Mig-21 and Nieuport 11 Dual Build (1/33rd)

[Isaac]

Dan


I did build this exact GPM Mig-21 many years ago. It was OK. I had a tough time with the soft silver paper it was printed on. But the model was relatively simple and easy to build; and looks good when finished.

I gave that model away along with many other I built when I lived in Ohio.




Best of luck and enjoy the process.



Isaac

[smithdr]

Thank you very much, Isaac. This is new territory for me and I do think the model is pretty neat so far. Yours looks great. I hope mine is at least that cool when done. Makes a neat contrast with my usual wind and wires models. The silver paper hasn't been too bad thus far as long as I scrape it off from glued surfaces.


I got the first parts of the spine done by adding clear panels to the front office. The very front pieces were ok as they were essentially flat but the hinged part is another matter! It has a nice curve but I didn't want to vacuform it so I tried something else to sort of lessen the stress of the glued flat clear part to the paper. I taped a slightly oversized piece of overhead projector plastic to a dowel and then ran a lighter under it very closely but didn't burn it either. When it cooled in a few seconds, it retained a nice curve making the gluing less stressful. Then I just glued it to the top. Needs some tweaking but I think it looks pretty good on the whole.


I'll finish the spine tomorrow and start the tails! It is a sleek bird, I must say...Dan

[Don Boose]

It doesn't look bad . . . for an airplane without a propeller.

Don

[smithdr]

Originally Posted by Don Boose

It doesn't look bad . . . for an airplane without a propeller.

Don

Nieuport is in the wings!

[Abdullahsamir]

Giving away models is a GREAT way to make friends too! I moved and gifted my ENTIRE collection to my local post office.

[smithdr]

It was a surprising struggle, but the stabs are on. The fin went fine but those darn stabilizers were odd. I dare say the Nieuport will likely go much smoother!


I do like the look of it now that the tails are on. Menacing and purposeful!



Dan

[smithdr]

Tails!!!!


Dan

[Erik Zwaan]

Both look great Dan, but my sympathy goes to the Nieuport. In any case you clearly show the progress in military aviation in over just a few decades!

Erik

[Siwi]

These two are a mere 40 years apart, give or take. That sort of progress is what we have now with computing and semiconductors.

The plastic method seems promising for getting simple bulged canopies like a Spitfire hood. Will have to try it. Did you tape the plastic so that it was hanging off the end of the dowel or was it entirely fixed to it?

[smithdr]

Thank you Erik and Siwi!


Erik: I have to agree though the Mig is growing on me now that the tails are on. Not just a shiny tube anymore.


Siwi: I taped it all the way so it was "over curved" so when I pulled it off, it was almost at the correct curve. I usually vacuform but was lazy about making a mold...


Here they both are with tails pretty complete. Rigging and control horns on the Nieuport and I thinned the rudder...looks better. And though the Mig has no rigging, it does have sticky-outy bits of dubious function I added.


It is fun to compare. You guys have a lovely Christmas Time and keep gluing.


Dan