- by Jay Daniells
- Current Projects (WIP), Model Making
Update 10/10/23: I have made a bit more progress on this project. I have included some updated progress pics below. I’ll also update the video shortly.
During part of my spare time, one of the projects I am currently working on is restoring an old MiG-25PD Foxbat model that I built as a kid (at age 10). I found this model in storage this year at my folks place (where I grew up). I did not have the right tools, paints or model-making training (nor skills or experience) back when I was a kid so it was really roughly built and painted.
- I used WAY TOO MUCH glue (it was a ‘glue bomb’)
- I didn’t remove flashing, didn’t remove the Sprue tabs correctly and didn’t do many other things that I didn’t know about back then.
- There were ‘join gaps’ when I assembled/ glued the model. I didn’t know anything about using Putty and certainly didn’t have Model-making Putty when I was 10. I didn’t know about ‘Sprue-Goo‘ either. I didn’t have Sand Paper and certainly didn’t have fine-grade Sanding Sticks, files or anything like that back then either.
- I poorly glued the Canopy with standard Model Making Glue. Anyone that knows about making models knows that this type of glue makes the Canopy ‘frosty’. I now own special ‘Canopy Glue’ that keeps the Canopy clear. I will refurb the canopy, make it clear again (and polish it) and this time I will use the right glue.
- I was 15 when I painted it. I used really cheap Enamel paints (because that’s all I had and all I could get in the small rural town where I grew up). I didn’t have an Airbrush back then either and I didn’t know about masking, etc.
I ‘cut-my-teeth’ making this model as a kid. I am glad and grateful I was given this model kit (and the few others I had, which I also kept).
I wasn’t really into reading, doing research or anything particularly academic at age 10 so I didn’t look for any reference images when I made it or painted it. I also didn’t bother reading up about the MiG aircraft (which I find really interesting, now that I’m in my 40’s). I can remember the only reason I painted it in ‘camo colours’ was because I wanted to give ‘camo painting’ a go. Side note: here is a link to a really nice MiG-25 camo paint job I have found on Google.
I could have left this model ‘as-is’ but I’d prefer to see this kit ‘re-done right’. It’s not a high-detail model kit by any means, but it is still a nice vintage kit and I plan to add some extra detail to it as I go. I also want to paint it correctly (accurately). It’ll be fun! 🙂
I could not find the box for this model in storage, which is a shame. It must have gotten thrown out when I was a kid… but not by me because I liked to keep boxes, and still do. I did some research on Google to find out which model kit it actually is. Turns out it is the ‘Hasegawa 1/72 Scale MiG-25 Foxbat (Russian Air Force Interceptor) Plastic Model‘. A photo of the box is below:
From the bit of research I have done, I gather this model kit is either the ‘P’ or ‘PD’ version of the MiG-25. All the versions of the MiG-25 Foxbat are on the Wikipedia page. According to Wikipedia the ‘P’ version had 4x R-40 Missiles. The ‘PD’ version though apparently could be fitted with “R-60 air-to-air missiles, replacing the outermost 2x R-40 missiles.”
The kit has 2 types of missiles, which makes me think it is the ‘PD’. There were also other variations from the ‘P’ to the ‘PD’ including the ‘PD’ having Pulse-Doppler radar with look-down/shoot down capability.
I also found this really nice cut-away image of the MiG-25PD:
Having worked as an architecture model maker (a junior) in my early 20’s, I then took a long break from making models while I pursued my career these past 20+ years. I have recently found a passion for making models again though. It’s a fun hobby and I am also happy to do commission jobs/ projects for others and tutor/ teach youth how to make models as well. Contact me if you have a model you would like professionally built and/or if you have a model (or a toy) that is old and/or broken that you would like to see restored. Same too if you would like some tutoring.
Above is an image of the MiG-25PD model restoration project when I first started it in 2022. It is of course a ‘work in progress’. Here is what I have done so far:
- Used paint stripper to remove the old enamel paint (I’m still working on this)
- Used the paint stripper to weaken the old glue. Took effort with a knife to gently get the model apart
- Cut and sanded off all the old excess glue.
- Cleaned up all the parts (removing flashing, Sprue tabs, etc).
- Fixed up most of the blemishes in the plastic (using putty).
- I’ve bought the paint colours.
- Dremelled and sanded the puttied areas to re-shape parts of the model.
- Finished removing the old paint. (Nearly done)
- Puttied and repaired any additional surfaces that still need work. (Still working on this)
- Scratch built a few parts (add more detail to the model). (Still working on this).
- Bought the decals from eBay.
- Primed the surface and then fixed any final small blemishes I found. (Still working on this).
- Update 22/04/23: I have done more and will update this list shortly. For now, you can see a ‘progress video’ below that I have just created:
Some of the jobs still to do include:
- Start the paint preparation process.
- Painting, weathering, adding decals, clear-coating, etc.
- Make a display stand for it.
- Various other jobs.
This project will be fully completed after another 30 – 60 or so hours of work. The amount of time will depend on how much build, painting and weathering detail I decide to include within it. I’ll keep chipping away at this project as time allows. There is no rush for this one since it’s purely a personal project and I have many other high-priority projects including customer/client projects to get done atm as well as other jobs and projects.
Update 20/08/23: I’ve been working on this project on and off as my spare time allows. I’ve done lots of putty work, sanding, more putty work, more sanding, etc. I’ve also now bought the decal sheet online. A few progress pics are below:
Side note: Apparently during the Cold War the US was pretty concerned about the Russian-built MiG-25, that is until they got their hands on one. This below video explains more:
Some additional interesting facts about the MiG 25:
I also stumbled across this: Apparently the Mig-25 Foxbat radar is so powerful it could cook a rabbit at 2m. This info came from here.