DONE +++ MiG 'Izdeliye 33' a.k.a. MiG-33SE (ASCC code 'Foghorn') of the VPAF

Dizzyfugu · December 29, 2015, 07:13:45 AM

Since things seem to start moving (at least the PR department

), I chime in with the first project: a model of Mikoyan-Gurewich's "Izdeliye 33" - potentially MiG-33, had it entered service or the hardware stage in the late Eighthies. Yes, a model of a "real" project which was killed by the Soviet Air Force doctrine only to operate aircraft with two or more engines. But that would not keep this design from being built for export markets, as replacements for the MiG-21s all over the world as well as some simpler MiG-23 export versions. Vietnam is my candidate for this one. I have a plan.

Information is sparse, and there are pictures of two "Izdeliye 33" models of the OKB that show an aircraft that reminds - at first glance - a lot of the F-16, but that's only superficial:

There also seem to be different chin air intake arrangements, including a split intake like the MiG Ye-8 prototype, while others (like those in the pic) also suggest a simple shovel design.

"Izdeliye 33" was a rather compact aircraft, and my build will probably become bigger overall - because it will be based on a Nakotne 1:72 MiG-29 (gruesome kit... so wrong that you can only whif it!), turned into a single engine aircraft.

Stay tuned, lots of surgery and PSR ahead!

DogfighterZen · December 29, 2015, 07:23:55 AM

You got my attention!!

Aragorn · December 29, 2015, 08:34:24 AM

Dizzyfugu having a plan sounds dangerous for me in a very exciting way!

Dizzyfugu · December 29, 2015, 11:47:17 AM

Quote from: Aragorn on December 29, 2015, 08:34:24 AM
Dizzyfugu having a plan sound dangerous for me in a very exciting way!

I take this as a compliment. Project looks exciting, and as far as I can tell noe I see some serious design problems to be solved - e. g. the front wheel arrangement, esp. the well, and I will have to create some interior details like a cockpit (the Nakotne kit is bleak, to say the least...) and an air intake duct of some sort. The exhaust section and the single nozzle will also not be easy to solve - the shape worries me, could end up rather triangular! We'll see. 2016 is about to start with a challenge.

Aragorn · December 30, 2015, 01:40:43 AM

Oh yes, it's a compliment! I like your stuff very much, really inspiring. Seems I need to have my f...ing eyesight corrected asap, so I can use these inspirations you give by your work, soon

Dizzyfugu · December 30, 2015, 10:29:35 AM

There'll be a lot of bloody body parts modifications on this one... Not for those who are faint at heart.

But after the recent AF-16A conversion I feel positive. Nothing a good saw and several tubes of putty could not mend.

Tophe · January 01, 2016, 10:02:07 AM

Very interesting subject

. And very courageous model project...

kitnut617 · January 01, 2016, 10:33:54 AM

You could use a few of the design concepts of the Chinese J-10 as clues to what it would look like, even use quite a bit of it.

Sort of a cross between the J-10 and the Japanese F-2A

Dizzyfugu · January 02, 2016, 01:16:52 AM

As a historic side note: information of the 'Izedilye 33' project was actually transferred from OKB MiG to Chin after the aircraft had been axed! These results eventually found their way into the Sino-Pakistani FC-1 fighter in the late 90ies.

overscan · January 02, 2016, 02:03:02 AM

Lot more pictures here:
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1249.0.html
http://paralay.com/lmfs.html

Dizzyfugu · January 02, 2016, 03:33:06 AM

Oh, color pictures from the wood model! Thanks a lot!

Dizzyfugu · January 02, 2016, 03:43:50 AM

Yes, the saw already dived into the brittle Nakotne styrene, and things start moving. The Nakorne kit is REALLY crappy - upper and lower fuselage are single parts(!), including the air intakes. But this weakness is welcome for what I plan to do: slice up the upper and lower halves, cut out "wedges" and narrow the fuselage until only a single engine pod and bigger air intake remains. From that basis, the upper fuselage will be adapted, with the original MiG-29 spine, but narrowed LERXes and fuselage.

This is how things look (dry-fitted) after Day 1:

1:72 Mikojan-Gurevich MiG-33SE (NATO code 'Foghorn', a.k.a. 'Izdeliye 33'); VPAF, late 90ies (WiP) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Dizzyfugu · January 02, 2016, 12:08:25 PM

Progress concerning the interior - since the new, single air intake is rather wide I added a jet fan (from an early Revell F-16A engine), and since the landing gear wells are only holes in the flanks, a jet engine simulation (actually a part from a 1:200 Space Shuttle lab) is inserted, too. From above, the intake will receive a styrene sheet "ceiling".

1:72 Mikojan-Gurevich MiG-33SE (NATO code 'Foghorn', a.k.a. 'Izdeliye 33'); VPAF, late 90ies (WiP) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The floor has been stiffened with carpenter putty and a styrene sheet, too.

Gondor · January 02, 2016, 01:24:52 PM

Very interesting seeing the work going into this build

Gondor

Dizzyfugu · January 03, 2016, 01:37:40 AM

Overview of the "new" fuselage elements from yesterday evening. Instead of just two there are now six. The lower half has already been glued together, while the upper parts will be glued into place once the interior parts (in the backgorund) have been finished and painted.

1:72 Mikojan-Gurevich MiG-33SE (NATO code 'Foghorn', a.k.a. 'Izdeliye 33'); VPAF, late 90ies (WiP) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The Nakotne kit is really poor - I discovered two places where styrene has been missing, but with all the body work this little flaws almost do not matter at all...

Not certain concerning the overall length and the resulting proportions, though. I'll put the fuselage together first and then see how things look. After all, "my" interpretation of Izdeliye 33 will probably be bigger than the actual projected aircraft.