The Little World

The MiG 15 is somewhat of an iconic aircraft – albeit Soviet, derived from German research. It lasted well after contemporary Meteors and Sabres were shuffled off to client nations and thence to museums. Indeed aircraft of this era are now only found as museum exhibits – flying or otherwise. Oh, and a Canadian private firm that tows targets for the RCAF using a Sabre. But generally, the early Cold War jets are now just memories.

The thing I wanted was a good memory – and the best bet for it was to pick a Russian model company’s kit. They would have access to original plans and preserved aircraft, plus the cultural responsibility to get it right…or at least righter than the Czechs and Chinese.

The fit of the parts is good, albeit butt jointed. They have included enough locators in the fuselage to let it register accurately. There are wing and stab tabs. It is up to me to make sure that the anhedral…ie, 3º…is correct.

I’m realistic – the space under the pilot’s tub is filled with a slice of flattened musket ball, and I am expecting to put another block behind the air splitter in the nose.

The only thing I think overly ambitious in the design is the sliding canopy frame. I love the idea, but mechanical movement under paint is just asking for trouble. I’ll open the canopy, but trim the frame to glue in place.

There’s only so much Russian engineering I’ll trust…I own a Fed III camera.