Tom Cooper

...the word is: some are using it - instead of drinking beer... ;-)

Yup - and not only one of these. ;-) ...also on Chilean Panteras (probably also Chilean F-5s and F-16s), on Colombian Kfir C.10s, Ecuadorean Kfirs C.10 etc... just not on IDF/AF i.e. IASF aircraft (except for testing purposes, as mentioned above).

Ah, now I see: a 'genuine' drop tank, similar in shape to the Douglas IFR-pod for reasons of ground clearance. Thanks for explanation.

Very nice. BTW, keep in mind: the QJJ is applying 'the last four' of c/ns on the fins of all of its planes (this practice was introduced already with service entry of Su-7BMKs and MiG-21MFs, in late 1960s and early 1970s, respectivelly). Is a 'bit' that's usually omitted on nearly all of its modells I've seen so far. AFAIK, there are only three examples painted the way you want to do your modell: KF-22 = 4104 KF-24 = 4105 KF-26 = 4106

Few points here: - The Kfir was developed by Gene Salvay, a US aircraft designer who used to work for North American, starting on B-25s back in 1942, and then via F-86, F-100, B-45 etc., etc., until North American was bought-up by Rockwell, in the 1960s. And because Rockwell Corp was already involved in developing a factory for automotive parts in Israel as of 1966... ....while the story about 'espionaged' information being used for development of the Kfir is actually related to the emergence of Mirage 5J...ehm...'Israel Aircraft Industries' Nesher (which have manufacturer plates of Aérospatiale') in Israel... ...well, sufficient to say: this all is going to become 'official', later this year. - Installing Griffin LGBs on IDF/AF i.e. IASF aircraft would be wrong and making them entirely unauthentic: although manufactured by the IAI, and flight-tested on IDF/AF i.e. IASF Kfirs too, that weapon never entered service in Israel. It is manufactured for export only (that's going to be made 'official' later this year too).

This is something I sometimes wonder as well, then I'm sure to have seen these 'IFR-pods' being carried as 'pure' drop tanks, i.e. without their drogue installed.

Can only agree with Ken here. ...the only thing left to add is that any modellers building Su-30MKAs can consider themselves happy they don't have to rebuilt its internal structure too: there are some major internal differences between the Su-30MKA and Indian, Malaysian and similar variants (which is also the reason why the later have canards and TVC). ;-) BTW, have you already decided what camo-variant are you going to apply?

...something that was used very seldom (at least outside the USSR and WarPact countries), primarily because the Soviets proved 'quite reluctant' with spares delivery. Namely, such landings tended to spend brake discs quite swiftly, and since these were always in demand, Arab pilots were taught to land their MiGs (and Sukhois) in quite a 'soft' fashion. Dozens of former Algerian, Egyptian, Iraqi, Syrian MiG-pilots (see 'Acknowledgments' of 'Arab MiGs' series of books).More specifically: in the case of PFS' being upgraded with additional fuel tank inside the spine, it's Egyptians. They've got a total of 65 ex-V-VS MiG-21PFS' in late June 1967, as replacement for aircraft lost during the June 1967 War. Most of these were modified in such fashion only after their delivery. Until only a few days ago, it was completely unknown that Syria has apparently got a small batch of PFS' as well (meanwhile it's sure that no other Arab air force has got any). Presently, I'm checking whether they arrived together with 'genuine' PFMs, i.e. immediately after the June 1967 War, or at a later date (available photos appear to indicate application of very similar camo patterns). Sadly, the solution of this 'mystery' will have to wait for Arab MiGs Vol.5...

If I can add some more info here: The PFS is PF with SPS, i.e. blown flaps. The PF and FL (which was a sub-variant developed in between the PF and the PFM) have had the older KM-1 ejection seat (the same like on F-13), and thus the forward-hinged canopy. The PF and PFM might sound similar, but originally had very little in common. Nevertheless, many PFs were upgraded to standards similar to PFM through addition of the fuel tank inside the spine and housing for braking parachute on the basis of the fin. The R led to the S, the S with internal gun was SM, and its export variant was M, and the M was eventually developed into the MF. So, actually, the R was still a 2nd generation plane, but it resulted in models that transformed this series into the 3rd generation. Still, avionic-vise, the M and MF were less-well equipped than the S/SM (see the latter's compatibility with R-3R/AA-2-2 Atolls).

