MiG-19S - Egypt - 1967
Unfortunately, this aircraft never looked like this in reality. The Egyptian MiG-19s NEVER had camouflage prior to 1967 and most likely not even beyond (not counting the Shenyang F-6 aquired much later in the early 1980s).
All of these blue camouflage spots are a missintepretation of low quality historical photographs and lack of sufficient information. Recent findings revealed that these "camouflaged" MiG-19s were actually painted overall in only one grey color, the "Russian Air Superiority Grey", which in turn developed under wear and fatigue a blueish tone in some areas, leaving therefore the false impression of camouflage painting from a certain distance.
Also, the serial number of the ex-Iraqi MiG-19s (like this one) was almost certainly in the 31xx range, so the current serial 2921 is most likely a missinterpretation as well.
Again, there was NO actual camouflage painting on these machines (see main text and previous picture) while the serial number was almost certainly in the 31xx range.
I expected a bit more from this set considering the price. A bit bulky here and there and not that detailed, but still far better than what the kit is offering. The resin seat is particularly nice.
The instrument panel cannot possibly fit in the normal position where it was meant to fit. And the fuselage halves won't close with the resin cockpit tub. Extensive work here....but will be worth it.
The wing to fuselage fit is quite good, with only minor puttying required (not seen here yet).
You might not see them that well in this picture, but they will be more visible in the next one.
There is an aftermarket resin replacement for this area (which I am considering for the second kit), since the plastic part from the kit is 1mm wider than the fuselage (requiring again extra work), while the resin set offers a bit of inner engine details (which here are quite spartan) and has additional detailed panel lines on the outside.
Finding where to place what, takes us to the second level of the puzzle (bottom picture), since the numbering is wrong in several locations. The Part #49 is required for a total of 9 times, but according to the numbering from the first instructions' sheet (middle picture), this part is available only two times. So #49 is meant as #46 and the other way around, but I figured this out only half an hour later.
I found out later that 3 of them were spares
Some puttying still required.
Luckily, we have these superb guns (with Pitot tube) from Model Master.
Superb details, this can only bring more quality to the model.
The gun barels have almost the same diameter as the wing thickness, so it was quite tricky to make the junction look smooth and nice.
Unfortunately, this part is so unbelivably thick that it doesn't make sense to cut it for an open canopy configuration (see picture #32 from the album).
The vacuformed canopy included in the Pavla cockpit resin set is in the best case maybe usable but quite ugly and is 5mm shorter than the allocated space in the fuselage (which is weird, since the Pavla set is meant precisely for this KP kit)
So far I can say I like this kit. It's not perfect, it does require some work indeed, but I never doubted that a nice model will come out of this.
I am still trying to figure out how to recreate those blueish tones at the end. Maybe through pre-shading
I had to rescribe/deepen all those small access panels from the upper side of the fuselage.
A comparison between the kit's plastic wheels and the resin ones from Reskit.
I think the wheels from the kit are not that bad either, but that extra texture seen on the tires for the resin parts is awesome!
I also added some decals for the UARAF insignia too. The fin flash (flag) was particuarly small for the MiG-19s (which now shows a bit of silvering, but will be corrected).
There were several reports from back then, that Egyptian (UARAF) MiG-19s also carried the standard black UARAF identification stripes on the fuselage and wing tips as of 1967. Only very recently, clear photographic evidence of this has emerged.
The decal sheet offers two of these, but the literature mentiones that only the right side (in flight direction) had these inscriptions. This needs a second check I guess.
Not fully decided on the serial number yet. I will probably invent something in the 31xx range, since it's currently unknown what exact serial number the "Mosul" MiG-19 had.
The inner side will of course receive a dark metallic shade.
Some black washes will follow for the control surfaces and some other air intakes followed later by other general strakes of grime and oil...
The main landing gear has this unusual backwards angle of the struts.
The fun parts next: antennas, weapons, tanks, gun muzzles, Pitor tube, etc...
