I have always been fascinated by the early jets, especially the then mysterious Soviet ones. I can remember reading Air Progress at the local newsstand transfixed by the fuzzy pictures of the latest Soviet aircraft and the often factually incorrect speculation about their performance and capabilities. One story mentioned the MiG-21 was to be a "disposable" aircraft, that as it became worn out or damaged it was scrapped and the motor shifted to another aircraft.

Now we know a lot more about these aircraft but for me anyway, that fascination remains. Let's have a campaign dedicated to the early Soviet jets. What am I calling "early?" Let's set a cutoff at aircraft being in service by the Cuban Missile Crises. For example, a MiG-17 built before that date and in service on that date would qualify. The same aircraft in service in 1968 with the 1968 markings would not.

Any Soviet jet or prop-jet would qualify, experimental types included. It can be a fighter, a bomber, a transport, research or a recon bird.

The campaign would run for six to nine months and would start as soon as it can be scheduled.

New builds only please, not shared with other campaigns.

A start photo & some progress pictures would be required along with posting pictures of the completed painted model to the campaign gallery to be awarded the ribbon.

Is anyone interested in such a campaign? Comments?

I have several large scale early Migs and I've been itching to build them this gives me the perfect opportunity. I also have a Bear in 1/72nd scale but I think it's one of the later models and falls outside of the time frame but I'll check. I think I have a 1/72 scale bomber that would fit to but again I'll have to check with my stash record.

Great Chris, that's two of us so far. This should be a good campaign.

Hello Paul,

there's a Su-17 from Kitty Hawk waiting to be build, so I would join.

Greetings

- Alex

Alex - The Su-17 is a bit late for this campaign, its first flight wasn't until 1966. It would be great for the Third Generation build I believe. The Su-7 & Su-9 ought to squeak in though!

Would a YAK-17 qualify or is that too early?

@ Paul

You're total right, the SU-17 is too modern to fit in this campaign.
Unfortunately I don't have an early soviet jet (only too many others to be build).


-Alex

A YAK-17 is perfect! I have the Czech Model kit of the YAK-15 which is the tail dragger version of this aircraft waiting for my skills to improve. Please do build one of these YAKS. I will follow your efforts with interest!

Alex - please choose something else and join in the fun. The Soviets built lots of jets in the early day and some, like the YAK-17 discussed in the last post, were pretty good aircraft right out of the box. Others, like the the MiGs were great. They built some flops too that would make good modeling projects.

отлично! (Excellent) Although mine is the A-Model offering... so we'll have to see how that goes. Been waiting for an excuse to start the kit.

Joe - I have heard the A-Model kits require some "modeling skills" to build them. I look forward to see how yours comes out.

I used to see the old Revell Yak-25 Flashlight at the hobby shops when I was a kid and possibly even built one. Recollections of those days are a bit hazy . . .

Bringing one of those kits up to modern standards would be a great project for this campaign.

I’m in. I have a few kits to choose from.

Is Yak-28P allowed? It was first seen in 1961 Tushino Air Show. I would build a prototype (01 red) and I assume it was flown before Cuban missile crisis. The service entry was two years too late (1964), but is an earlier prototype OK?

Yes, this would be great! I think the Yak-28 is a very interesting and striking aircraft and prototypes & experimentals that slide in before the Cuban Missile Crisis would be a great addition to this campaign.

We are still a few builders short of the number needed to apply for official status so we can keep this one on the back burner for a bit. Its a bit of a specialty interest so it may take some time.

Sounds like fun. I'd be in.

For fans of civil aviation, the TU-104, 110, 114, 116 and 124, AN-10 and -12 and IL-18 are all on the table.

Let's not forget the bombers. Beagles, Badgers, Bisons, Bounders and Bears.

Oh my!

Hi


From what I understand, every plane enters until 1968. So a Mig in the Six Day War enters the campaign.Or it has to be only in Russian markings.