Mig-31C "Siberian Dragoon" 1/72 <-based on YF-19 by Hasegawa

[wacek85]

When MiG-31 Firefox (PP1) was stolen and taken over Iron Curtain along with destroying PP2, russian fighter experts had left with nothing. No scientists, no both fighters, no respect from Communist Party of USSR and with never-ending checkouts from KGB/GRU. But they still had drawings and detailed plans of MiG. As usual, help came unexpected...
On march 21, 1987 one of the head fighter specialists (name censored) was contacted by high government agenda of PRC. They said that PRC scientific cell has highly classified data of newest japanese fighter and PRC is ready to join arms to develop fighter much different than everything what world had seen before. Plan of manufacturing was:
From PRC(or Japan):
-manpower, fuel system , fuselage shape, cockpit wraparound system and sensors
From USSR:
-airframe, engines, radar, airframe materials, thought control system
Avionics would came from joint development bureau. Other on-board devices came from unknown sources.

In 1988, June 14 first fighter was ready for tests. Although if was similar to original MiG, shapes of fuselage were softened. Fighter remained in the air for 2 hours. Further tests revealed some problems with FBW system, but nothing serious. Vmax oscillated between 6-7 Mach. Drag was minor because new, more aerodynamic lines of new airplane. Fighter was significantly lighter than it's predecessor because new fuel system. Miniaturized nuclear battery was used as a energy source for engines and avionics. Codename of  fighter was "Siberian Dragoon" but official name is still MiG-31 "Firefox" with version marked as "C" (no doubt why this letter was chosen).  



I've always wanted to have Firefox in my collection. Anigrand resin models are much too expensive. Only option is scratchbuilding one or converting existing model. YF-19 by Hasegawa has perfect proportions. With new wings and engines it looks like an upgraded iconic movie fighter I hole I'll finish it this time

[Army of One]

Looks fantastic.......love it.....

[Zombolt]

would have never thought of the YF-19 as a Firefox hull...

Interesting.

[Dizzyfugu]

Aargh... that poor Valkyrie! But the result so far looks VERY good - wonder where the YF-19's forward-swept wings might end up? 

[Captain Canada]

Nice one ! Love the size and shape.

[Tophe]

Wow!

[wacek85]

Aargh... that poor Valkyrie! But the result so far looks VERY good - wonder where the YF-19's forward-swept wings might end up? 

One of the wings is sensor array for 1/48 Yukikaze, second is the same but for Space Battleship Missouri

[Zombolt]

Aargh... that poor Valkyrie! But the result so far looks VERY good - wonder where the YF-19's forward-swept wings might end up? 

One of the wings is sensor array for 1/48 Yukikaze, second is the same but for Space Battleship Missouri

Your doing a 1/48th Yukikaze Model? My Kingdom for some pics!

And by the sensors being used, I'm guessing a Super Sylph?

[wacek85]

Aargh... that poor Valkyrie! But the result so far looks VERY good - wonder where the YF-19's forward-swept wings might end up? 

One of the wings is sensor array for 1/48 Yukikaze, second is the same but for Space Battleship Missouri

Your doing a 1/48th Yukikaze Model? My Kingdom for some pics!

And by the sensors being used, I'm guessing a Super Sylph?

Indeed, Super Sylph. I have 1/72 resin FRX-99 but still in box I can post some pics but not expect much This model is more or less 4 years and it's not good anymore

[NARSES2]

Stunning 

[Dizzyfugu]

Czech squadron marking on the Sylph's fin?

[Captain Canada]

That is very cool. I love all of the angles on that one.....looks different in every shot !

[KiwiZac]

Jeez, that Firefox looks perfect! What a stroke of genius! What exactly did you change/add?

[wacek85]

Thanks everyone

What exactly did you change/add?

Vertical fins are changed to resemble Firefox fins. Also wings are made from styrene sheets , same for canards. Original YF-19 wing beam cannons were removed and puttied. I made new exhausts from spare box instead of original exhausts with thrust vectoring. Some partition lines needed for Valkyrie were puttied and sanded smooth...well...I think that's all

Czech squadron marking on the Sylph's fin?

Maybe When I was making this model I had no chance for making proper decals for Yukikaze. Then , I had to choose from spare box what looked reasonable

[DogfighterZen]

I can only  to your work, my friend!
That Super Sylph is amazing...