LATER EDIT: they obviously couldn't fit and I didn't use them any more since the MiG-19 actually never equipped them. The MiG-19 did carry on the other hand the similar ORO-57K pods (see next picture).
Both pylons and a simplified but decent representation of a ORO-57K pod are found in the KP kit. For now, my model has only the rear wing pylons mounted, but no missile pod. Not sure if I will add it at any point in the future.
I decided to replace the kit's canopy with these very well done vacuformed canopies from MH Models, which actually fit this kit (unlike the Pavla ones included with the resin interior). Now the canopy no longer clashes with the ejection seat.
In the end there were indeed black identification stripes also on the MiG-19s (there are recently published photographs from the mid 60s showing the lines as well).
No unguided missile pods on the pylons for the reasons mentioned earlier in the build process. I might add them at some point in the future.
When a missile pod was mounted on the rear wing pylon, the landing gear was almost shaving the pod when in the retraction process.
Commentaires
CuajeteInteresting... I also have a KP MiG-19 in my stash.
Great job so far 👍
Following!!
Mid FranconianNeed to follow this! Thanks for the hints you give during the build.
Gary KitchenFollowing on. Love the detailed descriptions and the history. What's the opinion on the KP kit overall would people consider it amongst the best MIG-19 in 1:72.
MariusThank you for the interest and for the following guys!
@Gary, having done some research myself and having checked also the Mistercraft (Plastyk) or Bilek kits I can assure you guys this new tool from KP models is indeed the best in 1:72. But this of course does not mean it'a perfect. The interior is quite spartan and representing the fully open canopy can be challenging since some parts are missing for that. Also this one special and obvious bulge around the main aerodynamic brake (lower fuselage) is too subtle or small. Otherwise with a bit of work (nothing too much) you can get a great model out of this kit. There are in the mean time so many aftermarket parts available for this kit.
CuajeteMarius, you are doing a wonderful job. Thank you for the indications about the quality of the model.
Recently ClearProp announced a new tool for the Mig-19 and given the quality of the molds that this brand has, I suppose it will be the best Mig-19 to date, although I think this will be another different version from those of KP::
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 (Clear Prop! TBA72-2022C, 1:72)
I follow with great interest the progress of your great work 🙂 👍
MariusThank you Cuajete for the interest!
Yes, I was aware of the announcement for this new tool. It seems Clear Prop! might release the very cool MiG-19PM version, which has the all-weather radar (different nose) and different weapons pylons and equipment. Overall, it's an improved version of the MiG-19S, which was only a day-time fighter-bomber.
Nevertheless, Clear Prop! also announced a new tool of the MiG-23 two years ago and since then I haven't read or heard any further news. I am assuming it will take another 2-3 years for the MiG-19PM as well, maybe longer. Until then, one can try to borrow the PM nose from the Bilek kit and adapt it to the KP kit, but I have no idea how well that will work.
Gary KitchenThanks guys. Marius sorry to hijack your thread there. Now back to watching your build unfold 👍
MariusSome progress after vacation: main color with some shading finally applied.
The landing gear is in work now.
Simon NagorsnikHope to get supported soon by your Mig 😁
Like your process so far!
If I have understood correctly, it`s without camo, right?
Kind of a pity i think...
However, wainting for your final pics!
MariusThank you guys, nice as always.
@Simon: yes, that is correct, there is no camouflage, although I wish it was. The MiG-19 in the service of Arab Air Forces is widely missunderstood.
The very early MiG-19s were just in their natural metallic finish, while only Iraq and eventually Egypt for a very small number of aircraft received the MiG-19s in this grey color. And that's it! There was nothing else. There is absolutely not even ONE photographic proof or any story/interview stating that any MiG-19 had camouflage painting in the service of Egypt or Iraq. Egypt started applying camouflage painting only after 1967, while I understood that the MiG-19s remained untouched and were anyway swiftly retired afterwards.
