Kit: No. 7202
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Zvezda, available from Squadron Mail Order, 972-242- 8663, www.squadron.com
Price: $19.98
Comments: Injection-molded, 86 parts, decals
Pros: Kit needed for subject in this scale; straightforward assembly
Cons: Limited markings supplied on decal sheet
Zvezda has released this 1/72 MiG-21PFM Fishbed F to complement its 1/72 line of Soviet jet fighters. The kit includes 84 gray-plastic and two clear parts. A choice of decals for Soviet Air Force and a North Vietnamese MiG-21 are thin, but are well-registered and go on without trouble.
The kit also includes an external gun pod, as well as two Atoll R-3 air-to-air missiles, two UB-57 rocket pods, Rocket- Assisted Take-Off (RATO) bottles, and a centerline fuel tank. The canopy, landing gear, and speed brakes can be posed open or closed.
The cockpit is sparsely detailed, but the raised detail on the instrument panel and side consoles makes dry-brushing easy. The KM-1 ejection seat is very simple and lacks strap detail. If I build another of these, I’ll use an aftermarket seat. Both wings are single pieces. Small detail parts, including the wheels, are a bit heavy. Again, aftermarket parts would improve things. Most of the larger parts had easily removed mold seams.
The nose needed a little filler and sanding to blend it into the fuselage. I liked how the radome could be installed after painting; its fit was nice and snug. I imagine the separate intake ring and radome suggest Zvezda plans to release other MiG-21 variants.
The 22-step instructions include English text, a brief history, nicely illustrated assembly steps, and paint and decal guide. The color chart lists Testor Model Master paint codes, which I used except for the exterior of the model. That was airbrushed with SnJ Spray Metal aluminum.
I really liked building the model. The kit’s overall dimensions and shape look right. It took me 10 hours to build, and most of that time was spent painting and washing the kit. Beginning modelers shouldn’t have too much trouble with it This is the fifth 1/72 Zvezda Soviet jet fighter kit I’ve built, and they just keep getting better. Now if they would only come out with a MiG-25!
– David P. Anderson