MiG-21MF/BIS
in Indian Service

Eduard, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Phil Parsons

Eduard's 1/48 scale MiG-21MF/BIS in Indian Service is available online from Squadron.com

History

In 1962, the Indian Air Force (IAF) selected the MiG-21 over the French Mirage III and the American F-104 Starfighter. As part of the deal, the Soviet Union offered a full transfer of technology and rights for local assembly.

Positive feedback from IAF pilots during 1965 prompted India to place additional orders for the MiG-21 and began to invest heavily in improving the MiG-21's maintenance infrastructure and pilot training programs. By 1969, India had acquired more than 120 MiG-21s from the Soviet Union. The expansion of IAF MiG-21 fleet marked a growing India-Soviet Union military partnership which enabled the Indian Air Force to field a capability that could counter local threats. The production of the MiG-21BIS, under license by Hindustan Aeronautics of India, lasted until 1984. Ultimately, the IAF has operated over 700 MiG-21s.

The Indian Air Force has upgraded approximately 128 of the MiG-21BIS in its inventory to the MiG-21 Bison standard. The upgrades most visible external changes are the wing root countermeasures dispensers and the revised canopy to improve visibility, these aircraft will serve the Indian Air Force until 2015.

One area of training for any fighter pilot is Air Combat Manoeuvres, (ACM) this is a highly dynamic airborne arena, which requires lighting fast reflexes and solid training rules. To assist in training, the IAF has over the years painted many aircraft to allow easier identification as either friend or foe in the ACM environment. These IAF aircraft are some of the most vividly decorated fighters in service anywhere and the highlight of this limited edition release.

Introduction

This kit by the virtue of 1 additional sprue gives you the option to build either an MF or a BIS model MiG-21. To see the MF plastic please use the link to view this excellent review. The MiG 21 BIS was reviewed by Brett Green and can be viewed at the second link

http://www.hyperscale.com/2011/reviews/kits/eduard8231reviewjh_1.htm

http://www.hyperscale.com/2011/reviews/kits/eduard8232reviewbg_1.htm

This review will cover the extras provided by the MiG-21MF/BIS in the INDIAN SERVICE Limited Edition issue.

The first thing you will notice is the colourful decal options.

The main sheet is beautifully printed by Cartograf Italy while the spots and lightning bolts are produced in the Czech Republic and appear to be of a similar high standard.

Now, the good news in relation to the Indian Air Force decals. There are nowhere near as many stencils as the Europrean MiG-21s are adorned in.  There are still stencils but not the 100 or so required on European MiG-21s.

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Thumbnail panels:

Your options are:

• MiG-21MF, C1531, No. 101 Squadron “Falcons“, Sirsa AB, early 90´s.
  Note: I have seen references that this acft was possibly with 108SQN,”Hawkeyes”.

• MiG-21BIS, C2283 RATTLER, No. 3 Squadron “Cobras“, Pathankot AB, India, early 90´s.
  Note: I have seen in drawings and images variations to the location of the word “Cobras” on the tail

• MiG-21BIS, C2113, No. 15 Squadron “The Flying Lances“, Jodhpur AB, 90´s

• MiG-21BIS, C2776, No. 26 Squadron “The Warriors“, Adampur AB, early 90´s.

• MiG-21BIS, C2316, No. 24 Squadron “Hawks“, 90´s.

This is another great Eduard MiG-21MF/BIS designed for those who love some of the very colourful options that were used by the Indian Air Force during its service life. Like all of the other Eduard MiG-21 releases this one is highly recommended.

I guess the big question is where will the Eduard MiG-21 family tree branch off to next? Time for a prequel maybe, it works for the movie makers!

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text & Images Copyright © 2012 by Phil Parsons
Page Created 5 July, 2012
Last updated 5 July, 2012

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