Time for some Christmas-MiGs! I did a pair of these a few years ago but wasn't too happy with the result so let's have a go with two of the BIS-version now! I picked this one up at Moson in Hungary directly from Eduard a year ago or so.

Markings were quickly decided upon: a Finnish one to pay respect to our friendly eastern neighbour (no, not that one...) and a Bulgarian one chosen because of its camo scheme.

Let's start with the usual round up of the kit specifics:


Box and boxart. Could be better...


...while the marking alternatives seem a little meager as well compared to the MF-boxing...


...but the plastic is of course top notch, Eduard doing what they're doing best! Same as in the MF-boxing but with a new sprue for the humpback spine.


And finally the traditional head start with a parts-on-sticks photo as an addded bonus!



Magnus

Magnus,
Will be following along with your duel micro build in 1/144 scale.
Joel

Joel! Welcome on board !

After lots of Christmas celebration, I have a bit more time on my hands now. An early morning at the modelling table resulted in the following:


Some detail painting of stuff I will be unable to reach...


...after buttoning up the fuselage...


A slight deserted-Eastern-Europe-airfield-boneyard feeling in this one...

Now back to the table!



Magnus

Magnus,
Really nice progress on the twins. Neither looks much bigger then a cigarette.
Joel

Moving on... Fit is absolutely excellent! I did one thing I missed last time: I dry fitted the spine with the canopy taped in place, avoiding a small step behind the canopy by pressing the spine down while gluing.


Looking decidedly MiG-ish!


Joel! I've never been a smoker but I think you're about right!



Magnus

I never get tired of watching your little 144 builds Magnus. Absolutely beautiful little birds. If medical science ever gets to the point that I can receive bionic eye transplants, I plan on doing some of these little kits.

That's why the modelling gods invented Optivisors

Ah yes, the one piece of modeling equipment that makes our hobby feel like a full contact sport. No thanks. I'll just continue cutting the tips of my fingers off and gluing them together.

Hermon and Jessica! I've used an Optivisor sporadically during my modelling career, it does take some time getting used to it. It is probably both cheaper and safer than surgery !

Cockpits finally buttoned up, I'll wait a few hours before putting on the masks!






Magnus

As always, excellent builds from your hand, Magnus. I had these little gems all to often in my hands when visiting the hobby shop, but always put them away. Next time, I will buy them.

Your models will be the top two as shown on the back of the box?



Jelger

Magnus,
Yep, both are the size of a 100mm cigarette. Haven't smoked in more then 22 years and still counting. Both builds looks fantastic. Can't wait to see them in full paint and decals.
Joel

Jessica,
I not only do I use a Optivisor, but earlier this year I went from a #3 magnification to a #5. It really helps for my tired old eye.

Joel

Jelger! Get one the next time, it won't ruin you financially and it won't take up too much space, neither in the stash nor as finished. I would say it has about everything a modeller can ask for !

Joel! Keep on counting !


Trying out Finish and Bulgarian colours on my trusty Matchbox Spitfire. Especially the Bulgarian colours look a bit on the vivid side, I might tone them down a bit more before attacking the MiG with the airbrush!


The most obvious thing missing in the kit are a set of small strakes below the wing leading edges. I made four of them from the thinnest PC I could find and even filed them a slight bit thinner before carefully attaching them to the models.


Most of the masking in place, there are masks for all of the dielectric panels, the canopies and the wheels included in the kit. Close to cheating but a big help!



Magnus

Considering that the Bulgarian aircraft have seen better days paint-wise, I'll try some freehanding on it even if the size is a bit on the small side for such an undertaking...





On my way out for dinner with my wife now, I'll continue tomorrow!



Magnus

I'm going to have to build a 144 kit someday soon. Your Migs are looking brilliant Magnus. Really tight camo from freehand. Much better than I am used to doing in 1/48 scale.

Magnus,
Both paint schemes really look good to this point.
Joel

Joel and Hermon! Thanks a lot! And Hermon, of course you should try a bit of 1/144!

Back home again after a very nice dinner, I found a bit more hobby time !







The Bulgarian machine does need a few touchups, I didn't see it before I took the photos.



Magnus

And a further little bit done, now requiring masking...


Two patients tonight, one Bulgarian...


...and one Finnish. Happy I don't need to talk to anyone of them...


...undersides finished. You must agree that especially the Bulgarian machine conveys a certain look of happiness ! Who said camouflage needs to be drab?



Magnus

I like them both Magnus, but I agree about the Bulgarian camo scheme. Reminds me of the cartoon movie "planes".

I've followed many of your little 144 builds over the years and have almost bought some of these kits numerous times. No need for me to stop putting it off. I'm looking into some of these jet kits for future builds of my own.


Looking sweet! Lets see some decals on those little birds.

Hermon! Halfway to fulfilling your wishes, decals on one of them. The reason for just one? More on that later...


Scramble!


Decals are as good as everything else on these kits...


...as long as the printing is in register ! I filed a case with Eduard yesterday and got an email back this morning that a new decal sheet is in the mail ! The Finish ones weren't affected.

For those of you who can't get enough of the Bulgarian MiGs, here is a link to photographer Anton Balakchiev's MiG gallery, I plan on doing "243" and will thus need to cut masks for the number since that aircraft is not catered for on the Eduard decal sheet.



Magnus

Magnus,
One down and one to go. Nice to see that Eduard responded so quickly.
Joel

they are beautiful already. nice work on camo painting!

Nice link Magnus. That 243 bird has some heavy weathering on her. Is there any realistic way to do something like that in such a small scale?

Joel! I expect the new set of decals in the mail on Monday!

Jonathan! Thanks! (Always nice to hear from a fellow small-scaler )!

Hermon! I'll try to weather according to the photos since the weathering was what attracted me to this very aircraft. We'll see how well I succeed, for the time being I can always procrastinate due to the missing decals...


A bunch of stuff ready for some painting! The front gear doors have been modified with some PC to help with mounting later, "hinges" will need a bit trimming down.



A set of newly painted drop tanks! This is a lot trickier than the kits themselves being even smaller.



Magnus

I can't even blink! Marvelous! Bothe the kits and the job you have done on them! Want One...or two...many...lots!