After studying the large amount of info Wojtek kindly sent me, and the drawings and pics posted here, I have now been able to make a start on the model. I still think it's brilliant that a former member of a NATO army has been assisted by a member of what was a 'WARPAC' air force to build a model of what, back in the '70's, I would have been hiding from!!
The specific type has now been identified, and the model will be finished as an improved MiG 21 PF, known as the type 77 PFM, the earliest version of the PFM series, retaining some of the basic features of the earlier MiG 21 series.
Anyway, as per the kit's instructions, the cockpit is the first step, and although Academy provide the basics, which are very reasonable, a lot needs doing to make this area look more authentic.
The side consoles on the real aircraft carry the usual throttle, or power lever quadrant and other systems switches etc on the port side, and the starboard side has the electrical and radio panels. However, the cockpit walls also carry a fairly large number of switches etc, for use by the ground crew, which are not included on the kits' fuselage parts.
These have been added, along with the cockpit sill frames and other formers, using plastic card, rod and strip.
PIC 1 and 2 Show the additions, based on photographs, and they have yet to be cleaned-up and filed to final shape in these pics.
The cockpit tub has raised details on the side consoles, which are more or less accurate, apart from a few mouldings, and I decided to live with this, contenting myself with adding the quadrant, grip and arm for power lever, made from plastic card and rod (jets don't have a 'throttle' - it's known as a power lever).
PIC 3 shows the kit part and addition, and the moulded detail will be painted and highlighted to represent the correct layout.
PIC 4 shows the instrument panel as supplied. It's not totally accurate for the '77' PFM, but short of building a complete new panel, a lot of which will not be seen, again I decided to compromise, and make some changes with paint, and by adding some missing items.
PIC 5 shows the additions and changes. The Sapir radar screen has been filed to a more rounded shape, with an almost triangular apex, and made uneven to simulate the rubber shroud. The pieces of white plastic either side are switch panels, and are yet to be sanded and have some detail added, whilst at bottom left is a supplementary instrument panel, angled inwards, which also awaits clean-up.
PIC 6. This is the kit part for the coaming over the instrument panel, to which the armoured internal windshield attaches, loosely placed in position. On the real aircraft, this is open at the edges, and has a recces on top, where the gun sight is located, a part not included in the kit. There should also be small transparent screens either side, attached to the edges of the armoured windshield. (The marks inside the cockpit are pencil lines to aid in the addition of the detail parts described above.)
PIC 7. The coaming has been cut at an angle on each side, and the recess cut out. The final alterations and additions will be done when the cockpit is assembled and the halves of the nose fuselage section joined.
That's it so far, and the next step is to scratch-build some detail and harness onto the basic representation of the SK1 ejection seat.
Thanks for your interest, and thanks very much once again to Commander Wojtek Bondski !!