MiG-15bis

Eduard, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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

The MiG-15 (NATO reporting name: "Fagot") was a jet fighter developed for the Soviet Union by Mikoyan-Gurevich OKB. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea where, early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in most applications. The MiG-15 also served as the starting point for development of the more advanced MiG-17.

An improved variant, the MiG-15bis (second), entered service in early 1950 with a Klimov VK-1 engine, an improved version of the RD-45/Nene, plus minor improvements and upgrades. Visible differences were a headlight in the air intake separator and horizontal upper edge airbrakes. The 23 mm cannons were placed more closely together in their undercarriage.

Some "bis" aircraft also adopted under-wing hard points for unguided rocket launchers or 50–250 kg (110–550 lb) bombs. Fighter-bomber modifications were dubbed "IB", "SD-21", and "SD-5". About 150 aircraft were upgraded to SD-21 specification during 1953–1954. An unknown number of aircraft were modified to "IB" specification in the late 1950s.

The MiG-15 is believed to have been one of the most widely produced jet aircraft ever made, with over 12,000 built. Licensed foreign production perhaps raised the total to over 18,000.

The MiG-15 is often mentioned along with the North American F-86 Sabre as amongst the best fighter aircraft of the Korean War and in comparisons with fighters from other eras. *

Eduard’s brand new 1:72 scale MiG-15bis comprises 91 parts in medium grey coloured plastic, nine parts in clear, a photo-etched fret and masks for the clear parts. Ten of the plastic parts are marked “not for use”, and others will be leftover too due to a number of alternative parts.

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Thumbnail panels:

Moulding quality is excellent, and sprue attachments are fine. Surface features are crisp and fine, with recessed panel lines and a few selected rows of rivets and raised details.

Nestled between the split intake, the cockpit benefits from pre-printed colour photo-etched harness straps, sidewall features and instrument panel. Decals are supplied as an alternative to some of these. The ejection seat is plastic and looks good even though it is only made up from two parts.

Options include the choice of two styles of underwing fuel tank and splitter plates, and the undercarriage may be built up or down. The kit also supplies a second style of lower nose panel, bombs and racks, but these are not discussed in the instructions.

The clear parts are thin and free from distortion. The canopy is split into windscreen and sliding section, so it may be posed open if you wish. A different part is used for the rear canopy floor if you choose to close the canopy.

Canopy masks will make this task fast and easy. As usual, these are die-cut from yellow self-adhesive tape.

Markings

Five marking options are offered, all in overall bare metal:

• MiG-15bis, c/n 123025, flown by Col. Yevgeniy G. Pepelyayev, CO of 196th IAP, Antung AB, Korea, October, 1951

• MiG-15bis, c/n 1315376, ex- 64th IAK, Soviet Union, mid Fifties

• MiG-15bis, flown by Henry Perez, Cuba, 1960s

• MiG-15bis, Egyptian Air Force, October, 1956

• MiG-15bis, JAG 11, Bautzen AB, East Germany, ca 1956
  

The decal sheet is glossy, in register and beautifully printed by Cartograf.

The MiG-15 is one of the truly iconic aircraft of history, and it is nice to see that Eduard has given it the treatment it deserves in 1:72 scale.

This was a basic aircraft in real life and Eduard’s kit should reflect its simple nature with an easy, but well-detailed build.

Highly Recommended.

* Historical background courtesy Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-15

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2014 by Brett Green
Page Created 5 February, 2014
Last updated 5 February, 2014

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