MiG-21PFM

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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

I cannot believe that it is two and a half years since Eduard released their 1/48 scale MiG-21MF. For a detailed analysis of this wonderful kit, please follow the link to view Jennings Heilig's excellent in-box review.

The MiG-21PFM was one of the second generation of this famous family. The MiG-21PFM Fishbed F was produced for Soviet use and for export, and was armed with a twin-barelled Gsh-23 23mm cannon with 200 rounds in an under fuselage pod. It could also carry missiles, rocket pods and bombs on its various hard points.

Eduard's latest iteration from the Fishbed family is a 1/48 scale MiG-21PFM. The kit comprises 372 parts in medium grey plastic; 26 parts in clear; self-adhesive masks; two photo-etched frets (one coloured); and markings for five aircraft.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

The three main sprues containing parts for the second-generation fuselage, spine, tail planes and wings are new.

The two new photo-etched frets are also specific to the MiG-21PFM.

The MiG-21PFM meets the same exemplary stanrdards as its predecessors. The surface detail is restrained and crisp, detail is fantastic - I particularly like the use of the colour photo-etched parts in the cockpit - and engineering is world-class. The inclusion of self-adhesive canopy masks is always a nice touch.

The transparent sprue is the same as its predecessors, but the specific parts for the second generation canopy and windscreen are options.

All of the plastic ordnance supplied in the MF kit are also provided with the PFM, so you will have a big bonus for your spares box too.

Markings

Five marking options for the MiG-21PFM are provided. The main decal sheet is beautifully printed by Cartograf. The decals are glossy, colour saturation looks excellent and carrier film is thin.

It appears that the stencil data sheet has been printed in the Czech Republic either by or for Eduard. Once again, the quality of these looks excellent - glossy and readable under strong magnification for even the smallest markings (assuming you can read Russian, that is).

Marking options are:

• Vietnamese People´s Army Air Force, 921st Fighter Regiment, 196. Overall bare metal with green mottles

• Czechoslovak Air Force, 11th Fighter Regiment, Zatec AFB, March, 1991. Overall bare metal.

• Baurnal Higher Air Force School, Kamen na Obi / Slavgorod airbases, Soviet Union, ca 1988. Tan, Brown and Green over light blue undersurfaces.

• Egyptian Air Force, Inshas airbase, early 1980s. Two tone striped camouflage over light blue lower surfaces

• Polish Air Force, 1st Squadron of 62nd Fighter Regiment, Poznan – Krzesiny AB, 1994. Overall aluminium lacquer.

MiG-21PFM Interior

Eduard has released simultaneously released several upgrades for their MiG-21PFM kit, starting with a gorgeous BRASSIN cockpit.

This set provides:

• full cockpit with side panels and rear bulkhead

• seat with cushion and headrest

• instrument panel

• gunsight

• reflective glass for the gunsight is made from clear resin

• rudders

• control stick

• colored and non-colored photo-etched details

A helmet is also included.

Casting quality and detail are exquisite.

MiG-21PF/PFM Exhaust Nozzle

Next up is a BRASSIN resin and photo-etched exhaust nozzle.

Although much of this will be hidden deep inside the fuselage, the detail is once again lovely.

What you will be able to see is certainly an improvement on the already very good plastic parts supplied in the kit.

It is great to see Eduard reach back in time to produce a 1/48 scale MiG-21PFM. Judging by their record, I am sure that we will see more second generation Fishbeds in the future too.

Based on my experience of building the debut MiG-21MF release, fit should be excellent throughout. The MiG-21MF had the most precise assembly feel of any Eduard kit I had built to that time - there was not a single “whammy” area to look out for (although I have to say that Eduard's 1:48 scale Spitfire Mk.IXc has nudged the MiG-21 out of top spot for pure building pleasure).

The surface detail is as good as I have seen from any manufacturer. Detail in the cockpit, wheel wells and afterburner is terrific. The use of multimedia parts, and in particular the colour photo-etch, is appropriate and adds an impressive air of authenticity that would be impossible for most modellers (myself included) to match with brush and paint.

If you really want to kick the detail up a level, the BRASSIN cockpit will be a luxurious finishing touch. The BRASSIN nozzle set is very well done too.

With their ongoing 1:48 scale MiG-21 family, Eduard continues to prove itself one of the most exciting model companies of the 21st century.

I am looking forward to seeing more of this magnificent marque from Eduard.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2013 by Brett Green
except BRASSIN images from Eduard website
Page Created 7 October, 2013
Last updated 8 October, 2013

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page