1:48 MIG-21MF wheel bay plugs (for RFM)

Wheel bay plugs for the MiG-21MF, 1:48 scale

This is a masking aid, not a model. Wheel bays are among the hardest things to cover on a model. They are deep, irregular in shape and full of detail, so masking tape does not seat in them and cotton wool or paper shifts during spraying. Foam plugs solve that problem differently: they are flexible fillers that are simply pushed into the bay, take its shape and hold by themselves. They do not stick, so they leave no residue, and they can be used again on further models.

The real subject

The MiG-21MF was one of the most widespread versions of the Soviet single-engine supersonic fighter with a delta wing and a circular air intake with a movable center cone. The wheel bays on this type are shallow but complex, and because the machine is normally built with the landing gear down, they are clearly visible.

Use

• Push the plug into the bay so that it sits flush with the surrounding surface; standing proud it would leave an edge.
• Before spraying, check that the plug holds all the way around.
• Take the plugs out at the very end, after the other masks have been removed.
• After use, wash them and let them dry; they will last for several further models.
• Do not trim them to a sharp edge with a knife; a frayed edge will print itself onto the model.

Who it is for

The aid is for modelers who spray with an airbrush and do not want to clean the inside of the bays after painting. It is a small thing that saves work at the moment when the model is practically finished and every repair is risky.

It is not a model. The kit, paints and clear coat are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.