ICM has tied into current events with the “Ghost of Kyiv” MiG-29 kit. It includes a full suite of air-to-air missiles, an ejection seat with molded seat belts, decals to reproduce the Ukrainian digital camouflage, and numbers to model any MiG-29 in the Ukrainian air force.
After painting the cockpit tub and instrument panel, I applied the decal for the dials; it’s on the sheet, but not called out in the instructions. Then, I glued the completed cockpit into the upper fuselage half and installed the nose-gear bay in the lower half before assembling the fuselage. The tooling for ICM’s MiG-29 dates to 2005, and¬ is beginning to show its age with soft and indistinct panel lines in some places.
After assembling and attaching the intakes, I filled the joint between them and the fuselage, leaving a slight line because the joints form panel lines. I painted the exhaust sections with Tamiya Silver (No. X-11) and Model Master Metalizer Gun Metal (No. 1405).
I glued the horizontal and vertical stabilizers in place, filling gaps where the latter joined the fuselage.
For the camouflage base colors, I airbrushed Tamiya Light Gray (No. LP-34) lacquer and Tamiya Medium Grey (No. XF-20) acrylic. The radar dome was painted Tamiya German (No. XF-63) and the antiglare panel Flat Black (No. XF-1).
Applying the decals for the digital camouflage proved challenging because the scores of decal numbers on the diagram made it busy and difficult to read. I started with the horizontal tail pieces and worked my way in, using Microscale Micro Set, a ¼-inch flat brush, and plenty of patience. The decals laid down well over a coat of gloss clear, and I was pleased with the results. I sealed the decals with flat clear.
After assembling the missiles, I painted them with Tamiya Flat White (No. XF-2); the instructions lacked callouts for the weapons, so I turned to the internet for reference. The final assembly of the ordnance racks and landing gear finished the model.
I spent about 17 hours building the ICM 1/72 scale “Ghost of Kyiv” MiG-29 and the result is a good representation of a Ukrainian jet fighter.
