Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R; “2276 Red” of 7th PLS, Polish Navy, 1975

[Dizzyfugu]

Some background:
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-19) (NATO reporting name: "Farmer") was a Soviet second-generation, single-seat, twin jet-engined fighter aircraft. It was the first Soviet production aircraft capable of supersonic speeds in level flight. It was, more oe less, the counterpart of the North American F-100 Super Sabre, although the MiG-19 would primarily oppose the more modern McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and Republic F-105 Thunderchief over North Vietnam.

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


On 20 April 1951, OKB-155 was given the order to develop the MiG-17 into a new fighter called "I-340", which was to be powered by two Mikulin AM-5 non-afterburning jet engines (a scaled-down version of the Mikulin AM-3) with 19.6 kN (4,410 lbf) of thrust. The I-340 was supposed to attain 1,160 km/h (725 mph, Mach 1) at 2,000 m (6,562 ft), 1,080 km/h (675 mph, Mach 0.97) at 10,000 m (32,808 ft), climb to 10,000 m (32,808 ft) in 2.9 minutes, and have a service ceiling of no less than 17,500 m (57,415 ft).
The new fighter, internally designated "SM-1", was designed around the "SI-02" airframe (a MiG-17 prototype) modified to accept two engines in a side-by-side arrangement and was completed in March 1952.

Initial enthusiasm for the aircraft was dampened by several problems. The most alarming of these was the danger of a midair explosion due to overheating of the fuselage fuel tanks located between the engines. Deployment of airbrakes at high speeds caused a high-g pitch-up. Elevators lacked authority at supersonic speeds. The high landing speed of 230 km/h (145 mph) (compared to 160 km/h (100 mph) in the MiG-15), combined with absence of a two-seat trainer version, slowed pilot transition to the type. Handling problems were addressed with the second prototype, "SM-9/2", which added a third ventral airbrake and introduced all-moving tailplanes with a damper to prevent pilot-induced oscillations at subsonic speeds. It flew on 16 September 1954, and entered production as the MiG-19S.

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Approximately 5.500 MiG-19s were produced, first in the USSR and in Czechoslovakia as the Avia S-105, but mainly in the People's Republic of China as the Shenyang J-6. The aircraft saw service with a number of other national air forces, including those of Cuba, North Vietnam, Egypt, Pakistan, and North Korea. The aircraft saw combat during the Vietnam War, the 1967 Six Day War, and the 1971 Bangladesh War.

All Soviet-built MiG-19 variants were single-seaters only, although the Chinese later developed the JJ-6 trainer version of the Shenyang J-6. Among the original "Farmer" variants were also several radar-equipped all-weather fighters and the MiG-19R, a reconnaissance version of the MiG-19S with cameras replacing the nose cannon in a canoe-shaped fairing under the forward fuselage and powered by uprated RD-9BF-1 engines with about 10% more dry thrust and an improved afterburner system.

The MiG19R was intended for low/medium altitude photo reconnaissance. Four AFA-39 daylight cameras (one facing forward, one vertical and two obliquely mounted) were carried. Nighttime operations were only enabled through flare bombs, up to four could be  carried on four hardpoints under the wings, even though the outer "wet" pylons were frequently occupied by a pair of 800l drop tanks.

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The MiG-19R was not produced in large numbers and only a few were operated outside of the Soviet Union. The NATO reporting name remained unchanged (Farmer C). A recon variant of the MiG-19 stayed on many air  forces' agendas, even though only the original, Soviet type was actually produced. Czechoslovakia developed an indigenous reconnaissance variant, but it did not enter series production, as well as Chinese J-6 variants, which only reached the prototype stage.

One of the MiG-19R's few foreign operators was the Polish Navy. The Polish Air Force had received a total of 22 MiG-19P and 14 MiG-19PM interceptors in 1957 (locally dubbed Lim-7), and at that time photo reconnaissance for both Air Force and Navy was covered by a version of the MiG-17 (Lim-5R). Especially the Polish Navy was interested in a faster aircraft for quick identification missions over the Baltic Sea, and so six MiG-19R from Soviet stock were bought in 1960 for the Polish Navy air arm.

Anyway, Poland generally regarded the MiG-19 family only as an interim solution until more potent types like the MiG-21 became available. Therefore, most of the fighters were already sold to Bulgaria in 1965/66, and any remaining Farmer fighters in Polish Air Force Service were phased out by 1974.

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The Polish Navy MiG-19R were kept in service until 1982 through the 3rd Group of the 7th Polish Naval Squadron (PLS), even though only a quartet remained since two Lim-7R, how the type was called in Poland, had been lost through accidents during the  early 70ies. Ironically, the older Lim6R (a domestic photo reconnaissance variant of the license-built MiG-17 fighter bomber) was even kept in service until the late 80ies, but eventually all these aircraft were replaced by MiG-21R and Su-22M4R.



