Mikoyan MiG 21 Matchbox 2022 Group build , Retro-modelling
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/5/4/8/1329548-15588-39-720.jpg)
Parts , decals, and the box-art.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/5/4/9/1329549-15588-72-720.jpg)
Amazing two colour plastic parts. Usual Matchbox quality , i.e. no flash , crispy molded parts and a mix of recessed and raised panel lines. In this case I this kit doesn't come with the usual "trenches" , a trade mark of Matchbox .. 😉
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/5/4/7/1329547-15588-94-720.jpg)
One wing was badly scratched on both sides ... time for sanding ...
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/5/5/0/1329550-15588-16-720.jpg)
An appropriate vintage box to hold the parts during the build.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/5/5/1/1329551-15588-40-720.jpg)
Retro-information .... that were the most important books about soviet aircraft that I had in the early-mid 80s ,,, and I still like to browse them from time to time
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/5/5/3/1329553-15588-99-720.jpg)
And that too
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/5/5/2/1329552-15588-88-720.jpg)
These too. I really like the Blandford colour series ..... Well ... the Sq Signal is a bit more recent ,,,,, but also rather vintage.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/5/5/4/1329554-15588-12-720.jpg)
And that from Areo... pure nostalgia
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/5/5/5/1329555-15588-30-720.jpg)
Let's start by gluing the fuselage together.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/5/5/6/1329556-15588-33-720.jpg)
As I was afraid the model to be a heavy tail-sitter ... so I put an awful lot of weight and super-glue in the nose ,,,,, but ,,,,
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/5/5/7/1329557-15588-91-720.jpg)
I messed it all .... plastic somehow has melted. It's been because of the super-glue accelerator.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/5/5/8/1329558-15588-58-720.jpg)
So I must wait for some days for the super-glue to fully cure, and afterwatds try to mend it with putty ... which is a stuff that I didn't want to use ,,,, Arggggg. If this doesn't work I'll have to buy another kit from evil-bay.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/9/0/2/1353902-15588-80-720.jpg)
Some putty
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/9/0/1/1353901-15588-20-720.jpg)
And some filing
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/9/0/3/1353903-15588-99-720.jpg)
Well ,,, in the end it worked quite well ... so I keep on with the project. No need to buy another kit.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/9/0/4/1353904-15588-61-720.jpg)
Not perfect , but that's enough for me , and also for the philosophy of the project
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Primed
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Looks fair enough to me
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/9/0/7/1353907-15588-19-720.jpg)
Making my mind up to what decoration will suit the bird. With your aid ,mates , I'll go for the Indian tiger-striped C992.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/9/0/8/1353908-15588-36-720.jpg)
Center-line gun pod has been borrowed from an RV kit .... It leaves a gap, as the RV kit has the correct ventral bulge that the Matchbox kit hasn't. With the help of PVA glue and some paint the gap has been filled.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/9/0/9/1353909-15588-71-720.jpg)
The kit comes without missiles , but my spares-box has quite a lot ....
😉
Looking at the colour of the plastic I'm pretty sure these missiles came from another Matchbox kit. As you can see , I'm not a good figure painter ... let's see how it turns out when finished.
😉
Looking at the colour of the plastic I'm pretty sure these missiles came from another Matchbox kit. As you can see , I'm not a good figure painter ... let's see how it turns out when finished.
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/0/6/0/1362060-15588-52-720.jpg)
Now a brush coat of silver paint. As far as I have seen and read, this was some kind of silver coat to preserve the air-frame from the harsh Indian weather.
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/0/6/2/1362062-15588-86-720.jpg)
I've read that this coat faded to a slight very pale greenish tinge. So the mix is about 10 Tamiya X11 + 0,5 XF76 ,,,, I found it too flat ,so added som gloss varnish. Also I tryed Gunze H8 with just a hint of XF76 for some parts of the aircraft that will look more "silvery", In the end Gunze silver looks much brighter that Tamiya Silver.
