1:32 MiG-21 in Polish service exclusive edition part 0 Insignia

The checkerboard every Polish machine carried

The Polish military insignia came into being shortly after the First World War and has appeared practically unchanged ever since: four alternating white and red fields arranged into a square. On the MiG-21 the Polish Air Force carried it for four decades, from the beginning of the 1960s until the type was withdrawn at the start of the millennium. It is precisely this insignia that most builders get wrong first, because the colored fields have to line up exactly and the slightest shift is visible at first glance on a large model. Painting a checkerboard by hand tends to be the road to disappointment, while a decal gives away the edge of its carrier film on a matte surface.

Part zero as the foundation of the line

The designation as part zero is no accident. The set gathers the permanent markings carried by all the machines without distinction, while the follow-up parts of the line are devoted to particular aircraft and their differences. Anyone building several examples will appreciate having this foundation in one place for the whole collection.

A two-color insignia step by step

First spray a continuous white area and let it cure properly. Only then fit the mask for the red fields and apply the paint in several thin coats, so that it does not run under the edge. White is the trickiest shade, because it covers slowly and tempts you into a heavy application that then holds the edge only in appearance. Patience pays off: the finished insignia looks like part of the paint and, seen from the side, leaves no step behind. Before you fit the mask, make sure the area beneath it is smooth and free of sanding dust.