It is hard for many readers to appreciate the largesse that is presented to them when they walk into a hobby shop. Back in the 'olden days', though there were a goodly number of new kits being produced, the quality of them was no where near the standards that we expect today. Of course, back then, we didn't know that we were lacking and so we gladly accepted what was presented. If we needed a different variant from the kit, we broke out the balsa or plastic card and made the mod. Or we kit-bashed if that was an option.

This sheet on the MiG-21 required a bit of that. When this one was produced, we had a few MiG-21s to choose from. Airfix and Hasegawa both did early MiG-21Fs and when KP produced their MiG-21 MF, we were properly ecstatic. Then there was the IMC 'Battle Damage' MiG-21, which was probably the closest we had to a FL or PF. Even today, only the excellent but rather difficult to find Fujimi series of MiG-21s is available and while the MF has recently (2004)  become more generally available, the earlier versions are still quite scarce.

There are seven aircraft on this sheet; four of them in bare metal and all F or PF variants.

The MiG-21Fs are from Indonesia (which has two planes, one with a fancy fin markings) and Yugoslavia.

FL variants are from East Germany (listed as an F but obviously not as the F's nose radar cone doesn't protrude as far) and India, both of these in bare metal.

There is a PF shown in Syrian markings and camouflaged in tan and green over light grey.

Finally, a Soviet PFS  of the Soviet aerobatic team in red uppers (natch) and bare metal undersides.

The key distinguishing feature of all these planes is the forward opening, one-piece canopy.

The sheet provides all the insignia and even has some instrument panel decals and stencils as many of those old kits didn't have good cockpit detail. 

December 2004