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/0/6/1/1362061-15588-59-720.jpg)
Now time for decalling ,,, rather easy on this bird. Serial number C992 was made from Letrasett 365 Univers 10pt on clear decal.
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/0/6/3/1362063-15588-37-720.jpg)
And let's start with the camo. First coat of olive green brushed on. Step by step.
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/0/6/4/1362064-15588-70-720.jpg)
As far as I've read ,, green colour was brushed on at a very random pattern ... so I 'm taking some license on this. Colour is RLM70 from Gunze H65. First coat completed.
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/1/1/4/1366114-15588-43-720.jpg)
Second coat of RLM70 brushed on.
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/1/1/5/1366115-15588-24-720.jpg)
Just a few retouches have to be done and it will be ready for a coat of satin varnish from a Vallejo rattle can.
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/3/6/4/1364364-15588-31-720.jpg)
I'm thinking abt repainting the flaps and elevons. Look too green to me.
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/3/3/4/1368334-15588-64-720.jpg)
First coat of Vallejo acrylic satin varnish 28.532 rattle can.
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/3/3/3/1368333-15588-59-720.jpg)
I think that one coat will be enough ,,,, may be a light mist of mat varnish will help..... Let's wait 24 h and see how it turns out. I've also added two missile pilons from the spare parts box.
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/6/0/4/1371604-15588-22-720.jpg)
Calling it done. Finished in the last minute.
Yes ..... I know that the pitot tube is not in the right place ... I've put it per Matchbox instructions .... May be I'll change that ... what do you think ?
Yes ..... I know that the pitot tube is not in the right place ... I've put it per Matchbox instructions .... May be I'll change that ... what do you think ?
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/7/6/5/1371765-15588-18-720.jpg)
I've taken your advice and put the pitot tube in the right place ,,, I wonder if the Matchbox Mig-21 bis/MF has the same mistake ... I'll check it.
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/7/8/9/1371789-15588-63-720.jpg)
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/7/9/0/1371790-15588-73-720.jpg)
To me it still counts as a 2022 build .... 😉
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/7/9/3/1371793-15588-38-720.jpg)
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/7/9/4/1371794-15588-27-720.jpg)
Kommentit
37 25 October 2022, 17:49
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Love it. I have both versions of the Matchbox Mig21 in the stash, this and the MF. Missing canopies on both. 😞
25 October 2022, 17:56
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Me too ,,, I also have the MF/bis ,,, the kit with finish decoration in the box. Let's hope I can manage to solve the nose issue.
25 October 2022, 18:01
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I built this Matchbox Mig-21 just after getting back into the hobby 4 years ago, also brush painted like in the 80s. I had also had previously a bad experience with glue melting the plastic and since then I use modeling clay for the nose weight
25 October 2022, 18:04
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Thanks Alberto ,,, usually I don't put so much weight ,,,, The clay sometimes pours thru the joints ,,, Anyway ... thanks ,,, As far as I can I'll try to keep those old books ... just for nostalgia
25 October 2022, 18:10
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Roy ,,, I build those kits long long time ago ... I'll check if I still have the canopies in my spare-parts box.
25 October 2022, 18:19
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Roy ,,, I'm affarid I don't have those canopies ... and is rather strange as I have canopies from older models .... In case you want, I have a set of Pavla canopies that includes 7 versions of Fishbeds. You can send me a private message
26 October 2022, 11:47
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Julian. Are you sure it was the super glue ? I`ve had some issues with old plastics when using tamiya cement or any other . Old plastics have strange reactions with new glues.
9 November 2022, 17:53
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Good to see another of your nostalgic projects 👍
This is actually a combo of PF (canopy) & PFM (tail) versions.
Unfortunately CA glues react with lead, either in short or long term, in particular when there is no air access.
9 November 2022, 20:20
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For nose weight I've been using car/moto wheel balance weights designed for alloy wheels. They come with a self adhesive and just stick on like sellotape. If you can still get lead ones they are easy to cut into smaller bits.
