"Have Candle" MiG-19 technical evaluation *finished*

[sandiego89]

In late 1968 The U.S. Air Force acquired a MiG-19 (actually a Pakistani J-6) and conducted a technical evaluation under the "Have Candle" designation.  The Red Hat squadron at Groom Lake flew a series of flight tests and a few tactical assessments against the F-4 Phantom and the F-105.  Tests were limited, with the aircraft only logging under 60 hours given the overall poor condition of the aircraft.  A later ground evaluation of a later version of the  MiG-19 was conducted overseas in the late 1970s under the "Have Boat" designation. 

The Kit: 1/72 Central (Sentaru Mokei) MiG 19 Farmer B. 1970 boxing.  Had never heard of this brand.  Found on the bargain table at a local hobby shop for $5. 



Really simple kit, perfect for a one-week GB.   The decals are goners. 

[zenrat]

Noice.  MiG 19 kits seem scarce.
The one I have is by ZTS Plastyk.
Cuban markings would have looked good but then wouldn't have been a whiff.

[sandiego89]

Work commenced.  I just realized I ran out of weight to prevent a tail sitter.  Had to improvise, kind of screwy but hope it works. 

[Old Wombat]

... kind of screwy but hope it works. 

[scooter]

Work commenced.  I just realized I ran out of weight to prevent a tail sitter.  Had to improvise, kind of screwy but hope it works. 

[sandiego89]

primer on....does look rather sinister in matte black....hmmmm

[Mossie]

Hoping you keep the black!

[sandiego89]

Join the One Week GB they said...it will be fun they said.....

Paint disaster.  Rattle can aluminum globbed up and caused hundreds of little bumps all over.  Think it was old paint, 100% humidity (and hot) and too soon after the primer. 




Stripping in progress- might have to go on without me boys!  Fight the good fight!!!

[scooter]

Stripping in progress- might have to go on without me boys!  Fight the good fight!!!

Touch it up a little, paint the canopy black and call it a Groom Lake Gate Guardian

[sandiego89]

Finished, fought me the whole way.  Really needed a full strip and re-paint after the natural metal catastrophe, or the bin.  But running out of time for the GB and enthusiasm for this one.

   

[PR19_Kit]

Looks very realistic among its compatriots though. 

[scooter]

Looks very realistic among its compatriots though. 

What Kit said.

Besides, as a "working evaluation type," it doesn't necessarily have to look like they're gonna ship it off to Dayton.

[Ed S]

Don't we all have a "problem" child?  Good recovery with little time.

[NARSES2]

Well done sir 

[sandiego89]

Thank you all, I consider it more of a save than anything.  Yes Ed, we all seem to have that one kit that fights more than others!- and this one was a very simple $5 bargain table kit, with zero detail and a low parts count and zero detail- just a half cockpit floor- go figure!