1:48 Early Arabic Mig-21 F-13 Fishbeds

Early Arabic MiG-21 F-13s, 1:48, Tiger Head Models

A decal sheet in 1:48 scale devoted to the early MiG-21s in the F-13 version with Arab users. It is supplementary markings for a kit, not a model of the airplane — you choose and obtain the plastic model separately.

The real subject

The MiG-21 F-13 is among the first production forms of the whole Fishbed family. It is easy to tell from the later versions: it has a slimmer spine with no bulky tank, a smaller vertical tail and simpler avionics. That is exactly why it looks cleaner on a model and tends to be popular with builders. In the sixties the type spread to a whole range of countries outside the Eastern bloc, and in the environment of the Middle East it wore camouflage and markings different from the European machines. For a modeler it is a rewarding combination — a simple shape and a striking color scheme.

Tips for applying the decals

Early Fishbeds were often in bare metal or in brightly light shades. On such a surface silvering under a decal is especially easy to see, so do not underestimate the gloss clear coat and let it cure properly — with glossy metallic surfaces give it a day rather than less. Cut the decals out close, as an excess of clear border shows on gloss. Apply decal softener in a thin layer, since metallic shades do not take a heavy flooding and could go flat. When you have finished, choose the sealing clear coat according to the kind of surface; on metal, semi-matte or satin rather than anything else.

Who the set is for

• Builders of Cold War jet fighters in 1:48 scale
• Those interested in Middle Eastern users of the MiG-21
• Modelers who want a scheme different from the one in the kit
• Collectors of decal sheets for early Fishbeds

The package contains decals only. The kit and paints are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.