1:48 MiG-29K

The real subject

The MiG-29K is the carrier variant of the MiG-29 fighter, adapted for operations from an aircraft carrier. It differs from the land-based version in its folding wings, its arrestor hook and strengthened landing gear that takes hard touchdowns on the deck. A short run and a moving base place different demands on the aircraft than a fixed airfield, and it shows.

What the set offers

Photo-etched parts for a model of the MiG-29K in 1:48 scale. Thin metal sheet suits every place where a plastic part would look disproportionately thick, and it adds detail to the model that cannot be produced on a plastic part. Which kit the set is intended for and where the individual parts belong you will find in the manufacturer's instructions; sets of this type tend to be tied to one kit, so check that beforehand.

Building tips

Before gluing a photo-etched part on, remove the corresponding plastic detail and level the area. Separate the parts with a sharp knife on a firm surface, sand the remains of the fret tabs with a fine file and make each bend along its whole length at once. Degrease the metal before painting and use a primer, otherwise the paint will not hold on the smooth surface.

• Keep to the order in the instructions; some parts are glued on before the fuselage is closed.
• Apply cyanoacrylate glue with a pin; any excess turns white as it dries.
• A photo-etch bender is noticeably more accurate than a rule on sets of this size.
• Put an unfinished fret away in a bag; small parts are easily lost.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who want fine detail on a carrier aircraft and do not mind working with tweezers. Unless stated otherwise, the kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery.