MiG-17 PF 'Radar Fresco' - Airfix / MisterCraft kitbash
![](/albums/img/9/3/4/869934-57594-47-p.jpg "The main differences are around the nose: The MiG-17F (on the left) has a plain intake, while the MiG-17PF has a radar dome in the center, plus a protruding "lip" above the intake. To accommodate the new radar, the 37mm cannon on F-version was replaced with a 23 mm cannon for the PF. There are some differences in the cockpit as well, and the windscreen has a different design. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/6/2/2/866622-57594-29-p.jpg "Windscreen masked off with the Peewit masks and some foam, and then the model carefully primed with UMP Black (the old Badger Stynylrez primer, relabeled as "Ultimate Primer"). Now let's investigate the surfaces for tiny flaws and blemishes before the metalizer goes on. | View full picture")
![](/albums/img/3/0/7/874307-57594-63-p.jpg "Decals being applied. It's really just eight stars and the side numbers at the front. Next: the resin ejection seat and the resin undercarriage. A bunch of detail painting remains too, like the red latches on the "hood", trim plates on the wings and stuff. I am still waiting for the replacement vac-formed canopy, but I am slowly getting there! | View full picture")
Comments
67 2 October 2020, 15:45
Thomas KolbŁukasz, yes, I thought I would try to finish both Frescos at the same time. The part modifications are a bit tricky, but the rest is quite a quick and relaxed build.
4 October 2020, 16:55
Urban GardiniInteresting to follow this one mate! Just remember to wash your hands and tools after you've been handling the MisterCrap...
6 October 2020, 11:34
Thomas KolbUrban, ha ha, yes, in the past I said, never a MisterCraft kit ever again, and yet, here I am at it again.... but to be fair, I will use like 3% of the kit.
HammerMax, yes, thank you, so far so good.
6 October 2020, 14:47
Łukasz GlińskiFrescostein is getting its shape very well. I think I have to print me such a professional putty sticker too😉
11 October 2020, 18:37
Gordon SørensenGreat result with the Rhinoplasty, Thomas! Looking forward to seeing the end result.
11 October 2020, 20:27
Thomas KolbDuring the last couple of evenings I have been struggling with the join line between the MisterCraft nose and the Airfix fuselage. It is more complicated than I first thought, because the MisterCraft kit is apparently slightly oversized. I think I managed, but of course now I need to rescribe the panel lines around the nose. I need to go slowly, because the MisterCraft plastic is so brittle that it crumbles like cookie dough.
19 October 2020, 19:55
Maxim MalparteFeel your pain. Just like Sword kits. I've never been able to obtain a clean scribe mark on them, always crumble. I managed to finish the frontal fuselage of a T-harrier though, and waiting for the repro of the 2nd Gen from airfix to perform a bash.
24 October 2020, 02:43
Dave FlittonThe aircraft looks good with the primer on! Maybe it can be a stealth....no that would never work. Night Intruder?
26 October 2020, 19:25
Thomas Kolb@Bernd, well, not really, I was just curious if it could be done. I suppose Airfix will release the PF version as soon as I am finished with this one! @Dave, hm, black or not, a MiG-17 would probably light up like a Christmas tree on the radar... 🙂
26 October 2020, 20:12
Thomas KolbHm, the Airfix canopy does not look good on the model, it just simply does not match the MisterCraft windshield in shape and appearance. Alas, I think I will need to replace it with the MisterCraft canopy.
5 November 2020, 16:30
Maxim MalparteClear parts are always problematic, but it sure will be fine, no need to hurry, slow and steady wins the race!
5 November 2020, 17:48
Łukasz GlińskiThomas, are you sure? Mistercrap set is modified KP set actually and this one is known for a too tall canopy.
5 November 2020, 21:13
Thomas KolbŁukasz, that is what looks wrong... the MisterCraft windshield is too tall for the Airfix canopy. They just don't match at all. And I cannot use the Airfix windshield, because it does not represent the PF version... man, right now, I really hate that MonsterCraft junk.
6 November 2020, 05:52
Łukasz GlińskiI have seen a solution proposal somewhere - sand down the framing on the MonsterCrap canopy, sand its undersides to get the correct height and apply correct masks.
6 November 2020, 09:30
Łukasz GlińskiI wasn't aware of different canopy on PF version, need to check it out one day.
6 November 2020, 09:31
Thomas KolbThe PF has a different framing on the windscreen with an extra glass pane just above the rounded armor glass in the front (check the photos). Actually I just placed an order for the Pavla vac-formed canopy. It is for the AZ Model kit, but I am hoping that it can be reshaped it to fit to the Airfix airframe. The MisterCraft canopy looks just awful.
