Testors 1/48 MiG-37B Ferret E Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | April 2013 | Manufacturer | Testors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | MiG-37B Ferret E | Scale | 1/48 |
| Kit Number | 0502 | Primary Media | Styrene |
| Pros | Unique subject, great start for an 'update' | Cons | Out of Production |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | Out of Production |
First Look
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I was rummaging through the stacks of kits at a recent regional contest and spotted a couple of classic kits at a nice price. This is the Testors 1/48 MiG-37B Ferret E kit first released in the late 1980s and reissued by Italeri. This subject was also released in 1/72 and paired up with another notional subject, the long-rumored (in those days) F-19 Stealth Fighter in 1/48 and 1/72. While the F-19 kit was developed from 'reported sightings' of the aircraft, it would be the F-117 that would emerge into the public eye.
In the meantime, whoever did the design of this MiG-37 kit captured a number of design elements you see in various OKB designs along with some interesting details including the shrouded non-afterburning exhaust that is similar to the F-117. When I spotted this kit for $10.00 on that table, I instantly had an idea for a design update.
This kit is molded in black styrene and presented on two parts trees plus one small tree of clear parts. Among the features and options:
- Simple cockpit
- Positionable dorsal speed brakes
- Positionable canopy
- Positionable ventral weapons bay doors
- Optional notional low-observable weapons for the bays
If you look again at its overall design, there are some similarities to the much more recent F-35 as well as the MiG 1.44. One could fix some of the weaker features like replacing the awkward MiG-23-like landing gear with some aftermarket MiG-29 struts and wheels, replace the cockpit with a MiG-29 set along with a proper K-36D ejection seat, and then update the airframe design as desired. There are numerous possibilities here. The stock kit featured the typical black finish of the early stealth types whereas there are numerous and interesting splinter schemes being applied to modern Russian types. Your imagination is the limit here.
If you can find one of these gems, have some fun. You'll definitely get some attention on the contest table regardless of what you do with this model. Avoid the collectors' markets and seek out the bargains at a regional or national contest near you.