Mikoyan-29 Fulcrum ‘Hungarian Air Force 70th Anniversary' - 1:72 Hasegawa

[Paul A H]

Mikoyan-29 Fulcrum Hungarian Air Force 70th Anniversary'

1:72 Hasegawa

The Mikoyan MiG-29, known in the West by its NATO reporting name 'Fulcrum' is an air superiority fighter which was designed and built in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. As with other comparable aircraft of that period, such as the Su-27, F-16, F-15 and Panavia Tornado, it was produced in significant numbers and is still in fairly widespread service with air arms around the world today. The MiG-29 was developed as a lighter, cheaper fighter to compliment the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker in VVS service, an aircraft which it is broadly comparable to in layout and design, if not size and weight. As with the Su-27, the engines are spaced widely apart, with the area between the engines being used to generate lift and make the aircraft more manoeuvrable.

The MiG-29 is powered by two Klimov RD-33 Turbofans, each of which is capable of generating over 18,000lb of thrust in reheat. The aircraft is well suited for use from rough airstrips, as the engine air intakes can be closed completely when on the ground, allowing air to be drawn through louvers on the upper surfaces of the blended wing roots. Armament is covered by a combination of Vympel R-27 medium-range air-to-air missiles and R-73 or R-60 short-range air-to-air missiles, as well as a GSh-30-1 30mm cannon. The aircraft can be used in a range of roles and is capable of carrying bombs and rockets as well. The aircraft has been widely exported and is still in widespread use, although the Hungarian Air Force retired its last Fulcrums in 2010.

Hasegawa's MiG-29 was first released in 1987, just four years after the aircraft entered service and some time before the iron curtain came down. Without direct access to what was then a new aeroplane, Hasegawa produced a kit that was up to their usual standards in terms of engineering and refinement, but lacking in accuracy and detail. It's worth mentioning this at the outset because if accuracy is a priority for you, you may be better off looking elsewhere. If you aren't too bothered about this aspect of your models, then read on. This particular version is a limited edition re-release of the original kit, with decals for an aircraft wearing a special scheme to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Hungarian air force. The kit is comprised of 70 parts moulded in pale grey and clear plastic. The plastic is instantly recognisable as a Hasegawa product, being nice and glossy with finely engraved panel lines. The moulds are starting to show their age now though, with some traces of flash creeping in here and there.

The cockpit is very basic and is comprised of a tub, complete with side consoles, an instrument panel, control column and seat. The seat is a comically bad interpretation of a Zvezda K-36 and is best replaced with one of the several aftermarket versions that are available. The instrument panel and side consoles are devoid of detail, with decals provided instead. The cockpit tub sits on top of the nose gear bay, which is moulded as part of the lower fuselage. Once the upper and lower fuselage halves have been joined together, construction turns to the engine intakes. These are pretty simplistic versions of the real thing, but the built-in FOD covers can at least be used to hide the lack of detail inside. The engine exhausts are a little better.

The wings, horizontal and vertical tails are all solid parts, with ailerons, elevators and rudders all moulded in place. The lower surfaces of the wing are pre-marked with holes for the weapon pylons. You have to drill lots of holes in the lower surface of the wing central in order to add the pylons for the weapons and drop tanks. Almost unusually for a Hasegawa kit, a complete set of air-to-air missiles is provided. I suspect this is because Hasegawa have never produced a separate set of Warsaw Pact weapons, and so unlike their kits of NATO aircraft, you get a set included with the kit. You get both versions of the basic R-27 air-to-air missile (R-27R semi-active radar homing and R-27T infra red homing) as well as four short-range missiles that bear a passing resemblance to R-60s, but with much larger fins and canards (they looks slightly less like R-73s). The latter could be improved by cutting down the fins and canards to bring them closer to plans of either missile. A drop tank for the centreline pylon is also included.

The undercarriage is quite nicely detailed, with features such as torque links delicately picked out. The landing gear doors are detailed on both sides the landing gear bays themselves feature a basic level of structural detail. The main gear wheels themselves are a bit of a let-down as there are noticeable ejector pin marks on the inner walls of the tyres. The canopy is moulded in two parts and can be posed in the open position if desired. Finishing details include various antennas, the landing lights and the pitot tube.

Just one marking option is provided, for the Hungarian Air Force commemorative scheme depicted on the lid of the box. The decals look excellent, with bold colours and sharp details. The metallic gold touches are particularly striking.

Conclusion

Hasegawas MiG-29 doesn't enjoy the best of reputations, mainly because it was designed before good, reliable information on the aircraft was available in the West and it is inaccurate as a result. Even allowing for this, there are some pretty serious shortcuts in terms of detail. On the plus side, the treatment of surface details is good, I am not aware of any serious fit issues and the decal are excellent. Overall this kit is worth considering, but only if you are happy to overlook the accuracy issues.

Review sample courtesy of UK distributors for

[Julien]

That camo will be challenging!

[Paul A H]

Nah! That's what blu tac was invented for!

[Julien]

Nah White tac!

[Antoine]

The title confused me a bit.

I thought at first about another repop by Ed of Academy 1/48 kit.

Anyway, now I want it!!

[Paul A H]

Oops, my mistake! Fixed now