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George Williams
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Trumpeter 1/48 J-7B

April 18, 2021 · in Aviation · · 18 · 2.1K

I started this build more than three years ago but several things got in the way of posting in headlines, but here goes. More details about the kit, the build, and the real thing can be found on the WIP https://imodeler.com/groups/work-in-progress-aircraft/forum/topic/trumpeter-1-48-j-7b-fighter/ but here a few details.

The J-7B is a Chinese licensed build of the MiG-21, using many of the parts from Russia, but some are modified to suit, and others are replaced, particularly the engine, avionics and the canopy.

The kit is one of the many variations offered by in scale, both of the J-7 and MiG-21, no real difficulties were encountered in the build, but, I decided to experiment in covering the model with kitchen to achieve a NMF, not sure if this was successful or not, I'll let you be the jury.

Thanks for looking, George.

Reader reactions:
7  Awesome

6 additional images. Click to enlarge.


18 responses

  1. Thisis such a great model, George!
    i am no foil expert, but I like a lot what I see! And it's done with kitchen foil? Almost beyond belief!
    I love all those "Chinese" variations offerd by Trumpeter; I recently got a Xian JHU-6, brand new, at a killer offer of $25!

  2. Looks good to me George... What did you use to secure the foil to the plastic ? I have several large bombers and want to do the same thing. However if I was to attempt this using the regular "Bare Metal Foil" product, it would break the bank... it gets expensive.

    • Thanks, Louis @lgardner, I use a product called Micro Metal Foil Adhesive, ref MI-8, made in the US by Microscale Industries, Inc. It comes in a small 1 fl oz bottle. The instructions recommend applying the adhesive to the foil first, but I find it easier to apply it to the model first. It looks and smells similar to a white PVA glue, but it obviously has some other ingredients. I've tried PVA glue and it doesn't work. Richard McStay uses this product to stick PE parts as it give more manoeuvre time than CA. It's also good for fixing canopies. Hope this helps and I'm looking forward to seeing your bombers.

      • George, @chinesegeorge
        Thank you for the information on how you did this. I really like your kitchen foil approach. I have a 1/48 Monogram B-24 assembly ship named "Tubarao" that I wanted to use this type of foil on. If it works out good, I have a 1/48 scale Monogram B-29 that I will build as a new entry for the "Korea, the Forgotten War" group build we currently have underway. The B-29 will have the undersides painted black, so this will save on some foil work. The same thing goes for the B-24 assembly ship. It has green and yellow stripes on both wings and the fuselage, so I don't have to cover this entire airframe either.

        Thanks again !

  3. Try Vallejo Metallics. I think they are likelier a whole lot easier.

  4. Over 20 years ago I modified the old Academy 1/72 MiG-21 kit into a J-7 flown by the Pakistani Air Force. I’ve always loved the look of the early style 21’s. You have a nice build here.

  5. Nice going with the foil George. A few wrinkles but you're a braver man than I am. I agree with Tom. If you're into acrylics go with Vallejo. You just need lots of patience with them. I've read good reviews about Mission Models Metals but I've never used them

  6. Great result, George.
    To me your kitchen foil approach turned out very well.

  7. Thank you very much, John.

  8. Nice build! I think you did a commendable job with the foil, but I have to say I prefer paint - I think foil is just a bit unrealistic in terms of sheen.

  9. Thanks for looking, Greg, I think both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, foil is possibly better used in the larger scales.

  10. Looks wonderful!

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