MiG-29 Fulcrum 1:48 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-5865 Review

Right On Replicas, LLC SnapShot Review 20131211*
MiG-29 Fulcrum 1:48 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-5865 Review

  

Review and Photos by John Orenski

 The MiG-29 was first revealed to the west in the early 1980’s at Farnborough and was immediately given a huge amount of attention by NATO air forces. It was a departure from traditional Russian designs using twin tails and engines as well as a new way of using the airframe as a lifting body and providing supplemental lift. It also fielded a new type of radar and missile systems. The Fulcrum is in use with several different air forces and is being constantly updated. The latest versions are considered some of the fighters in the world today and will see service for a long time.

 For the Modeler: The Revell 1/48 MiG-29 Fulcrum is a re-boxing of the Monogram kit first pressed in the mid-1980’s. When the kit first came out it was considered state of the art mostly because not much was known about the actual aircraft. It was also the only kit in this scale at the time. The model is molded in light gray and clear. Markings for two airframes are included with decals for a Polish, or Russian bird in traditional dark/light gray camo. Fully detailed cockpit and landing gear are also highlights of the kit. The fit is good minus a few places like the intakes but overall an excellent value and a good kit. It’s very impressive on the display shelf.

The overall build was a pleasant experience with only a few exceptions. The intakes are split in half lengthwise and terminate at a natural panel line on the airframe. The problem is you get a huge step at the tunnel side if you assemble them as per the instructions. I got around this by gluing each intake half to the fuselage and then to each other down the center. I was then able to deal with the center seam. The only other serious flaw I found was that the canopy cannot be closed as the seat sits too high. Also the provided heads-up display HUD doesn’t fit under the windscreen. I fixed this by leaving out the heads-up display and posing the canopy open.

 Overall: The MiG also comes fully armed with 4 air to air missiles and a centerline drop tank. I used all the missiles provided as well as the center line fuel tank. The missiles come mostly in one piece. You must add a set of fins to the larger AA-10 Alamos and unfortunately in my sample one fin per set was broken in half. I used thin plastic sheet to replace them.  There are two sets of markings included in the kit. One in Russian and one in Polish. I chose the Russian example as I like my MiGs in red stars. The decals themselves went on well but were a bit thick and needed setting solution to make them really stick.  At the time this model was pressed the US was only getting its first look at the real MiG-29. Monogram’s offering was considered state of the art then. Modern offerings are much more detailed. This kit is impressive however, it still builds easily, has a good cockpit and weapons, and gives one a chance to practice your skills.

  

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