This all started when a good friend sent me a 1/72 Red Star MiG-3 kit (thanks a million, hamsterman!). While it was a bagged kit, the header card art was most impressive.
The paint guide was pretty nice too.
The instructions seem good too even if I didn't end up needing them.
Honestly though, before opening it up, I wasn't expecting much. I figured this must be a re-pop of some Eastern bloc kit of murky origin.
Boy was I surprised.
I don't know if you can tell by this sprue shot, but this kit was very close to a Special Hobby or similar excellent short-run type kit. While there's no locating pins, the molding is very well done. The only filler used was a thin bead around the wing roots. The tolerances of the landing gear doors and horiz stabs were so fine I almost didn't need glue. This made me feel much better about building it completely OOB.
One of the nice things about Spanish Republican markings is that they're pretty easy to paint if you can manage almost-straight lines. Paints used were Polly Scale Pine Green and Model Masters Flat Black on top. The canopy was tinted on the inside with Polly Scale RLM-something Lichtblau.
The underside was done with Polly Scale Light Blue. Model Masters Jet Exhaust was used on the exhausts. Model Masters Insignia Red & Yellow along with Polly Scale PA RR Maroon were used for the markings. The codes were all from spares and I felt like I hit the jackpot when I found those white CVs in the stash for the Casas Viejas flight insignia.
It took me about four days to build this great MiG-3 kit and it was a blast the entire time!
Before I forget, here's the "money shot" (U.S. penny for scale).
I'd like to thank Bill for his kindness in sending me this cool little kit! I couldn't have done it without you!
I'd also like to thank Mr Jello for moderating this GB and the rest of you playing along or just stopping by to look.
Brian da Basher