[b-huj]

Originally Posted by Celtic

I agree about everyday schemes. I've been thinking of giving the single seat version of the Witty 29 a try, along with a workaday SU-27 for comparison. Might make an interesting display. The differences in the design appproach of Sukhoi and Mikoyan with these designs is most interesting...

Witty so far has not produced a single "everyday" Su-27, contrary to what some may believe, the blue-white camo Bort 319 is Viktor Pugachev's showbird, and the three digit number was worn during some Paris Airshow in 1993 (correct me if I am wrong). As such, the showbird actually never carried any ordnance, and it was used to perform the legandary "Pugachev's Cobra". A more common sight and more readily available picture of the same showbird depicts it wearing the registration 388 (another year, same airshow I remember).
Now, those two "Evil Eye" releases from Witty are obscure even to me...I have no idea where they came from and never saw pictures of any Flankers wearing that livery.

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by b-huj

Witty so far has not produced a single "everyday" Su-27, contrary to what some may believe, the blue-white camo Bort 319 is Viktor Pugachev's showbird, and the three digit number was worn during some Paris Airshow in 1993 (correct me if I am wrong). As such, the showbird actually never carried any ordnance, and it was used to perform the legandary "Pugachev's Cobra". A more common sight and more readily available picture of the same showbird depicts it wearing the registration 388 (another year, same airshow I remember).
Now, those two "Evil Eye" releases from Witty are obscure even to me...I have no idea where they came from and never saw pictures of any Flankers wearing that livery.

You coudda fooled me, so thanks for the info. Keep us informed, as I am looking for any everyday Flanker, and will wait for its release...

[Celtic]

Love this model. Just added it to my web page, and am looking forward to getting more. I can't take much more of this...finding more to buy that I can't afford!!

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Celtic

Love this model. Just added it to my web page, and am looking forward to getting more. I can't take much more of this...finding more to buy that I can't afford!!

Think we can all identify with that feeling Celt! (great pics!)

[aradrom]

I got my MIG-29 today and I'm dissapointed...
There are 2 (of many others) obvious errors that stare at me everytime I look at the model.

1. The rough nose underside finish.
2. Antenna behind the cockpit.

The single seat version model does not appear to have these 2 items corrected.

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by aradrom

I got my MIG-29 today and I'm dissapointed...
There are 2 (of many others) obvious errors that stare at me everytime I look at the model.

1. The rough nose underside finish.
2. Antenna behind the cockpit.

The single seat version model does not appear to have these 2 items corrected.

Sorry to hear that! I sometimes think Witty is an acquired taste...

[skidmarksdiecast]

Originally Posted by aradrom

I got my MIG-29 today and I'm dissapointed...
There are 2 (of many others) obvious errors that stare at me everytime I look at the model.

1. The rough nose underside finish.
2. Antenna behind the cockpit.

The single seat version model does not appear to have these 2 items corrected.

I've noticed those two issues, as well, but consider them to be rather minor flaws. Considering its $35 price point, I think it's a very nice diecast model in spite of any inperfections. You're not going to get a Century Wings quality bird for $35. I guess you can always buy a plastic kit, glue and paint for $50+ and spend a month or two building one yourself.

[smartd]

Originally Posted by aradrom

I got my MIG-29 today and I'm dissapointed...
There are 2 (of many others) obvious errors that stare at me everytime I look at the model.

1. The rough nose underside finish.
2. Antenna behind the cockpit.

The single seat version model does not appear to have these 2 items corrected.

Several years ago, (early 90's) we had a couple of Migs at the Ottawa airshow. Groundcrew and support staff looked like street people, ... very shabby. Would trade anything for good cigarettes..... got some cheaply made badges and insignia.
Anyway, point of story....on the Saturday morning the ground crew opened up the nose radome. There we were, cameras ready, .... nothing. The nose radar had been removed. The crew could not get nose closed properly so they attacked it with ball peen hammers. The whole bloody airplane looked like it had been done over by a hammer wielding moron.
Maybe Witty got it right. These things were flying trucks and looked like it.

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by smartd

Several years ago, (early 90's) we had a couple of Migs at the Ottawa airshow. Groundcrew and support staff looked like street people, ... very shabby. Would trade anything for good cigarettes..... got some cheaply made badges and insignia.
Anyway, point of story....on the Saturday morning the ground crew opened up the nose radome. There we were, cameras ready, .... nothing. The nose radar had been removed. The crew could not get nose closed properly so they attacked it with ball peen hammers. The whole bloody airplane looked like it had been done over by a hammer wielding moron.
Maybe Witty got it right. These things were flying trucks and looked like it.

Reminds me of a cartoon from Air International showing a Russian mechanic laying out his tools on the wing of a MiG-21 -- that is, a hammer and a sickle! I've heard these reports before. One reporter from an international air magazine tells about the time he hopped a flight on a Russian freighter from Washington D.C. to Europe. One of the four engines stopped working, but instead of returning to the flight-line, the pilot took off anyway. The reporter lived to tell the tale, though I'm sure he updated his obit when he got back to the office!

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by smartd

Several years ago, (early 90's) we had a couple of Migs at the Ottawa airshow. Groundcrew and support staff looked like street people, ... very shabby. Would trade anything for good cigarettes..... got some cheaply made badges and insignia.

Anyway, point of story....on the Saturday morning the ground crew opened up the nose radome. There we were, cameras ready, .... nothing. The nose radar had been removed. The crew could not get nose closed properly so they attacked it with ball peen hammers. The whole bloody airplane looked like it had been done over by a hammer wielding moron.

Maybe Witty got it right. These things were flying trucks and looked like it.[/quote]

You're not too far off the mark with your observations, smartd! I too saw a MiG-29 upclose and in person at the Salinas Airshow, CA back in the early 90s myself.

To this day, I don't know how the pilot was able to pull-off a "Cobra Manouever" demonstration without that thing falling apart (my comment is "toung-in-cheek" in mind) in midair! I'll admit that the Soviet pilots are superb flyers bar none.