9 November 2022, 21:10
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Jorge Ferreira ,,, yes ,,, it's super-glue + activator ... I'm affraid the problem is the activator ... it seems that it heats the glue.
10 November 2022, 09:38
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Thanks for the tip , Łukasz ... I never had problems with super-glue ... but may be it's because of the activator and the lack of air. BTW ,,,, the weights are not made of lead but of steel from a broken sellotape dispenser.. Any way thanks for the tip.
10 November 2022, 09:40
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Roy McKay , thanks for the tip .... that's a good idea .... I should have thouhgt about that because I'm using that on my slot cars ... Thanks to all for your help.
10 November 2022, 09:42
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Łukasz Gliński ...
I know that's a mix of versions but being faithful to the retro philosophy ... at that time I din't know (as most of the average western modellers ) about Mig-21 sub-versions.
😉
Thanks anyway
10 November 2022, 09:53
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You're welcome, didn't know it's steel - must be the activator then 👍
10 November 2022, 10:27
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Łukasz Gliński ,.,,, as I guess you're a Mig-21 fan ...... there's a question for you , or any one else that can help me ... I'm planning to paint it as the Indian tiger striped C 992
[img1]
,,,, The issue is about the base colour ,,, My guess is a slightly greenish silver coat ,,, what do you think ?
30 November 2022, 18:34
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Well, there were almost 600 of then in use here, so it's hard to be lame 😉
Not an expert on Indian Fishbeds, but perhaps it's NMF actually:
planespotters.net/ph..an-gurevich-mig-21fl
[img1].html
The second link states it was black striped on a NMF:
30 November 2022, 20:15
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Thanks a lot Łukasz , that's wat I thought a faded silver varnish ,,,, I'll try some mixes ... now I have to find the gun,
1 December 2022, 10:06
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No probs at all. Looks like KP released (or is to release?) lately this camo option too:
kovozavody.cz/produkt/mig-21fl/
I start to think Matchbox is actually some sort of the FL variant indeed
1 December 2022, 11:54
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Łukasz Gliński ,,, I agree .... U must check how "true" the bis kit .is
3 December 2022, 12:40
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This is a MiG-21PFM. If you put Indian national emblems on it, it becomes a MiG-21FL.
Interesting project, enjoy watching. 👍🙂
3 December 2022, 20:28
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Thanks for the info Bernhard ,,, I can see you're a Mig-21 fan too
3 December 2022, 20:35
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Die frühe PFM (Erzeugnis 77) hatte diese Cockpithaube. Die spätere PFM (Erzeugnis 94) bekam dann die seitlich klappbare Haube. 🤗
4 December 2022, 11:08
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A far as I know early PF had narrow chord tail ... I thought that there were no broad chord tail PFMs with with one-piece canopy ,,, but , looking at the Belyakov book ... which should know quite a bit about Migs ,,,,
😉
I've just seen a couple of pictures of PFMs with broad chord tail and one-piece canopy. So the Matchbox kit represents an early PFM ... in my case an FL.
Thanks Bernhard
4 December 2022, 16:16
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M might stand for some additional stuff in the hump
Point for you Bernhard! I'm not expert enough to question that 😁👍
4 December 2022, 16:32
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Just wondering Bernhard, wasn't Izd.77 the FL version actually?
en.wikipedia.org/wik..o_(1961%E2%80%931966)
It's wiki, so I'm not keen to believe it completely 🙂
7 December 2022, 11:56
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Hello Lukasz, I have to correct myself. The Matchbox model is not a PFM, it is a PFS, or it could be an FL. The issue with the MiG-21 variants is not easy. The PFM only started with the other cabin when the new KM-1 ejection seat was installed. 🙂
8 December 2022, 10:17
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You're right Bernhard ... Mig-21 sub-variants are very very difficult to trace, Thanks anyway.