General characteristics:
    Crew: One
    Length: 12.54 m (41 ft)
    Wingspan: 9.0 m (29 ft 6 in)
    Height: 3.9 m (12 ft 10 in)
    Wing area: 25.0 m² (270 ft²)
    Empty weight: 5,447 kg (11,983 lb)
    Max. take-off weight: 7,560 kg (16,632 lb)

Powerplant:
    2× Tumansky RD-9BF-1 afterburning turbojets, 31.9 kN (7,178 lbf) each

Performance:
    Maximum speed: 1.500 km/h (930 mph)
    Range: 1,390 km (860 mi) 2,200 km with external tanks
    Service ceiling: 17,500 m (57,400 ft)
    Rate of climb: 180 m/s (35,425 ft/min)
    Wing loading: 302.4 kg/m² (61.6 lb/ft²)
    Thrust/weight: 0.86

Armament:
    2x 30 mm NR-30 cannons in the wing roots with 75 RPG
    4x underwing pylons, with a maximum load of 1.000 kg (2.205 lb);
      typically only 2 drop tanks were carried, or pods with flare missiles



The kit and its assembly:
Again, a rather subtle whif. The MiG-19R existed, but was only produced in small numbers and AFAIK only operated by the Soviet Union. Conversions of license-built machines in Czechoslovakia and China never went it beyond prototype stage.

Beyond that, there's no kit of the recon variant, even pictures of real aircraft are hard to find for refefence – so I decided to convert a vintage Kovozavody/KP Models MiG-19S fighter from the pile into this exotic Farmer variant.

Overall, the old KP kit is not bad at all, even though you get raised details, lots of flash and mediocre fit, the pilot's seat is rather funny. Yes, today's standards are different, but anything you could ask for is there. The kit is more complete than a lot of more modern offerings and the resulting representation of a MiG-19 is IMHO good.

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Mods I made are minimal. Most prominent feature is the camera fairing in place of the fuselage cannon, scratched from a massive weapon pylon (Academy F-104G). Probably turned out a bit too large and pronounced, but it's whifworld, after all!

Other detail changes include new main wheels (from a Revell G.91), some added/scratched details in the cockpit with an opened canopy, and extra air scoops on the fuselage for the uprated engines. The drop tanks are OOB, I just added the small stabilizer pylons from styrene sheet.

Other pimp additions are scratched cannons (made from Q-Tips!), and inside of the exhausts the rear wall was drilled up and afterburner dummies (wheels from a Panzer IV) inserted - even though you can hardly see that at all...


Painting and markings:
This is where the fun actually begins. ANY of the few MiG-19 in Polish service I have ever seen was left in a bare metal finish, and the Polish Navy actually never operated the type.

Anyway, the naval forces make a good excuse for a camouflaged machine – and the fact that the naval service used rather complex patterns with weird colors on its machines (e. g. on MiG-17, MiG-15 UTI or PZL Iskras and An-2) made this topic even more interesting, and colorful.

My paint scheme is a mix of various real world aircraft "designs". Four(!) upper colors were typical. I ended up with:
• Dark Grey (FS 36118, Modelmaster)
• Dark Green (RAF Dark Green, Modelmaster)
• Blue-Green-Grey (Fulcrum Green-Grey, Modelmaster)
• Greenish Ochre (a mix of Humbrol 84 and Zinc Chromate Green, Modelmaster)

Plus...
• Light Blue undersides (FS 35414, Modelmaster, also taken into the air intake)


The pattern was basically lent from an Iskra trainer and translated onto the swept wing MiG. The scheme is in so far noteworthy because the stabilizers carry the upper camo scheme on the undersides, too!?

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


I only did light shading and weathering, since all Polish Navy service aircraft I found had a arther clean and pristine look. A light black ink wash helped to emphasize the many fine raised panel lines, as well as some final overall dry painting with light grey.

The cockpit interior was painted in the notorious "Russian Cockpit Blue-Green" (Modelmaster), dashboard and are behind the seat were painted medium grey (FS 36231). The landing gear wells were kept in Aluminum (Humbrol 56), while the struts received a lighter acrylic Aluminum from Revell.
The wheel discs were painted bright green (Humbrol 131), but with the other shocking colors around that does not stand out at all...! The engine nozzles were treated with Modelmaster Metallizer, including Steel, Gun Metal and Titanium, plus some grinded graphite which adds an extra metallic shine.

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The national "checkerboard" markings were puzzled together from various old decal sheets; the red tactical code was made with single digit decals (from a Begemot MiG-29 sheet); the squadron marking on the fin is fictional, the bird scaring eyes are a strange but als typical addition and I added some few stencils.

Finally, all was sealed under a coat of matt acrylic varnish (Revell).

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Mikoyan-Gurewich MiG-19R/Lim-7R (ASCC code ,,Farmer C"), aircraft "2276 Red" of 3rd Eskadra, 7th PLS, Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy); Siemirowice, late 1975 by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


In the end, a simple whif with only little conversion surgery. But the paint scheme is rather original, if not psychedelic – this MiG looks as if a six-year-old had painted it, but it's pretty true to reality and I can imagine that it is even very effective in an environment like the Baltic Sea.

[Rhodri]

Well-done, Dizzy!  Sometimes the subtle ones are the hardest to do - yours looks perfect, as always.  :-)  Well done!

[Captain Canada]

Very nice. I don't think the pod looks bad at all....I love lumps and bumps on an aeroplane !

[zenrat]

Good one.  Excellent camo.

[Glenn Gilbertson]

That looks really good and convincing. The colours certainly suit the airframe.

[NARSES2]

Love the colour scheme.

Goes away muttering "how can he build them so quick ?" and looking for the hole in the Space/Time Continuum 

[Dizzyfugu]

Thanks a lot! 

BTW, here's some real world reference...

[DogfighterZen]

As always, fine piece of what if work!