And Jennings is right. As described by somebody else above, IAF (Indian) markings on this sheet are for a MiG-21bis, not a MiG-21MF. I can only conclude the same about Iraqi markings: '21202' (if I read this decal sheet correctly), was a MiG-21bis. If I mis-read that sheet, then it contains the serial '21302' - and that plane was a MiG-21R (flown by No.70 Squadron).

Thanks for asking. Details are as follows: Harpia Publishing is going to release Arab MiGs Volume 4 around 25 September this year (one month earlier than usually; mainly because of the 40th anniversary of the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War). Helion Publishing/30 Degrees South Publishing is going to release volumes on I Congo War (fought 1996-1997 and seeing delivery of MiG-21s to the former Zaire), and on II Congo War (fought 1998-2003, and seeing some very intensive air warfare, especially by the Zimbabwean Air Force) on 25 October this year. As usually, I'll be signing books during the IPMS/UK Nationals in Telford, in November, at the stand of The Aviation Bookshop.

Some lovely drawings and well-done decals here, no doubt. My 'reservations': - colour reference for Iraqi Mirages is simply wrong (as so often). Sorry, but this was never some kind of 'dark earth' or almost 'Ziegelrot', but what the French call 'kaki' and is actually chocolate brown with a (very strong) touch of green. - I think the 'Takbir' ('Allah-u-Akhbar') inscription is missing from the Iraqi flag; or at least it is missing if one wants to depict the 4014 as it was after 1991. Namely, the Mirage F.1EQ '4014' was flown by No.79 Squadron as of the 1980s (and the Deputy CO of that squadron indeed claimed 14 kills with it, even though only two of these were officially confirmed), but it had no IFR-probe at those times. This is so because the first 36 Mirage F.1EQs (and F.1EQ-2s) were delivered without any IFR-probes. IF-capability was added only with Mirage F.1EQ-4s, delivered starting in 1984. The F.1EQ 4014 was modified through addition of the IFR probe in the late 1990s. However, such a modification required insertion of a 7cm long 'plug' with necessary installations, in between the front fuselage and the radome. Obviously, by that time the 4014 has already got the 'Takbir' inscription on its fin flash too. 'Combined', this means: if you apply the Iraqi fin-flash as provided with this decal sheet, then do not add the IFR probe. That flag was used until 16 January 1991. But, if you want to build that plane in its 'final' liverly, with the IFR-probe, then see to strech the nose/radome section by inserting a 'plug' equivalent to 'real' 7cm. This might appear 'minor', but is important for the following reason: the bottom border of the 'anti-glare panel' applied in black in front of the cockpit, then has a 'step' in it. Even then: if you build this 'second variant' of 4014, one thing is still missing on the decal sheet. Namely, following the above-mentioned modification, which was undertaken in Iraq, this aircraft received the insignia of 'Saddam Fedayeen', on the right side below the cockpit (LindenHill's decal sheet 'Iraqi Fighters' is containing this insignia). Finally, dark grey colour on the F.1EQ-6 is too light. The colour actually used was the French equivalent to the RN's Extra Dark Sea Grey. Quite similar, but not the same (slightly lighter), and polished, not matt.

The original 9.12B export variant very much has a secondary air-to-ground capability, and all pilots are trained to deploy unguided rockets and GP (general purpose) bombs, although primarily trained for interception tasks. Indeed, as we're talking about this, the Syrian Arab Air Force is deploying its MiG-29s (9.12Bs) in air-to-ground role against insurgents (primarily in northern central Syria, i.e. Homs and Hamah Provinces, but also in Damascus area), and the Sudan Air Force is deploying MiG-29SEhs (based on 9.13s) in air-to-ground role against insurgents in Darfur. Now, Syrians are primarily deploying them to drop FAB-250M-62 GP-bombs. Four of these are usually carried (on central and outboard underwing pylons). The Sudanese (who are flying 9.13s) are foremost using R-24s and UV-32-57 pods for unguided rockets calibre 57mm. Otherwise, this variant was cleared for deployment of KMGU-2 CBUs (central pylon), ZB-500 napalm bombs (also central pylon), up to four R-24s (central and outboard pylon), and even a combination of FAB-500M-62s and B-8 pods for unguided rockets calibre 80mm (inboard and central underwing pylon, respectivelly). However, quite a few air forces (like former Yugoslavia, and nowadays Sudan) seem to 'prefer' older UB-16-57 and UB-32-57 pods instead of B-8s.

