Armory – 72012 – MiG-3 Late Production “Winter Air Defence”

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a Soviet MiG-3 fighter aircraft.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 was a Soviet high-altitude interceptor fighter introduced just before the outbreak of the German invasion in 1941. Designed as an evolution of the earlier MiG-1, it featured improved stability, greater fuel capacity, and better armament placement. Its sleek, streamlined airframe and powerful Mikulin AM-35A engine gave it excellent speed at high altitudes—over 600 km/h above 7,000 meters—making it one of the fastest fighters in the world at those heights when it first appeared.

However, the MiG-3’s performance suffered badly at low and medium altitudes, where most combat on the Eastern Front took place. Its acceleration, maneuverability, and climb rate at low level were inferior to those of German fighters like the Bf 109. Additionally, it had a relatively weak armament, especially in early models, typically consisting of a single 12.7 mm UBS and two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns. This made it less effective in dogfights and ground attack roles.

Late production MiG-3s saw several modifications in an attempt to address these shortcomings. Some featured improved armament configurations, such as replacing the lighter ShKAS guns with a second 12.7 mm UBS machine gun or adding underwing 12.7 mm or 20 mm gun pods—though these often increased weight and drag. The fuel system was adjusted for better range, and armor protection was slightly improved, with some aircraft receiving armored headrests and more robust windscreen glass. Small aerodynamic refinements, like modified wing tips or fairings, were also applied.

Despite these efforts, the MiG-3 remained a high-altitude specialist in a low-altitude war. As the AM-35A engine production ended (in favor of the AM-38 for the Il-2 ground attack aircraft), the MiG-3 was phased out, and newer fighters like the Yak-1 and LaGG-3 took over frontline roles. Still, many Soviet pilots, including aces like Aleksandr Pokryshkin early in his career, flew the MiG-3 with success by exploiting its strengths in speed and diving performance. While not beloved by all, it remains a striking and ambitious design in the early Soviet aviation war effort.

Variant of kit Armory – 72011 – MiG-3 late production “Bloody 1941”, updated with a new decal sheet and new parts, 3D printed parts. Kit include also PE (photo-etched) parts. Decal sheet include ten markings to chose from, focused in the Winter 1941/1942 camouflage schemas, up to March 1942.