May 10, 1972 was perhaps one of the busiest days in the history of the air war over North Viet Nam. It was on this day that the United States Air Force and Navy began Operation Linebacker I, with stepped-up bombing of North Vietnamese airfields and other military installations. Heavy attacks were carried out by B-52s based out of Thailand, with USAF and Navy F-4 Phantom II fighter-bombers in the support role. It was on this day that Randy Cunningham and Willy Driscoll shot down three MiG-17s, and became the only US Navy aces of the Viet Nam war.

 By mid-1972, the Vietnamese People’s Air Force (VPAF) had created a second MiG-21-equipped Fighter Regiment. In addition to the 921^st “Sao Do” (Red Star) Fighter Regiment, the new 927^th “Lam Son” (Blue River) Fighter Regiment was now on strength with the MiG-21PFM. The MiG-21PFM (NATO code-name Fishbed-F) was the third main variant of the type in use by the VPAF, and was the last of the second-generation MiG-21 series. The VPAF received the PFM variant in late-1967, and eventually had over 100 of the type, though not all at once due to attrition. Designed as a multi-purpose follow-on to the MiG-21PF, the PFM had an upgraded engine and electronics, featured a broad-chord fin and vertical stabilizer as on the late PF series, and a two-piece canopy that was hinged to the right side while the windscreen remained stationary. The PFM also had the ability to utilize the SPRD-99 booster rockets to dramatically shorten the take-off roll distance. This was particularly important during Linebacker I operations, when some of the runways at VPAF airfields were damaged from U.S. bombing attacks, frequently necessitating take-off from the base taxiways!  

VPAF records, as listed in MiG-21 Units of The Vietnam War by Istvan Toperczer, Osprey Combat Aircraft No. 29, show four claimed kills for May 10, 1972, all F-4 Phantoms. 927^th pilot Le Thanh Dao shot down a Navy F-4J of VF-92 from the USS Constellation on this day. May 10, 1972 witnessed some of the fiercest fighting of the entire air war. The US Navy and USAF claimed a combined four MiG-21s and seven MiG-17s on that day, and admitted to losing only two Phantoms to VPAF fighters. The VPAF claimed two F-4s downed by MiG-19s of the 925^th Fighter Regiment, two by 921^st MiG-21s and a further two by 927^th Fishbeds. The MiG-21PFM was the most numerous Fishbed variant in the VPAF inventory, and was later joined by the third-generation MiG-21MF Fishbed-J.

Before going into detail on this Russian-made kit, it will be necessary to detract one or more statements I made in my previous review of the Fujimi MiG-21PF kit. Apparently, I had not done enough research before “jumping the gun” and crowning the Fujimi kit king of all 1/72 MiG-21 kits. A closer look at more recent MiG-21 releases (including this one from Zvezda, a couple from Bilek, and the recent Revell Germany MiG-21F-13), reveal some serious inaccuracies in the Fujimi kit. The majority of these inaccuracies are in the forward fuselage, canopy and landing gear, where a few of the dimensions are too thick, tall or out of scale. The MiG-21 is a very small airplane when compared to many western designs, and its size and dimensions become apparent when comparing various kits of the same scale.

This is the first Zvezda kit I have built. In fact, I have not even seen any of their other offerings yet. This is the only kit of the PFM variant so far, and as I was doing a series of VPAF MiGs in this scale, the PFM was a must since it was so widely used. This is a good kit. It features crisp molding in medium gray with recessed panel lines. The overall outline and dimensions of the fuselage and tail feathers far surpass the Fujimi PF kit. For many years, Eastern-Bloc kits (including KP) couldn’t hold a candle to western products for overall accuracy, thickness and fit. Well that has all changed now. This Zvezda kit is the product of some thoroughly researched engineering and attention to detail. There is a total of 92 pieces, including rocket pods, SPRD-99 rocket boosters, RS-3 “Atoll” missiles, an eight-piece cockpit with reasonable detail in this scale, and a two-piece canopy and windscreen that can be completed in either the opened or closed position. Keep in mind that this kit’s price is about ten bucks under that of the Fujimi offerings. The decal sheet features markings for both Soviet and Vietnamese aircraft, although the national insignia for the latter version appear to be a bit large and out of proportion. Aftermarket decals will be used. Because of the variety of VPAF paint schemes for the PFM, I actually purchased four of these kits for my collection, but at the time of assembly, I did (only) two of them simultaneously. So let’s get started with this kit.

First thing was the cockpit consisting of eight pieces, including tub, seat, stick, base, instrument panel, gun sight and two side consoles. The majority was painted with the Testors “Russian Interior Blue”, with the seat in neutral gray, and details highlighted with black and silver. A good reference is MiG-21 Walk Around by Hans-Heiri Stapfer, Squadron Signal Publications. This book has lots of color photos of first and second-generation MiG-21 cockpits, undercarriages and other details and is a must for MiG-21 modelers. The side consoles are cemented to the insides of the fuselage halves, as are the main gear bays, front gear bay, and exhaust afterburner assembly, which was painted with Testors Jet Exhaust Metalizer. Before joining the fuselage halves, approximately ½ ounce of lead weight was fitted into the inside fuselage ahead of the cockpit to ensure proper sitting on its nosewheel. Once the fuselage was joined together, wings and tail feathers were added, as well as the intake ring in the nose. This is where I found the only real flaw of this kit. The nose cone is too wide at its base, and as a result would have been too long once cemented in place. So before it was glued in, I sanded off about 1/16^th of an inch from its base, and re-fitted it. This dimension equals out to only about 5 inches on the full size aircraft, but once the cone is shortened, its length and diameter relationship to the intake ring match up properly.  

