Cyber-Hobby 1/72 Jian Ji-2 & Jian Ji-5 (MiG-15 & MiG-17)
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Overview
The combination of the MiG-15 and MiG-17 make up one of, if not the most successful jet fighters of all time. The MiG-15 surprised the West during the Korean War, resulting in designers scrambling to counter the potent fighter, while the MiG-17 proved to be equally challenging during the Vietnam War. Both aircraft were very popular and as a result, license production in several countries took place. China license-built both aircraft, with the MiG-15 known as the Jian Ji-2 and the MiG-17 as the Jian Ji-5.
The Kits
Dragon's kits of the MiG-15 and MiG-17 date back a few years, but they are still decent kits that feature recessed panel lines and good detailing throughout. Molded in the typical Dragon gray plastic, the kits feature several options, including optional drop tanks. This latest boxing in the Cyber Hobby Super Value Pack provides markings for the Chinese license-produced examples, with two marking choices for the Ji-2 and four for the Ji-5.
Starting with the Ji-2, construction here begins with the cockpit. This is fairly basic, with a separate seat, control stick, and instrument panel, all fitting into the one-piece tub. This assembly then fits onto a shelf molded into the fuselage halves, with the nose wheel well fitting in underneath. A note indicates that weight will be needed, but it doesn't specify how much. From experience, I can tell you, be prepared to fit a lot of weight in there.
With the forward fuselage innards in place, all that's left is to add the tailpipe piece and the fuselage can go together. There is a separate front intake lip, which also traps the front intake splitter in the fuselage. Purists will cringe at the incomplete intake, but with the inside painted black, not much will actually be seen. About all that's left for assembly after the nose is done is to just add the stabilizers and the wings. Flip it over, the simple landing gear can go on and the guns under the nose, and this is ready for painting.
For the Ji-5, construction is similar. The cockpit is almost identical, with a seat, control stick, and instrument panel. There is no separate nose gear bay insert, and the fuselage is separated into a forward and rear assembly, but otherwise, building this fuselage is just like the Ji-2. Again, add weight to the nose (and again, no amount is given, but you'll need a fair amount). The fuselage is split behind the wing trailing edge, and the rear assembly gets a two-piece exhaust assembly. The nose is the same, with a separate intake lip and intake splitter.
Another departure from the Ji-2 assembly is with the tail, which has both separate stabilizers and a separate vertical fin. Also different is the lower nose treatment, which features a separate insert that has the guns and nose bay cutout. The landing gear is pretty simple, but looks good when finished. Drop tanks and the canopy, and this one is also ready for painting.
For the Ji-2, the two options cover a Chinese example and a North Korean example. The Chinese example is camouflaged in green squiggles over a tan base, while the North Korean one is natural metal with a red nose. Both feature red numbers on the nose, and a full set of national markings are included.
The Ji-5 also has a Chinese example, but also branches out around the world a bit more with Czechoslovakian, Syrian, and North Vietnamese options. Both the Chinese and Czech options are finished in natural metal, with the Chinese featuring red numbers on the nose and the Czech featuring black numbers on the rear fuselage. The Syrian Ji-5 is finished in a desert camouflage of two shades of brown, while the North Vietnamese example is finished in a wraparound two-tone green camouflage. The decals are nicely printed and do a great job of highlighting the diversity of operators of these two aircraft types.
Conclusion
While these kits might not be the most advanced releases for the MiG-15 and MiG-17, they do build up well and capture the look of these famous fighters. The dual boxing makes this release quite affordable and as such, a great find. My thanks to Dragon Models USA for the review kit.