Here's
my Mig3 from an TRUMPETER kit.
History
The
MiG-3 was built to meet a Soviet Air Force requirement for a high speed, high
altitude interceptor. capable of very good performance above 16,400 feet (5,000
meters). The MiG was at a distinct disadvantage at lower altitudes, where the
primarily tactical airwar on the Eastern Front was fought. It is interesting to
note that the MiG-3 had better performance than the 109E at height, and on par
with the famed 'F' model.
Development
of the MiG-1 with only minor differences (but quite different in handling). To
cure poor spin performance of the Mig-1, automatic slats were added. No other
country had such a high-speed high-altitude interceptor in service, and even
Luftwaffe was taken by surprise when some its high-altitude reconnaissance
planes were lost to unknown Soviet fighter.
MiG-3
was almost perfectly suited for their designated role, but well known events of
1941 forced pilots to play on the wrong field as a replacement for conventional
fighters or even ground attackers. It was a forced misuse of good high altitude
interceptor with limitations in low altitude performance. At the beginning of
the Great Patriotic War (what was the WWII for Soviet people) many MiG's
pilots rammed German bombers after running out of ammunition - often the order
was "to stop bombers by any means".
3322
MiG-3 were built. Aircraft was in service almost until the end of the war -
thanks to exceptional easy maintenance, repairability and part compatibility.
Generally from 2-3 unrepairable machines one flying could be assembled in the
field conditions.
This
kit represents the late version; it is highly detailed, with recessed surface
details and separate slats. The model was constructed according to
recommendations from Massimo
Tessitori's website. "Winter, December 1941 34 IAP. Vnukovo base. The
34 IAP formed part of the field occidental of
Moscow
at IA-PVO.
This example is one of the most famous ones. they could be between the last
MiG-3 even built.
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
I
painted my model with automotive paint (Laca nitro-cellulose) and use decals
available OOB - White uppersurfaces (by workshop or field, painted over the
standard camouflage green) with light blue undersurfaces. Sometimes different
shades of white/green (or light grey) are present on the same aircraft,
particularly on the removable panels that could be exchanged from one aircraft
to another.
The
slogan on the nearest aircraft reads "za rodinu" - "for the
motherland.
Marcos
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
|