A Year in Models - 2007 Review

Here is the list from left to right/top to bottom:

Brunswick Hussar in British Service - 54mm Valiant (January)
Swiss Grenadier, 1812 - 54mm Ares conversion (March)
Don Cossack, 1812 - 54mm Airfix conversion (March)
Mig-21 F-13, "VPAAF" - 1/72 Airfix (April)
Eldar Farseer - 30mm Games Workshop (April)
Argive Hoplite - 54mm Romeo (May)
Russian Artillery Officer, 1812 (August)
F-14A Tomcat, Sundowners "Miss Molly" - 1/48 Revell/Monogram (August)
Cuchulainn - 54mm Elite conversion (October)
Brunswick 1st Line Btn NCO w/ Standard at Quatre Bras - 54mm Puchala (October)
Eldar Harlequins - 30mm Games Workshop (November)
Mig-21bis-SAU, Soviet Air Force, 1989, - 1/72 Eastern Express (December)

Looking back 2007 was a fairly successful year for me modelling-wise. I actually forgot that some of these were completed this year.

GB

1/72 Eastern Express Mig-21bis pt.3

The Mig is done. I did my best to bring out the panel lines with a black-brown mix of acrylic paint. The panel lines were very fine and it was hard to see them, especially in the green areas where the paint was three layers deep. I would usually do weathering after a light coat of Future and with the decals in place but because the panel lines were so fine I was worried I'd lose them altogether. I tried to add some hightlights and tonal variations with Citadel acrylic paints as well. The green was highlighted with Jungle Green and the Tan with Elf Flesh. I gave the model a coat of Future floor wax and once that was dried the decals went on. Then it was a matter of finishing off all the little details - pitot, missiles, landing gear, bay doors, canopy etc. Btw the canopy had gotten mucked up during the build and I used toothpaste as a polish. I've read about this a couple of places and y'know what? It really works!

I have to admit the finished product has its fair share of flaws and quite frankly it looks better from a distance. However, when I'm building I like to concentrate on certain areas to try out new techniques. On this build it was the cockpit and gear bays and I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out. There's always room for improvement and I there's lots I can take away from this project for the next. So all in all I'm pleased with the results.

Click on the thumbnails for a larger image.










One more Mig-21 for the collection!


GB

1/72 Eastern Express Mig-21bis pt.2

Into the paintshop now. After pre-shading the panel lines the basic camouflage and underside colours were sprayed on. I used Model Master Dark Tan (1742), Dark Green (1710) and Russian Underside (2123) + White. I experimented with a liquid mask but I wasn't happy with the results. I ended up smoothing out the edges with a brush.

Click on the thumbnails for a larger image.








GB

1/72 Eastern Express Mig-21bis

I started this one in November for a group build on Aeroscale. I have a thing for Russian subjects - I don't know why. This is a 1/72 Eastern Express Mig-21bis which I believe is a re-box of the KP kit. I have both and they look pretty darn similar. The canopy in the EE kit comes in two parts however, unlike the single piece canopy in the KP offering. The model is pretty sparse in the cockpit and wheel-well areas so I tried to jazz them up. The cockpit is totally rebuilt from plastic card with a True Details KM-1 ejection seat added. The landing gear bays were improved with plastic rod and various thickness of wire. I also improved the struts with some wire and card. Some of the intakes looked a little large so I replaced two with hollow solder wire and sanded down the others. At this point I'm about ready to start masking and painting.

Click on the thumbnails for a larger image.

GB