MiG-23MF - Romania - 1995
A beautiful photograph of my number 224. This will be my main reference in terms of colours.
Interestingly, none of the dielectric areas are painted that typical dark green, but rather light grey.
Interestingly, none of the dielectric areas are painted that typical dark green, but rather light grey.
And probably an older photograph with the dielectric surface from the vertical stabilizer painted green and with a heavily weathered radome.
The Karaya resin cockpit looks good in general. For some reason the included resin ejection seat was not inside the box (!), but luckily I had another spare KM-1 seat from some Eduard MiG-21. And it fits perfectly in the resin tub, a rare ocurrance.
The main intrument panel is from Yahuu. Surprisingly, all three are fitting well together.
The main intrument panel is from Yahuu. Surprisingly, all three are fitting well together.
The overall engine and especially the exhaust included in the KP kit are known to be bad and one of the major weak points of this kit. I gave this resin replacement from Amigo Models a try.
Plenty of parts, quite expensive, but looking great.
Plenty of parts, quite expensive, but looking great.
Very nicely detailed, but many of the details won't be seen later on. The big question is if it fits the kit.
And this is how the expensive engine set fits the kit. I was very frustrated at the beginning until I saw the note from the instructions. The explanations didn't solve the frustration though.
The fuselage cross-section of the kit is indeed oval in the rear area instead of round and therefore requires this enlargement. I mean the fit of the fuselage halves was bad anyway, this only brings even more work. Whereas the 0.8mm are rather 2-3mm.
The fuselage cross-section of the kit is indeed oval in the rear area instead of round and therefore requires this enlargement. I mean the fit of the fuselage halves was bad anyway, this only brings even more work. Whereas the 0.8mm are rather 2-3mm.
The engine integration was a pain, but really worth it.
This step killed the mojo and was the reason the project was paused some months.
This step killed the mojo and was the reason the project was paused some months.
Not 100% finished on the inside, but looking better in reality. The engine is a big win so far.
The engine intakes are requiring the drilling of those circular areas for the positioning lights (lower side, one for each air intake). Instead, clear parts included in the kit should be mounted there, but there is really no mention of the clear parts or drilling anywhere in the instructions.
Also, the additional air vents (the two squares on each lateral side) need to be cut, since they are almost always in the opened position on ground.
Also, the additional air vents (the two squares on each lateral side) need to be cut, since they are almost always in the opened position on ground.
And the clear parts I am talking about.
Check out the thickness of that plastic part. It might not be clear from the picture, but it's just below 1cm (!!).
Check out the thickness of that plastic part. It might not be clear from the picture, but it's just below 1cm (!!).
This step took just a bit less time than the engine integration.
Worth it in my opinion.
Note the large gaps between the clear parts (lights) and the grey styrene They were filled and sanded later
Worth it in my opinion.
Note the large gaps between the clear parts (lights) and the grey styrene They were filled and sanded later
The small additional air vents and clear parts for the lights finally integrated and masked.
There were large gaps between the lights (clear parts) and the hole they are positioned in. These gaps were also filled with acrylic putty after masking the transparent parts first.
There were large gaps between the lights (clear parts) and the hole they are positioned in. These gaps were also filled with acrylic putty after masking the transparent parts first.
And the two flow blades on the inside of the air intakes.
The overall fit of the air intakes and nearby wing leading edge is very bad. They required an additional styrene strip and extensive sanding.
The overall fit of the air intakes and nearby wing leading edge is very bad. They required an additional styrene strip and extensive sanding.
Some imperfections here and there, especially those gaps at the wing gloves, still a bit of work left before priming.
No more closed air brakes. I learned my lesson from my previous try at this kit (which ended in the trash).
The air brakes don't really fit well and any filling/sanding efforts in that area will ruin the quality unless again extensive work is involved.
Any work on detailing the landing gear bays will follow after a first priming.
The air brakes don't really fit well and any filling/sanding efforts in that area will ruin the quality unless again extensive work is involved.
Any work on detailing the landing gear bays will follow after a first priming.
These ResKit wheels are looking just awesome!
While I am over and over again dissapointed with their resin weapons, the ResKit wheels are so far close to flawless in my experience.
While I am over and over again dissapointed with their resin weapons, the ResKit wheels are so far close to flawless in my experience.
Basic paint and sealing. Weathering follows.
Not sure if to use the mud guards or not, since not all early MiG-23s had them.
The struts are still requiring some cable or two.
Not sure if to use the mud guards or not, since not all early MiG-23s had them.
The struts are still requiring some cable or two.
And weathered.
LATER EDIT: I removed the paint from the landing gear struts and repainted them in a steel colour.
