TOPIC: KeilKraft Mig 15

I’m thinking of building a KeilKraft Mig15 (vintage model company) Jetex 50 powered , are there any modifications , vices etc that I should be aware of before I get started ?

Hi David,
nice to have you on board. The KK MiG 15, a Bill Dean design is a great model, and needs little or no modification to fly well. The only changes I made were an extra top spar in front of the main spar, some webbing between the spars, wing fences, a shaped leading edge and sheeting around the canopy and nose:



Above: my venerable MiG 15. The changes I made are really only cosmetic (like the wing fences and sculpting the fuselage formers between stringers). I finished my model with a light spray of silver. You might like to emulate Jetex John and cover with light grey of silver tissue.

None of these is necessary (but filling in with balsa sheet around the nose is a really good thing to do). I did reduce the dihedral by a half without problems. Howard also loves the MiG 15 and will, I'm sure, have some good advice!

I look forward to news of your progress on the forum! Comments about the quality of the kit, balsa quality and laser cutting would be very useful.

Thanks Roger will take these hints on board

I tend to go way OTT with these lovely little models as you can see by the structure of my many times repaired Mig 15, i.e. one piece wing going right through the fuselage (when the model will allow this), reinforced wing, reinforced wing location, extra stingers, nose sheeting, modified outlines, built up tail surfaces etc etc. These all make it a little heavier and it still flies well on an Rapier L2 HP. None of this is absolutely needed and will fly well without them but I've got to have my fun, however I think it wise to make a stronger wing if you can and especially pay attention to strengthening the wing root, the wing tips can hit the ground hard sometimes. Have fun.





Above: the HM KK Mig 15. The bare bones picture shows the many changes made; the finished model shows just what can be made of a KK Flying Scale kit design. It's really up to the builder - but Bill Dean's classic model is one of the best!