DML 1/72 MiG-17 Fresco

DML 1:72 MiG-17 FRESCO

Reviewer: Ralph Koziarski (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: February 2000

The Soviet Mig17 was simply an updated and improved version of the aging Mig15. The aircraft was exported to many Warsaw Pact countries. The 17 saw extensive combat in Vietnam, where it proved that gun armed aircraft were still viable, and influenced the Americans to arm their jets with guns, and not just missiles.

DML's kit of the 17 is nice but not up to par with some of their other releases. However, it is one of the most inexpensive Mig17 kits I've ever seen. Panel lines are finely engraved, there's a nice cockpit, and 2 marking versions are provided (although the DML's Chinese version of the 17, which is essentially identical provides more decal options).

CONSTRUCTION:
I began my 17 by assembling the tail unit and the drop tanks. The tanks need to be carefully fitted in order to line up properly, or you'll end up sanding and filing the front portions, much like I had to.

NOTE: careful when attaching the wing hardpoint thingies to the tanks, you can get them reversed, so test fit them to the wing first.

The tail consists of two rear fuselage halves sandwiching the rear fan of the engine inside. Some filler is needed along the seems. Then carefully attach the vertical stabilizer into its slot. I had to trim down the bottom to get it to fit snugly. Finally attach the horizontal stabilizers... and, maybe its just an optical illusion but, it appeared to me as if one stabilizer root was higher than the other. After some fidgeting I was able to line them up almost evenly. It'll suffice for me.

Next, I assembled the cockpit: 3 part seat, stick, tub and instruments. The instructions recommend an aircraft grey color for all this, but I painted mine in that peculiar Soviet blue green color, with gloss-black instruments drybrushed white. The completed tub then fits very tightly into the forward fuselage halves. When this step is complete attach the wings (standard 4 lower/upper configuration here) to the fuselage. If done properly you should get the correct dihedral (as shown in the instructions) without too much of a gap.

Before going any further you need to decide how to weigh down the front of the airplane. Since the front has very little room I decided to line the middle of forward fuselage (just aft of the cockpit) with that sticky tac stuff (the ugly crap kids screw up walls with when hanging up posters) and then into that mess I put in fishing weights and B.Bs, and just to be safe I super glued a few more BBs into the front (under the cockpit. Now I was ready to put on the bottom forward fuselage and nose ring (sounds awkward, doesn't it). There was some filling required here, lots actually. Then came the 3 cannons, and the fiddly bits under the wings, and all sorts of antennae (don't be foolish like me, wait until your done to stick on the antennae).

Finally I glued together the fore and rear fuselage parts, again, messy joint which will require some work to clean up. And attached the nose gear doors and parts of the main gear doors. The remainder of landing gear doors and the gear itself came on after painting. The wheels, by the way, look very basic.

PAINTING:
Simple- or so I thought. Both finish options are in overall plain metal, so make sure your kit is clean of scuff marks and other such things before painting.

A good way to do this is to first prime the model, go over any mishaps with sandpaper, and then coat it in a clear-gloss coat. After the clear dried (it will fill up slight sand marks) I sprayed the whole model in Testor Metalizer Silver, and then buffed some of the panels into a high sheen. Chalks were used to weather the kit and then I gave it a second clear coat.

I then painted my wheel wells and struts, tires, etc... in the required colors and glued them in. Finally came the two piece canopy, which by the way can't be posed open without some adjustments.

MARKINGS:
Decals are provided for one Soviet and one Afghan aircraft. I chose the Soviet decals which consist of two number codes, 6 red stars, and 2 red rear fuselage bands. That's all! They went out without a glitch, and look really sharp against the bare metal finish. Then came a second light coat of chalk dust, and ta-da. Finished.

CONCLUSION:
This kit makes a nice little replica of the Fresco, but it's quite a pain in the arse. I don't recommend it to beginners due to the care which must be taken when doing a bare metal finish, and the iffy fit of some of the parts. You get a nice kit for the price, but DML could have provided more marking options, and the landing gear just cries for a detail set. That's all, definitely get this kit if you have experience in bare metal finish. It wont take long to build, and it doesn't take up much room in the display. Besides if you weigh yours down like I did it'll feel kinda funny when you pick up the tiny plane and notice its so dang heavy.

Related Reviews:-

DML 1/72 Jian Ji-5/MiG-17F

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