1/72 MiG-29UB - The Jet Age.

[imalko]

Username: imalko
First name: Igor
Category: Category 2/Intermediate
Scale: 1:72
Manufacturer: M-Hobby
Model Type: MiG-29UB
Details: NL-18, serial number "18302", 127. lae, 204. lap, Batajnica, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia


Note on abbreviations:
NL-18 - an internal designation for MiG-29UB in Yugoslav and Serbian Air Force. It's short for "nastavni lovac" - in translation - fighter trainer.
lae - "lovačka avijacijska eskadrila" - fighter aviation squadron
lap - "lovački avijacijski puk" - fighter aviation wing

 

[imalko]

This will be my entry for the Jet Age group build. The label on the box says "M-Hobby", but it's actually a repacked model kit from "Condor"(Ukraine). Even by looking at the parts one will not be particularly impressed with this kit - lack of details, mix of raised and engraved panel lines and poor quality of plastic overall. I actually have a better quality Italeri kit of this aircraft in the stash. However, I opted for this one because I want to build a two seat trainer version of MiG-29 and this kit offer that possibility. It has parts for both single and two seat versions. It will take little more work, but I hope I can make it into a decent MiG-29 model.
Anyway, here are pictures of the kit…

 

[imalko]

Short History of MiG-29 Service in Yugoslavia and Serbia

Yugoslav story of MiG-29 starts in 1987 when full squadron of these then most modern fighters was purchased from Soviet Union. Upon delivery the aircraft (14 single-seaters and 2 two-seat trainers) were given internal designation L-18 and NL-18 respectively and awarded with new serial numbers 18101-18114 and 18301-18302. They were handed to the 127th Fighter Squadron (127. lae) of the 204th Fighter Wing (204. lap) at Batajnica Air Base and charged with the defense of capitol city of Belgrade. MiG-29s would spent most of their operational service within these units, up until both units disbandment in 2006.

In civil wars fallowing the break-up of Yugoslavia MiG-29s were only occasionally used, providing fighter cover for strike aircraft and conducting fire support and show of force missions. During NATO air strikes on Yugoslavia in 1999, all but five MiG-29s were lost, some on the ground and others in the air. Two pilots were killed in action. Due to the expiration of technical resources the remaining aircraft (four L-18s and one NL-18 ) were grounded for general overhaul. After this was completed in 2008, the aircraft received new paint scheme and new low visibility national roundels and re-entered operational service. Fallowing year one L-18 was lost in fatal crash. Remaining aircraft continue to serve in air policing duties with 101. lae at Batajnica.

The subject of this build is MiG-29UB or NL-18 as it was designated in Yugoslavia with serial number "18302". The aircraft was delivered with no markings and painted in standard Soviet scheme for this type. Full national and tactical markings were applied soon afterwards. National markings were changed in 1992. The plan is to build a model of this aircraft as it looked when it was destroyed on ground in NATO air raid in April 1999 (bottom picture in the attachment).

 

[Catch22]

Cool Igor!

 

[Wurger]

 

[Donivanp]

Nice one

 

[Wayne Little]

Nice Igor!

 

[rochie]

Great choice Igor, I did consider doing my 1/48 Fulcrum in Polish markings before settling for my Canberra !

 

[JKim]

Interesting... should be a quick build due to the small number of parts.

 

[fubar57]

Nice Igor. An oddly beautiful aircraft.

Geo

 

[T Bolt]

Cool looking aircraft Igor

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Nice Igor, always like the sweep lines on this machine, looks like it's got plenty of grunt (power).