Bob Migliardi has returned to his excellent set of decals for North Korean Mig-15s and added to it with an extra colour scheme for a Soviet ace flying for North Korea along with expanded instructions.
As before, the sheet offers something for everyone with its mix of camouflaged and natural metal aircraft, and a bonus for anyone looking for something a little unusual is the inclusion of USAF markings for a MiG-17 that was tested by the United States after its North Korean pilot defected in 1953.
As ever with Iliad Design sheets, the decals are superb quality - gloss-finished and beautifully thin, boasting pin-sharp registration and excellent colour-density.
A really nice touch is the inclusion of a few spare national insignia, and it's important to note that the sheet includes sufficient decals to complete all eight colour schemes, so there'll be no need to use any kit markings.
The sheet includes markings for the following colour schemes:
1. "Black 07" of the PLAAF (People’s Liberation Army Air Force) finished in n/m with Chinese insignia and a large red inscription that reads “Peoples Voluntary Air Force” (in reference to Chinese "volunteers" who fought in the Korean conflict).
2. "Black 931" flown by Soviet pilot K. I. Siyom of the 535th IAP, 32nd IAD, spring of 1953, and sporting the classic striped camouflage.
3. "Yellow 758" flown by Soviet pilot Captain P. S. Milaushkin, 176th IAP, 324th IAD in early 1952.
4. "Red 2057" flown by North Korean pilot No Kum-Sok when he defected to Kimpo air base in South Korea on Sept 21, 1953.
5. Kum-Sok's aircraft sporting USAF marking after his defection.
6."Red 03" flown by Soviet pilot Major Arkady Boitsov, 16th IAP, 971st IAD in Manchuria, summer of 1953.
7. "Red 2249" flown by Chinese pilot Wang Hai, assistant CO of the 7th Air Regiment 3rd Air Division, in the summer of 1953.
8. "Red 325" flown by Soviet ace Col. Yevgeni Pepelyayev
The instructions are printed in full colour and spread across two A4 sheets, with high-quality side profiles, smaller top views that also show the positions of underside markings "ghosted out", plus a useful selection of period photos for reference. Concise notes are included for details specific to each scheme, along with a diagram with dimensions for marking the red nose of Yevgeni Pepelyayev's aircraft.
Conclusion
Considering that it saw action from a fantastic combination of piston-engine aircraft and second-generation jets, the Korean War doesn't receive nearly the attention that it deserves as a modelling subject. Therefore Iliad Design's set of MiG-15 markings is all the more welcome and contains all you need for a striking line-up of the iconic jet, and its price makes it perfect for a very affordable group-build or long-term individual project.
Sheet #48027A - Korean War MiG-15s - is available now from Iliad Design - Price: $14.00
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