ARK 1/48 MiG-3 - a reboxing.

[Dave Ward]

Decided to take a break from cars and make a wingy thing instead

This is a reboxing of an 1999 ICM model ( It's also been reboxed by Alanger ). I've always liked the Mig-3, with its' cockpit set far back
- it was designed as a high altitude fighter, but since the Luftwaffe generally flew at lower levels, it operated at a disadvantage and was withdrawn before the end of the war having suffered severe losses.
I might not use the box decals, but as the Russian aircraft had very few markings there's plenty of ideas

I'm tempted by a winter camo, but I might change my mind!
Sprue pictures tomorrow.........
Dave

[Dave Ward]

A few overall sprue shots


Parts look OK, no flash, or visible sink marks. Instructions are......................basic - colour information is from one rather grainy black & white side view.
A few detail shots

Detail isn't bad, but not state of the art - the moulds do date to 1999. ( ICM )
You do get a complete engine, but I'm going to have it fully cowled, with a pilot onboard ( from a Zvezda Yak-3 ).
The early ICM kits were variable. some were good, others not so. I did make the ICM 1/48 LaGG-3, several years ago, and a lot of filler was needed - I did it in a winter whitewash finish, the first time I'd tried that


The MiG-3, I think I might do in the factory white finish...................
Dave

[Dave Ward]

The Lagg3 got me thinking, and I remembered I built 4 x 1/48 Russian fighters in succession - quite why, I don't recall, but quite an enjoyable set of models!

Of these, the one standout, that was far above the rest, was the La-5FN, still one of the nicest models I've made!
Dave

[yak face]

Great choice dave its a lovely looking aircraft . I did the trumpeter 1/32 mig 3 in the white scheme ages ago . Dont forget that a lot of mig 3s werent whitewashed and came from the factory in the white/ blue scheme so were very neatly done. They did get very dirty round the engine cowlings though and exhaust stains were very prominent . Cheers tony

[Dave Ward]

Started - I was wrong about there being no flash................ there are little wisps on a lot of parts, not noticeable until you dry fit them.................
Engine assembled - at least as far as I need, to give the propeller shaft & exhaust stacks their proper location

The cockpit is a flimsy assembly of tubes etc, and it isn't until you get some cross pieces in, that it feels sturdy enough to pick up. I've assembled Ivan to his seat - I'll pop him in later, after detail painting


Looking further ahead in the assembly, I can see a potential problem, the wings are joined to the fuselage by two large fillets - unless these are a good fit, it will be a pig to sort out..............
Dave

[JR]

Will follow this naturally. Only built 2 Russian planes.:thinking:

[Dave Ward]

Cranked the airbrush up, primed and basecoated the interior, wheelwells etc.
I think I may have been right about fitment problems...................

There are two fillets per side, one at the leading edge, the other from that to the trailing edge.
Just a dry run shows a small problem........

Those fillets are supposed to fit flush with the wing - it looks like a bit of trimming & sanding will be needed, and I haven't even tried the fillet/fuselage joint yet. Looking on the bright side, it's easier to trim away excess material, than add missing!
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Although I haven't posted, I've been working on this - those wing fillets needed a lot of work, trimming & sanding, dry fitting, repeat, repeat. I had to decide whether to first assemble the fillets to the wings, or the fuselage.................

After a while, I decided to add the fillets to the fuselage, so

I think I'll be able to clean that joint up easier than the wing/fillet.
I've added the bottom cowling & the two top cowlings. I'd added the rocker covers to the engine - I should've known better, they had to be prised off, and even now that front cowling doesn't fit very well! A dollop of PPP should sort that out with the aid of some sanding sponges. The decalled cockpit interior has been fitted, but you can't really see it.
The MiG-3 had a puny armament of 1 X 12.7mm & 2 X 7.62mm machine guns, it was modified later with the addition of a 12.7mm gun in a fairing under each wing, but this reduced the speed of the aircraft and were removed in the field. The model has the option of these, which I haven't used.
The basics of a nice model are here, but the wisps of flash, unnoticed at first, need careful removal & a lot of fettling & fitting is needed. OK it's an old model - I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner...............
Dave

[flyjoe180]

You are bashing this into shape Dave, not for the faint hearted or beginner as you say.

[Dave Ward]

This is now fighting me all the way - I've tried several ways to get a good joint on the wing roots. I've had to resort to fixing one side ( with CA! )

That's still left a nasty gap, but nothing compared to the other side.......................


Hmmm I'm leaving the thing to really harden off overnight, then see what I can do to close that gap ( my neighbour has a nailgun...........), thankfully there wasn't much surface detail in this area - there won't be any at this rate!
Dave

[Dave Ward]

An early morning update from a frosty, but sunny Gloucestershire
I tried using glue, TET & Contacta, but they wouldn't hold, so I used CA and a kicker to get that wing root to hold. Then out with the PPP - this may be the first of several applications of filler

I'm beginning to wonder whether an upper surface white finish is a good idea - it'll show up any nasty defects - a grey/dark grey camo might be a bit more forgiving. I'll see what it looks like after the filler is smoothed.........
Dave

[Guest]

I would like your post, but it sends the wrong message. Perhaps we need a ‘with sympathy’ emoji?!

I’ve every confidence a modeller of your caliber will tame those wings.

[Dave Ward]

Well, after quite while rubbing down - I got to the stage of overall primer..............

Still a couple of areas that need a bit more work, but a lot closer to a passable finish - I think that the white uppers finish will work, although it's almost as bad as a metallic finish for showing flaws...............
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Nicely tamed wing roots there Dave.

[stillp]

Getting there Dave. Primer doesn't seem to have taken very well though.
Pete