MiG-15bis - Weekend Edition - 1:72 Eduard

[Julien]

MiG-15bis - Weekend Edition

1:72 Eduard

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was the most famous fighter aircraft to emerge from behind the Iron Curtain during the early years of the Cold War. Although a Soviet design, the MiG-15 made use of captured German research on the aerodynamic properties of swept wings, combined with a reverse engineered Rolls Royce Nene turbojet engine. The resulting aircraft was a triumph, easily outclassing the more conventional jet fighters then in service. In order to ensure it could perform adequately as a bomber destroyer, it packed a formidable punch, with two 23mm cannons and a single 37mm cannon mounted in a pack under the nose.

The MiG-15 was the original production version, which lacked the range of small improvements made to the follow-on bis variant. The MiG-15 made its combat debut during the Korean War, where it proved a nasty shock for UN forces. It wasn't until the North American F-86 Sabre became available that American forces had anything able to hold its own against the new Soviet fighter. The MiG-15 went on to become one of the most widely produced jet fighters in history and saw service with air forces around the world.

Eduard have earned an excellent reputation with world-class models such as their 1:72 Hellcat and Messerschmitt Bf110, as well as the 1:48 MiG-21 and now the new 1:48 Bf109. Their models typically feature a mixture of exquisite detail and superb engineering which puts them right at the pinnacle of worldwide kit manufacturers. Now Eduard have followed up on the MiG-15bis profipack with a weekend edition as is pretty normal for them.

The Kit
Inside the sturdy box are three sprues of grey plastic and a clear sprue. The overall impression is of a really premium quality package. The quality of the mouldings is up to the usual Eduard standard. Details are clean and crisp and there are no flaws anywhere. As with other recent kits from Eduard, there is plenty of fine detail, with parts such as the cockpit comparable to high-end resin items. The surface detail on the outside of the airframe is comprised of recessed panel lines with delicately engraved rivet and fastener details. The kit does not have a massive amount of parts but is still fairly detailed and now doubt the best MiG-15 kit available in 1.72.

The first step in construction is the cockpit area. A part seat is put together and then inserted into the cockpit. Like the real aircraft the cockpit sides form the inside of the intake as well. Front and rear bulkheads are added to the floor and sides to complete the cockpit. A separate control column is added. Decals are provided for the side panels. The front wheel well is made up from two parts and attached to the front cockpit.

The next step is to make up the jet pipe/exhaust. This is two parts with a further part making the exhaust part of the engine. Once this and the cockpit are completed they can be added to the fuselage halves along with the rudder parts. The fuselage can then be completed. The next step to then tackle is to make up the wings. These are of conventional construction split top/bottom. Holes must be made for the drop tanks. Once these wings are complete they can be attached to the completed fuselage along with the tail planes.

Final construction steps are to add the gun pack under the front fuselage, the nose intake ring and some external antennas. The landing gear can be made up, the front is a one part fixing where as the mains are four part affairs with separate hubs. Once the gear doors are attached the canopy can be added along with the drop tanks.

Canopy
A largish clear sprue is provided as seems to be Eduard's want. This seems to be a good idea as I have never had loose canopies rattling round their boxes, or any damage to clear parts. They are well moulded and thin for the scale. They look clear and should provide the modeller with no problems.

Decals
As this is the weekend edition only one decal option is provided. This is for a Soviet aircraft which had been in North Korean service at some time. North Korean markings are provided over which the modeller must add the Soviet markings if they wish. The North Korean markings will have to be suitable weathered to indicate an attempt at removal before hand though. As well as the standard decals a set of eduard seatbelts are also included.

Conclusion
Given how excellent the original bis edition was, it should come as no surprise that this kit is equally as good. It is both accurate and well engineered, putting other 1:72 kits of the type in the shade. The level of detail Eduard have packed in is superb, as is the treatment of surface details. Its great to see the weekend edition for those of us who don't like multiple decal options and all the photoetch etc Eduard throw in some of the boxes, or for those on a budget its a great way to get these new tool kits. Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of