Check out these very cool profiles:
Upper right, the number #3 (btw, Egypt aquired Shenyangs "only" 10-15 years later, so the instructions refer maybe to a MiG-19S).
[img1]
Or these ones:
[img1]
Guess what, none of these ever existed.
Also, check these ones out for Syria. The first one is particularly cool:
[img1]
Or this one below, which I really wanted to do for my second MiG-19:
[img1]
[img1]
Guess what, Syria did not even operate the MiG-19...like not even one, so all of these Syrian profiles are pure invention. Syria did order MiG-19s, but they went to Egypt instead and never even landed in Syria.
I really start to wonder who makes all of these profiles 😆👍.
CuajeteIt must have been someone who is bored or with a lot of imagination 😛
Unfortunately I have the box with the profiles of the first photo you linked. So please... Could you tell me which of them one is true? 😄
Jan Petersphotos.app.goo.gl/kTC63mZSBxzax2Kp9
Here's one Mig 19 that apears to have camouflage paint, I don't know anything else about this pic.
MariusThank you Oleg very much! Next week there will be more progress hopefully.
@Jan: thank you for the photo, but that is a Shenyang from the early 80s. Check this link with the color version of the photo:
flickr.com/photos/my..in_photos/6121957377
Check this one out too, even the serial number is almost identical, only the last two digits differ, confirming they were from the same batch from China:
[img1]
or this one from the Bright Star exercise in 1982:
[img1]
[img2]
[img3]
[img4]
Notice the additional parachute container under the tail in all of these photos from above, which the MiG-19S did not have. All KP kits offer two parts for this container as well.
As indeed mentioned at the end of my main text, the Shenyang received indeed proper camouflage after delivery in 1980s and looks very cool indeed. But yes, this has unfortunately nothing to do with the actual MiG-19s from the 1960s.
@Cuajete:
The numbers #1 and #2 did indeed exist, with the mention that those identification stripes of number #1 were black with no white in between.
For the number #2 you even have a photograph:
[img1]
Jan PetersMarius, my bad, I came across this picture, as I said I did not know anything about it.
MariusThank you Csaba for following!
@Jan: absolutely no problem. It was good you indirectly brought that topic up. I also got very confused at the begining with all those photos from the 80s. I really wished all along that a picture of an Egyptian MiG-19 with camouflage from the mid 60s might show up. Same with Syrian MiG-19s.
Btw, whoever is interested, this new publication offers plenty of new interesting information, unique and rare photographs and color profiles:
Book: MiGs in the Middle East (by David Nicholle, Tom Cooper)
It's the book I mentioned several times during my Syrian MiG-21F-13 build:
(MiG-21F-13 - Syria - 1967 | Album by Redicus (1:72)
At page 60 you have an awesome picture from 1966 with two Egyptian MiG-19s in flight photographed from above (grey like my model but also with black identification stripes). At page 62 there is another photograph with one of the ex-Iraqi MiG-19s one ground with the large visible white inscription. At page 36 there is a color profile of one of those MiG-19s from 1967 (Six Day War) in the same grey color.
Thomas KolbSuch nice and clean paintwork, I really like that careful but effective weathering effect on the panels.
Andy BallSuper build- super finish and great to see your references behind the construction.
MariusThank you guys so much for the nice words as always. I did my best with the research and I think this should be it.
The finish itself is on the other hand not perfect unfortunately, I am still finding mistakes in the pictures....just know.
Simon NagorsnikCongratulate!
A good final!
Nice interior and good work with the panel lines 👍
CuajeteBeautifu, Mariusl!! You have done an incredible job. I wish mine turned out half as good as yours.
Congrats!
MariusThank you so much guys, Simon, Roland, Cuajete, Michael, Lukasz and Oleg, you are all too kind!
There will a further MiG-19 (actually an early Chinese copy), this time Vietnamese. I am still waiting for a specific resin part to arrive.
MariusThank you Rui and Neil!
