Build Report: ICM MiG-29 '9-13' of the Ukrainian Air Force with JDAM-ER 1/72
MiG-29 '9-13' of the Ukrainian Air Force with JDAM-ER
With kit No. 72144, ICM has released a truly exciting version of the MiG-29 – specifically, the '9-13' of the Ukrainian Air Force, equipped with JDAM-ER glide bombs. This is a topic that could hardly be closer to reality right now, and it takes on a different meaning during construction than "just another jet model".
Upon first glance into the box, I was pleasantly surprised: The parts are cleanly molded, beautifully finely engraved, and for the 1:72 scale, really well-detailed. The build itself was quite relaxed – the fit is good, you make steady progress, and you don't have to constantly rework things.
What I did notice immediately (and honestly, it annoyed me for a moment): The part numbers are completely missing from the sprues. This means you spend much longer searching and looking at the instructions more often than you'd like. It's not a disaster, but when you just want to "build relaxed," you definitely notice it.
The real eye-catcher of this kit, however, is clearly the armament. The ability to equip the MiG-29 with JDAM-ER makes the whole thing extremely interesting because it precisely reflects these current Ukrainian modifications. You don't see something like this in model building every day.
The paint scheme also really stands out. Instead of classic MiG grey, you get a striking blue-and-yellow scheme that immediately catches the eye. The double-headed eagle on the tail fins and the light upper surface will make the model a real centerpiece in the display cabinet later on. Especially with an airbrush, this is a lot of fun because you can achieve beautiful, clear color transitions.
Conclusion:
For me, this is a really successful kit with a contemporary relevance. ICM combines a solid base with modern armament and a striking paint scheme – that just makes the model special.
The only real criticism remains the missing part numbers on the sprue. You can live with it, but it costs time and nerves.
Ultimately, however, you get a well-detailed model that is pleasant to build and stands out from the crowd due to its theme. If you're into modern jets or simply want to build something different from the usual standard paint schemes, I can definitely recommend this kit.
Stefan
Thanks to Glow2B for the review sample!
www.icm.com.ua/