MiG-21MF Cockpit

Black Box

Reviewed by Brett Green

Black Box has released a detailed replacement cockpit for Academy's 1/48 scale MiG-21MF kit.

This new set comprises just 13 pieces in pale yellow resin, but the relatively small parts count does not compromise detail.

The main part is the cockpit tub. This includes the pilot's side consoles. The rear bulkhead is cast as part of the tub. The tub is packed with structural and plumbing detail.

The seat is also very impressive. The quilted backrest, snaking harness, armrests and other details are all painstakingly recreated on the main seat section. Extreme care will be required when removing the chunky casting block if damage to the delicately detailed seat is to be avoided.

Click the thumbnails below
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Leg rests and ejection handles are supplied as separate parts. The brave modeller might even want to clean out the wafer-thin flash in the delicate leg rest parts.

Remaining parts include a new control column, sidewalls, instrument panel and coaming. The gunsight is cast as part of the coaming, as are the upper instruments.

Instructions are presented in typical Black Box style - minimal text, a few exploded view diagrams and some help with the interior colours.

Academy's 1/48 scale MiG 21MF is really quite a nice kit, but I have not seen too many built in the years since it was released. The new Black Box cockpit might be a good enough excuse to take another look at the contents of Academy's kit box.

There is little doubt that the beautifully detailed Black Box seat and cockpit tub will look great in turquoise blue, grey and black underneath an open kit canopy.

Recommended.

Thanks to Mike Reeves from Jetset Models for the review sample.

Black Box products are available online from Jetset Models.
Click here to visit Jetset Models website

Review Copyright © 2002 by Brett Green
Page Created 21 June, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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