The Bounder's Little Escort: Modelsvit MiG-21F "Fishbed"

[billn53]

For the past few months I've been building A-model's 1/72 M-50A "Bounder", an early Soviet design for a supersonic nuclear bomber. The Bounder is an enormous aircraft (about the same size as the US B-70 Valkyrie), so I thought it would be good to build a "normal" size aircraft of the same vintage for comparison.

 

In the publicity/propaganda flybys that took place over Moscow, the M-50 prototype was accompanied by a pair of MiG-21 Fishbeds. Thus, I decided to build this kit:

 

ModelsvitFishbed by billn1953, on Flickr

 

I also made use of some aftermarket items:

 

• Miniworld turned metal intake and nose probe
• Amigo Models resin engine exhaust and nozzle
• Eduard PE (for the instrument panel), and
• Reskit wheels

 

I painted the model overall with SMS Metallic Aluminum and used Tamiya LP-11 Silver to shade selected panels.  After painting, I applied a clear-coat of Alclad "Light Sheen" lacquer.

 

Here is the result of my efforts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, here she is beside her larger companion:

 

 

 

 

 

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Here's the link to my WIP for the Fishbed:

 

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235124951-a-little-friend-for-a-big-bounding-monster/

 

 

and, one for my on-going Bounder build as well:

 

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235122095-boundless-ambition-a-models-172-m-50-bounder-supersonic-bomber/

 

[Smudge]

Very nice finish on that Fishbed.

 

The Bounder is massive 

 

 

[Watto]

That's one big jet! 😮

 

You've done a great job on the Mig, the two contrasting silvers looks spot on. 👏👏👏

[Pantherhawk27263]

Beautiful work, that is a lovely finish you have achieved on this MiG. This is the first time I recall ever seeing an early MiG-21 with the "window" behind the cockpit. I guess I should pay more attention to the early Fishbed models. I usually ignore the early versions because I find the later models more aesthetically pleasing. 

[billn53]

10 minutes ago, Pantherhawk27263 said:

Beautiful work, that is a lovely finish you have achieved on this MiG.
 

<snip>
 

I usually ignore the early versions because I find the later models more aesthetically pleasing. 

Thank you!
 

I feel just the same as you about later Fishbeds … I even like the “humpback” version 😎

[RidgeRunner]

Gorgeous, Bill

[billn53]

49 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said:

Gorgeous, Bill

Thanks, Martin! That means a lot, coming from you.

[Robin-42]

Interesting how the later Mig21's share only the basic layout with the early ones. great effort!

 

[RidgeRunner]

8 hours ago, billn53 said:

Thanks, Martin! That means a lot, coming from you.

Richly deserved  

[Ryan Hothersall]

Nice build. I have found the SMS paint to be very good. 

[Spitfire31]

Very nice finish on that MiG!

 

Kind regards,

Joachim

[Serkan Sen]

Very shiny and beautiful Fishbed. Nice and eye catching build Bill.

Serkan

[billn53]

1 minute ago, Serkan Sen said:

Very shiny and beautiful Fishbed. Nice and eye catching build Bill.

Serkan

Thank you, sir!

[opus999]

That is beautiful! 

[Learstang]

Excellent job on the Fishbed! You'd think with my interest in Soviet aircraft I'd have one, but nary a one. I will eventually do something about that, but there are so many varieties and colour schemes (and kits) of the MiG-21 it's all a bit daunting.

 

Regards,

 

Jason

[BerndM]

Neat build of this little well shaped fighter.

 

[billn53]

3 hours ago, Learstang said:

Excellent job on the Fishbed! You'd think with my interest in Soviet aircraft I'd have one, but nary a one. I will eventually do something about that, but there are so many varieties and colour schemes (and kits) of the MiG-21 it's all a bit daunting.

 

Regards,

 

Jason

Pretty much the same situation here. I’ve had probably a couple dozen or so Soviet jets in my stash for years, the Bounder and this Fishbed are the first I’ve actually done any building with. 

[Learstang]

36 minutes ago, billn53 said:

Pretty much the same situation here. I’ve had probably a couple dozen or so Soviet jets in my stash for years, the Bounder and this Fishbed are the first I’ve actually done any building with. 

 

Not much middle ground there then! To fill the gap, it seems your next model should be a Tu-128 Fiddler.

 

Regards,

 

Jason

[billn53]

7 minutes ago, Learstang said:

 

Not much middle ground there then! To fill the gap, it seems your next model should be a Tu-128 Fiddler.

 

Regards,

 

Jason

Yes, I do have that one, but I’m leaning toward the Tu-22 Blinder instead.

 

Already staged, and ready to go!

 

 

 

[Learstang]

16 minutes ago, billn53 said:

Yes, I do have that one, but I’m leaning toward the Tu-22 Blinder instead.

 

Already staged, and ready to go!

 

That was going to be the other one I was going to suggest. A piece of junk, but a great-looking aeroplane!

 

Regards,

 

Jason

[Hopesdaddy]

Excellent early Fishbed, it looks like a micro plane next to the very intimidating Bounder. Excellent work on the finish.