ICM MiG-25 PD Soviet Interceptor Fighter 1:72 ICM (72177)

[Julien]

MiG-25 PD Soviet Interceptor Fighter

1:72 ICM (72177)

 

 

In the early part of the Cold War, the strategic bomber was seen as the obvious means by which to deliver a nuclear payload. The interceptor - large, heavy and fast - was seen as the equally obvious countermeasure. The MiG-25 Foxbat was, in many ways, the ultimate embodiment of the latter. It wasn't particularly groundbreaking and nor was it particularly sophisticated, but it was capable of incredible speed and could carry four large missiles to high altitudes very quickly indeed. The MiG-25's shortcomings as a combat aircraft were largely addressed through the MiG-31 Foxhound, but the type achieved considerable longevity as a reconnaissance platform. 

 

The Kit

This kit is the sixth iteration of ICM's new 1/72 MiG-25 family as they work their way through all the variants. Inside the very sturdy top-opening box are seven frames of light grey plastic and one of clear plastic. The kit is almost identical to the previous version, but includes a different sprue for the revised parts for the nose, and additional weapons sprues. The airframe is covered in crisp, recessed panel lines which look very good indeed, and the mouldings are crisp and clean. The instructions are an A4 stapled booklet which has been printed in colour and the decal sheet is clear and well printed. The overall impression is of a well-executed, modern kit which looks like it should be thoroughly enjoyable to build. 

 

 

 

 

Construction begins with the cockpit and nose gear bay. Some detail is moulded in place on the sidewalls of the cockpit, with extra parts provided to represent additional details. Before the main structure of the cockpit can be completed, however, you have to add the bulkhead that forms the front wall of the cockpit and the rear wall of the nose gear bay. The instructions have you installing the nose gear leg at this stage, but I can't see any logical reason as to why this can't be done at the end. This would, of course, save you from breaking the leg part way through the build. The cockpit itself is nicely detailed, with the ejector seat alone made up of no fewer than five parts. An instrument panel and control column completes this section of the build. 

 

 

Once the forward fuselage halves have been joined together, the whole sub-assembly fits onto a bridge that holds the huge engine air intakes. Each engine intake is full-length, with engine compressor faces provided. What results is a complete forward section of the aircraft up to the wing roots, with the internal structure of the air intakes protruding from the rear. The lower face of the main fuselage can be joined to this structure once the main landing gear bays have been added. ICM suggest that you add the main landing gear legs at this stage. Again, I can't see any reason why they couldn't be added after the main construction has been completed.

 

 

Once the lower side of the main fuselage is in place, another structural bulkhead can be added, after which the slab-sides of the fuselage, including the outer faces of the air intakes, can be added. The dustbin-like jet exhausts are added at this stage, and very nicely detailed they are too. Once in place, the upper part of the fuselage can be added. The tail with seperate rudder can now be added.  All that remains now is to add the nosecone, flying surfaces and finishing details. Each vertical tail is split vertically, with a seperate rudder. The outer face is moulded with part of the rear fuselage in place, so presumably it will be impossible to fit these parts at the wrong angle. Somewhat surprisingly, the upper wings are not moulded in one part with the upper fuselage. Instead, they are split into separate port and starboard halves, with two seperate flaperons and upper wing fences and pylons going on underneath.  The nosecone is simply split vertically.  The gear doors and wheels can now go one. Four R-40 missiles are provided for the four pylons as well as the large centre line tank.

 

 

 

The canopy is nice and clear and can be finished in either open or closed position. Other than that, and a few aerials, lumps and bumps, the huge aircraft is now finished. Three options are provided for on the decal sheet:

• MiG-25PDS Soviet 1986
• MiG-25PD, Iraqi Air Force late 1980s
• MiG-25OPD, Libyan Air Force 1990s

The decals look nicely printed and a full set of stencils is included.

 

 

Conclusion

We've waited a while for a new, more more modern kit of the Foxbat in this scale. ICM's new effort is excellent, with high quality mouldings and plenty of the detail. The surface structures are fine and crisp. Overall this is a well executed and carefully designed kit which is very appealing indeed. Highly recommended.

Available in the UK from importers H G Hannants Ltd.

Review sample courtesy of

[Hook]

Nice review! She looks pretty good.

 

Weird about the four identical R-40 missiles, though - there should be two SARH R-40R's and two IR-homing R-40T's. Also, most of these aircraft should have the enlarged wing fences with integral chaff / flare dispensers - all Iraqi birds had them, for instance.

 

Cheers,

 

Andre