Once I had a basic airframe completed, it was time to sand the seams. Fit on this kit is very good, seams are minimal and no filler was required. After I had completed the sanding through 400 wet, it was time to add all the other “fiddly bits” that would have proved too fragile, such as the main and nose gear doors, afterburner cooling ducts, air data probes, air brakes (all in the closed position), and missile pylons. Once these pieces were all properly aligned and thoroughly dry, it was time for the paint shop.

 As I have previously mentioned, Istvan Toperczer’s two books on the VPAF are probably the best reference materials available on the subject. They are in the Osprey Combat Aircraft series, and are number 25 for the MiG-17 and MiG-19 Units of The Vietnam War, and number 29 for the MiG-21 volume. Both books have excellent color side view artwork, and the MiG-21 book features eighteen such renderings. While nearly all VPAF MiG-21s were in bare metal when received, intensified US bombing activity from 1968-on necessitated the camouflaging of a select few aircraft to blend in with the foliage of the area. The painting of these aircraft was done in a hasty manner with very little consistency. After reviewing all of my options, I selected two schemes which I found to be the most interesting and attractive. The first scheme is bort number 5015, an aircraft from the 921^st Fighter Regiment based at Noi Bai airfield from 1968. It is in medium green with dark green splotches on the upper surfaces, and natural metal undersides. In addition to the color side view artwork, there are at least two decent black-and-white photos in the book to “back up” the artwork. This is an unusual scheme and was only applied to perhaps one or two other aircraft, including bort number 5017.

 The second scheme chosen was that of Le Thanh Dao’s aircraft, bort number 5040 of the 927^th Fighter Regiment. It was in this aircraft that he shot down a Navy F-4J of VF-92 on the May 10, 1972 mission. Also an interesting scheme, this aircraft is in overall dark green with an even slightly darker green random pattern on the upper surfaces. Now I am at the mercy of the artwork here, for I do not have any photographic evidence of this aircraft that clearly shows the underside. It is possible that the entire aircraft surface was painted in this green, with the exception of the missile pylons, VHF antenna and canopy framing. In fact, both aircraft have un-painted, natural metal canopy framing and antennae.

 Colors chosen for the first aircraft was Model Master 1716 Pale Green FS 34227 mixed with some 1728 Light ghost Gray FS 36375 for the main upper surface, with the spots in 1710 Dark Green FS 34079 slightly darkened with flat black. Undersurface is Model Master Aluminum Non-Buffing Metalizer. These MiGs were subject to rough use in a harsh climate. None of them were polished or pretty. The second aircraft was done in overall FS 34079 with the darker green the same 34079 darkened with a touch of black. As previously mentioned, this scheme on 5040 is speculative at best. I will never know for sure because in May 1972 I was 10 years old, and living in Laguna Niguel, California, maybe 8000 miles from Viet Nam!

 The nose cone, and dielectric panels on the vertical fins are another green altogether, and I used Model Master 1713 Medium Green FS 34102 for these as well as the wheel hubs. Once the paint jobs were dry, both kits were gloss coated for decal preparation. My own “home grown” VPAF insignia and bort number decals were used (printed expertly by Mark Borer, a first officer with a major airline and part-time modeler). The VPAF “star and bar” are in six positions, and the bort numbers are on the forward fuselage on both sides. VPAF aircraft had very simple markings. After decals were set, a couple coats of dull coat were applied.

 Missiles were painted in flat white with dark metallic bands and fin tips, and gloss black nose tips. Centerline tanks were natural metal on both aircraft, as were the canopy and windshield framing. Gear bays inside are Model Master 1725 Neutral Gray FS 36270, as well as the gear legs and inside gear doors. The SPRD-99 rocket boosters were painted flat white and attached to the lower fuselage. Landing gear was installed, as well as centerline tanks, main pitot tube, missiles and canopy. Just to be different, one aircraft has an opened canopy and the other one closed. Once all pieces had been fitted, the finishing touch is that single drop of chrome silver at the tip of the intake spike. And there are two completed VPAF MiG-21PFMs.

The MiG-21 is much like the P-51 Mustang (or any other really famous warbird) in that it was built in huge quantities, saw extensive combat, and is famous all over the world. It has also been kitted extensively over the years, often times inaccurately. As the years have gone by, especially since the 1970s, MiG-21 kits have gotten better and better, and much more numerous. These recent kits from Zvezda are proof that eastern kits can now rival their western counterparts for outright quality. With the exception of the nose cone length issue (a very simple fix), I cannot find fault with this kit. It is well molded, has accurate outline and thicknesses, reasonable detail, and a good fit. The price in the $15.00 region is very competitive, and the kit is well worth it. These little MiGs have been a very rewarding build.

  Mig-21 Units of The Vietnam War by Istvan Toperczer, Osprey Combat Aircraft number 29, 2001 Osprey Publishing Limited.

 MiG-21 Fishbed Walk Around Part 1 by Hans-Heiri Stapfer. 2004 Squadron Signal Publications.  

Kevin Thompson

January 2007

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