Tim R-T-C Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 Ah go on, lets make one final vignette for this GB. The first military act of a newly independent Algeria in September and October 1963 was to defend itself from incursion by Morocco over disputed border territories - like so many post-colonial regions, once purely administrative and so vaguely defined boundaries became matters of national pride and identity. Algeria's nascent air force included MiG-15bis donated by Egypt (probably of 1955 Czech origin) and Mi-4 helicopters, some from Egypt, others delivered in crates from the USSR. The Tom Cooper book Showdown in Western Sahara on warfare in this region has a photo during this conflict of MiGs and Mils based at Mecheria Airfield, Algeria so that is what I will be basing this scene on. At the southern edge of the inhabited coastal region of Algeria, the airfield was built and used by French colonial forces and I have found some photos of a well established airfield in the 1950s, but from the accounts in the book it was largely abadoned at the time of the conflict with minimal facilities. The MiG is of ccourse going to be in metallic - in reality, aluminium ppodwe infused clear lacquer over the bare metal. I purchased the MikroMir Yak-11 kit to get the right early Algerian winged rroundel as no-one makes a suitable AM sheet. For the Mil I can't find a colour profile, but a photo shows an Algerian model carrying the iconic blue lighting flash on the upper body side much like this Egyptian profile found online, so I will be basing the colours on this. Fortunately I picked up the Eastern Express civilian boxing of the Mi-4 which does include a decal for this stripe and the upper nose colouring too. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 Another fascinating subject pairing Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim R-T-C Posted May 31, 2021 Author Share Posted May 31, 2021 Adding some shine to the MiG 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim R-T-C Posted June 2, 2021 Author Share Posted June 2, 2021 Looting decals from kits in the stash. Oddly both from MikroMir Yakovlev models. For the winged roundels I used the Yak-11, while for the serial number the Yak-23 donated a handy numeral. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim R-T-C Posted June 2, 2021 Author Share Posted June 2, 2021 Started on the Mi-4. Slightly weird kit with several clear parts to combine to make the canopy area. Needed a lot of glue to get the tail together. Since it will getting sprayed white I'll order the canopy masks. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted June 5, 2021 Share Posted June 5, 2021 Good progress on both Tim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim R-T-C Posted June 8, 2021 Author Share Posted June 8, 2021 Waiting for the Mi4 masks from Hannants so finishing the MiG. Just needs canopy now. Going to use a replacement vacform canopy. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 Looking great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim R-T-C Posted June 15, 2021 Author Share Posted June 15, 2021 Chopper progress. The masks were great on the flat windscreen panels and lower windows but did not work on the domed windows. Fortunately a careful scrape with enamel thinners cleared them up mostly. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim R-T-C Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 Last bits 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim R-T-C Posted June 18, 2021 Author Share Posted June 18, 2021 And finally my fourth GB entry is complete! Mecheria Airfield, Algeria, November 1963. During the Sand War against Morocco a MiG mechanic tries to scrounge spare parts from a supply truck without much success... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col. Posted June 19, 2021 Share Posted June 19, 2021 Another scene with plenty going on Tim. Nice work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandboof Posted June 25, 2021 Share Posted June 25, 2021 Like those markings Nice looking pair Martin H 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 I just came across this in the gallery and it's a great little diorama with an interesting back story as well. Great job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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