MiG-21MF Fishbed
Cockpit in 1/32

Cutting Edge Modelworks

Reviewed by Dave Williams

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

Although the Trumpeter MiG-21MF was not yet released at the time of this review, Meteor Productions was able to obtain an early copy of the kit for use in developing their replacement cockpit set. It is great to see companies like Meteor get a head start on producing aftermarket products for upcoming kits so the sets will already be available when the kit is actually released. No more having to wait to start on that new kit until Company X gets around to releasing that detail set you want!

Cutting Edge's 1/32 scale MiG-21MF cockpit set consists of few parts and is relatively simple in breakdown. This should make installation a snap. Although there aren't many parts, the level of detail we have come to expect from CE has not been compromised. 

The cockpit rear bulkhead detail and myriad of toggle switches on the sidewalls are all very well done and will look quite impressive when they are painted up. There were no air bubbles or other flaws present in my review sample.

The KM-1 ejection seat (click thumbnail to right for larger image) is also very nicely done and is molded such that crossbars on the rear of the seat can actually engage the seat rail and be slid up and down the rail. While not many people may want to slide their seat up and down after the kit is finished; this does show the level of precision in the molding of the parts. The foot rests and outer leg restraints are molded separately.

The instrument panel is in three parts: the upper section that also includes the instrument panel cover and gunsight, the middle section, and the small lower section between the pilot's legs. The middle and lower sections can be used as-is, or have the backs sanded out to use the included acetate instrument sheet.

Although the set is pretty comprehensive, you'll still need to use a few parts from the kit. These include the ejection seat firing handles, the gun camera, and the gunsight glass. Meteor feels the parts you get in the kit are good enough to be used without replacement. As a note, I've been told that the gun camera is usually removed for operations as it interferes with the already dismal forward view from the MiG-21's cockpit, so feel free to omit the camera, if desired.

Review sample kindly provided by Meteor Productions.

Dave Williams IPMS/USA 19050

Cutting Edge Modelworks products are available from Meteor Productions Website

Review Copyright © 2001 by Dave Williams
Page Created 15 July, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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