The lighter shade appears to be the 'standard' colour applied fleet-wide in the factory, namely medium-grey FS26373. But, the darker shade... duh... in the case of that photo, it appears to be something non-standard (standard would've been grey-green FS35352), and thus no clue.

Ouch! If you want to rebuild a MiG-21MF or MiG-21bis kit into an Egyptian or Syrian MiG-21PFM, that's going to be a helluva lot of work. The entire spine and also some of the fin would have to be remodelled (indeed, newly built), even underwing hardpoints repositioned (actually, for 100% authenticity, even the intake would have to be remodelled). So, Giorgio's idea with Zvezda's 'Phantom Killer' sounds a much easier one...

Should be something like a mix between 'mirror' (i.e. 'glass') and burned steel.

Very good so far. Just one question: the 'border/demarcation line' between the brown and light blue colours on the front fuselage and between wings and horizontal stablizers was soft. You intend to add that 'yet', or leave it out?

If I might add few observations to this highly interesting issue... Two years ago I drew artworks for a book about the last two years of the VNAF (see: Fall of the Flying Dragon). Sadly, back then I did not know about this detail regarding add-on armour on F-5s, so didn't draw any 'Freedom Fighters' in that 'configuration'. However, from reading that book, I think I can 'confrim' that majority of VNAF F-5A/Bs arrived only after 1972/1973, and were 'second hand' aircraft. I.e. they previously served in other air forces abroad, primarily in Iran, South Korea, Taiwan, etc. A particularly large number of them came from Iran. Now, although the usual history books are teaching us that the war 'stopped' after the US withdrawal in 1973, and kind of 'nothing happened' before the spring of 1975, actually it was so that intensive fighting went on during all this time. So, these 'second hand' F-5A/Bs (followed by F-5Es) were introduced to service in such a rush, that many of them did not even receive the SEA-camo pattern, not to talk about VNAF tailfin-codes. Obviously, this was the reason why majority of them never received add-on armour either.

't was just a joke. Besides, I find your photo absolutely OK. All the details can be seen, and the paint (which is perfect in regards of correct colour) too.

OK, check the 'beaver tail' for any possible ECM-antennas too: none there on Iranian 'Cats. Also, check the form of covers and vents for gun-compartment: this was a Block 80 bird, so they had different vents than subsequent Tomcats (especially those with ECM-antennas below glove-vanes).

...well, that's why they call it the 'camouflage': because it should 'match' the plane to the 'natural background' (i.e. skies, as seen from below).

Great. Then my 'intervention' will be 'just on time'.

K, here one 'tip' (since I think to have seen a 'trace' of something in this direction on one of photos showing your kit): don't forget to sand-out the two ECM-antennas on undersides of each wing-glove (right next to intakes). These were installed on USN's Tomcats only - and then from around 1988 or so. Obviously, Iranian F-14As (Block 80s built in 1976-1978 period) have never got any.

Great built - and fantastic painting, Tom. BTW, you know that Cdr Andrews (the then CO VF-84) was this close > < to shoting down a Libyan MiG-25PD in that 'Cat, back in August 1981?

Very promising so far, Dave! I like your decision regarding the camo: new camo is 'nice', but there is nothing like that 'old war colour' on my absolute favourite bird. Your choice of weapons is also perfectly OK: this config was used for most of CAPs above Khark Island, and that's what IRIAF F-14s were doing nearly 70% of time during the war with Iraq. BTW, how is the kit modelled in regards of the IFR-probe: i.e. is this cut out or will you have to cut it out?