LATER EDIT: I removed the paint from the landing gear struts and repainted them in a steel colour.
Finally primed.
The area of the engine intakes required excessive sanding which eliminated most details. The upper surfaces were newly scribed, while "rivets" are added once more to maintain the optical compatibility with the rest.
Rivets are not making any sense in this scale, but who wants to sand down all details and rescribe the entire model completely? I surely won't do that.
The area of the engine intakes required excessive sanding which eliminated most details. The upper surfaces were newly scribed, while "rivets" are added once more to maintain the optical compatibility with the rest.
Rivets are not making any sense in this scale, but who wants to sand down all details and rescribe the entire model completely? I surely won't do that.
The engine area, the main weak point of this kit (in my opinion) is now surprisingly good looking with the resin set.
The air brakes will be in the opened position.
The air brakes will be in the opened position.
Underside painted and masked. The main tan color for the uperside also applied.
A masking strategy is in the making.
A masking strategy is in the making.
I tried a small experiment with the so called zenithal lightning.
Only small patches or "snakes" from this main color will be visible at the end, but i'm curious if it was worth it and if it changes in any positive way the final result.
Only small patches or "snakes" from this main color will be visible at the end, but i'm curious if it was worth it and if it changes in any positive way the final result.
The tan camouflage patches are represented by relatively well defined shapes, which are in fact fairly large and not that fuzzy at all.
Therefore I decided to use masks. So I found some plans, reduced them to 1:72 and tried to draw the tan patches which will be masked (drawn here with green for no reason).
Luckily I found in the mean time sufficient photos of the number 224 to reproduce the camouflage patches.
Therefore I decided to use masks. So I found some plans, reduced them to 1:72 and tried to draw the tan patches which will be masked (drawn here with green for no reason).
Luckily I found in the mean time sufficient photos of the number 224 to reproduce the camouflage patches.
And the top side.
Some areas from the top side are not visible in any photograph so I had to be creative.
(the right stabilizer has a wrong pattern here, will be redone)
Some areas from the top side are not visible in any photograph so I had to be creative.
(the right stabilizer has a wrong pattern here, will be redone)
The large A4 masking sheet is luckily transparent enought to see through.
Drawing the masks with a pencil becomes easy.
(the right stabilizer has a wrong pattern, will be redone)
Drawing the masks with a pencil becomes easy.
(the right stabilizer has a wrong pattern, will be redone)
And two hours later...
Honestly, I would rather do this another 4 hours, instead of trying a potentially messy free-hand airbrush painting for this specific camouflage here (or anything similar whatsoever).
My experience tells me it's more likely to take me even longer with the free-hand painting due to endless required corrections, to which the risk of ruining something or the model increases with each correction (I already trashed a painted MiG-23 due to this). Plus, the camouflage patches are rather hard lined.
These masks will also allow for adding any lightning technique I want for the general green.
Honestly, I would rather do this another 4 hours, instead of trying a potentially messy free-hand airbrush painting for this specific camouflage here (or anything similar whatsoever).
My experience tells me it's more likely to take me even longer with the free-hand painting due to endless required corrections, to which the risk of ruining something or the model increases with each correction (I already trashed a painted MiG-23 due to this). Plus, the camouflage patches are rather hard lined.
These masks will also allow for adding any lightning technique I want for the general green.
Some 3 more sessions later and after a total of around 6 hours, the sand-tan patches are masked.
Green paint applied. While still having the masks on, I also tried some variations and post-shading of the green colour (barely visible here unfortunately).
Aaaaand nothing went catastrophically wrong this time.
It took more than 6 hours to cut and apply the mask, maybe one hour to paint and 10 minutes to remove the masks.
Some corrections still required. Minor overspray and some paint running under the masks, but overall minor.
It took more than 6 hours to cut and apply the mask, maybe one hour to paint and 10 minutes to remove the masks.
Some corrections still required. Minor overspray and some paint running under the masks, but overall minor.
The sand-tan patches are too sandy and should have been slightly darker, but that will be fixed during weathering.
The radome and dielectric tip of the vertical stabilizer will be painted light grey.
The radome and dielectric tip of the vertical stabilizer will be painted light grey.
More details painted and glossy seal on top. The wing tips were indeed light grey only in combination with the green dielectric surfaces, which is not the paint scheme I wanted to reproduce.
Decals and weathering next.
Decals and weathering next.
The colour are too dark now with the gloss, but post-shading will brighten things a bit.
There are plenty of small PE parts and antenas missing from the front area, but they will be added at the very end.
The main landing gear bays require some minimum detailing with cables, which will follow next as well.
