Review of Begemot 1/48th Scale
Soviet Mig-31BM – The Improved “Foxhound”
Decal set no. 38-040
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2015
Available at Kit Linx for $23.64 and at 6 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2015
Available at Kit Linx for $23.64 and at 6 locations overseas on the web.
HISTORY:
The Mikoyan MiG-31 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-31; NATO reporting name: Foxhound) is a supersonic interceptor aircraft developed for use by the Soviet Air Forces. The aircraft was designed by the Mikoyan design bureau as a replacement for the earlier MiG-25 "Foxbat"; the MiG-31 is based on and shares design elements with the MiG-25.
The MiG-31 has the distinction of being among the fastest combat jets in the world. It continues to be operated by the Russian Air Force and the Kazakhstan Air Force following the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The Russian Defence Ministry expects the MiG-31 to remain in service until 2030 or beyond and was confirmed in 2020 when an announcement was made to extend the service lifetime from 2,500 to 3,500 hours on the existing airframes.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role: Interceptor aircraft, attack aircraft
National origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Mikoyan-Gurevich/Mikoyan
First flight: 16 September 1975
Introduction to service: 6 May 1981
Status: In service
Primary users: Russian Aerospace Forces, Kazakhstan Air Force
Produced: 1975–1994
Number built: 519
Developed from: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
The Mikoyan MiG-31 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-31; NATO reporting name: Foxhound) is a supersonic interceptor aircraft developed for use by the Soviet Air Forces. The aircraft was designed by the Mikoyan design bureau as a replacement for the earlier MiG-25 "Foxbat"; the MiG-31 is based on and shares design elements with the MiG-25.
The MiG-31 has the distinction of being among the fastest combat jets in the world. It continues to be operated by the Russian Air Force and the Kazakhstan Air Force following the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The Russian Defence Ministry expects the MiG-31 to remain in service until 2030 or beyond and was confirmed in 2020 when an announcement was made to extend the service lifetime from 2,500 to 3,500 hours on the existing airframes.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role: Interceptor aircraft, attack aircraft
National origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Mikoyan-Gurevich/Mikoyan
First flight: 16 September 1975
Introduction to service: 6 May 1981
Status: In service
Primary users: Russian Aerospace Forces, Kazakhstan Air Force
Produced: 1975–1994
Number built: 519
Developed from: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
THE SET:
Begemot is based in Russia. Begemot means Hippopotamus in Russian the company uses a cartoon character of one for their logo.
The set comes in a large zip-lock type clear cello bag.
It contains 3 decal sheets and 2 painting and marking guides.
Begemot is based in Russia. Begemot means Hippopotamus in Russian the company uses a cartoon character of one for their logo.
The set comes in a large zip-lock type clear cello bag.
It contains 3 decal sheets and 2 painting and marking guides.
The guides are printed on both sides on slick-coated paper and are in 9 ¾” x 14” format.
They show line drawings of 15 Mig-31’s that are all overall flat light-grey with black noses and anti-glare panels in front of the windscreen and rudder tip. The exhaust cone is burned-steel color.
They show line drawings of 15 Mig-31’s that are all overall flat light-grey with black noses and anti-glare panels in front of the windscreen and rudder tip. The exhaust cone is burned-steel color.
There is one 4-view and fourteen 2-views.
The face side of the 1st page
The reverse side of the 2nd page contains the fourteen 2 view profiles.
The face side of the 2nd guide has four of the 2-views at the top, over stencil and painting instructions for weapons and pylons at the bottom
The reverse side shows where stencil markings go all over the aircraft.
Begemot’ web address is provided at the bottom.
Shown on 2 of the Mig-31’s is an insignia that was put on the sides of them to celebrate the 64th anniversary of Great Victory Day (World War 2) and a Red Banner medal insignia given for bravery.
Shown on 2 of the Mig-31’s is an insignia that was put on the sides of them to celebrate the 64th anniversary of Great Victory Day (World War 2) and a Red Banner medal insignia given for bravery.
Decal sheet no. 1 has large blue and red numbers, stars as blue outlines. red stars with white borders Red Banner medals, small numbers in red, Russian words and some stencils on it.
Decal sheet no. 2 has medium-grey Russian words, the 64th anniversary badge, Red Banner symbols, small black numbers and more stencil markings on it.
Decal sheet no. 3 has many more stencil markings on it.
Another red flag badge is on one of the decal sheets and it is a unit badge. However, this mark is not shown on any of the Mig-31 illustrated on the guides.
Another red flag badge is on one of the decal sheets and it is a unit badge. However, this mark is not shown on any of the Mig-31 illustrated on the guides.
The Red Banner and the 64th Anniversary of the Great Victory (WW2) badges.
This is one neat decal set for the Mig-31 and will mark many kits of this aircraft.
Highly recommended.
I sincerely wish to thank Begemot for this review sample.
All of Begemot decals can be seen on their website at:
Highly recommended.
I sincerely wish to thank Begemot for this review sample.
All of Begemot decals can be seen on their website at: