Algerian duo (Mig-15 UTI a Fouga Magister) 1/72

   The foundation of the Algerian Air Force is dated to the period of the fight against French colonial domination. It was really starting from scratch. In 1957, six Algerians were sent to Syria for pilot training. Gradually, with the support of the USSR and other African countries, especially Egypt, the Algerian Air Force was established in February 1959. Via Egypt, 12 Helwan Gomhouria trainer aircraft and 2 Mig 15 UTI + 3 Mig-15 bis were purchased in 1962 for Algeria.
From this basis, the Algerian Air Force gradually grew into one of the most powerful air forces on the African continent, thanks mainly to deliveries from the Soviet Union and then from Russia.

    But let’s go back to the beginning. Mig-15 UTI by Eduard is a plane (obviously from Czechoslovak production) in a later 1984 colour scheme. This brings a little confusion about the markings which is also mentioned in the instructions. Also the decals options offer both variants. At this time, the placement of the insignia was changing from 6 positions to 4, with the imatriculation number applied to the wings instead of the insignia (on the upper right and lower left half of the wing). The same is now seen on modern Algerian planes. There is not much reference material on the Algerian Air Force, especially from the 60-80s, so it was hard to get any picture of how it might have appeared. In the end, based on a few clues and assumptions, I chose the variant with the markings at 6 positions +2 on the tail.

I don’t have much to add to the build itself. It’s 6th Mig-15 from Eduard, which I build straight OOB. I kept the build steps simple and easy, so the build went very fast.

   Another trainer aircraft in the Algerian Air Force was the Fouga Magister. This is interesting and perhaps surprising given the fairly complicated wartime history of Algiers as a former French colony. However, as I have read, 28 surplus Fouga Magisters were acquired from Germany in 1967. So the Algerian Magisters first flew in the original user’s livery and sometime later were given a new desert paint scheme. The second modification dating from the early 80’s became a decal variant of the Special Hobby “Exotic Air forces” box. I have found a single photo of the NT-44 plane which unfortunately does not show the placement of the insignia on the wing. Later on as I was searching how it was for the above mentioned Migu-15 UTI I got the impression that the emblems should be rather in the new variant in 4 positions with the mentioned imatrication on the wing. The main argument for this is the new format of imatriculation (letters – digits) of Algerian aircraft used until now (On the Migu-15 UTI the older one is numerical only).

Building the Special Hobby kit is definitely not as easy as the Eduard´s Mig-15. The same I mentioned while building the first Magister HERE It takes a lot of time to fit the parts and especially to glue all pieces of the canopy in the closed position. It’s a shame that the kit doesn’t include a one-piece canopy option.

Despite imperfections added by myself, I am very happy with this small collection in sand colours.