1/144 Mig-21 SMT

**Texman** · #1 05-11-2018, 12:20 PM

As I continue to work on getting the hands/fingers/eyes to all work together in harmony,
I slowly see some improvement in my builds.

Here, I have the Mig-21 SMT by Bruno Vanhecke (like I have to say who that is

).

The SMT is NATO coded "Fishbed K", a modified -21 MF,
easily recognizable by the enlarged spine that runs almost all the way to the rudder.
The SMT stands for:

S = Sapfir (referring to the Sapfir-21/RP-22 radar).
M = Modernizirovannyy ("Modernised")
T = Toplivo ("Fuel," referring to increased fuel capacity)

Using my usual photoshop, I rescaled from 1/100 to 1/144. I then weathered
the panel lines, and lightened the center of some panels using the airbrush tool
set to a low opacity and medium flow.

I added debris deflectors to the lower front fuselage, exchanged the
exhaust for a metallic one printed on Red River silver paper. I also
added actuator housings inboard of the wing fences, as well as a metal pitot tube.
The last additions are the tire bulges on the mid fuselage section.

Underneath, I added retract actuators to the landing gear, which also
features wheel/tire assemblies from solid punched card. I also decided to
arm this aircraft. Hung under the wings are two AA-2 "Atoll" missiles outboard,
and two UB-32 air to ground rocket pods inboard.

The one thing I am still coming to grips with is the "darted"
sections of some parts of these kits. I just cannot seem to get a clean seam on them.

One day, one day.

Now, the pics.