Mini hobby models Mig-23

Mini hobby models, 1:144 mig-23 , it came with the Mig-27 nose shape!! I have added on to it and started filling to create a more 23 style nose. The canopy cracked too! Was just polishing it n cracked in X2. Had to make one best l could from bit of clear sheet, toaster n paint brush end 2hrs ?!! Nose extension bit of hot stretch spru... Tamiya plastic best  

The mini-hobby kits are cheap but very rough round the edges!! I enjoy problem solving n trying to improve what's there, but cracked canopy is not easy fix , l forgot how delicate they can be!! 

The mini hobby kits are usually made from old tools ...past best n sold cheap to china, they clean them up a little n sell them cheap $5 this was Revell tool originally.
I built 3 so far n come out ok in the end ( Album) 

 

The light blue/grey for under side, very small 1:144 ...there was only faint panel lines. 

Getting the nose alteration right has been difficult, lots of low spots from glue n filler, l use a thick artist paint to fill light areas... nearly there. 

Eventually got a painted nose shape without messy joint, wish I'd left it be now ?? 

Dark green next, for the No:22 Soviet mig-23.
I use office -Tak for masking, not easy on 1:144 

Messy underside, it's masked of for belly blue/grey  

Green in next, After l check for gaps n check it looks right, masking tape be easier, but l think it has an unnatural hard edge! 

Green sorted now, Dark grey on nose n Metallic for exhaust next.
A bit of diluted orange paint can add heat effect on exhaust tip..next upload  

 

 

Nail liner brush, about £1.30 of eBay, brilliant for small work like canopy n wheels n pilots.
5 to 6mm brush best for this hobby  

 

Getting the white on the missile's, she is going to armed well, l struggled for a while to find good white paint, with good strong white coverage, Eventually AK turned out to be a brilliant White paint, 2 coats n done,  

Decals next, the underside items are being worked on. 

Decals on now, not many on this one...only tiny 1/144 

Weapon's, dummy tank n wheels, notice the tine little flight stick on the end of the nose-gear...it goes up into the cockpit as the gear glue's in. 

 

Just antenna and a bit of touching-up to do now, probably add a bit of heat effect around exhaust. 

 

There is a bit of debris on the canopy, it's from scraping paint to glue in nose wheel, Gravity will cause it to drop eventually I'm sure. 

Job finished now, Little 1:144 Mig by Mini- hobby, not bad for £4:75 

 

 

Finished ltem now, l added a pilot n flight stick, l broke the canopy earlier in build by polishing too hard!! Had to make a canopy best l could.
But generally been good for cheap price.