Mark I 1/144 Shenyang J-6C/F-6C
By Matt Bittner
Introduction
Now considered Mark I kits, the Shenyang J-6/F-6 (and MiG-19) series of 1/144 plastic injected models are nicely done and should be built. Mark I has re-released them in various guises with new decals/markings and updated resin pieces. For that reason alone they should be tracked down.
The Kit
The Mark I 1/144 Shenyang J-6C/F-6C is considered a "limited release", possibly due to the markings included. In the bag you receive 38 pieces of gray, injected plastic, one clear injected canopy and 10 pieces of resin. The resin pieces are replacement external pylons, the cockpit tub, the nose-probe and what appear to be Kaliningrad K-5/AA-1 Alkali missiles. Markings are for four aircraft:
- Shenyang J-6C Famer C, 32nd Fighter Division, Chinese AF, late 1980s - finished overall in white
- Shenyang F-6C Farmer C, Black 10435, No. 26 'Black Spiders' Squadron, Pakistank Air Force (Pakistan Fiza'ya) Peshawar Air Base, 1980 - finished overall in white
- Shenyang F-6C Farmer C, Black (3803), No, 241 Air Brigade, Egyptian Air Force (Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Misriya), Almaza Air Base, 1980 - finished overall in Light Grey with Dark Grey "splotches" on top and orange wing and rudder/fin tips
- Shenyang F-6C Farmer C, Black 30-950, Air Force of the Kampuchean Liberation Army (Red Khmers), Pochentong Air Base, 1979 - finished overall in natural metal
Decals are nicely done and appear to be in register.
Since the cockpit tub is all one-piece - consisting of just the tub and the molded-in seat - all you need to do is paint it and glue it into one fuselage half. The only other items to add to the inside of the fuselage are the piece that passes for the exhaust fans and some weight. While the instructions don't show the need for weight it is needed for the model to sit correctly on its nose landing gear.
Once the fuselage halves are assembled then add the wings, the stabilizers, exhaust shroud, intake and extra fin piece. While the instructions have you add the nose gear and the canopy at this point I would leave at least the nose-gear off until the end. If you plan on not cutting the canopy apart and have leave it in the "closed" position, then you could mask it and glue it on now so it can be blended into the fuselage.
The next two instruction steps have you add everything to the underside of the aircraft including landing gear, landing gear doors, pylons and external stores, amongst other items. Some of these items are best left off until after painting but I plan on adding the weapon pylons prior to painting to ensure the fit is acceptable and there are no seams present.
Conclusion
With the inclusion of the resin items and the new decals, this re-release of the Mark I 1/144 Shenyang J-6C/F-6C is a very nice kit, one definitely worth tracking down. Now that Mark I has released a Detail Set for this range of kits (Shenyang J-6/F-6 and MiG-19) you can truly have a top-notch model adorning your shelves. In fact, to counteract the one main flaw I see with this range of kits - that being the wing fences aren't tall enough - tracking down the Detail Set is a must in my opinion.
Note that all Mark I and older Attack kits are available through Kits-Shop.