@Lukasz, that would be nice indeed, but I am not aware of any kit for the trainer in 1:72, but maybe I am mistaken. By the way, there was no double seater for the MiG-19, only the Chinese developed the trainer version, the Shenyang FT-6. Before that, basic training was done on the MiG-15UTI, while type conversion to MiG-17s or MiG-19s was done on ground.
Łukasz GlińskiThat's the one I meant. The only kit info I have ever seen regarded a resin RVHP conversion:
SCM Search: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 Farmer ft-6*
Raphael BernecoleAmazing Result ! Your Mig-19 is very nice !! 🙂 I really like your weathering... Congratulations !!
MariusThank you so much! It was indeed an unique subject I enjoyed working on.
ClementGreat thread and great result, I'm now itching to add a KP Mig-19 to my stash (a lot of required aftermarket)
MariusThank you mates!
It's not perfect, could have been a bit better here and there.
Clement: I also have the MiG-19PM from KP and I am planning to build it too. For the Soviet MiG-19S, there are only extremely few colorful schemes you can make, since most of them were in NMF. The Chinese copy, the Shenyang J-6 had a couple of interesting camouflage patterns in the PLAAF, Pakistani and after 1980 also in Egyptian service. I chose to do mine in a NMF in Vietnamese service: MiG-19S (Shenyang J-6) - Vietnam - 1972 | Album by Redicus (1:72)
Album info
My subject is an Egyptian (ex-Iraqi) MiG-19S "Mosul" with the serial number 31xx (unknown), as part of the 20. Sqn, UARAF as seen in 1965. The history of this particular machine is very interesting and can be traced back to 1959 to Iraq. This famous MiG-19S is (wrongly) depicted in a previous publication as having the serial 2921 and blueish camouflage painting.
Iraq initially ordered 50 MiG-19s from the USSR and received its first machines in late 1959. Displeased by their poor technical condition and reliability, Iraq accepted less than 20 machines in service in 1960. Iraq was actually the first Arab country to operate supersonic fighters. However, these seem to have been some of the last newly manufactured examples of MiG-19s, since the production of MiG-19S ceased in 1959 and were therefore in a better condition than those subsequently delivered from the USSR to the UARAF. The UARAF received from the USSR approximately 80 MiG-19s delivered later in 1961, but for some reason were from an older production batch. Overall, these aircraft have revealed with time several signifficant design flaws. The most critical one seemed to have been related to the hydraulic piping, which was positioned too close to the engine and thus suffered from overheating. This caused a number of catastrophic accidents which combined with the rather poor maintainance has led to high attrition of the type in the service of the UARAF.
The Iraqi MiG-19s were delivered from the USSR in a general medium grey tone, which was only recently identified as "Russian air superiority grey" (AS1115 or MRP 354). Also, only recently it was revealed that these machines NEVER had camouflage as thought and interpreted in previous publications and decal sheets neither in Iraqi nor UARAF service (while Syria never even operated the type). The AS1115 was known to develop a blueish tone under wear and fatigue, therefore leaving the false impresion that there were darker camouflage spots applied on top of a grey background.
Although several MiG-19s were destroyed in the Iraqi coups in 1963, the type remained in service at least one more year until all remaining machines (~10) were donated to Egypt. My particular subject was donated together with the batch of 1964, therefore bearing the "Russian air superiority grey" with heavy patina, together with the names of different Iraqi cities painted on the nose. Ex-Iraqi MiG-19s are known to have worn names of major Arab cities painted in white on both sides of the nose (such as "Casablanca", "Mosul", etc.). This practice was kept by the Egyptians when the aircraft came in their possession. My subject, initially thought to have the serial number 2921, is known to have had the name of the Iraqi city of "Mosul" painted also in white on both (!) sides of the front fuselage area.
UARAF (in this case Egyptian) MiG-19s are not known to have ever carried any camouflage painting at all apart from the regular grey paint from delivery. Additionally, also the MiG-19s are known to have carried the black identification stripes on the wing tips and rear fuselage (no green and no white between the lines).
