I don't know this method but I'd try putting the parts in a zip-lock bag so that they are immersed in water.

That way the expansion of the water as it freezes should push out in all directions, hopefully cracking the glued joints before it breaks plastic, which full immersion should minimise the risk of anyway.

Putting the parts under running water then into a bag doesn't seem too effective to me, unless you're lucky enough that there are numerous gaps in the glue into which water can penetrate.

I've always been doubtful about just running parts under the tap but it has worked in the past.
I am now going to follow your suggestion and fill the bag.  Can't not work any more than it currently is...

Found the missing part.  It was on my painting table.
Of course by then i'd made, attached and painted the replacement...

Started attaching bits today.  Wheels are on as are most of the undercarriage doors & air brakes (so thick!), the missile rails and the rear part of the canopy.
There are no visible frame lines at all moulded on the canopy so I was forced to do some research.  As I was having a steady hand day I hand brushed them.
Some touching up and a few more bits to attach and it'll be done.
However, i'm busy for the next few days so I might not get back to it until Monday.

Quote from: zenrat on February 01, 2016, 01:44:58 AM
I've always been doubtful about just running parts under the tap but it has worked in the past.
I am now going to follow your suggestion and fill the bag.  Can't not work any more than it currently is...

It didn't work to the same extent as running parts under the tap.

Sliding a blade down the join separated one wing with no damage.  The other however was much more heavily glue bombed and i'm going to have to rebuild the leading edge.  Salvageable though meaning once this 21 is finished I can start on another with Viggen wings, T tail and a rocket booster.

Was worth a try & had better physics behind it.

It was indeed Womby.  Thank you for the suggestion.  It had merit.
However, I had failed to notice the pinhole a sharp corner of wing had poked in the bag and now I need to defrost the freezer.


Re. the accurately scaled (i.e. spindly) undercarriage legs. I have glued them on with 5 minute epoxy and painted them with acrylics in the hope that by avoiding any potentially plastic weakening chemical solvents they will remain intact.  I will also be ensuring the main gear doors are glued to the legs and the wing (thus forming a sturdy brace).  Can't do much to reinforce the nose gear though (not without unsightly bracing) which is probably most at risk due to the castor design putting a bending moment onto it.  I've even left mould separation lines on it in the hope they will be stronger with them than without.

I left this standing on it's own three wheels when I went away on Wednesday.
I haven't been down to the shed yet to see if anything has collapsed...

I did think i'd finished it before I left but while away remembered I hadn't touched up the paint on the nose cone after painting the inside of the inlet.  I was also reading MiG 21 Fishbed by Gordon & Gunston while away and looking at the pics I realised i've got my types confused and need to make a slight paint change to make it correct for an early 21.

C'est finé.  And it remains on 3 legs.

MiG 21-F People's Democratic Republic of Victoria Republican Guard.

Needing a lightweight fighter for protecting its Northern Borders the MiG 21 was the obvious choice for the PDRV.

Eventually every variant of MiG 21 saw service with Victoria at some time or another and when the first examples arrived in 1957 they were assigned to the elite Republican Guard.

In addition to the fuselage mounted 23mm cannon Republican Guard MiG 21.Fs carried two locally built Watson SC020 AAMs on wing pylons.

The Model - Airfix 1/72 MiG 21.F (described on the box simply as "Russian MiG 21") built OOB apart from the small divider part between the air brakes (which I lost) and the missiles which are from my weapons box and which I used because the Airfix ones were a bit chunky and had ejector pin marks on them.

Paint is silver car paint from rattle cans, Gunze Mr Metal Metalisers and Vallejo acrylics.  Decals are home made.

Come out well mate

Looks beautiful!   

Thanks folks.

Wonderful!


And still my favorite, so far.

Thank you Mr Wombat sir.

MiG 21 - what you get when you ask a kid to draw a jet fighter.