The Little World

Who, indeed. When I encountered this model of a Mig 21R at Hobbytech I wondered at it. It was a slow day and I wanted a new kit and I was prepared to buy anything cheap…without really knowing what I’d do with it.

Turns out Condor is a Ukrainian maker who specialises in agricultural-grade models of Soviet and Russian jets. Ticklish subject right now, so it was a blessing that I decided to go out on a limb and make it as a display piece for Schmattarim. I was prompted to this by the history of a real plane that is in Hatzerim – if you want some fun start googling the defected MiG 21 and the history of the pilot and his family. Spy novel stuff, but the real MiG 21 is parked in Hatzerim in IDF markings with a fancy test colour scheme and the serial 007.

I have no idea if Cubby Broccoli or Sean Connery had anything at all to do with it…

The 21R is a recon plane and somewhat different from the Syrian jet that the Israelis eventually got, but I liked the idea. When I looked at the sprue trees I realised that not all Ukrainian kits are equal…But, Hey – it might not have been fancy, but it was cheap, and if there is anything that Schmattarim Museum is, it is cheap. It’s fun to trim flash when you have a pot of coffee to help you stay awake.

The decals were irrelevant, but the instructions were surprisingly good, including the frontal diagram of a service load-out. I kept the tanks and recon pod for possible future use under an RFDS plane – should we go to war against South Australia.

The clear parts had a good shape but would have needed serious polishing out for a service aircraft. Those who google up the condition of museum planes out in the Negev, however, can save themselves a lot of polishing time…

Is any of this a good idea? I do have them from time to time, and I want people to admire me when one occurs. Keep reading…