1:48 STEPLADDER FOR MIG-21

Access ladder for the MiG-21, 1:48, from Temp Models

The set holds a 3D-printed resin model of the ladder used on the MiG-21 for maintenance and for the pilot getting in and out. It is neither an aircraft model nor a part of one, but a piece of airfield ground equipment. The print holds the thin rungs and handrails at scale thickness, which a mold would have to thicken.

The real subject

The MiG-21 is the most widely used supersonic fighter in history, operated by dozens of countries, Czechoslovakia among them. The cockpit sits high above the ground, so neither the pilot nor a technician can reach it without a ladder. The ladder belonged to the basic equipment of every squadron, and in photographs of parked machines it stands by the fuselage practically every time. In a diorama it gives the whole scene a sense of scale and suggests everyday operations.

Building and painting tips

Wash the 3D-printed parts in warm soapy water first, to get rid of any print resin residue. Cut the print supports off with a sharp blade or a fine saw as close to the part as you can and sand the marks away with respiratory protection. Resin does not bond with polystyrene cement, so use cyanoacrylate glue. Apply a thin coat of primer before painting, otherwise the paint will not hold well on the smooth print. Equipment around an aircraft comes alive with weathering: a dark wash into the joints, dust with dry pigment and worn patches suggested with a metallic shade.

Who the set is for

• A model of the access ladder for the MiG-21 in 1:48 scale
• Resin 3D print with fine resolution
• An airfield diorama accessory, not an aircraft model
• Used for maintenance and for the pilot getting in and out
• Needs cyanoacrylate glue and a primer under the paint

The set is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.