Linden Hill Decals

1/48 Strizhi MiG-29's "The Swifts" 2003 paint scheme decal sheet

Product # LHD48008 for US$18.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Feb 20 2004

 

 

 

Also available in 1/72 scale for US$14.99

This new decal sheet from Linden Hill Decals is sure to please the Aerobatic team fans.  The Russian National flight demonstration team is called "Strizhi" or "The Swifts" and their flight demo bird of choice is the Mig-29/UB, which they fly single and two seater versions for their shows.

This particular decal sheet focuses on "The Swifts" 2003 paint scheme and includes markings to build one of 6 aircraft.  For the two-seaters #01 and 02 and the single seaters # 03, 04, 05 and 06.  You get  3 large and one smaller decal sheet that include enough markings for one aircraft.  There are a pile of decals here....the instructions are well laid out, but this many decals will require you to go slowly and carefully to avoid making a mess of things.  The instructions walk you through the painting process in exacting and quite helpful detail.....the folks at Linden Hill really laid out the detailed instructions with the best interest of the modeller in mind. 

There are also 2 pages of black and white images that help with decal placement, as well 2 pages of text telling about the team, it's aircraft and what kits these decals are suited for as well as other critical decal installation info to help you get the most out of this particular decal sheet.

The Swifts have been upgrading their aircraft and the new aircraft are numbered 9-13 and have a hump on the back spine which is sporadically available in resin form from NeOmega line.  You can build the newer version of the Swift MiG-29 but it will require modifying some of the decals included in this decal set. 

These decals are best suited for the 1/48 Academy kit and in 1/72 for the  Italeri/Zvezda/Bilek and Airfix kits.  For colours the red is very close to FS 11136 and the blue is a match for FS 15102 and of course....the finish should be glossy.

A very nice decal sheet and highly recommended for all the fans of Russian aircraft and colourful flight Demo aircraft.  These decal will produce quite the eye catching jet!!!  

I would like to thank Linden Hill Decals for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Visit The Swifts official webpage www.strizhi.ru ...it's in Russian....but an English version is coming.

Click on images below to see larger images of the colour instruction sheets

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford