Hobby Boss MiG-3, 1/72
kit review
by Honza Jezl
Uploaded on January 22, 2007
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Hobby Boss is a kind of a branch of Trumpeter. It is really the "source" of those already painted Easy Models. 
But it seems that the kit was improved a bit when compared to them: now it has six rockets and correct asymmetrical oil coolers as well. 
The nose is hollow (but walls are incredibly thick) as there is a separate piece which has to be glued from the bottom. The rear fuselage is, from joint to wing, full of plastic.
Comparing to the RPM kit, I consider the Hobby Boss better in shapes (shorter fuselage, correct canopy) and in quality of the moulding. 
Both open and closed canopies are supplied; one could take advantage of this to improve an RPM model too, if he has it. 

 

There are decals for two machines: 
  • White 5 with green upper surfaces; this plane is described as flown by the ace Pokryshkin, but no any photo of it is available, and it could be a fantasy plane;
  • white MiG with red arrow and writings "za partiy bolshevikov" in front of fuselage stars.

 

On the sheet, the decals look fantastic, but I am afraid that the red arrow will be too narrow to be placed around exhausts.

 
After 20 minutes of "work" - just test fitting. No glue was used, only canopy and head rest doesn't hold on the place. Comparing to the RPM kit I consider the Hobby Boss better in shapes (shorter fuselage, correct canopy) and especially in quality of the kit itself. 
An huge drawback is that there is almost none detail in the cockpit, being the fuselage molded in one piece. 

The fit of tail surfaces is very tight, some sanding will be required.
Dihedral of tail is not so good.
The absence of the lines of contour of flaps and of glycol cooler outlets are the main shortcomings visible from below. 

 
.
  It features lovely wheel wells and legs. 
Wheels are acceptable, but not too realistic 
A strange line is visible around aileron. It looks like remnant of previous wrong shaped aileron. The structure is nicely visible by recesses in the surface, but it should not be so visible on the real plane.
 		 Details on the fuselage are not so crisp. 
On both sides, a vertical panel line has to be added on the plate behind the exhaust stacks. 
The protrusion on the plate (the cover of priming fuel cap) should be on the left side only. 
The cockpit is very simple. It lacks of instrument panel and of space for legs. 
No side walls details at all. 		 At least the head rest cushion and the radio deck behind the seat are fine.

 
Go to Hobby Boss build
Go to Photos of completed model
Back to MiG-3 Main