MiG-15bis

Eduard, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Graham Carter

Another release of this well-received and popular kit which, according to my interpretation of Scalemates, is the nineteenth iteration of this kit first released in 2012 and twice updated.

This aircraft needs little introduction so I won’t, suffice to say that it has been well-served by model manufacturers (curiously not FROG) over the decades in the “one true scale",  beginning with the simplified Airfix one in the late fifties and a much praised one more recently, just about everyone else has had a go at it from the simplified but quite nice HobbyBoss effort through to this wonderful little kit.. Brett reviewed one back on February 5th 2014 and I can do no more than repeat all he said then as nothing bar the decal choices have changed. For more information go back eight years and look at Brett’s detailed review.

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Just to remind everyone of what is in the Weekend Edition version - all the lovely parts, a new set of four decal choices, but no PE or masks, all in a nice strong top-opening box. The parts continue to show excellent production control as I could find almost no seams that will need removal. Speaking of which, this kit has a nice strong top-opening one.

Points I would like to reiterate are that there are a number of parts not used in this version so be careful making your choices - these all have a landing light in the splitter body in the nose that requires careful painting of the clear nose insert. Cram as much weight as you can into the two spaces indicated by the Bunny on page 4 - this is one serious tail-sitter!  Instructions fill a twenty-page A4 stapled booklet with the last page contains information about in-house add-ons should you want to enhance the kit parts.

There is a choice of under-wing tanks and the location of these is clearly indicated. Similarly there are two variations of wheel centres but no indication of which aircraft uses which. I like the way Eduard make these separate from the tyres to make painting that much easier. The set of bombs and racks will go into your spares box.

The decals are provided on two sheets for four aircraft, each with details of who and where it was used. In addition there is a very detailed set of stencils which will keep you occupied for a while or two. Do note that there are choices to be made as they differ from one aircraft user to another - all explained in the four pages covering stencil locations for Russian and Czech/Arab users.

The choices are:

1. ‘129 of Major A M Karetin, 351IAP, 106 IAD, Anshan China, July 1952, in NMF with green ‘wormy’ stripes over the upper surfaces,

2. ‘3934’ of 20 Fighter Air Regiment in Czech Air Force, Czechoslovakia, 1957-8 in NMF with blue striped wings and fuselage,

3. un-numbered aircraft of Major V Fokin, 234 GIAP, 9 GIAD, Kubinska, USSR, June -July 1951 in dark blue over NMF scheme,  and

4. ‘272’ of No.18 Squadron, UARAF, in overall NMF with fine black lines on parts of the fuselage and wings.

Each scheme has a full page four-view colour illustration and there is a nice variety of schemes for most modellers of Soviet bloc aircraft.

Here I quote Brett from 5/2/14:

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

Highly recommended.”

And I might add that it great to see further iteration of this kit available again!

Thanks to Eduard for the review sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2022 by Graham Carter
Images Copyright © 2022 by Brett Green
Page Created 2 June, 2022
Last updated 3 June, 2022

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