9 December 2022, 19:08
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Oh wow, the PFS specs are complete mess when I read it, thx 👍
Go for the C992, it's a really cool camo 👍
9 December 2022, 19:41
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Łukasz & Bernhard, I've checked the wikipedia link at it seems accurate to me ... Checking against the 4+ book , Wikipedia looks to be true… When I have the time I'll scan the 4+ book page that refers to PF, PFS & PFM which gives a good explanation of that sub-version.
So far I've brushed a couple of coats of a mix of Tamiya X11 and just a bit of XF76 but it looks too flat to me ,,, I'll add some gloss varnish and give it a try .
14 December 2022, 19:42
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It's looking stunning. Maybe the camouflage.... even as a 12 year old I didn't think this was one of their best efforts but you've made it look like a "real and serious" type kit.
17 December 2022, 23:16
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Really nice model with interesting camouflage.
The Indian MiG variant is neither PF nor PFM. The correct designation of the Indian MiG is MiG-21FL. The MiG-21FL version has its origins in the MiG-21PF, which was modified to meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Differences from MiG-21PF (Fishbed D):
- Installation of the weaker 5,740 hp R-11F-300 engine in the removable rear fuselage instead of the 6,120 hp R-11F2-300 engine.
- installation of a modified vertical tailplane (SOP) with greater depth and area (5.20 m2 versus 3.80 m2) and a straight leading edge (no "leading wing") with a 61°27' arrow angle
- installation of a 19 m2 type PT-5285-62 braking parachute instead of a 16 m2 type PT-5759-58 braking parachute - its housing is also located inside a cigar-shaped cover cut into the root of the SOP trailing edge, directly below the rudder, while the MiG-21PF PT-5759-58 parachute housing is located inside the fuselage ventral shaft, located on the left side of the aft wing stabilization platform
- installation of a simplified export version of the RP-21/CD-30TP (Spin Scan) radar in the form of the R2L type, which has a shorter range and fewer modes of operation, inside the control cone of the forward circular air inlet
- a reduced range of underslung armament, which includes the RS-2US (AA-1 Alkali) short-range cruise missile and the S-24 240 mm anti-ship cruise missile.
- The absence of a data link between the Lazur navigation system and the SOD-57 (Cross Up) transponder.
- installation of the RSIU-5G radio station instead of the RSIU-5 radio station
- installation of a different type of "own-foreign" identification system.
- installation of a simplified ARK-10 type radio compass without a range module to the ground radio beacon.
- Installation of a more modern KSI-2 type compass (instead of the KSI type).
- expansion of the range of the suspension armament by adding a conformal GP-9 type suspension container with one 23mm GS-23 type double-barrelled gun with 200 rounds (located under the central part of the hull, in place of the PTB hinge) - this necessitated the replacement of the simple PKI-1 type collimator with an optical gunner's sight (this weapon was introduced into the weapon system of this model only later)
- installation of another, second pair of weapon hangers under the outer wing panels (a modification that was later introduced into the design of some production machines)
Read more here: ruslet.webnode.cz/te..mig-21fl-fishbed-f-/
18 December 2022, 00:28
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Thanks a lot Ludvik ,,,,,this is a really comprhensive site for soviet aircraft fans.
18 December 2022, 06:46
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So we finally have found the Fishbed expert, haven't we? 😋👍
That's a really cool camo 👍
18 December 2022, 10:09
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Hi Lukasz ,,, That what it seems ,,, what a pitty that this web is no in english ... it has a huge mass of information
Thanks again Ludvik
18 December 2022, 12:13
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Julian, if it's in my power, I'm happy to help.
I don't consider myself an expert on MiGs. I focus on aircraft models of the Czechoslovak and now Czech Air Force from its beginnings to the present. Because the former Czechoslovakia was under the influence of the Soviet Union for a long time, the Czechoslovak army and air force used Soviet equipment. As far as the Migs are concerned, the Czechoslovak Air Force was successively armed with Mig-15, Mig-17, Mig-19, Mig-21, Mig-23 and Mig-29 aircraft, of which the Mig-15 and MiG-21 in the F-13 version were even produced in Czechoslovakia. Advanced versions of the MiG-21, as well as the MiG-23 and MiG-29, were already being purchased in the Soviet Union.
