Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3

The MiG-3 is a development of the MiG-1 with only minor differences (but significantly different handling).
To improve the MiG-1's poor spin performance, automatic leading edge slats were fitted.
No other country operated such a fast high-altitude interceptor, and even the Air Force was surprised when some of its high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft were lost to invisible Soviet fighters.
The MiG-3 was almost perfectly suited to its intended role, but the well-known events of 1941 forced pilots to use the MiG-3 as a replacement for conventional fighters or even ground-attack aircraft.
It was a forced misuse of a good high-altitude interceptor with limitations in low-altitude performance.
At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War (which was World War II for the Soviets), many MiG pilots rammed German bombers after running out of ammunition – often under orders to "stop bombers by any means necessary."
All MiG-3s were equipped with protected fuel tanks filled with neutral gas.
This somewhat mitigated other disadvantages at low altitudes.
The Soviets built 3,322 MiG-3 variants. Thanks to their exceptional ease of maintenance, repairability, and parts compatibility, the aircraft remained in service almost until the end of the war.
Typically, an airworthy MiG-3 could be assembled in the field from two or three irreparable aircraft, giving it enormous longevity.

Plastic model kit

• With photo-etched parts

Scale 1:32

unbuilt / unpainted

Paint and glue not included