And the R-23R missiles from ResKit are....of course bent again, just like the Magic R550 ones I used for my MiG-21 LanceR. I am starting to wonder if the manufacturer is at fault here or maybe they are just not properly stored in the distribution shops (too much heat maybe).
Otherwise well detailed with some spare fins in case the carpet monster kidnapps some of them.
Otherwise well detailed with some spare fins in case the carpet monster kidnapps some of them.
After almost one hour I managed to assemble one of them 🙂. The large fins are so thin and fragile... but they are definitely better looking than plastic ones (not included in the kit anyway).
And finished!
As usual, the worst of lightning, killing the shading effects. The model is more attractive to the eye in real life, but that's that now.
As usual, the worst of lightning, killing the shading effects. The model is more attractive to the eye in real life, but that's that now.
In the end you can still get something out of this notorious KP kit, right? 🙂
I managed to get a hand on one of the original RV Aircraft kits which are including a nice small PE set. I eventually used the PE set for this one.
All those small PEs around the cabin are considerably improving the model.
The additionally opened air vents (around the air intakes) were worth the effort.
All those small PEs around the cabin are considerably improving the model.
The additionally opened air vents (around the air intakes) were worth the effort.
The canopy has had some styrene and wire parts added for reproducing some inner structure.
The small side mirrors and an additional PE for the main rear mirror were from the MiG-21MF kit of Eduard.
The small side mirrors and an additional PE for the main rear mirror were from the MiG-21MF kit of Eduard.
The design of the MiG-23 landing gear is unusual to say at least and probably complex and plagued by problems in reality.
Note the itsy-bitsy tiny door fixed with some thin PEs on the main lading gear leg.
Note the itsy-bitsy tiny door fixed with some thin PEs on the main lading gear leg.
Although a long model, not really a tail sitter if some small weight is added in the radome.
The R-23 missiles (the larger ones) from ResKit were in the end a good quality addition, although they had plenty of surface imperfections.
The R-13 missiles together with the complete pylons are originating from the same Eduard MiG-21 kit used for some cockpit and canopy parts.
The R-13 missiles together with the complete pylons are originating from the same Eduard MiG-21 kit used for some cockpit and canopy parts.
The resin cockpit pays off at the end, although the part above the instrument panel didn't fit at all.
Note the unusually looking antenna at the tip of the vertical tail.
The resin engine is luckily also reproducing the correct shape of the exhaust in the parked position: slightly saged downwards, therefore not symmetric when seen from the side.
The shading is again blended by the bad lightning, but some details can be seen.
Note the crowded main landing gear, a messy design with likely issues during service.
Note the crowded main landing gear, a messy design with likely issues during service.
The resin wheels are kind of a must, since the ones offered in the kit are pure garbage and unusuable in my opinion.
And the other side of the Flogger.
During the final steps I managed to break some of those tiny antennas several times.
During the final steps I managed to break some of those tiny antennas several times.
Although the KP kit has a good decal quality, they aren't that accurately done. The number 224 had a thin red contour, while plenty of the generic stencils are either missing or wrong (valid for all MiG-23 kits from KP). The original RV Aircraft kit offers the full set of correct stencils.
And with a MiG-21MF from the not so glorious 90s.
Comments
92 13 January 2022, 21:49
Andy BallThe Romanian Air Force had the best WarPac schemes! Analogous to the Italians in WWII (IMHO)…I'll take a seat, now…
9 October 2022, 16:40
MariusThank you for following. Andy, indeed there were a couple of really awesome camouflage schemes in the Romanian Air Force (post WWII), like some late MiG-15s, most schemes of the MiG-23s and the two main schemes of the MiG-21 LancerR.
This one camouflage scheme here won't be easy, but getting there with this nightmare of a kit is the bigger challenge.
10 October 2022, 14:21
Patrick HagelsteinThat looks like a hell of a build! 😮 That engine does look amazing, the kit not so.... You're a truly brave man! 😄 👍
6 January 2023, 20:52
Sylvain Vernierbig job ahead 😮
camo scheme is very attractive and challenging too
ResKit wheels are worth buying 👀
8 January 2023, 17:28
DanielJust in time for the camo work 🙂 You're going to mask this? Excellent detail-up work👌🏻
16 January 2023, 06:34
MariusThank you Daniel! I will definitely use masks, since I want to avoid any airbrush accidents in this specific case. It's a lot of work, but I prefer the safe way. The "snakes" are too thin in some areas and they don't seem to be too fuzzy/airbrushy on the real aircraft either (except a few locations).
21 January 2023, 19:18
ClementVery impressive! You've managed to turn this nightmare kit into a beauty!