Therefore, my interest in MiG aircraft is limited to the operation of these machines in the Czechoslovak Air Force. However, in my search for information about these machines, I naturally also come across information outside my interest.
Unfortunately, the RUSLET website is really only in Czech. But I think one of the automatic translators might help. The automatic translations are not always 100%, but they are usually enough to understand the text. Moreover, automatic translators are constantly improving. For example, the Google translator has advanced a lot recently.
18 December 2022, 16:42
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You're right ,,,, better this than nothing… Thanks to you and Lukasz this project
is about to be finished… Thanks mates
26 December 2022, 21:14
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Die umfassende Erklärung von Ludvik hätte es nicht gebraucht, es war doch klar, das es eine MiG-21FL ist, was Julian hier baut.
Hier kann man jetzt eine perfekte sowjetische PFS sehen. Mit den indischen Kennzeichen würde es eine FL sein. 😉🙂MiG-21 PFS "121" | Album by neo (1:72)
27 December 2022, 21:32
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Last minute build of the year 2022
Before you blame me for that ... I know thte pitot tube is in the wrong place ,,, but I build it per kit's intructions . I'll think abt changing its position ... what do you think ????
31 December 2022, 19:00
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... unbedingt! 😉
Warum macht Matchbox so falsche Bauanleitungen?
31 December 2022, 19:28
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Well , I guess in 1974 there was not much information in the west… Anyway ,,,, it happened and still happens the same with many other kit manufacturers
31 December 2022, 21:31
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They seem to have copied it from the first Fishbed generation, they used to have it there:
[img1]
31 December 2022, 21:33
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I know,,,, thanks anyway Lukasz….I have allways been a Fishbed fan ,,,, and with this project I've learned an awful lot about this brid sub-variants,,,,
Thanks mates !!
31 December 2022, 22:17
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Yuri, I had the Egyptian boxing and well it was a bit more correct indeed.
Stiil, it was Matchbox, don't expect too much 😉
[img1]
1 January 2023, 09:59
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Tks Lukasz ....
well ... Matchbox -> cheap , usually good fit , and easy build ,,,,, that's what I liked wen I was a teenager ,,, Let's go for another Matchbox for the group build .... Mig-21 , Strikemaster , two-seat Viggen or Starfighter ,,,,, I have to made my mind up ....
I also have a Do-18 ,,, but with this one I wan to detail the model as much as i can ... not a retro-build.
1 January 2023, 10:42
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für Bernhard Pethe
Meine ausführliche Erklärung war wirklich nicht nötig. Aber vielleicht hat es jemandem geholfen, die Unterschiede zwischen den MiG-21-Versionen zu erkennen. Ich wollte niemanden damit belästigen. Falls jemand das so verstanden hat, bitte ich um Entschuldigung.
1 January 2023, 11:09
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Ludvík Kružík ... for me ... your explanation was very useful ,,, I don't think any one has been ofended ... thanks a lot for your help ,,, I've also serached abt the PFM , PF and PFS and it's rather easy to be mistaken ,... thanks again Ludvík
1 January 2023, 11:53
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You're welcome 🙂
I wish you a successful 2023 and a lot of joy in building more models!
1 January 2023, 12:44
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I whish all the best for the 2023 and lots of built models ,,,, 2022 the score has been 5 models and one that I did not finish ... let's hope this year I'll build some more .....
1 January 2023, 16:29
Album info
Another retro-modelling project. No putty , no additional detail added , no modifications and no airbrush ... I'll build it with the techniques I knew in the very late 70s or early 80s. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Group Build
![Matchbox 50th anniversary group build in](/events/img/11950-12448-82-p.jpg)
Matchbox 50th anniversary group build
1. huhtikuu 2022 siihen asti kun 31. joulukuu 2023
1. huhtikuu 2022 siihen asti kun 31. joulukuu 2023