I’ll try to make this MiG-23 kit of Trumpeter. I want to complete it with the distinctive coloring of this box art if possible.
This Trumpeter aircraft plastic model has many parts as it overflows from the box. It seems like a Dragon’s tank model. Roughly the attached missile parts are pretty enough.
The color inside the cockpit was mixed with Mr. color No. 74, Air Superiority Blue 85%, and No. 6 Green 15%. I think that it is roughly the same color as the real aircraft.
The cockpit has a lot of decals, such as the front instrument panel, side panel, and control switches on both sides under the elbow, which gives a sense of precision. Painting the missile launch buttons on the control stick with a brush of red and blue.
The total length is long. The nearer to the latest model, the larger the size of the jet aircraft. Many misprints of the part number are scattered in the assembling instructions of this MiG-23 kit. I wonder if they review the prevention of mistakes like this or not. It’s sloppy work.
(01-Mar-2017)
Even if small parts are attached to the fuselage on the way, they can be taken out while preparing assembly; it is better to put it all together later. Detailed tiny photo-etched parts were lost, and I had to look for them repeatedly.
At first, compared with the MiG-15 same Trumpeter kit I built last time, the number of parts is large, but I think it is easy to assemble. There were gaps beside the big vertical tail wing and air intake, and I filled them with putty. I wonder if it is difficult to form a perfect fit if the adhesive surface of the vertical tail wing is long. Airplane Plastic model putty work is difficult for me to finish beautifully. I try to challenge myself as smoothly as possible.
The inside of the air brake is designed to build in some etching parts, and the mold is improved.
I was planning to install all the pylons with the weapons fully equipped, but in the case of a memorial painting, I wonder if they probably do not put too many missiles. Since the paint instructions stated that the pylon for the R-23 missile was painted in red, there is no weapon in the case of marking the special paint of the Czech Air Force. I made a lot, but I keep them until I can use the missiles next time. Draken, which I made the other day, was also not armed with the setting of the photo-reconnaissance plane. I wanted to make something full of weapons the other day.
(03-Mar-2017)
Unlike many Hasegawa kits, this trumpeter kit has holes in the weapon attachment part open from the beginning. We must fill in the holes if we do not need enough armament.
I made a little uneven surface, but I’d like to get into painting. Depending on the marking, there are cases that these uneven points are not noticeable at all.
The area painted in red was blown in white in advance, and other areas were sprayed in black.
Whether dry or still wet, it’s hard to realize the gross color sprayed area. Red as vivid as crimson Red. It is almost impossible to use that color when I make AFV only. Sometimes it is interesting.
(06-Mar-2017)
Masking sol with the fire mark or sparks? I masked the part like this. It is challenging to work on detailed shaping with the attached brush.
The pylons were painted red. I posted a lot of tiny caution decals.
Red and black iron color and light gray, it was challenging to paint differently. Paint and dry the spraying of variable blades, move it slightly, and paint again. There is no other choice but to be patient.
I had the same feeling when I made the Su-7 before; the landing gear of the Soviet Union Jetfighter was challenging to assemble, and the structure was difficult to understand. It looks like a puzzle.
(08-Mar-2017)
MiG-23 is now making was completed. This is a unique coloring of the Czech Air Force, a memorial painting aircraft. Interestingly, the variable wings can be moved by hand.
Shark teeth on the nose, patterns like zebra. “HELL FIGHTER” on the right and “50” on the left sides, marking devils on the tail wings. The contrast between red and black is impressive. I think it is the marking of the 1994 air show.
The first flight of MiG-23 was in 1967. It was operated in more than 30 countries; examples were the Soviet war in Afghanistan, the Syrian Civil War, Iraq-Iran War, Kuwait Invasion, and Gulf War. Some countries still have active MiG-23 while repeating improvements such as radar and missiles. MiG-23 was one of the fighters that got into an interception with a Korean Air Lines Flight 007 shooting down a case.
The beacon light is big; they have clear parts on both sides, painted in red and blue.
Metallic paint over the red area is surprisingly no hiding power. It will be easier to blow black lightly before metallic.
I thought that the decal adhered well to the smooth surface. The nose was a very curved surface, so there were slight wrinkles. But it’s a zebra pattern; I don’t feel much concern.
It is realistic to make a slightly half-glossy finish with washing and inking rather than making it glossy. It also has the effect of discoloration and does not look like a toy.
Engine nozzle Interior precision mold has been reproduced. Dry-brushed in silver and strong detail. Dry brush with silver to make the details stand out.
There were many fine decals this time. Thanks to that, some parts looked better. There is a red character decal in the red part that I cannot understand. Anyway, I pasted them, but it isn’t easy to distinguish.
Inking in the panel lines, the red and light gray parts are dark, and the nose and main wing’s dark metallic area are white. I think the sharpness improved.
I’m worried about the MiG-23 landing gear strength. I attached the gear using plastic adhesive and instant glue to maximize the adhesion force.
I put a lot of fine decals on the inside of the cockpit, especially on the seat belt, so it made me feel a sense of precision surprisingly good. It’s a canopy closed state, I cannot see a very fine part, but I wonder if it is not so bad.
It is the marking that the devil is piercing the spear. It isn’t easy to paste a large format decal around here.
When I make the variable wing the narrowest, it becomes unexpectedly compact. If I cannot secure a place to display it, It will be kept in a box.
Recently, the temperature has been cold, and cedar pollen has come in, and I do not feel like painting every year in this season. My favorite is reading books with a kotatsu. For the reader who does not know the image, try google searching for images with “kotatsu.” Regarding the medicine for hay fever, I am interested in how to have the differential efficacy of Allegra 60 and Allegra FX (over-the-counter drugs). Every year I try not to rely on medicine as much as possible, but already over the limit…
The vertical tail wing attached to the lower part of the aircraft’s back almost touches the ground. I think it’s okay. I’m putting a heavier weight on the nose.
I don’t consider the order of the tank paint too much, there’s no difficulty, and finishing is a favorite condition many times. A complicated jet fighter will only increase labor time if I don’t think about the efficient order of making and painting. Assembling the landing gear was the most difficult. I think that it will be smooth if there is the next assembly. Well, it is necessary to use it. I feel excited when peeling off the masking, which is very interesting, even if I succeed or fail. MiG-23, looking at the former west allied country citizen’s side, a slightly villainous shape and stunning markings make it a unique atmosphere aircraft.
(16-Mar-2017)
