Manufacturer:ICM, distributed by ICM-USA, 2600 Spring St., Redwood City, CA 94063, 650-365-7200.
Kit: No. 48051
Scale: 1/48
Price: $12.98
Comments: Injection molded, 121 parts, decals
Pros: Good exterior detail, engine and cockpit are excellent, clear canopy, lots of marking choices, separate slats, ailerons, and rudder
Cons: Complicated assembly, sink marks on prop blades, some assembly drawings vague
The name MiG is synonymous with Soviet fighters, and that fame started with the MiG-3. Entering service in 1941 as a high altitude fighter, the MiG-3 was arguably the Soviet Air Force’s most modern design. Several Soviet pilots, such as Aleksandr Pokryshkin, became adept at using the MiG-3’s high altitude performance to their advantage and MiG-3 pilots were very active in the defense of Moscow. The Soviets’ change to medium- and low-altitude tactics spelled the end to MiG-3 production in 1942 (after 3,000 machines were built), though the planes were in service into 1944.
ICM’s all new kit looks interesting even in the box. There are a lot of parts, and the parts beakdown and assembly seem more like a real aircraft than a model kit. It’s molded in light gray plastic with crisp surface detail. My sample had deep sink marks on the prop blades and lower wing inserts. The kit comes loaded with features – underwing armament consisting of 12.7 mm machine gun pods and RS-82 rockets, a highly detailed engine bay, and separate leading edge slats, rudder, and ailerons.
The instruction sheet has a minimum of text, but most of the 12 assembly steps are easy to follow. A couple of steps involve a lot of parts and will require careful study.
I built the well-detailed, 29-part engine even though I intended to show the model closed up – you can save time if you don’t include it. I found several of the engine bay parts, the forward oil tank, and coolant tank will interfere with the fit of the cowling top. However, if you do not install the engine you will need to come up with a prop shaft and mounting plates for the exhausts.
ICM accurately captures the design of the cockpit interior framework, but you’ll need to take time building and inserting the cockpit cage. The multipart wing assembly looks daunting. Besides upper and lower wing panels, the kit features separate two-piece wing roots and a lower center section. I encountered some flash here, and cleanup of the parts helps the fit. Several dry runs and extra patience help the wing come together. I had to fill large gaps between the lower outer wing panels and the center wing panel.
The lower cowl panel protruded past the leading edge of the nose by almost 1/32″! I’m not sure if my building was to blame, but a bit of sanding corrected it. The kit’s separate leading-edge slats are designed to be installed deployed, but most photos show them closed on the ground. I cut the mounting arms from the wing and glued the slats closed.
The canopy is thick but clear and helps show off the convincing interior. The center section is a separate part, but it’s too thick to install in the open position.
The nose armament is indicated only by long fairings, so I carefully drilled out the gun ports. The prop hub will need to be drilled out to fit over the spinner retaining cap.
The instructions are a bit vague on the installation of the landing gear legs. The oleo scissors should go to the rear of each strut. The two-piece construction weakens the struts, so don’t be shy with the cement.
I painted my MiG using AeroMaster’s acrylic World War II Soviet colors. Decals are given for 10 aircraft. They are nicely printed with a very flat finish. I had no problem applying them over a gloss under coating.
My primary reference was Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War Volume One by Yefim Gordon and Dmitri Khazanov. Accurate dimensions for the MiG-3 are hard to come by, but based on the photos, the finished model captures the look.
My model was completed in just 16 hours. Though the kit tested me at times, I thoroughly enjoyed building it. Any modeler looking for a little challenge and a nifty model will be pleased with ICM’s MiG-3.