just after the model was finished a friend of mine reminded me that I have two mistakes and that being the extra wing pylons as the PFM had only two and also this version did not have any gun. Well it is glued and I am in no hurry to fix it so I will live with the mistake.

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The second kit is a MIG-21MF that is also based at the 11th Fighter Regiment at AFB Zatec in 1991. This kit is the OEZ (KOPRO) with the addition of Pavla Models resin cockpit (initially designed for the Academy kit), small fret of ancient Eduard photo etched parts and vacu-formed canopy. The cockpit took some work to fit to the model but nothing overly difficult. Otherwise the model fits together rather nicely with no big surprises, the only section that requires more work is the tail to fuselage joint that I strongly recommend strengthening by metal pins. It does require some filling and Milliput proved to be ideal for the gap.

The third model is also MIG-21MF based with the 6th Fighter-Bomber Regiment at Prerov. This very aircraft was seen in these markings during the “DRUZBA” exercise in 1986 and was being used as an “Enemy” aircraft. Here goes your first Czechoslovakian “Grandfather Aggressor” so to speak. It was extremely unusual to see any type of artwork on military aircraft of that time in the air force so this is one of very few exceptions. I don’t have an idea on how long these markings remained. The second thing that makes the aircraft unique is the camouflage pattern different from the ones used in the Czechoslovak Air Force at that time. The aircraft was overhauled in GDR ( East Germany ) and received a standard East German camouflage pattern.

This model was built entirely OOB with a resin seat by Pavla Models. The biggest downfall of the model is the canopy, as it is rather thick and smaller than the spine of the aircraft and generally the canopy is small for the scale. Well the intent was to leave it OOB so it is.

I hope you will enjoy the little MIG-21 CzAF family.

Happy Modeling!!!

Cheers, 

Jarda

 

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Photos and text © by Jaroslav Hajecek