Syrian MiG-21MF in 1973 Yom Kippur War-Trumpeter 1/32nd scale

This is my version of a Syrian MiG-21MF from the "Yom Kippur War". I started this project last year with the idea to build it as a Soviet piloted, Egyptian marked MiG-21MF from the late 1960s, early 1970s "War of Attrition". During the construction, I changed my plan and instead decided to model this MiG as a Syrian Air Force fighter as it would have appeared in 1973. In the early building stage I realized that the gas deflector plates below the small side air intakes (which I had already glued in place)were not yet featured on the early version MiG-21M the Russians were flying at that time in Egypt. So it was easier to change the markings at that point.

The next task was to come up with a good generic tropical MiG-21 camouflage pattern. I did a set of drawings based on many photos of mid-east and African MiGs from this time period and adjusted it until I got the result I wanted to achieve. A "Znamya Truda" tropical MiG-21 camouflage pattern........

Now that I had a clear idea of what nationality, camo pattern and version I intended to build , I proceeded with the construction of the model. The Trumpeter MiG-21MF is really quite simple to put together with no major sins. Even though the cockpit is fully detailed, I used some parts from the 'Eduard" MiG-21MF interior cockpit detailing set to add further detail. I decided along the way to use the pilot figure to animate the cockpit. I converted it and then did my best to paint it. The result was fairly good considering that the figure itself was not. Very little filler putty was needed and seams were for the most part quite tight. The wheel wells are sparse on detail and can always use some extra gadgets in there to busy it up. The "Eduard" MiG-21MF exterior parts photo-etch was used in select locations. I only use photo-etch parts that I think are worth the effort. I used mixes of Testors "Model Master" enamels for the main colors painted with a Paasche "H" model single action airbrush that I have used for 40 years. After applying the base colors (Tan/Green and underside Blue) I then lightened each by 25% and sprayed from the center of each panel outward to the panel lines leaving a hint of the darker shade at the edges.

I applied full MiG-21 stencils to the model with a 1/32nd scale decal sheet from the Russian "Begemot" company. Absolutely great piece of work. You can see from photos how extensive and detailed it is. they went on very well with the "Micro-scale setting solutions, and for the most part, the clear decal film disappeared over the glossy model surfaces. I would not hesitate to recommend this company's decals. The national markings I used were a mix from different sources. The Syrian 3 star roundels came from the "Hi-Decal" SU-7 sheet in 1/48th scale. To me, it looked closer to the correct size than some of the 1/32nd scale roundels that were provided on other sheets. Those other decals were all oversized and of the 2 star version. From the few
photos and video available that I used in my references, it appears that a smaller roundel was more appropriate. So That's the story.