Hi there

GWH's new version of their superb MiG-29 arrived this afternoon.



Normally, I'd do an in-box review and then find pressure of fresh fresh reviews means I just don't get a chance to build it - bu this time the kit is just too good to let that happen! So... throwing caution to the wind, I've decided to get stuck straight in and build the beast!

But before that, a couple of first impressions. The packaging / presentation is simply superb - and also evidence that GWH really do take on board some of the feedback about their previous releases.

So - as before, the incredibly moulded one-piece missiles arrive in a protective plastic pack:



But, this time, GWH have gone the extra mile to ensure that the upper fuselage/wings moulding doesn't get distorted in transit by providing it with its own box:



and packing it with foam:



while the canopy gets extra protection in the form of some plastic film over the main section to prevent scuffs:



And the build? Well, there's not a lot to show yet, but I've begun roughing out the cockpit:



The detail on the side consoles and main panel is excellent, and the seat is starting to come together nicely. There's an awkward seam on the top of the headrest that I'll tackle tomorrow - a little tricky, because it'll be easy to lose the details on it if you're not careful.

Much more to follow.

All the best

Rowan

Looks great! Now i want one as well keep telling myself that i don't need anymore but maybee...

Nice to see that manufactures protects the plastic well, there is few things as annoying as broken plastic when you open the lid

Jakob

I really want one,either this one or their earlier release,but it is a bit high for me at around $70.00 I have been waiting in vain for dragonusaonline sale but to no avail,I may break down soon as it looks like a beautiful kit

Hi Rowan,

Nice cookie! Well, it would be totally against my newly acquired I-don't-need-more-kits philosophy to order the kit, but I will satisfy for the moment with your exquisite build... Nevertheless, although I like the idea that my purchased goods are well protected in transport, I doubt the environmentalists would agree with the ever increasing junk (i.e. "protective emballage"), but who knows maybe there's a potential for new business here - an environmentally friendly hobby just a teaser campaign!

I will closely monitor your build out of pure envy!

All the best,
Entoni

Hi Entoni

I agree with you in principle but, in this instance, the problems with the first release show it's not just packaging for packaging's sake. It may be a "belt and braces" approach, but I'm impressed by the way GWH have taken extra care to ensure the parts reach the purchaser in good condition.

Anyway, I'll try to get a bit more work done on the kit today.

All the best

Rowan

Rowan I'm filled with envy, I'm still trying to find a European stockist of the '9-12', anyway I'll follow your build and just long for one.

Impressive

ouah ! great model ! i want one but all my dealers have no stock !

Hi again

I'm still getting to grips with this beauty! It's just a knock-out!

The level of detail is such that I think I'll have to pre-paint parts to a greater degree than I normally would. In my haste to get started last night I cemented the left-hand side console in place - which I now reckon was a mistake, because it'll make painting it much harder (luckily the right-hand one is only clipped on):



Even the nose-wheel well has such fine detail, the only way to do it justice will be to fully paint and weather the individual parts before joining them:



I foresee some serious painting sessions looming before I get much further...

All the best

Rowan

Looks marvellous, but what is the price tag?

I don´t care, I want one!!

Those 1-piece rockets, are they without any flash? That is the reason why I ordered a set of Eduard Brassin Sidewinders just 5 minutes ago.

Hi Drabslab and Sebastian

I don't know the price for this one yet, but Lucky Model are quoting around 50 Euros (including shipping) for the first release. Buying it nearer to home is another matter, because as Luciano has stated, people have been trying to find it in stock in Europe since it came out at Christmas. Hannants still list the "9-12" as a future release...

The missiles are quite amazing mouldings. This is a shot from the Review of the original version:



Also, see Earnie Gee's video on the first kit. In my opinion, the missiles and some other mouldings in the kit actually rival resin castings.

All the best

Rowan

My "9-12" cost me around USD70 bucks. But you realy shouldn't need any AM stuff. JT

Hi Rowan,

many many thanks for this close-up shot!

This quality is very impressive. I think it is great to see that there is still enough space to improve plastic modelling kits and bring in new innovative techniques.

50 EUR for such a kit is ok in my opinion. I always try to relate the kit´s price to the fun time I have with it. Then the hour cost is pleasantly low compared to other hobbies.

Keep on building!

Regards,

Sebastian

Hi again

I can't report much progress because I've spent most of the day doing paperwork for my job. However, I've managed to spray the basic colours on the cockpit and wheel well parts, so I hope to get on with some detail painting next week.

All the best

Rowan

I have some good news, while at a show today I spoke to Hannants and was informed that they will be getting the Mig-29 next week, just don't know which version

Hi Rowan,

This is a build I will follow with great interest. Not because of the subject (though the kit looks superb) but for other reasons...

Jean-Luc

Cheers Jean-Luc

I think I'll be stalled this week due to the sheer amount of paperwork I've got to do for my job. I was looking forward to making some real progress tomorrow when I have a day off - instead, it looks like I'll be doing business plans and performance reviews.

I'll try to take a break every so often to look in and hopefully also get a bit done on the MiG ("all work and no play", as they say ), but Aeroscale will have to take a back seat for the immediate future.

All the best

Rowan

Hi all

Just a quick update to explain my lack of progress.

Sadly, my elderly mother had a nasty fall at home at the end of last week and broke her hip. She had surgery at the weekend and is thankfully starting to show signs of recovery, but as I'm sure you can imagine, it's all rather kicked any thoughts of modelling into the long grass for the time being.

Hopefully I'll know soon what kind of period of convalescence she's likely to need , and I'll be able to focus a bit better.

All the best

Rowan

Merlin: For always, family comes first. I pray your Mom heals quickly and is as good as new. All the best, JT

Rowan,

I hope your mum gets better soon! Our prayers are with you and your family... MiG can surely wait.

All the best,
Entoni

Hi Rowan.
Give my best regards and wishes for a speedy recovery to your Mum. My mum is a serial wrist breaker having shattered each of hers last year. I'm just grateful that she hasn't managed a hip yet. Parents eh!?

Cheers guys

I'll pass on your best wishes when I got to visit her this afternoon.

All the best

Rowan

Hi, everybody!
First, all my best to your mother, Rowan! I hope she'll recover quickly.

Last year, when the 9-12 came into being many(or most) of the European stockists, complained to GWH that the retail price at about 70€ would be too high so they straight out would not order the kit.
GWH did not want to compromise their idea of quality and stuck to their product concept. In turn the Eurpean importers did not order the kit. Asian and American importers were convinced about the quality concept and ordered strongly. Only when reviews turned tits over ass to praise the kit, the European importers reacted: Too little, too late. The first run was sold out quicker than you could say "I want one!".
It seems there should be a better supply base on the 9-13. However, I can only recommend everyone with a serious intend to buy to not only check stock, but contact your retailer of choice and directly ask them for your particular kit in demand. Direct market feedback is about the only thing to convince them to buy those high quality kits.

I hope all of you can get a 9-13 this time around. Those wanting a 9-12 rest assured that there will be new production runs and decal variations. ... but don't hold your breath: It may take a bit of waiting.

Cheers,
Guido