Brengun 1/144 Attack MiG-17F Photoetch
By Matt Bittner
When Attack started to release their 1/144 injected kits, many people were pleased because they were injected and were of 1/144 subjects usually not covered by other manufacturers. This is definitely the case of the MiG-17s since I can't recall what was released prior to the Attack kits, if any were at all. The only small problem with the early Attack/Jach kits were some shortcuts were taken, I'm guessing because of the scale. With the MiG-17s this shortcut was not only a total lack of a cockpit, but the cockpit area being blanked over as well. Some modeler's who build in the more massive scales can't fathom adding any detail to any 1/144 model, let alone a complete cockpit. But those of us that actually build 1/144 models know better.
Since the Attack MiG-17 cockpits are blanked over, before using this photoetch set from Brengun you'll need to open the cockpit up. But once you do, you'll have plenty of space to add the very detailed Brengun cockpit. The photoetch cockpit consists of a lot of folding and bending. Take your time, study the instructions and you'll have a 1/144 cockpit in no time. When thinking of painting, you might want to paint before bending, then do touch-ups afterwards.
As an example, the seat itself consists of ten pieces of brass. The only parts that won't require some sort of bending or folding will be the seat belts; even the headrest is folded in thirds, and the seat itself will require a little bit of a "roll" to it to achieve the proper shape.
The cockpit tub is also a fold-up affair along with the rudder pedals. When all the pieces are together you'll have an excellent representation of the MiG-17 to show off. In fact, pick up the Brengun vacuum-formed canopy so you can show off all that detail. Ironically Brengun does not include a control stick, but adding that yourself should not be a big deal.
Other pieces included in this photoetch set are replacement landing gear doors for all landing gear, pitot tubes and antenna, plus the piece that sits underneath the rear of the canopy.
This is a very extensive set, either adding or replacing pieces that need to be to be more in scale. Couple the set with the Brengun replacement canopy and you'll have an excellent representation of the MiG-17F in 1/144.
Huge thanks to Brengun for sending this for review.