AMK 88008 1/48 Mikoyan MiG-31B/BS Foxhound AMK

The aircraft that looks similar to the machine it was designed to replace, the MiG-25, was actually more than a simple rework with lengthening and a second cockpit. In fact, the MiG-31 was a whole new supersonic interceptor, designed to overcome of the shortcomings of its predecessor. Not only had issues with manoeuvrability been overcome, but the type was capable of a higher Mach speed without rick of engine failure.

The type also utilises multiple target tracking technology and the Look Up/Look Down – Shoot Down capability, thanks to its advanced Zaslon radar. As well as high altitude interception, along with the ability to shoot down Cruise missiles, escort high flying bombers, and provide strategic air defence, the MiG-31 also had, unlike the MiG-25, a good ability to provide low-level support, whilst maintaining speed and manoeuvrability. The B series of MiG-31 had an improved refuelling probe as well as avionics that allowed multiple aircraft and ground stations to network with each other and share data so that any one individual MiG-31 could act upon that data and destroy/intercept the target. This system is operated via a data-linking system.

Currently, Russian and Kazakhstani air forces operate the MiG-31, and the production period that lasted from 1975 to 1994, saw over 500 of the type built, and it is anticipated that they will remain in service until 2030. Existing ‘B’ frames have now been updated to ‘BM’ status, and BS types are now modernised to what is referred to as BSM, with further-improved target detection.

The Kit

AMK are a pretty new name to the market, but already with a respectable number of impressive releases under their belt, such as the highly detailed 1:48 Fouga Magister, and the Aero Delphin etc. Prior to the release of this MiG-31B/BS version kit, in 2015, AMK released the MiG-31BM/BSM to much fanfare, and the kit has been lauded on various forums and on Facebook. There’s no doubt that the in-progress photos and finished images of this kit do indeed show that this was a very special kit release. There are a number of model manufacturers that do listen to their customers, and AMK do seem to be one, as this next incarnation of their kit includes a number of improvements that had been flagged up by builders of the first kit. These include decals for the Germetika canopy sealant, tinted clear sprue as an alternative to the regular parts, and also a re-engineering of some areas to eradicate those areas where ejection pin marks originally resided. I do know that there are more PE parts in this kit, but no longer the cast weights that the first release had. This review won’t compare this kit to the previous, simply because I don’t have the previous release to hand, so let’s take a nice, simple look at what this new MiG-31B/BS offers the modeller.

The box itself is no shrinking violet, being a reasonable size, and quite deep, as well as having a nice weighty feeling to it. A rather nice photo of a real MiG-31 adorns the lid, in art that looks a little too similar to the original release, so remember to check exactly which version of this kit you are picking up or putting in your virtual shopping cart. Lifting that lid shows the first sign of real attention to detail. The sprues themselves are tucked in next to three smaller boxes that contain some of the fancier, larger mouldings. Whilst the bagged sprues aren’t all separately packed into their own clear sleeves, they are well packed, and no damage can be seen across any parts on my sample, including scuffing etc. Under the sprues can be found an instruction manual, two decal sheets and a single fret of photo-etched parts.