And this is how the upgraded F-7PG looks like, in my opinion an awesome looking aircraft which I always wanted to build.
Although it's a Chinese version based on the MiG-21F-13 (initially from the 1960's), the F-7PG presents many differences, especially on the inside.
Sadly, there is no plastic kit for it in 1:72, only a resin kit from Omega Models.
Check out those double delta wings and the awesome canopy. This is the most modified version of any MiG-21.
That wing was the main reason I was reluctant to try a scratch build/adaptation from the MiG-21 F-13
And the only available kit for the Chengdu F-7PG (or any F-7 at all) in 1:72.
My expectations weren't very high, especially for the small parts. I just hoped the big parts were decent to start with.
The first obvious issue is the illustrated canopy/front glass part, which is unfortunately theone corresponding to the F-7E and NOT to the F-7PG.
The panel lines aren't that clean, while the surfaces shows plenty of imperfections/scratches.
The landing gear bay has 0 details, but again, this is still a very decent starting point for an unique aircraft.
The missiles should represent a pair of R.550 Magic II and a pair of something else I am not really sure what it is. The R. 550 Magic II missiles are barely useable due to bad quality, but luckily I still have a spare pair from my MiG-21 LanceR build.
The ejection seat used on the Chengdu F-7 is a different one from the MiG-21F13. This resin one is definitely usable for further improvements.
The small parts have plenty of defects and are in some cases badly done.
The nose landing gear is indeed different for the F-7PG than for the MiG-21F-13 and is luckily well done in this case.
The wing pylons were also very different, but I am unsure if these curent ones are usable.
Some cleaning up required for the nose landing gear.
The parts to the left are the doors of the main landing fear as seen from the inside. Unfortunately there is 0 detail there. Probably a replacement will be required.
The main landing gear had decent struts in this set, but the wheels and landing gear bays are quite bad and need replacement.
The main wheels are too bad to be used.
The canopy is the major dissapointment, since it's the wrong one.
Up to the F-7E version, the front canopy was indeed out of three parts. After the F-7MG and F-7PG, the single glass front part was introduced. For the F-7PG, only the very first prototype had this three part front structure. Also, the opening part is not that correct either, the real canopy being very bulged, while this one is just flat.
The decals for the Pakistani insignia seem to have an odd shade of green. I am not yet sure if they are usable, but there is definitely some replacement out there.
Cuajete Great! Thanks for all the information, because I was looking for an F-7 or similar variant. Too bad there is no F-7 available in plastic at 1/72.
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22 December 2022, 20:31
Album info
On 30 March 1962, the Soviet Union and China signed a technology transference arrangement for the MiG-21F-13. Allegedly, while various kits, components, completed aircraft and associated documents were delivered to the Shenyang Aircraft Factory, the design documentation was incomplete, and Chinese designers made efforts to reverse engineer the aircraft. While the Soviet MiG-21F-13 and the Chinese version are greatly similar, areas of difference include the hydraulic systems and internal fuel arrangements. During March 1964, domestic production of the J-7 reportedly commenced at the Shenyang Aircraft Factory, but due to various factors including the Cultural Revolution, mass production was only truly achieved during the 1980s.
The redesign of the fuel tanks has brought more stability during flight. The cockpit was also revised to replace the Soviet ejection seat, which was deemed to be unacceptable. The forward opening canopy was replaced by a standard rear-hinged canopy, which was jettisoned prior to ejection. A parachute container was also added under the vertical stabilizer.
Nevertheless, the most interesting feature was introduced only in 1987 with the F-7E: the double delta wing (or double sweep angle, however you may call it). Additionally, signifficant upgrades were made for the avionics. The new design allowed for considerable improvement of maneuverability among other aspects.
The F-7E was upgrades further to the F-7MG and then to the F-7PG versiob. The F-7PG was designed together and for Pakistan according to specific requirements. The F-7PG included a much stronger radar and again an avionics upgrade. A second gun on the port side was maintained. It also had the capability to fire Western missiles like the Sidewinder and R550 Magic II. A first batch of 20 were delivered at the end of 2001, with a total of 57 eventually delivered to PAF.
Sylvain Vernier
Cuajete
