THE EMPIRES TWILIGHT

[thedarkmaster]

Mig21 Fuerza Aérea Sandinista

After the 1979 revolution the former Fuerza Aérea Nicaragua was remamed the Fuerza Aérea Sandinista and almost imediatly expanded the air arm with training missions in Bulgeria and the USSR.

The first and most imediate need was for Helicopters and between 1981 and 1885 the air arm took delivery of Mi8 and Mi25's however a need for a combat aircraft remainded. with air to air interception high on the list of requirments.

In Sept of 1983 12 single seat and 2 combat capable dual seat trainers were delivered despite protests and threats from the USA, operated by the 18th September sqd from the Los Brasilies on ground controlled air interceptions they managed to cut back  " Contre " flights by around 80%.

By 1985 the Fuerza Aérea Sandinista had recieved another 36 airframes abling them to form the 1st air regiment and to form a significant threat to US interests in the area.

Not counting the internal conflict within Nicaragua the Fuerza Aérea Sandinista used it's Mig 21's in combat during the Mexican civil war 1989 -1991 and in Angola though these are belived to have bee re-badged Cuban examples.

As far as information goes it is beleived that no examples survived the 91 disaster, including the detachment based in Mexico which is believed fell to British aircraft themselves based in Belize, the rest fell to US strikes or where caught on the ground with the destruction of the Brasiles air base by the US Navy.

The aircraft below is a 18th September sqn example fresh from Former Bulgerian stocks and freshly repainted, something which did not happen often for these aircraft, more generally they appeared much more dog eared and well used.


































this one is the start of a few aircraft i have in mind for the " Mexican civil war " part of the thread, i will actually do some US aircraft.........the shock the horror    , as i don't really like them but Oh Well       


94

[Weaver]

Oh nicely done!   

Where did you get the decals from, may I ask?

[thedarkmaster]

thanks,  Decals are from the Zotz Roundels of the world part 3 ( North America )

Aircraft is also a Corgi dicast which i got from work cheaper than buying a plastic kit     

[sideshowbob9]

Mexican civil war

Colour me intrigued!

[Weaver]

thanks,  Decals are from the Zotz Roundels of the world part 3 ( North America )

Aircraft is also a Corgi dicast which i got from work cheaper than buying a plastic kit     

North America eh? Who'd have thought it?......

Not that it can't be different in your universe, but just for interest's sake:

1. FAS aircraft normally had FUERZA AÉREA SANDINISTA written down the side in black capitals,

2. They often (but not always) retained the pre-revolutionary horizontal blue/white/blue tail flash, either blank or with the device in the centre (absolutely tiny in 1/72nd) replaced by a Sandinista one.

3. The yellow/red/black roundels were pretty rare in actual service, although for "prestige" aircraft like the MiG-21s, they'd probably have pushed the boat out. That's the argument I used on my Iskra anyway, and you could also harness it to explain the clean paint job.

[chrisonord]

Even though you cheated somewhat on this one Tim
I really like what you have done with it. Was there any special preparation needed for the paint? and what paint did you use on it.
Cheers,
Chris.

[thedarkmaster]

here we have a ground target for all those lovely aircraft....


from the Mexican civil war

Mexican army M1 tank of the 2nd independant armoured regiment, Torredon 1990

Supplied fron US stocks as the civil war took further steps away from the govenment the M1 saw service with 4 independant regiments and took a heavy toll upon the combined opersition armies but was unable due to low moral, coruption and general lethargy to stem the fall of the country.

Often seen in various cammoflauge ( spell!! ) schemes and at the end of the war where even see in new govenments colours upon the Texas border facing US m1's
































The civil war takes shape.......

Even though you cheated somewhat on this one Tim
I really like what you have done with it. Was there any special preparation needed for the paint? and what paint did you use on it.
Cheers,
Chris.

Have a look on the Corgi web site mate and you will see how little work i did      , had more trouble with the decals than anything, just didn't want to stay down     

[thedarkmaster]

Should have been two aircraft on here today ......a Mexican and a Morrocan but the bloody camera is playing up and will not download    .

they will be numbers 96 and 97 for the thread ( not including ground targets    ) , my goal is for 100 by Christmas  , which will be 16 months of active work on the thread.

[thedarkmaster]

Mig 23 Combined revolutinary concil/ Peoples air force Mexico 1991

A mig 23 of the Communist backed Mexican Peoples air force, operating along the Texas border with the USA shortly before the Military coup in the USA and the 91 Disaster.

Originally supplied from surpus Soviet stocks the 93 aircraft from this batch were instrumental in wresting control from the Govenment air force and it's largly mercenary piloted aircraft. Generally belived to be flown by East German " volunteer " pilots the migs clocked up an impressive score in kills during the later part of the conflict with at least 3 pilots becoming ace's.

The entire force was committed to the Mexican  " stab in the back " during the US/Commonwealth conflict which triggered the 91 disaster  and after a few succesful missions were completly destroyed either in the air or on the ground in the US responce.
































hoping to put a Govenment or US aircraft soon, looking at f16's and Alpha Jets....  


oh yes i have spotted one of the Decals is missing.....it was there but now it;s gone, must have fell off.....

[sideshowbob9]

Sounds like the Mexicans were mere cannon-fodder! Love the MiG!

[thedarkmaster]

the Mexican civil war is fought out in proxy but many of the protaganists just don't have the time to train pilots so they do tend to use  " volounters " and mercenarys.

Anyway as a little celebration of the upcoming 100th aircraft on the thread i have 5 kits that i will give away to the first 5 people to ask for them, just one stipulation ........must be done as an aircraft from the thread and posted with backstory here    ps need to be built by 1st May , a totaly arbitary date but i like it   

[Black Knight]

i'm up for it 

[ChernayaAkula]

Love the camo scheme on the M1!

Regarding your challenge: Is the aircraft to be a "copy" of one of your actual builds or a "fresh" one but inspired by the events described in the thread?

[thedarkmaster]

Regarding your challenge: Is the aircraft to be a "copy" of one of your actual builds or a "fresh" one but inspired by the events described in the thread?

i will supply the model, the rest as long as it fits into the theme is up to you . the world is your oyster     

[pyro-manic]

Deal!

Oh, and nice to see an Abrams in something other than flat sand. Makes it much more interesting.  The Mexican Mig is cool too.