Fast, good lookin' but not much else. MiG's first fighter.

Well, actually the second. The original designation was I (Istrebeitel, fighter) 200, but a new convention using the designer's names was introduced, these being Migoyan and Gurevitch, hence, MiG. The new moniker was MiG-1, but the handling of the original was so squirrely, the upgraded design was called MiG-3 to scare the new recruits less.

The new MiG was the first of the new generation of Russian fighters, meant to replace the ageing I-15 and I-16 designs that made up the entirety of Soviet fighter strength. The design was meant from the start to be a high altitude interceptor, the Yak and LaGG that were on the drawing boards intended for a lower altitude "frontal fighter" role. The Sleek I-200 prototype first flew in April 1940, it's high-altitude rated Mikulin AM-35 engine pulling it along at a blistering 400 MPH. Due to the scarcity of lightweight alloys in the Country, construction was of mixed materials, the fuselage center section and inner wings were metal framed and skinned, the outer wings and tail unit being wooden.

The New prototype's hot performance blinded the Air ministry to the faults of the machine, say the poor longitudinal instability, slow control response, tendency to spin and bad landing characteristics. But new fighters were needed, and right now, so production was commenced immediately. The addition of guns and armor plate dropped the speed a bit and made the handling worse. After some modifications (and high training casualties) the MiG-1 became the MiG-3, and were the most numerous of the "new generation" fighters when The Nazis invaded. As was the case with all Soviet fighters, they did not fare well early on. Part of the issues with the MiG-3 was that it was used at lower altitudes, where as we know, it was not designed to do. It's armament was also weak, being just 2 light and one heavy machine gun. Underwing heavy MG pods were tried, but killed performance even more. Where the MiG finally shone was in the defence of Moscow during Winter '41-'42, where it was used to it's strengths. Development money however, was being used on the "frontal fighters", and production of the MiG-3 and it's engine were stopped in late '42. They did serve on in point defence roles until mid "43. The MiG team went on to better things, see the Mig-15.

Trumpeter's 1/32 MiG 3 has been around awhile. According to my vast liberry of refs on Russian fighters, the kit is fairly accurate, for a "late version". The interior is OK, as usual it can use some additional detail. I ordered AML resin exhausts and a seat with molded in belts, which came out rather well. The landing gear doors had bad pin marks, and I sanded them flat and added some correct framing. The prop is way thick, this I sanded down quite a bit, I should have gone more. The spinner was chunky and got lathed down some also. Anything else I let slide.

After shopping around I decided I wanted to replicate a picture I had of Naval MiGs from the Black Sea fleet in the Kuban in 1943. These had very large white bordered stars and looked slick. According to the kid's Soviet Fighter camo book, the pattern in the photo was a late simple banded scheme, so this I applied with my supply of Hataka "Orange line" Lacquers. These when thinned with Mr. Color Self Levelling Thinner, really lay on smooth. I had no star decals nearly big enough (or white bordered either) So it was out with the masking tape. Lemme tell ya, doing stars with a skinny border is no fun. But I pulled it off, and as usual they look better than decals. The pic showed a 27 and a 28, I figured 27 was easier. After it was done I looked at the Yak I just finished. Hmmm 27. Oh well, birds of a feather...Miggy was finished off with a semi-glass sheen and some chipping and mudding. Boris Badanovsky is a figure from Aires' "Aerobonus" line. His arms are from an ICM figure repositioned, as I didn't like the stock pose. Final result, I consider mixed.

Oha kpacabnua! She's a beauty!

Really, really need some 1/32 Lavochkins. Or at least a Yak 7. Bill picked up at 'ol jimmy's last week , a Revell 109G-10, including the Alley Cat update and a set of Eagle Cals for 25 beans. Such a deal! Ol bill may build a 109!

10 additional images. Click to enlarge.