Zvezda's 1/72 scale
MiG-31B "Foxhound"

by Yufei Mao

Zvezda's 1/72 scale MiG-31B "Foxhound" is available online from Squadron

Here is my 1/72 scale Zvezda MiG-31B "Foxhound".

This model was finished in August, 2008, and appeared in the November 2008 issue of the Japanese Aircraft Modeling Magazine "Scale Aviation".

The base kit is from Zvezda, which has many problems such as overly wide panel lines, crude details, the top line of closed canopies being off, and more. Even so, it is much better than the ICM/Condor/Eastern Express kit.

Part photo-etched parts, NeOmega resin K-36 ejection seat, Tally-Ho! resin R-60 missiles and Begemot decal were used to improve the detail of the basic kit.

The main correction/detailing works are as below:

• The cockpit was assembled with the addition of Part photo-etching parts and NeOmega resin seat. The etching parts do not match the plastic base very well so dry-fitting and adjusting is very important.

• Canopy parts were reshaped and was made to be openable in order to show the cockpit details while be able to enjoy the outline of the whole aircraft when canopies closed.

• The inatake parts, which Zvezda provides, are from the prototype so I scratch-built this area.

• The exhaust nozzles are also from the prototype. Thin plastic sheet was covered on the original part and sanded to take the shape. The inside area of the nozzles are also all scratch-built.

• APU-60-2 pylons are scratchbuilt, with excellent resin R-60 missles, to show an operational Foxhound.

• Landing gears are all detailed up, including using sliced masking tapes and wiring work.

• The tow-bar was all scratch-built by plastic/copper rod and copper wire.

• Figures are modified from Preiser NATO pilots/maintenance crew into modern Russian ones.

• Ladders and wheel chocks are photo-etching parts from Flightpath.

The Foxhound was painted in the scheme of 712 IAP, based at Kansk AB, Krasnoyarsk Region.

The "Fox Badge" on the nose was applied when it visted another squadron in 2002, and the "Eagle Badge" on the intake was the symbol of 712 IAP.

Some updated news here. If you want to build a 1/72 MiG-31, the new tooled ICM No.72151 kit is the best choice. From the sprues, it seems to be based on the Zvezda kit but with new canopies, nozzles, missiles etc.

Be careful though, as the OLD mold of ICM MiG-31 is also catalogued as 72151, and I don't know a good way to recognize them from box art (they share the same box art), so DO check the contents before you buy.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the staff of "Scale Aviation", especially Mr.Fujii, Art Box, and also the great photos taken by Mr.Uchiyama of Studio Entaniya.

I hope that you enjoy the work, and feel free to contact me!

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Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2009 by Yufei Mao
Page Created 24 March, 2009
Last Updated 24 March, 2009

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