The first deadly battle of Egyptian MiG-19s with the IDF occured on the 30th November 1966, when an Israeli Mirage III pilot shot down two MIG-19s in a brief dogfight over Israeli territory, in which a Matra air-to-air missile was used for the first time. One IDF Mirage pilot brought down one of the MiG-19 with a missile and the other with a salvo from his cannons. The victory was the first time that Israeli fighters had defeated a MIG-19 and the first Israeli-Egyptian air clash since 1961 when Israeli pilots shot down a MIG-17.
During the first Israeli attack of the Six Day War on the 5th of June 1967, many Egyptian MiG-19s and MiG-21s of the higher readiness levels (therefore more exposed) were destroyed on ground while stacked and aligned closely together. Nevertheless, several MiG-21s and MiG-19s of lower readiness levels survived the first attack wave and since they couldn't take off due to various reasons, they were hastely pushed by the ground crews outside the air bases beneath trees and between houses. This saved plenty of aircraft from destruction. Several lightly damaged ones were further repaired in the night of the 5th of June with Egypt still having several interceptors and fighter-bombers at hand in the morning of the 6th of June 1967. The UARAF was by no means completely destroyed in the first day of the Six Day War as stated for decades in the Western sources. Nevertheless, the catastrophic leadership and decision chain led to a slow destruction of the remaining jets during the following days of the conflict.
The numerous surviving MiG-19s were further used extensively in the Six Day War in both roles of interceptor and close air support claiming several air kills but with very high attrition. Overall, the UARAF has written off a total of 16 MiG-19 airframes at the end of the Six Day War, including both ground and air losses according to official Egyptian archives and not "half" (approx. 40) as stated so far.
Most of the above information is gathered from "Arab Migs, Volume 2", "Arab MiGs Volume 3", "Wings of Iraq" and "Migs in the Middle East, Volume 2" by Tom Cooper and co-authors. You won't really get the full picture around the MiG-19s unless you read all of them unfortunately. At page 60 of the fourth book I mentioned, there is a very beautiful and rare picture from 1966 with two Egyptian MiG-19s in flight photographed from above. Both aircraft are grey indeed with black identification stripes and with obvious wear and fatigue visible around panel lines and relevant air intakes or rear engine area. At page 62 there is another photograph with one of the ex-Iraqi MiG-19s on ground with the large visible white inscription. At page 36 there is a color profile of one of those MiG-19s from 1967 (Six Day War) in the same grey color.
Going forward in time, after Egypt cut its close links with the Soviet Union during 1976, Egypt looked towards China for spare parts and technical support. China was quick to sense the opportunity, selling about 40 Shenyang F-6C (license-built MiG-19s) fighter-bombers to the Egyptian Air Force in 1979. The Shenyang F-6 had several small design changes, such as narrower gun muzzel ends and an additional parachute container under the vertical stabilizer. In return, Egypt gave some of its newly received MiG-23s to China. The Egyptian Air Force retired the Soviet-made MiG-19S type in the early 70's, while the Shenyang F-6 was operated further untill well in the late 90's as advanced trainers.
To be noted, that the Shenyang F-6 in Egyptian service actually received proper camouflage painting, but which was wrongly associated by publications, kit and decal manufacturers with some non-existent camouflage of the initial soviet MiG-19s from the 60's.
References:
T. Copper, D. Nicolle, et al., "Arab MiGs Volume 1", Harpia Publishing
T. Copper, D. Nicolle, et al., "Arab MiGs Volume 2", Harpia Publishing
T. Copper, D. Nicolle, et al., "Arab MiGs Volume 3", Harpia Publishing
T. Copper, D. Nicolle, "MiGs in the Middle East, Volume 2", Helion and Company
B. Norton, "75 Years of the Israeli Air Force, Volume 1", Helion and Company
I. Toperczer "MiG-17 and MiG-19 units of the Vietnam War", Osprey Combat Aircraft