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6 November 2020, 16:18
Łukasz GlińskiGot it, my references confirm that. It seems to be a longer version indeed 👍
6 November 2020, 17:36
CuajeteWow... I hadn't seen this job until now...
An amazing job so far, Thomas. I think my expectations to build a Mig-17PF from the Airfix kit have faded considerably 😄
Following!
6 November 2020, 19:29
Thomas KolbCuajete, thank you! Yes, the MisterCraft kit is horrible even in small doses... But it is pretty obvious that Airfix has prepared for the possibility to produce the PF without a huge effort: all the subtype specific parts are nicely separated on the sprues. So I don't find it impossible that they will make one at some time.
7 November 2020, 11:04
CuajeteThanks, Thomas. I hope to Airfix release a PF version 🙂 👍
In the meantime, I hope they see your amazing job and they fall in shame for not doing it sooner 😄
7 November 2020, 19:42
Thomas KolbThanks to you all... I've been slowing down significantly with my builds lately for daytime job reasons, but I am trying to pick up some speed again to finish my ongoing projects. Pretty much everything is done except for the replacement vac-formed canopy (currently in transit from Hannants in England).
19 November 2020, 06:19
Pierre Pierresuper nice finish I will try my best to follow your step on my viet version. nicely done
14 November 2021, 11:58
Thomas KolbThis project was halted for a full year as the model had a cat-related accident and I couldn't bring myself to fix it and push it over the finishing line. But let's do it!
14 November 2021, 12:10
Thomas KolbRestoration complete - some parts needed to be resprayed and the old canopy was reinstalled, but finally I can call it done!
29 November 2021, 12:02
Łukasz GlińskiGreat finish 👍 What is the other MiG patry visible in the background?
29 November 2021, 12:15
Thomas KolbŁukasz, that is an Airfix MiG-17F, slightly cannibalized so I could finish the PF.
29 November 2021, 12:48
Bernhard PetheI love the MiG-17. You built it very nicely. 👍 The photos support the good overall impression.
29 November 2021, 13:05
Robert PodkońskiFantastic work and beautiful outcome. (How have I missed that?...)
29 November 2021, 18:57
CuajeteAwesome job and great result, Thomas. Good solution with the canopy 👍
Congrats!
29 November 2021, 20:34
Thomas KolbThank you mates! This project was truly a labor of love and an exercise in determination. Not sure I will do yet another Frankenstein project in a hurry, it was just too exhausting. I think I will stick to more straightforward kits for a while.
29 November 2021, 20:47
Pierre Pierrevery neat and nice result ! and the Frankenstein labor was really worth it. The best Mig-17 PF 1/72 I ever seen yet ! It definitively encouraged me to go back on my Mig-17 i am struggling with.
30 November 2021, 10:40
Thomas KolbPierre & Urban, correct, it is the old Badger stuff, an acrylic polyurethane primer. A bit thick so it needs a lot of air, but it levels out absolutely beautifully by itself.
30 November 2021, 10:59
Jan PetersSuperb conversion work, love the sbs photos.
Of course, after all the work and effort you invested, airfix will soon announce a new tool PF version, isn't that always the case? 🙂
30 November 2021, 11:40
Urban GardiniStynylrez is the best non-laquer primer but the best primer in my mind is Mr Surfacer 1500 but then you'll need a safe work place so you can evacuate the unhealthy fumes.
30 November 2021, 11:53
Thomas KolbJan, I wouldn't mind that at all, the radome of the MisterCraft kit is still hideous.
Urban, yes, I used Mr Surfacer a lot, but once had a nasty mishap where it just wouldn't stick to the plastic but would peel off. Maybe it was a bad batch or something because I never had that before.
30 November 2021, 11:59
Robert Podkoński@Thomas - I will reveal you a secret here: MisterCraft kits generally are hideous...
30 November 2021, 17:22
Urban GardiniIt must have been a bad batch as that's so unnatural for Mr Surfacer.
30 November 2021, 17:23
Thomas KolbRobert, Łukasz, guys, I cannot agree with you more. Normally I won't touch Mistercraft (Plastyk), with a ten foot pole. It will bite you at every step.
30 November 2021, 19:04
Album info
MiG-17 PF 'Radar Fresco' - Airfix model kit of a MiG-17F, but with the radar equipped nose from the MisterCraft MiG-17PF.
![1:72 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F 'Fresco' [Shenyang J-5] (Airfix A03091)](/products/img/9/4/3/1189943-13641-66-t180.jpg)