13 February 2023, 06:18
Raphael BernecoleHello Marius 🙂
It's a very interesting camouflage : Great work, congratulations !! 🙂
Following ... 😉
13 February 2023, 09:23
Maciej BellosDemanding camo. Tough masking. Mission accomplished! Congrats Marius!
13 February 2023, 09:33
MariusThank you so much for the interest and kind words.
It's still a long road ahead, but it should be less frustrating now.
But yes, this kit is famous for a reason 🙂.
13 February 2023, 14:42
CuajeteI agree with the mates. Great job and very nice result 👍
Waiting for the next progress.
13 February 2023, 18:59
Maciej BellosI don't know what you mean Marius, there's the shading, there are the panel lines, there's the metal exhaust, all looks nice. Well done!
19 March 2023, 20:56
Alessandro PettinacciExcellent result, espiecially considering the starting quality of the kit!
19 March 2023, 21:04
MariusThank you all for the very kind words and appreciation. I might start soon another one of these kits for an Iraqi BN version.
20 March 2023, 06:47
Michael KohlI missed that one so far. Painful work but good result in the end. I read with particular interest your build information as a Mig 23 is on my wish list. Your blog wasn't exactly an advertisement for the KP kit.
Any recommendation for a Mig-23ML in scale 1:72?
20 March 2023, 11:04
Bernd GrünVery nice build and paint job, Marius. Outstanding result! Congrats. 👌
20 March 2023, 12:38
MariusI am flattered by the feedback. You guys are again very kind!
@Michael: the best MiG-23 in 1:72 for all versions is still the RV Aircraft/KP kit, but has plenty of problems.
But luckily, Clear Prop will release in less than a month a very detailed and promising kit for the MLA:
MiG-23MLAE-2 (Izdelie 23-22B.. (Clear Prop! CP72031, 1:72)
britmodeller.com/for..ease-in-2023/page/7/
20 March 2023, 22:11
Ludvík KružíkMarius, you did a great job. It's a good example that even a bad kit can make a nice model. 👍
21 March 2023, 23:32
Michael KohlMarius, thanks for your feedback. The Ckear Prop kit really seems worth waiting for. Thanks for the hint.
22 March 2023, 09:09
MariusSince I was mentioning it before, the wonderful MLD/MLA kit from Clear Prop! has just been released today on their website:
clearpropmodels.com/catalog
30 March 2023, 19:54
Alec KGreat build and informative narrative. The camo is unique for sure. Can't wait for your ClearProp build 🙂 👍
30 March 2023, 20:33
MariusThank you Alec!
I just ordered two of those MLA kits from Clear Prop, so probably at least a short kit review will follow as soon as the package arrives.
1 April 2023, 08:19
MariusThank you all for the kind words once more. As promised, I also managed to make the first (external) inbox review of the newly released MiG-23MLD from Clear Prop (MiG-23MLD - Syria - 1989 | Album by Redicus (1:72))
Nevertheless, for the MiG-23MF and BN versions we are still stuck with this RV Aircraft/KP kit.
21 April 2023, 12:24
Album info
Romania received a total of 46 MiG-23s in the late 1970s, which became operational in 1979. The exact count was: 36 MiG-23MFs and 10 MiG-23UBs.
Once the Iron Curtain fell and Romania was no longer supplied with parts for its MiG-23 and MiG-29 aircraft fleet, these jets were facing imminent premature withdrawal from service. There were efforts made to keep the MiG-29s in service through an independent upgrade program called MiG-29 Sniper, but this effort failed due to cost reasons during challenging economic times.
Instead, it was decided to upgrade the MiG-21MFs to western standards, leading to the MiG-21 LanceR (A, B or C). See my LanceR project for more information:
MiG-21MF LanceR C - Romania - 2012 | Album by Redicus (1:72)
No such plans were intended for the MiG-23s, for which the fate of withdrawal towards the 2000s was already sealed.
The Romanian MiG-23s had at least five different camouflage schemes. They were initially painted grey but later received different camouflage schemes involving different tones of green, brown or beige. The model I am building captures their most popular camouflage as seen in 1995 with beige "snakes" on top of a kaki-green, my absolut favorite.
The MiG-23s were officially withdrew from service in 2003, many of them with barely 500 flight hours. By approximately 2011 all but a small number (5?) were ultimately scrapped.
My initial subject was the number 222, also known as "The Disident". The nickname was earned after presumably the engine of the white 222 refused to start in a demonstration in front of the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, or so says the legend. Unfortunately, there are extremely few photographs of the 222 so I couldn't really manage to reproduce the camouflage. I decided in the end for the 224 included in the KP kit, for which sufficient photographs are available from different angles.
