TUDM MiG-29N Fulcrum

 available in 1/72, 1/48 & 1/32 Scale

Scale Nutz

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

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In 1995 the Tentera Udara Di-Raja Malaysia (TUDM) surprised many observers by acquiring the MiG-29 Fulcrum from Russia to meet a requirement to replace the F-5E in the air defence role.

In all eighteen aircraft were delivered including two MiG-29NUB two seat trainers. Initially equipping two squadrons, 17 and 19 at Sultan Ahmad Shah Air Base in Kuantan on the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia, all assets are now concentrated under the banner of 19 Skn, the Cobras.

In 1999 the MiG-29s underwent an upgrade, the most visible aspect of which is the fitting of a retractable air to air refueling probe on the port LEX.

The MiG-29 continues to serve the TUDM in the air defence role, although with the recent order for Su-30MKM Flankers, their future is now somewhat up in the air.

Scale Nutz is a Singaporean firm that has long produced decals for South East Asian Air Forces types, usually using a dry ink printing technique. Recently they have begun produced high quality screen printed decal sheets, one of the first being a sheet covering the MiG-29N in Malaysian service. On this sheet the modeler is provided with enough national markings and stenciling to make one MiG-29N or NUB. In addition Scale Nutz has provided enough serials and unique squadron markings to model either a 17 or 19Skn machine. As an added bonus on the 1/72 and 1/48 scale sheets they have provided speculative markings for the Su-30MKM, with markings for 11, 12 or 17 Skn aircraft. This is a nice bonus, but as the MKM is similar to the MKI, having canards, tall squared off fins and thrust vectored engines, it will be difficult to model from existing kits.

Included in the re-sealable package is the decal sheet itself, ranging in size from half A5 for the 1/72 sheet to full A5 size in 1.32, an A4 colour cover sheet with profiles and photos of the prototype and a double A3 size instruction sheet giving all the details for both the MiG-29 and proposed Su-30 schemes. Colour notes provide matches from major manufacturers for both the original Russian scheme of grey with grey-green disruptive pattern and the newer scheme using FS matched Western aircraft paints but overall similar in appearance. Perhaps one drawback of the instructions is the limited notes on what needs to be done to modify a MiG-29A to a MiG-29N, such as the removal of the Odd Rods IFF antennas. Photographs of the MiG-29N are rare and for most modelers a more detailed description of what is required would have been welcome. Another interesting decision was to not provide accurate crew names for the aircraft, as displayed at LIMA in 2003. The manufacturer cites security reasons for this decision, but it does somewhat detract from the overall package. For the refueling probe, the modeler is directed to F4Dable Models of Malaysia, who have previously produced an excellent sheet for the TUDM F/A-18D. Scale Nutz offer bundled packages with this probe at their website.

The Scale Nutz sheets are very well printed, which bodes well for their future subjects. They appear quite thin and have minimal carrier film. The complex designs of the squadron markings for example are in perfect register. I have not yet applied these markings to a model, but they appear not to pose any challenges.

Overall Scale Nutz has produced an interesting product, one that will be very welcome for those interested in modeling the aircraft of smaller air forces.

Recommended.

Thanks to SCALE NUTZ for the review sample

SCALE NUTZ products are available online from their website

Review and Images Copyright © 2004 by Ken Bowes
This Page Created on 15 November, 2004
Last updated 12 January, 2005

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