(various 1/72 kits)
[ Page 11 ]
1/72 scale kits of the Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21
As seen on page 7, Eduard released the best kit in 1/72 scale of any MiG-21. The kit #70141 is for a MiG-21 MF interceptor.
It was decided to make another kit and convert it into a Romania MiG-21 LanceR. After 1993 it was difficult to get spare parts for the existing Romanian MiG-21 fleet. It was decided to modernize the fleet with Israeli systems. First flight of a LanceR was August 1995. Modernized were some 71 -M/MF for the attack role as LanceR-A, some 26 - MF for the intercept role as LanceR-C and 14 -UM trainers as LanceR-B. The program was ready in 2003.
The Eduard MiG-21MF kit #70141 was to be converted to LanceR-C. The real LanceR got modern Elbit avionics, a Head Up Display and can fire Eastern armament such as R-60M, R-73 missiles and Western Magic II and Israeli Python missiles. Externally there are some visible items of LanceR version which can easily be made for the model. Many Romania decals can be used of the kit decals.
Construction of the kit will, besides the small modifications, will be very similar as described on page 7.
The kit has a very well detailed cockpit. For the LanceR cockpit modern displays were suggested with decals set on a piece of plastic card and will install a HUD later on. Otherwise the "Profi Edition" coloured etched metal instrument panels and side consoles were set.
The main cockpit interior of the LanceR was painted a blue colour. The good ejection seat was used as per kit.
Main fuselage and wing assembly was done, the smaller parts were left for later. For the LanceR it seems that the wing halves do not have any shaped oval re-enforcement panels. Fill these inscribed panel lines. For the jet exhaust I used part #B16.
Just a bit putty and sanding was needed on this excellent kit. A base grey colour was airbrushed to check for any flaws.
For the LanceR on the right/ starboard side of the cockpit a long duct and fairing at the wing-fuselage edge was made from plastic strip. On the fuselage spine, a flat antenna was set from thin card and small scoop.
The standard gun fairing below the fuselage was installed, parts #D17 + D18. (I did not install any of the RATO bottles).
The landing gear and smaller bits would be installed at a later stage after the paint scheme had been applied.
The Romania LanceR paint scheme seems to have these "a la F-16" camouflage colours:
- FS36270 with Gunze Sangyo Mr.Hobby acrylic H306
- FS36375 with Gunze Sangyo Mr.Hobby acrylic H308
- FS36118 with Gunze Sangyo Mr.Hobby acrylic H305
and at lower surfaces a blue colour with Gunze Sangyo Mr.Hobby acrylic H323.
The nose ring is aluminium and the nose radar cone tyre black. Antenna panels are mid-green. Simple masking tape and paper were used as mask during airbrushing. The inner areas of wheel bays were "loosely" airbrushed metal, it suggests also some wear here.
Before applying the decals, in order to avoid any decal "silvering" and because of the large amount of smaller stencils, a gloss varnish coat was airbrushed: Johnson Future / Pledge was used for that.
The Romania big roundels came from the kit.
For the specific LanceR-C, jet coded 6824 was picked and has a badge on the nose. On the airlerons the code 6824 is also located. These markings were custom designed and printed. If you are interested in a decal print for your model, let me know. It can be provided.
I added a few smaller stencils in the "red" variety as per kit though the language may be different.
The remainder of the model was made as per Eduard kit with landing gears etc.
The canopy has also internal detail with etched metal. Note that there is an choice of canopy with/with out central mirror and two windshields. I used the canopy with mirror. An etched metal HUD was set found in the spares box on the instrument shield. The pitot tubes were set as per kit.
Various stores and weapons can be set for a LanceR-C. I opted to set a French "Western" Magic II R550 missile (found in a Special Hobby Mirage F-1 kit). This required extra missile launch rails made from plastic strip. The standard fuel tanks were set on the outboard pylons.
A semi-mat varnish coat was airbrushed to get an even sheen and protect the decals.
Static dischargers, though provided in etched metal #PE30, were made from black painted fishing line, this is a bit finer.
The canopy was set open to the right with the small rod to hold it. That completed this nice LanceR-C model. Note that I did not weather the model a lot as it is refurbished/ fresh painted in the modernization program.
ROMANIA
[ area: 238,400 sq.km | capital: Bucharest | population 19,2 million | GDP per capita EUR 13,000 nominal ]
The Forțele Aeriene ale Romāniei is the air force of Romania which is since 2004 a NATO country. From mid 1990's upgraded MiG-21 "Lancers" were used by the Air Force. As of 2019, only some 36 LanceR jets were still operational with the Romania Air Force. The last MiG-21 LanceR flew April 2022 after many accidents occurred, but a year March 2022 later a few aircraft were put again into service due to the Ukraine War. It is probable all are out of service now, being replaced by the F-16.
For more information about this air force, look at the MiG-23 page here...
LanceR-R "6824" c/n 9606824/0524# was active until 2017 with Esc.861 Aviatie Lupta.
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Created this page August 21, 2024