[Celtic]

It's basically a stove pipe with wings, but the fighting bantam created by MiG OKB as the I-310, later the MiG-15, is a sweptwing beauty nonetheless. The graceful mid-set wings and bold fin with its high-set tailplane evokes speed and agility like no other fighting jet created in the post-WWII race for Cold-War aerial dominance.

The basic design was derived from the wartime German Focke-Wulf Ta 183, a single-jet fighter designed to intercept high-flying B-29's that would be flying German skies in 1946. MiG OKB took the basic design, improved it by slimming down the fuselage, moving the wingroot to mid-fuselage, and lowering the Multhopp T-tail to a lower position on the fin. The resulting conversion changed the design from a Teutonic hammer to a finally honed stiletto.

Even though it was one of the most widely distributed Soviet-bloc fighters, this celebrated MiG has been resoundingly ignored by the manufacturers of 1/72 diecast airplanes. Why is a mystery. Maybe it is lack of financial nerve, or lack of confidence in the salability of the design, or both. And while there may be justification for not producing an F-80, or F-84, or even an F9F, it is hard to understand how such a really famous, not to mention ubiquitous, design can continue to be largely ignored by the 1/72 diecast fraternity.

Illustrated here are the two 1/72 Matchbox versions of the '15. These were poorly done, largely due to the colander-like holes, representing rivet heads, that covered the plane from end to end. Think of what skilled model-engineers from Hobby Master, GeminiAces, or Corgi could do with this design.

It is really time for them to try.

[mustangdriver]

Up close, the real Migs don't look so hot either. The rivets are odd sizes and not always in a straight line. That said, I love the Mig.

[admin]

I would have loved to have these if the mad riveter hadn't gotten hold of them first.

GREAT PICS!!!! Your site very nice.

[ZS-VAN]

I have the green MB Mig15 and in the absence of anything else am quite happy with it. It should also be noted that Soviet aircraft are not designed and built like western aircraft. Money is only spent where really needed - very functional. You can still see this philosophy on the Mig29! Me, I'd take any decent Mig model!

[djjeffhall]

Celtic,
Hey there.

While I am right there with you in stating that I would love to see more Soviet aircraftl, in particular the Mig 15, 17 and 19, just look at the fate of the F-86 in diecast to see why no one is making them?

It seemed like it took all of five minutes for the new Corgi F-86 mould to hit the discount bins. If Corgi can't sell the F-86, how are they going to move the Mig 15?

[STARMAN 352ND]

I agree with you mates.
I only have the MB camo Mig-15 because it hides them holes a little bit better than the silver one does.
JP

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by djjeffhall

It seemed like it took all of five minutes for the new Corgi F-86 mould to hit the discount bins. If Corgi can't sell the F-86, how are they going to move the Mig 15?

I didn't know that. Doesn't bode well for other post-war jets. Personally, I thought the Corgi F-86 had some basic flaws that were inconsistant with the excellent moulds they've been turning out during the last year or more. However, no one else seemed to notice or care, so that is probably not the reason they didn't sell; for me, one was enough. (I actually think the Matchbox version (on the right, below) was a better rendition, though the finish on those models left a lot to be desired.)

[aeroeng]

I'm thinking about getting this Mig-15

and this Mig-17, both by Franklin Mint .

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by aeroeng

I'm thinking about getting this Mig-15

and this Mig-17, both by Franklin Mint .

They are great, but if I don't stick to my 1/72 only rule, I really am going to go broke! I was sorely tempted at one time...

[djjeffhall]

Celtic,
Hey there sir.

RE: Bins - I'm just going on what I seemed to see from the various on-line retailers I haunt. It appeared that the F-86's went on sale relatively quickly after their intial release and have never fallen into that, "Does anyone know where I can get one of these" catagories that the more scarce (Dare I say it, desirable.) aircraft fall into. (Like the Doolittle B-25 for example.)

I will also grant that the liveries they made are all a little "samey" which didn't help build my personal enthusiam. I picked up a Mig Mad Marge and held off on the others since after all, how many silver Corgi's F-86's do I need? (The answer so far is one, just like the one silver Corgi Mustang I own.)

If the price hike isn't too high, I'll get the Canadian livery slatted for next year. Maybe if that is a hit, Corgi will take a chance and give their Vampire, Meteor and F-86 a foe to face off against? Personally, I hope so.