Beyond The Sprues
Modelling => Completed GBs => Group and Themed Builds => MiG GB => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on November 08, 2018, 05:29:30 AM
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(https://i.postimg.cc/LsHfTRvk/Mi-G-15-X-001.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The MiG-15 is one of the most renowned early jet fighters.
(https://i.postimg.cc/yxzSDHJS/Mi-G-15-USAFM-BW.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Far less known is a sister aircraft developed in parallel, the MiG-15 prototype X.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DZQwYbZ8/Mi-G-15-X-003.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
This forgotten dead end was so un-noteworthy that even western analysts ignored it and never assigned it a NATO reporting name.
(https://i.postimg.cc/521dnkzq/Mi-G-15-X-004.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The MiG-15 prototype X was (ill)conceived at a time when the Soviets were seeking the most advanced jet engines through any means necessary.
(https://i.postimg.cc/c4f6v2ZQ/Commie-Spy.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The new fighter was powered by a top-secret Klimov XXV-100 engine derived from plans of the Rolls-Royce Avon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Avon) which were stolen when the project was moved from Barnoldswick to Derby in 1948.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4Nwk2QQD/Mi-G-15-X-002.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Unfortunately as the bugs were still being worked out of the Avon design, the Soviet version proved far from ideal and the MiG-15 prototype X would be doomed from the start due to its unreliable power plant.
(https://i.postimg.cc/KjNVVmBP/Mi-G-15-X-005.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Only one MiG-15 prototype X was ever built and the airframe would only be used as a test bed, that is when they could get the Klimov XXV-100 to work properly.
(https://i.postimg.cc/pL5bZGPq/Mi-G-15-X-006.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/g0FDvf6m/Mi-G-15-X-007.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Eventually, the aircraft would be modified to MiG-15 standard with the installation of the far less problematic Klimov VK-1 clone of the Rolls-Royce Nene.
(https://i.postimg.cc/qMWXT9wy/Mi-G-15-X-008.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
This over-looked MiG apparently suffered a "fatal airframe event" afterwards and was never seen again, not that much of it was ever seen in the first place.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Xqj41jpW/Mi-G-15-X-009.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Very little photographic or documentary evidence of this failed fighter has been found save for a bill of lading for "Red Air Force Gray #304 priority OKB MiG test aircraft X" which was accidentally mis-filed and not found until People's Paint Plant 17 was liquidated in 1993.
(https://i.postimg.cc/NFdYW3HH/Mi-G-15-X-010.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Nothing else survives of the MiG-15 prototype X today except this overly-optimistic desk model which was discovered in the archives of the Central Committee for Air after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4dT9d9F1/Mi-G-15-X-012.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Still, for one brief, shining moment, some Soviet persons unknown got a glimpse of what might have been.
(https://i.postimg.cc/6qcRFpcf/Mi-G-15-X-011.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Brian da Basher
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This all started when a lovely 1/72 Airfix MiG-15 showed up (thanks a million, hamsterman!). Few things are more classic than one of these on the original card.
(https://i.postimg.cc/NFVcb1Th/Airfix-Mi-G-15-bagged.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
You've really got to hand it to the good folks at Airfix for some stunning artwork. Here's a closer look at mine.
(https://i.postimg.cc/D0WVW8Nx/Airfix-Mi-G-15-card-01.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Wow a whole dollar! 40-odd (and my have they been odd) years ago when I was a lad, this was a month's allowance. Back then, the simpler, domestic airplane kits went for 69 cents so $1 for a posh import like this seems about right.
And in case something in your pricey from-across-the-pond kit isn't right, Airfix is at the ready with outstanding customer service.
(https://i.postimg.cc/KYKsrdfY/Airfix-Mi-G-15-card-02.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The other side has a paint guide which is very well done but I disregarded it anyway.
(https://i.postimg.cc/qM5sXg58/Airfix-Mi-G-15-card-03.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
On to the instructions! Perhaps I should have looked at these before I built the kit...
(https://i.postimg.cc/cJN8X3M8/Airfix-Mi-G-15-card-04.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FYDRK769)
One thing I did look at was the nose of this baby and a rough piece of "rear engine cylinders molded to the firewall" filled the gap.
(https://i.postimg.cc/5tnNLQPJ/Mi-G-15-X-xprog-02.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Seemed well tidy behind the intake from another Airfix classic, their E.E. Lightning.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cCncvnR1/Mi-G-15-X-xprog-04.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
If I'd have gotten luckier with a clean finish, I'd have been tempted to keep it like this.
(https://i.postimg.cc/vHZRx2J4/Mi-G-15-X-xprog-05.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/02WTYdvc/Mi-G-15-X-xprog-06.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I almost forgot to mention the other small mod which was replacing the under-sized landing gear doors with new ones cut from scrap plastic.
(https://i.postimg.cc/7hcN66vM/Mi-G-15-X-xprog-under.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/m1Y9pTgt)
Here's how it all looked before paint.
(https://i.postimg.cc/59G586G8/Mi-G-15-X-xprog-upper.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rz1tkFqp)
Speaking of paint, the old hairy stick was trotted out and loaded up with a custom mix that started life as Model Masters Medium Gray acrylic. The canopy was tinted on the inside in a nicely sinister Flat Black.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZYyH786w/Mi-G-15-X-upper.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/t7pF7VS6)
The intake ring and fake fan in back were painted Polly Scale Silver. The burner can was done with Model Masters Jet Exhaust.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fWxXSBcQ/Mi-G-15-X-under.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/K484d7p0)
Decals were a mix of spares which were bulked up from another timely mailing from my good friend.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kz7zjpd9/Mi-G-15-X-014.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
It took me about four days to build this model and it was a lot of fun.
(https://i.postimg.cc/43Qk9Cxh/Mi-G-15-X-013.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y9CVLhPJ/Mi-G-15-X-016.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
One thing I love about these kits is how they look on the included stand. Talk about a great value!
(https://i.postimg.cc/WzN23GLg/Mi-G-15-X-stand.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Oh before I forget, here's a couple of "money shots" (U.S. penny for scale, sorry was out of rubles):
(https://i.postimg.cc/MTHPKgMw/Mi-G-15-X-money-01.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/8sQt45yk/Mi-G-15-X-money-02.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I'd like to thank Bill for his kindness in sending the MiG and Lightning kits and also for raiding his stash of red stars for me. I couldn't have done it without you!
(https://i.postimg.cc/zf6tv0nR/Mi-G-15-X-015.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I'd also like to thank Comrade Commissar Jello for moderating this GB and the rest of you who are playing along or just having a look.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZY79d2Wg/Mi-G-15-X-017.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I hope you enjoyed the MiG-15 prototype X and reading a little more forgotten aircraft history even if it lacks the (jet) power to convince the so-called "experts".
(https://i.postimg.cc/2jK66WJN/Mi-G-15-X-018.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Brian da Basher
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Beautiful concept and build, to say nothing of the back story.
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Fascinating historical account.
Super looking well preserved model of Prototype X. :smiley:
Nose cone type intake has it looking faster than standard Mig-15. Goes to show looks can be deceiving.
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The "икс" looks great, Brian! That early Airfix Mig-15 bears only an approximate representation of the Mig-15 (as your first two pictures show!) but your conversion looks great, and the
fatter better endowed fuselage would match a bigger engine.