[ZS-VAN]

Originally Posted by Raven

Picked up the SMT at my local hobby store today and I am very happy with it! Thought about waiting for a Soviet natural metal Mig-21MF but that is pretty unlikely given this release so I took the plunge. Glad I did!!!

Bring on a camo Soviet or Warsaw Pac (E. Germany, Czech) MF!!!!

Admission from a Diecast Addict:
I have to admit that I looked through all eight identical SMT models at the store to get just the "right one". Am I disturbed or what??

Er, eight? Yes, definitely yes! I've got the first two and was wondering whether the hump is actually evident? Can't see from the pics. I would like to see similar schemes as well but maybe there should be a bent to include examples that saw combat like the Iraqi one. There were just so many operators.

[Raven]

To me a natural metal MiG-21 is the quintessential Cold War Soviet Aircraft so I had to pick it up. I would have preferred a Soviet MF variant but beggars can't be choosers (at least for now).

The size of the dorsal hump does not look bad to me but its the only MiG I have. Compared to the other planes out there, I suppose it could look a little on the chubby side - sort of an out of shape MiG-21. Kind of like me!

[Black 6]

I just received mine last night and have to say it is the first HM model that has disappointed me. The nose section, from the air intake to the canopy on the top, and for a similar length on the bottom of the model, has a very noticeable join seam that detracts from the model. It really stands out in the silver paint scheme too. There is no such problem with the rest of the model (in fact it appears they tool the trouble to cover any such seams from showing). I cannot imagine why they didn't make the nose section one piece (because there is a seam along the sides of the fuselage which is well camouflaged by the panel lines) or do a better job here.

I don't know if I got a Friday afternoon special or this is indicative of the Migs from HM, but I am not as happy with it as I had hoped. I would give it 7 out of 10 stars.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by Black 6

The nose section, from the air intake to the canopy on the top, and for a similar length on the bottom of the model, has a very noticeable join seam that detracts from the model.

This is the main reason that I looked over all 8 models at my Hobby store before I settled on one with the best looking seam (its still there on close examination) and relatively flawless paint scheme. I agree that this area of the plane could have been designed much better by HM. I am sure that on Camo versions, it will be much less noticeable.

[Black 6]

Originally Posted by Raven

This is the main reason that I looked over all 8 models at my Hobby store before I settled on one with the best looking seam (its still there on close examination) and relatively flawless paint scheme. I agree that this area of the plane could have been designed much better by HM. I am sure that on Camo versions, it will be much less noticeable.

I'm glad I'm not the only person to feel this way Raven. It's a shame HM took this approach as I really think a one piece nose section would not have been a problem. Wish I had been able to have had choices like you did (I did mail order).

[Raven]

Ordering on-line is a double edged sword:

Generally better access, pricing and selection but you can't look the model over for any warts first!

I have tried to swear off ordering on-line because I have poor luck with warts (on my planes!) and I am lucky enough to have access to a few stores with great diecast selections. I will admit, though, that I get sucked in every once in a while with a great sale on-line.

[Celtic]

Anyone else go nearly crazy trying to assemble the '21? I have the Russian version, and the gear, antenna, and open canopy finally defeated me. (Get one piece on, then knock it off trying to attach another piece.) Shades of another manufacturer... I wish someone would just produce a model of the MiG-21--a completed, clean, assembled, put together, ungimmicked, plain old MiG-21 that didn't have to be assemble, put together, or puzzle out. Right now I'm right on the edge of crazy from trying to get the pieces to work (and spending literally half an hour finding the pieces that got away), so I'd better sign off before I REALLY spill my guts.

AARRRGGGHHHHHH!

[b-huj]

I wonder if the Corgi Predator variant of the MiG-21 also has the gap problem in the nose area and those flimsy parts.
I guess I was lucky or had some "experience" so it was easy to assemble the 21 (and the F-104 for that matter) but that does not mean the main gear is a perfect fit.
I did skip the struts that need superglue. I did have banana missiles as I pointed out in an earlier post.

It's tricky: some like to have options, some like to have a solid model, although I never display models "inflight" (the landing gear options are pretty useless for me) I guess I like the possibility of another mode. I do not like to have a separate cockpit for the open or closed modes.

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by b-huj

I wonder if the Corgi Predator variant of the MiG-21 also has the gap problem in the nose area and those flimsy parts.
I guess I was lucky or had some "experience" so it was easy to assemble the 21 (and the F-104 for that matter) but that does not mean the main gear is a perfect fit.
I did skip the struts that need superglue. I did have banana missiles as I pointed out in an earlier post.

It's tricky: some like to have options, some like to have a solid model, although I never display models "inflight" (the landing gear options are pretty useless for me) I guess I like the possibility of another mode. I do not like to have a separate cockpit for the open or closed modes.

I get the Corgi version tomorrow, so we'll see. I will say I was shocked at the multiplicity of parts with the Corgi TBF. Maybe there should be some kind of system that lists the number of parts with a model, or just a statement, "Many small parts, not suitable for frustrated collectors of solid models."

[FormerViperDriver]

Originally Posted by Raven

Ordering on-line is a double edged sword:

Generally better access, pricing and selection but you can't look the model over for any warts first!

I have tried to swear off ordering on-line because I have poor luck with warts (on my planes!) and I am lucky enough to have access to a few stores with great diecast selections. I will admit, though, that I get sucked in every once in a while with a great sale on-line.

Unfortunately some of us who live overseas don't have too many other options. Particularly in Germany in my case. There are NO diecast stores anywhere (at least within 4 hours of where I live, for sure). You have to go to France, the UK, or Netherlands to see stuff in person. But then you see the prices and say" "forget it."

Thankfully, I can order from the States at normal US postage rates (although they'll only do Priority Mail to the military addresses overseas). So I get good prices, but never get the opportunity to examine the model for flaws before buying, which would be nice indeed. But I've been pretty lucky so far (cross my fingers).

As to the HM Russian MiG-21, mine is on the way as a matter of fact, but I'm dissapointed to read about the "fiddly bits" problem. This is what has steered me away from Dragon (not entirely, but close). I like solid models as well. I guess I'll see when the model comes in.

FVD