MiG-29SMT 'Fulcrum'; Zvezda 1:72
SMT version of MiG-29 features many improvements over the two basic variants 9.12 and 9.13 including HOTAS, modernized cockpit, multirole weapons capability, larger range with additional fuel tank in the enlarged hump behind the cockpit and more. In early 2000s Algeria ordered 34 SMTs (and two seaters UBTs) but later returned them to Russia under the claim that the equipment wasn't new and these aircraft were introduced into Russian Air Force with a striking 3-tone grey splinter camouflage. Later, some of those machines were repainted in greyish-green colours while the new built machines got a pretty standard green over grey camouflage.
MiG-29SMT RF-93699; photo by “Demon – AviaPressPhoto” – https://russianplanes.net/id231465
The kit
Zvezda released the first of the new-tool MiG-29s in 2015, but sadly only 9.13 and SMT (9.17) were released so far and we are still waiting for 9.12 and 9.51 and hoping for MiG-35 and or MiG-29K/UB.
Since the kit is designed in modular fashion to enable Zvezda to make different subversions by just replacing some sprues with others, there are some parts of the kit, that you need to take some care when building them – the most obvious being the front part around cockpit and the wingtips. Apart from that, the kit builds really nice. While the engraved details are ok for the scale, they tend to be a bit shallow on curved surfaces so some rescribing is recommended. Also the rivet detail is missing. Quality control unfortunately missed the upper plating over exhaust cans – it's plain in the SMT kit but nicely engraved in 9.13 version. Large arsenal of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons nicely completes the kit.
Step-by-step build: https://vvsmodelling.com/2020/03/07/zvezda-172-mig-29smt-fulcrum-build-article/
Model Data
Company: Zvezda
Scale: 1:72
Aftermarket: Master pitot, Northstar Models wheels, TrueDetails ejection seat, Eduard MiG-29 set, Begemot decals, Amigo models exhausts
Paints used: Mr.Paint
Main camouflage: MRP-284 Light Grey MiG-29SMT, MRP-038 Light Grey FS36375, MRP-105 USN Modern Grey FS35237
Exhausts: MRP-009 White Aluminum, MRP-147 Burnt Iron, MRP-148 Exhaust Metal, MRP-152 Pale Burnt Metal, MRP-155 Burnt Metal Blue
Various: MRP-004 White, MRP-005 Basic Black, MRP-041 Red, MRP-173 Tire-Rubber Matt, MRP-032 Green for wheels, MRP-047 Dark Gray radio antenna
Very nice work.
Thank you, George!
Well done Sebastijen, that's one striking camo scheme.
Thank you, Tom. It's a shame new birds carry the more traditional grey/green camo.
That’s a model to be proud of. Well done !
Thank you, Pedro!
Well done, Sebastijan!
Thank you, John!
Nice work!
Thanks!
Hard to believe that's 1/72. Excellent work and great result.
Thank you, I try to do my best to show 1:72 can be an attractive scale as well.
Nicely done Sebastijan.
Thank you, Allan!
🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
Very nice, clean and sharp looking build of this rare version of the Mig-29 Sebastijan.
The weathering is well applied and looks very convincing.
Thank you, DE4EVER! SMTs are not that rare, but since this version came into operational use only a little more than a decade or so ago, there's far more less of them, compared to classic cold war 9.12 and 9.13 versions.
Wow - that's a striking build! Love the weathering and paint work. I may have to add one of those to my collection.
Thank you very much! Got inspired by the aircraft upon seeing it in person but seeing some nicely weathered examples, I decided on Red 32 as I could get photos from all angles.
Excellent job!
Thank you!
Everyone has written what I wanted to say...but again...EXCELLENT MODEL!
RJW.
Thank you, Rodney!
Sorry for disturbing you, guys, I like this model very much and I have a friend who is searching for a good model to build a Mig of Slovak air forces. I don´t want to ask him (you know, Christmas...): is it possible to build it from this Zvezda´s kit, please?
Thank you very much!
Hi Miloš! @medvedms
This kit would not be suitable for Slovak 29, unfortunately. Best option in 1:72 would be GWH kit (Great Wall Hobby) or cheaper but also less accurate one from Trumpeter. Hope this helps.
Thank you very much, Sebastijan, for your help. It´s exactly what I needed to know. Thank you. Have a nice weekend!