MiG-21UM Tiger
in the Polish Air Force
Detail and Color 1

Hussar Productions
1/32, 1/48 & 1/72 scales

S u m m a r y :
Catalogue Number:	Hussar Productions Detail and Color 1 - MiG-21UM Tiger in the Polish Air Force by Marek Idzior
ISBN:	978-0-09781091-3-4
Contents and Media:	Soft cover, 96 pages, over 140 color photographs, 6 painting schemes in 4 view color profiles. 2 sheets of decals including Polish stenciling data. Decals in 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 scale
Price:	Available online from AirConnection for Can$34.99.
Scale:	1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 scales
Review Type:	First Look.
Advantages:	Extensive photographic coverage of each airframe, supplied decals are of the highest quality and in the three main scales, full page profile art, extensive decal placement guide.
Disadvantages:	No internal ‘walkaround’ photos.
Conclusions:	If colourful schemes and tigermeet jets are your thing, do yourself a favour and get this book.

Reviewed by Mick Drover

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

In the first of their pictorial monographs, Hussar Productions have a chosen a subject that will attract fans of Tigermeet jets

The first few pages of the book briefly review the development of the MiG-21 as a fighter and trainer and its eventual use in the Polish Air Force.

What follows is an extensive photographic summary of the twin tub MiG-21’s used by the Polish Air Force. One hundred and forty colour photos cover every external angle of the subject. The photos are very clear and have been reproduced extremely well on paper. Each photo is commented and where available a date of when the photo was taken is supplied.

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Thumbnail panels:

The colour schemes covered are all eye catching with the tigermeet schemes being the highlights. Both the snow leopard and traditional yellow/black combinations are covered in the later.

Techmod from Poland have printed the decals in the three primary scales 132/, 1/48 and 1/72 with the design work being done by Jacek Jackiewicz. The decals look suitably thin though one can never tell how they will react to a setting solution. I’d suggest using a smaller stencil as a test bed first before cracking onwith the who;e airframe. If painting one of the yellow tigermeet jets, you’ll need to match the yellow to the tiger head yellow on the decal sheet. Hussar have given the builder some assistance here with FS numbers being supplied.

The artwork is tight and this carries into the smaller scales on the decal sheet too. There’s no sign of bleed or blurring of the images. The stencils are legible in all scales and are provided in a variety of colours again depending on the airframe being built. The back page of the book provides a ready reckoner of what colour stencils belong to which  airframe.

Four view profiles are provided for each of the jets supplied on the decal sheet.

The decal options supplied are:

• 9292 – MiG-21UM 3. elt Krzesiny, Poland

• 9308 – MiG-21UM 3. elt Krzesiny, Poland

• 9311 – MiG-21UM 10.elt (10. eskadra lotnictwa taktycznego) Lask, Poland

• 9351 – MiG-21UM 3. elt (3. eskadra lotnictwa taktycznego) Krzesiny, Poland

• 9349 early – MiG-21UM 3. elt (3. eskadra lotnictwa taktycznego) Krzesiny, Poland

• 9349 late – MiG-21UM 3. elt (3. eskadra lotnictwa taktycznego) Krzesiny, Poland

Hussar Productions have come out of the corner swinging with this extensive monograph dedicated to the Polish MiG-21UM. The inclusion of not just a single decal option but five makes this a very attractive production. The variety in schemes will appeal to those who are interested in anniversary schemes or colourful tails.

The only gripe I have is that there are no specific detail shots for internal areas such as cockpits, gear bays etc.

Even with that small issue aside, I’m recommending this book without any reservations.

Thanks to Air Connection for the sample

Hussar Products are available online from Air Connection

Text and Images Copyright © 2013 by Mick Drover
Page Created 16 December, 2013
Last updated 16 December, 2013

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