MiG-21MF

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Phil Parsons

Eduard's 1/48 scale MiG-21MF Weekend Edition is available online from Squadron.com
 

Eduard released their 1/48 MiG 21 MF in the ProfiPACK edition during March and this has been covered in a superb Hyperscale review by Jennings Heilig.

You may read his excellent review by following this link http://www.hyperscale.com/2011/reviews/kits/eduard8231reviewjh_1.htm

Eduard's 1/48 scale MiG 21 MF "Weekend Edition" contains exactly the same excellent plastic parts as the "ProfiPACK".

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Thumbnail panels:

The main differences are the absence of photo-etch, the inclusion of a single decal option and a price $20.00 lower than the original release.

Some modellers do not like using photo-etched parts, some will want to add their own resin or home-made details, while others on a budget will prefer this cheaper alternative; so the incusion of the "Weekend Edition" version is a logical strategy on a number of counts.

This review will cover how the Eduard Weekend edition caters for the absence of Photo Etch (PE) and resin that was provided in the ProfiPACK edition.

While the box lists 464 parts, as you can see by the parts list, with the shaded areas indicating unused plastic, there are a lot of spare parts.

These are however, mostly ordnance, so your stash will have a good supply of Eastern Bloc Air-Air and Air-Surface weapons.

Cockpit

To replace the photo-etched parts in the cockpit, Eduard has provided two options to detail the tub, the first being decals. These cover the main instrument panel, side consoles and walls.

The instructions show decals 11 and 12 for the side consoles being placed onto plastic. This plastic is not provided in the kit and you will need to source it yourself to initially place the decal on, and then trim the plastic prior to fitting it in the cockpit.

The second option involves you painting the raised detail on the main instrument panel and side consoles. You will still need to used decals 11 and 12 as per the note above.

The cockpit decal colours appear slightly different to Eduards PE, so you will have to mix your own interior colour to match the decals no matter which option you choose for your cockpit. A quick search turned up a 50/50 mix of Gunze Sangyo H25 Sky Blue and H46 Emerald Green as a possible option.

Ejection Seat

While still highly detailed and consisting of 17 parts, there is no harness to replace the PE parts in the ProfiPACK kit. A replacement harness would be very desireaable for this prominent feature.

Pitot/AOA Boom

The kit probe (D4) does not come with the AoA vanes on the boom.

External 

Wing fences and other minor detail that was PE in the ProfiPACK are replaced by plastic on the main sprues.

Markings

Red 687 of the German Democratic Republic, Jagdfliegergeschwader 3, Preschen Airbase, 1990.

There may almost be more decals than parts used in this kit given the large amount of stencilling provided!

This is a superbly engineered kit and I am looking forward to building it. 

The Weekend Edition allows the modeller the latitude to lash out and purchase some of the very colourful MiG 21 decals that are available, or out of the box you will have a great looking aircraft.

If only I could build a kit in a “Weekend”!

Thanks to Eduard for the sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2011 by Phil Parsons
Images Copyright © 2011 by Brett Green
Page Created 14 August, 2011
Last updated 15 August, 2011

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