The panel lines are a bit overdone, but
not nearly to the level of IXO and FOV.
not nearly to the level of IXO and FOV.
Hobby Master is one of the new kids on the diecast block, and it knows how to make an entrance: By debuting with models no one else is doing!
The MiG-21 Fishbed is the company's third mold after the SBDs and Stukas it came out with earlier this year. And, like with the SBD, HM is the
only company that makes this model in 1:72. (Though IXO's SBD has recently debuted.) IXO has a similar strategy but not nearly the same quality
of HM models so far, in my opinion.
This Fishbed is the second one HM has released (the first has a Polish scheme), and I dig the camo paint scheme and Flying Tigers-esque
noseart. It looks good and includes lots of cool extras, such as: open/closed canopies, up/down gear, external fuel tanks and/or extra missiles. The
detail is very nice overall, and it's great to be able to put this model next to one of Witty or Gaincorp's Su-27s and marvel at the size difference--this
is one small, sleek aircraft that has a truly menacing look to it (with or without the teeth on the nose!).
I do still feel that HM is going overboard when it comes to the panel lines, and the model has a light black wash effect to make it look "used" that
also serves to enhance the lines. That said, I do like the overall visual effect of the wash: This bird does not look like it's coming fresh off the factory
floor. And the panel lines are not nearly as overdone as those you might find on IXO and FOV models. The cockpit has good detail, though it's
tough to tell with the pilot in place. I do wish the pilot figure was optional, it looks okay but may be a bit too large. It just looks a bit out of scale to
me, but could be 100% accurate.
Also, HM does appear to be following in Dragon's footsteps when it comes to "fiddly bits". This bird will take 15 minutes or much longer to put
together, depending on how steady your hands are, and how willing you are to use glue. The gear down option includes two struts that are
impossible to attach without glue, and I've chosen to leave them off for this reason. I have to cycle my displayed models and thus like to be able to
break them down quickly. The struts aren't needed to hold the gear in place, but this might bother some people. Plus, the general fit of the small
bits could be better, and the gear doors (opened and closed) for the nosewheel are tricky to attach as well. Personally, I don't mind fiddling with my
models, but I do not like it when glue is a requirement for a given option.
Finally, those that value a high metal content in their models may not be pleased with this bird -- it does appear to have a heavy plastic content
in the main fuselage, stabilizer, and elevators. And, of course, all the accessories are plastic as well. The model is definitely lighter than I expected,
given the heft of the SBDs, but perhaps that's a good thing: The display stand is quite flimsy!
It's not perfect, but it is the only MiG-21 game in town. However, that's not the only reason you should consider adding it to your hangar -- it's a
solid effort by HM, too!
The MiG-21 Fishbed is the company's third mold after the SBDs and Stukas it came out with earlier this year. And, like with the SBD, HM is the
only company that makes this model in 1:72. (Though IXO's SBD has recently debuted.) IXO has a similar strategy but not nearly the same quality
of HM models so far, in my opinion.
This Fishbed is the second one HM has released (the first has a Polish scheme), and I dig the camo paint scheme and Flying Tigers-esque
noseart. It looks good and includes lots of cool extras, such as: open/closed canopies, up/down gear, external fuel tanks and/or extra missiles. The
detail is very nice overall, and it's great to be able to put this model next to one of Witty or Gaincorp's Su-27s and marvel at the size difference--this
is one small, sleek aircraft that has a truly menacing look to it (with or without the teeth on the nose!).
I do still feel that HM is going overboard when it comes to the panel lines, and the model has a light black wash effect to make it look "used" that
also serves to enhance the lines. That said, I do like the overall visual effect of the wash: This bird does not look like it's coming fresh off the factory
floor. And the panel lines are not nearly as overdone as those you might find on IXO and FOV models. The cockpit has good detail, though it's
tough to tell with the pilot in place. I do wish the pilot figure was optional, it looks okay but may be a bit too large. It just looks a bit out of scale to
me, but could be 100% accurate.
Also, HM does appear to be following in Dragon's footsteps when it comes to "fiddly bits". This bird will take 15 minutes or much longer to put
together, depending on how steady your hands are, and how willing you are to use glue. The gear down option includes two struts that are
impossible to attach without glue, and I've chosen to leave them off for this reason. I have to cycle my displayed models and thus like to be able to
break them down quickly. The struts aren't needed to hold the gear in place, but this might bother some people. Plus, the general fit of the small
bits could be better, and the gear doors (opened and closed) for the nosewheel are tricky to attach as well. Personally, I don't mind fiddling with my
models, but I do not like it when glue is a requirement for a given option.
Finally, those that value a high metal content in their models may not be pleased with this bird -- it does appear to have a heavy plastic content
in the main fuselage, stabilizer, and elevators. And, of course, all the accessories are plastic as well. The model is definitely lighter than I expected,
given the heft of the SBDs, but perhaps that's a good thing: The display stand is quite flimsy!
It's not perfect, but it is the only MiG-21 game in town. However, that's not the only reason you should consider adding it to your hangar -- it's a
solid effort by HM, too!
The gear struts really require glue to fit
in place. HM should have molded these
as one part.
in place. HM should have molded these
as one part.
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| Score: 3.5 (out of 5) Collectibility: Medium Price: $25 Production Run: Unlimited Catalog Number: HA0104 |
Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series
MiG-21 MF "Fishbed", JG-1, Dec. 1990 Released: Oct, 2006
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