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

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 (NATO: Foxhound) is a legendary two-seat, twin-engine fighter designed for high-speed, high-altitude ambush duty. It was developed in the Soviet Union as a successor to the MiG-25 Foxbat to counter new NATO threats, particularly thelow-flying cruise missiles and bombers not seen by the older MiG-25 radar.

The MiG-31 became the world's first operational fighter to be equipped with the Zaslon passive phase array (PESA) radar. This radar allowed it to search for targets up to 200 km away, track 10 of them, and simultaneously guide missiles to 4 of them, even underneath itself ( look-down/shoot-down capability), which was technologically groundbreaking in the 1970s.

• MiG-31B (Izdeliye 01DZ): this version was introduced in 1990 in response to Western technical disclosure. It included improved avionics systems and a new, more advanced weapons control system, as well as the introduction of the new R-33S missile. The most visible feature was the In-Flight Refueling Probe system.

• MiG-31BS (Izdeliye 01DS): these are upgrades of the original MiG-31 (basic production model, Izdeliye 01) to the B version standard, but usually without a fixed in-flight refuelling probe.

These versions played a key role in the defense of large, undefended areas of the Soviet Union, where four aircraft could use datalinks to coordinate the defense of a front 800-900 km long.

Detailed view of the AMK 88008-A kit

The 1:48 scale MiG-31B/BS Foxhound kit from AvantGarde Model Kits (AMK) is considered to be the top of the line in modeling this platform. This is a later release that builds on the success and quality of the BM/BSM version, but focuses on the early operational B and BS variants.

The kit features detailed interiors, accurate fuselage moulding and sophisticated detailing achieved through multi-directional plastic moulding technology.

Key kit features:

• Parts for B and BS versions.

• Highly detailed cockpit for pilot and weapons systems operator.

• Photo-etched parts (PE planchettes) to enhance the realism of details such as the K-36DM ejection seat belts and small antennas.

• Two cab options: the kit includes parts for both a clear and optional lightly tinted/gold cab (often called 'gold-tinted') to display a realistic anti-reflective coating.

• Comprehensive armament: Includes typical Cold War missiles for this platform:

  • 4x Vympel R-33 (AA-9 Amos) long-range missiles, the iconic armament of the Foxhound.

  • 2x Vympel R-40 (AA-6 Acrid) - older but formidable missiles, taken from the MiG-25.

  • 4x Vympel R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) short-range missiles.

• Extensive decals: includes Russian Air Force and Kazakh Air Force variants, including a full set of service decals (stencils).

Note: The kit is a static plastic model for gluing and painting. It does not contain paint or glue!

• Period.

• Soviet / Russian / Kazakh

• Type.