Eduard MiG-15bis - ProfiPACK Edition (7059) - 1:72 Eduard

[Julien]

MiG-15bis - ProfiPACK Edition (7059)

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.


The Kit
Inside the sturdy box are three sprues of grey plastic and a clear sprue. There is also a small PE Sheet and masks (not shown) 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. PE is provided for the side panels, and the seat belts. 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 Profipack boxing 5 decal options are provided. The decals are printed in house and look to be sharp, in register and fault free.  The five options are;

 

1. 518th IAP, North Korea May 1953 (Flown by Maj Mikhail Ivanovich Mikhin
2. 15 SP, Czechoslovak Air orce,  Cotbus Airfield East Germany 1957
3. 1st Sqn, 101st Recon Regiment, Szolnok, Hungary 1972
4. No 20 Sqn, Egypt late 1950s/early 1960s
5. ex 64 IAK, USSR mid 1950s. Aircraft was maked as North Korean for service in the war there, and these markings still visible.

 

 

 

Conclusion
This kit 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.  Highly recommended.

 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of