SkyPainter303's 1/72 Zvezda MiG-3 build

[SkyPainter303]

I opened the box and found Russian instructions and just a few parts and decals.

P1000061 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

mig-3_1 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

mig-3_2 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

mig-3_3 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

mig-3_4 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[SkyPainter303]

Does anybody have a link to these instructions in English?

[SkyPainter303]

Because the instructions for my kit are in Russian, I found the instructions for Revell's version of this kit. Using the Revell conversion chart I made my own color table with some minor changes. The exterior colors will change depending on what scheme I ultimately use.

mig-3_paint_chart by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[SkyPainter303]

I started painting the small pieces today. Since I can't read Russian, I'm using the Revell instructions and it's color call-outs. I don't often build Russian aircraft kits therefore am not a stickler for absolute accuracy. I am going along with the converted Revell color suggestions. These pieces were airbrushed on the sprues.

The blue/green is my equivalent of Revell Light Green. I mixed Model Master enamels Russian Interior Blue/Green with Flat White 50/50.



P1000074 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

P1000072 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

P1000071 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

P1000070 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

P1000069 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

P1000068 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[SkyPainter303]

Did some detail brush painting including dry-brushing the instrument panel.

I then assembled the simple cockpit.

P1000075 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

P1000084 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

P1000083 by Michael Keogh, on Flickr

[SkyPainter303]

My first mishap. I broke the propeller shaft.



I made a new shaft out of steel wire.



I super-glued the rear part of the spinner to the new shaft.



I then super-glued the cockpit into the right fuselage half.

[SkyPainter303]

I glued the fuselage halves together, held together with tape and set aside to dry.




The fit is surprisingly good. The plastic, on the other hand, is much different than what I am used to in other manufacturer's kits. This plastic seems have it is organic in make up; a little oily feeling and soft. I sanded the seams in preparation for the primter coat.

[SkyPainter303]

I glued on the horizontal stabilizers next. When in position, there was a gap on the topside that needed to be filled.


I used Tamiya Basic Type putty and applied with an artist's palette knife.

[SkyPainter303]

Next up was to glue the wing halves together. I glued the left wing together and noticed a large step on the wing root end. It is then that I realized there were no locating pins. Keep this in mind if you ever build this kit (although you probably won't build this kit since the Hobby Boss easy build kit is so much nicer). I pried the wing halves apart, made a slight adjustment, and re-glued.

[SkyPainter303]

I sanded the filler with sanding sticks and a sanding needle.


Using Tamiya Masking Tape and an Xacto knife with a new blade, I masked the canopy. The windshield frames aren't molded into the plastic (as seen in the boxart), so I placed them where I thought they should be.

[SkyPainter303]

The wing joins are awful. I had to open up the slots in the fuselage so the wing tabs would fit. The resulting gaps are enormous. These will be filled with putty.


I plan to hide the huge seams in the ridiculously shallow gear wells with epoxy putty and display the aircraft with the wheels up.

[SkyPainter303]

This evening I had a bit of a fiasco filling the gear wells with epoxy putty. I wound up getting the stuff on much of the model. The subsequent sanding is obliterating much of the already soft, recessed panel lines. To finish off the gear wells, I've applied a layer of Tamiya putty. I'll need to sand that next. After the primer coat, the model will be pretty much a smooth surfaced model; a little like those carved, wood display models. It is good think I plan on posing my MiG-3 on a custom made, wood display base and stand.

[SkyPainter303]

Gaps filled.



"Wheel Up"

[Avgas]

Some good recovery work on what seems like a 'trying' kit!

[SkyPainter303]

One of the worst kits I've built. We'll see what happens after the primer coat. If I had more energy for this project, I'd re-scribe the panel lines.

[SkyPainter303]

Added the scoops and exhausts.


Added the radiator.


Filled the small gaps in the radiator housing with Testors Clear Parts Cement and Window Maker

[SkyPainter303]

Today, I sprayed and sanded primer coats.


I started by misting on Tamiya primer from a rattle can. I did light coats until I had full coverage.




Once the primer had dried, I sanded the model with 220, then 320 grit sandpaper. This filled in a majority of the scratches that were made when I sanded all of the filler putty I used.


It was primer time once again. This time I used Model Master enamel primer. I sprayed a couple of light coats followed by wet coat.


As you probably can see, much of what detail was engraved in the plastic has been lost. Since this will be a stand model, I am OK with that. Stand models are usually polished and very smooth. While I'm not going to go that far. I think the model with present well in a normal matte coat.

[SkyPainter303]

I'm ready for this build to be over. Today I broke the pitot tube and the Model Master Russian Underside Blue I sprayed is not adhering all that will. The least bit of contact with a finger nail while I am masking scrapes paint off. I'm tempted to go down to the hobby shop to buy the Hobby Boss Easy Assembly MiG-3 and be done with it.

[Schoof]

Just 11 days left......hope you'll be able to finish in time