Dave Ws Trumpeter 1/48 Mig-21MF

[Fernando N]

Nice looking coat of primer Dave, hope the NMF goes ok.:smiling4:

Fernando

[Dave Ward]

Well, my first use of Vallejo Metal Color Aluminium has been instructive.....................
[ATTACH]299590[/ATTACH][ATTACH]299591[/ATTACH]

I reduced the air pressure to 1 bar ( 14.7psi! ), and tried to give thin, even misted coats. If you get it too thick, and it starts to run, you have problems - I did this on the stabilisers, and had to wipe/sand it back to the primer surface, before respraying.
The paint sprayed well, didn't need thinning, and seemed to dry very quickly. I'm going to leave it overnight to really harden, then start to strip away all the masking. I'm debating about whether to give it an overall gloss varnish spray, before I attempt any washes, or panel variations. I'll make a decision tomorrow.
Dave

[Mickc1440]

I used the same paint on my Sabre Dave, does come up nice if you take your time. Nice MiG
Mick

[RM6239]

Dave
The only thing I've built more than once, if memory serves, Egyptian, Russian and Polish and all the Eduard kits, good call on the nose weight it is needed, I put the biggest fishing weight I can fit in the pointy bit for all mine. Nice progress so far.
cheers
Ross

[Dave Ward]

Added the rudder, ailerons & flaps. I've removed all the masking, and given a light overall gloss varnish, to seal everything, before beginning washing/decalling
[ATTACH]299815[/ATTACH]
I've finished off the airfield base.....................[ATTACH]299816[/ATTACH]
I've used 12 of the 32 plates, so there is a 5 X 4 base left, perhaps for my Mig-25, or Mig-29
Dave

[Alun Wells]

Hi Dave,
Good progress, like the airfield extra, good luck
Cheers
Alun

[Dave Ward]

AAAAH - I'd put the decals on, and used some thin masking tape to paint the nosecone & dielectric panels. Despite all my care, the paint crept under the masking, and to make matters worse, the masking has lifted the metal finish around the nose, and on one side of the tailplane...........
[ATTACH]300612[/ATTACH]
Despite immediate repair action, it looks like I'll have to redo the nose painting again
Dave

[papa 695]

Sorry to hear about the paint peeling Dave, but it still looks good

[Dave Ward]

In hindsight, it would have been easier to paint the green first, mask it, and spray the metal finish next. Ah well, I'll know for any subsequent metal finish.
I've taken back the nose, using wire wool, and painted the green first. I'll leave it overnight, then mask the green, and spray the silver after. It's going to be much easier to touch up the green, than the silver!
Dave

[yak face]

What a bugger dave ! Im sure youll sort it no problem. Its looking good in the nat metal though . Must be something about mig 21’s , i cocked up my gb entry at the last hurdle , and had to re do the nose after i melted it by accident !!! , cheers tony

[flyjoe180]

Metal finished are a real pest to work with, but despite the issue, that's looking very nice indeed Dave

[Dave Ward]

That's the way to go - I don't think that masking over a metal finish is a good idea ( unless you use Alclad II ), I used some low tack tape as well!
Anyway, I've redone the nose......
[ATTACH]300737[/ATTACH]
Assembly will now move onto the underside, undercarriage, doors, air brakes, missiles and drop tank. You cannot use the centre drop tank, and show the rear brake open, so it's now closed.
The Mig-21MF is rapidly approaching completion, and I have learned a lot about using Vallejo Metal Color!
Dave

[minitnkr]

Those plates will set it off the Mig nicely. Looking good so far. PaulE

[rickoshea52]

If I recall correctly the Eduard paint masks include the right sized masks for the dielectric panels. I think I painted these panels on my Eduard Mig-21 first then used the masks before the final colours but mine was camouflage and not NMF.

[Dave Ward]

The vast majority of parts are now fitted, apart from the clear bits. The undercarriage seems a little flimsy, but at least it's not a tail sitter! [ATTACH]300796[/ATTACH][ATTACH]300797[/ATTACH]

A dry fit of the canopy shows the main part not fitting snugly - it seems that the ejector seat is sitting a bit high.................
I wonder how long that AOA sensor will last..........
I think that the next posting will be in the completed aircraft section!
Dave