Hello all,
I thought I'd try and put together this strange little thing from Mikr Mir - the Moskalyev SAM 23. I picked it up a fair while back just because it was summat a bit different and maybe a bit unknown. Typically, a couple of weeks afterwards and before I'd had chance to make a start, it was reviewed in Scale Aviation Modelling International which made me throw it into the loft in a huff! Anyway, that was a few years back now and enough time has passed to make you all forget that so this will be my next project.
It comes in a top opening box. I really couldn't say why the box style is important but everyone seems to mention it in their review so now you know. Pretty simple in terms of part count and the detail is more than sufficient with the fit being pretty good. Another thing people always say is that construction starts with the cockpit, so I'll say that too. "Construction starts with the cockpit". There, I said it. In my case, though, I decided to paint the cockpit components and assemble them afterwards so while they were drying, MY construction started with the engine nacelle and wing!
I have some Albion Alloys aluminium tube of the right looking diameter so thought to add a bit of interest, I would attempt to model the strange little retractable nose wheel in the extended position as shown on the box art so the tubing would make quite a good telescopic arm. This also meant I would need a pilot so I grabbed an Airfix figure from the spares box and sat him in the seat. Supposedly in 1/72 scale, the kit appears to be slightly under scale as you can see in one of the pictures - and even taking into account Francis' theory of the cockpit walls in the "a question of scale" thread, the figure was far too long never mind wide. Luckily, I had a set of OO gauge railway passenger figures with no lower legs which fitted lovely and there was even one looking to the left as in the box art. I don't suppose railway modellers subscribe to the "I know you can't see it but I know it's there" theory that aircraft modellers use as an excuse before closing the fuselage up and hiding forever five times the cost of the kit in etched brass and resin aftermarket accessories - who are the more foolish modellers one asks.
Anyway, this is where I am so far today. I hope to update you further tomorrow!