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ACIG Modeler's Corner
Mr. Jan Mikes, another highly experienced model-builder, has sent us the following photographs of several of his beautifull models (note in addition his Su-15, the photographs of which were added to the article about the downing of the KAL Boeing 747; this article can be found in the Cold War data-base).
As somebody who is especially interested in historical correction and precision of his models, Ian regularly goes to great extensions them to look exactly like the originals - as can be seen.
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| IAF Su-30MKI in 1:48 scale, built from Trumpeter's kit. Ian experienced many problems with this poor copy of Academy's kit: there is no fine detailing, panel lines are crudely recessed, and the fit is extremely poor. (all photos by Jan Mikes) |
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| Additional problems with Trumpeter's kit are such details like missing refueling probe, the IRST mounted in the middle of the windscreen, and the windscreen with wrong shape. Ian expertly added the IFR, mounted the IRST on the right side of the windscreen, but left the windscreen otherwise in the form it was. Sometimes there is no need for the modeller to change everything. |
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| Ian is one of only few modellers who is going to such extension to print his own decals when needing them. In this case, after torturous construction of the kit, he designeg his own decals using Adobe Photoshop in 200% of the actual size, then brought them to his local copyshop and had them printed. Then he printed the decal sheet on the normal paper, copied it from normal paper to decal paper in 50% size and then produced the final result - which is obviously extremely precise. |
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| Underside of Ian's Su-30MKI: it is obvious that Ian goes to great extension in taking care about details! |
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| Ian's IDF/AF F-16A is based on the Italeri's 1:42 kit, and represents the well-known aircraft "107", which is the top-scorer from the war over Lebanon, in 1982, but also one of eight that participated in the raid against the Iraqi nuclear reactor, in 1981. Decals used on this kit are a mix of those found in the box (Israeli insignia and stencils), with few additions - including the kill symbols, serial and the squadron insignia. |
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| Italeri's kit is good on detail, with nicely engraved panels and perfect fit - while 50% cheaper than Hasegawa's F-16A, usually agreed to be the best in this class |
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| The kit was put together "from the box", without excessive use of "aftermarket" details, except few minor parts to the cockpit (whre the seat belts few wires etc. were added). Flaps were and horizontal control surfaces were cut to enliven the model; chaff&flare dispensers were added, and the jet intake cover was added as well ("built" from soft paper and white glue). |
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| This Czech Air Force MiG-29 was Jan's first model after a pause of almost seven years. Built from Academy's 1:48 box, it languished in semi-completed condition for years before being found again and completed. |
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| The kit fit fin and there was no major problem in putting it together. |
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| The cockpit area of Academy's kit - and especially the ejection seat - is the only major disappointment regarding this kit, and here Jan made the only use of any "aftermarket" items. Namely, he added a beautiful Pavla Models K-36 ejection seat instead of Academy's poor original. |
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| Decals came from Propagteam sheet, which enables the building of any Czech/Czechoslovak MiG-29 that was ever in service, and contains also stenciling for a whole aircraft. Jan avoided weathering of this aircraf: it was in service for only three years. |
Jan is currently working on his next project - an F-14A in Iranian colours. In fact, it is going to be a "double" project, then he plans to put together one Tomcat in the old and one in the new camouflage pattern. We have cooperated in preparing the decals for this project, and - as an avid fan of the Grumman's 'Cat, and especially its "Ali Cats", and after getting their 1:72 copies (for my poor old Revell model, which is waiting for these already since almost four years) - I must say there is no end of my curiousity to see them being finished!
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