Spotlight on the MiG-29 in PAF (Polish Air Force)
This is a new publication from Mushroom Models Publications. The book includes a brief description of where and how the Polish Air Force acquired its MiG-29 fleet. I was surprised to learn that only the first twelve aircraft were purchased directly from Russia. The bulk of the PAF’s MiG-29’s were actually acquired from Czech Air Force and from the German Air Force (post reunification) when those services decided to cease operating the MiG-29. Interestingly, upon acquiring these used jets, initially the PAF continued to operate the aircraft in the paint schemes of the original operator, so a number of the PAF single-seat MiG-29s operated for a period of time in several shades of green and brown. In 1997, the PAF commenced the overhaul of its MiG-29s. Overhauled aircraft were repainted in a new three tone grey paint scheme that matched the original three greys used on the F-16, FS 36375 light grey on the undersides; FS 36270 medium grey and gunship grey FS 36118 on the upper surfaces. There is a nice summary of the various paint schemes immediately following the acquisition history section.
The vast majority of the book is a series of color profile paintings illustrating a wide variety of paint schemes and markings seen on Polish Air Force MiG-29s from the original factory applied scheme to the later three tone greys (several different patterns are illustrated, including one that matches the current F-16 pattern), the Czech Air Force colors, a Luftwaffe example and several specially marked MiG's celebrating Polish Air Force history. The profiles include not only single seat MiG-29s, but also several two-seat MiG-29UBs. There is also a four page fold-out side profile of one of the specially marked MiG-29UBs.
The illustrations and profiles are strictly limited to paint schemes and markings, there are no drawings of any aircraft parts or details, so this is not a book for someone looking for reference material to super-detail their MiG-29, there are other books for that purpose. However, if you are looking to build a MiG-29 that is different from the standard factory applied scheme, this book offers plenty of interesting options. As a side note, my review volume included a small flyer from Model Maker Decals announcing 1/48th and 1/72 scale decal sheets for the “Stanislaw Skalski” specially marked MiG-29GT (ex-Luftwaffe trainer) #4105 which is illustrated on pages 33 and 34 of the book. A number of the other special schemes are already available in decal form.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the MiG-29 and wants to paint it as something different. If you would like to to see the video trailer for the book, it is available on YouTube.
Thank you to Mushroom Model Publications for the review sample and to IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it.
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