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MiG-21bis, c/n 75061904, 2 Fighter Squadron, Taszár Air Force Base, Hungary, 1993

MiG-21bis, 115 GIAP, Soviet VVS, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, 1980

MiG-21bis, c/n 75084300, HävLLv 31, Kuopio airbase, Finland, 1980 – 1981

Ground personnel from Taszár Air Base sprayed

a special paint scheme on the MiG-21bis in 1992.

The purpose of the coloring was to represent

the enemy aircraft in training combat. The color

scheme shown here is a representation of the

aircraft’s appearance at the 1993 International

Air Tattoo in Fairford. The aircraft named Capeti

(shark) 1904 is currently on display at the

Szolnok Air Museum in a similar color scheme

to the one it flew in 1992.

Fighter cover duties during the Soviet invasion

of Afghanistan were conducted by the 115

Guards’ Regiment at the end of 1979. The unit

was equipped with the MiG-21bis and was based

at Kokaity in Uzbekistan, a Soviet Socialist

Republic at the time. Three days into the

invasion, the first squadron moved to Bagram

Air Base, followed by a second squadron on

January 23, 1980. Due to the lack of enemy

aerial power, the 115 GIAP became involved in

ground support duties together with the 136

APIB. MiG-21bis aircraft of the 115th GIAP used

in Afghanistan were painted in green and brown

on the upper surfaces at the beginning of the

war, with bottom surfaces in a blue-grey shade.

This aircraft was accepted for service on July

17, 1980, and assigned to 31 Fighter Squadron

(Hävittäjälentolaivue 31, abbreviated HävLLv

31). It became the last of six Finnish MiG-21BIS

fighters to be modified for reconnaissance

tasks. After the modification, the aircraft was

assigned to TiedLLv (Reconnaissance Squadron)

and following its end of service it was used as

a teaching aid at the Technical School located

at the Kuopio Air Base. The aircraft is shown as

it appeared between 1980 and 1981 before being

upgraded by western avionics, which included

cockpit instrumentation. Unlike other users,

Finland used capital letters for designation of

their MiGs, that’s why it is written as BIS here

as well.

KITS 05/2025

INFO Eduard

May 2025

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Editorial
Dear Friends, So I have to say that this April was a good ride. Over the more than thirty-five years of our company's existence, we have experienced various historical events, starting with the revolution and the overthrow of the communist regime in 1989 (yes, Eduard was already a functioning entity back then and we thoroughly enjoyed the revolution), through the terrorist attacks on New York on September 11th, 2001, to the collapse of Lehman Brothers bank and the economic crisis of the late 1990s.
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MiG-21bis Weapons Variants and Combinations
The loadout possibilities of the most modern version of the MiG-21bis fighter aircraft were determined primarily by the role for which the aircraft was intended. Since it was used as a multi-role aircraft, the range of armament was very wide. The use of a specific weapon loadout, relevant also to model building, depends on the specific mission. However, the combination of armament was also subject to certain regulations and technical limitations. This two-part article deals primarily with this issue and also shines a light on individual types of armament from a technical, military and modeling perspective. The first part describes the general scheme of armament carried with a focus on the different types of air-air weapons utilized. Air-ground armament used on the MiG-21bis will be covered in the second part of this article in the June issue.
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The World of Japanese Calligraphy Shodō
As part of the box design for the April limited edition 1/48 Kamikaze Tokkōtai IJN Special Attack Units, there is a calligraphy inscription of "Kamikaze Tokkōtai" (Kamikaze Special Attack Unit), created by the Japanese calligraphy teacher living in Prague, Mrs. Mari Kučera. Since unique calligraphy created specifically for a plastic model kit is not a common occurrence, even in Japan, we asked Mrs. Kučera to introduce us to the history and secrets of calligraphy creation. (Editorial note)
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Aerial War in Ukraine - Retreat from the Kursk Region and Global Chaos
In this continuation of the series, we cover events that occurred between March 1 and March 31. The fighting continued on land, at sea, and in the air—despite U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire. With the benefit of hindsight, it can be said that Russia is playing for time and stringing Trump along...
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The Night Tests
In Germany, prior to the Second World War, flight test centres known as Erprobungs-Stelle (abbreviated as E-Stelle) began operating. These centres were responsible for testing new types of aircraft, their armament, and on-board systems. One such centre, E-Stelle Rechlin, also began testing captured equipment from 1940 onwards.
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Tail End Charlie
The spring round of exhibitions is over. We are glad we could meet with you, happy we were able to visit our favorite places again, and we’ll be delighted if we can keep meeting you at these places in the coming years. That’s never guaranteed. Here in the Czech Republic, some of the biggest events (Modelbrno, Nymburk's Kitsaloon, or Pilsenkit), where we used to have a booth, have disappeared. And the events meant to replace them attract nowhere near as many modelers as their predecessors did. We see declining interest year by year, for example, at PanthersCup in Prosek. I cannot praise the Panthers highly enough for organizing it, as they are among few still willing and able to host a major event in the Czech Republic. It’s actually the last large event in Prague, which might seem odd, but when we researched potential venues for this year’s E-day, we discovered that prices for spaces suitable for such an event in and around Prague are so high that organizing it could be financially unsustainable for any modeling club. So we’re thankful that at least events like PanthersCup are still going strong, and we’re always happy to support them with our participation.
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Editorial
The World of Japanese Calligraphy Shodō
Aerial War in Ukraine
Hungarian Shark
The Night Tests
Cobras over Sicily
Markings for MiG-21bis 1/72
Markings for Fw 190A-6 1/48
Markings for P-39K/L Airacobra 1/48
Tail End Charlie

Info EDUARD