Cold War Studio CWS48011 MiG-27K Conversion for Trumpeter’s 48th Scale MiG-27 Kit

Box of the Cold War Studio MiG-27K conversion for the Trumpeter 1/48th Scale MiG-27 kit.

I have always wanted to build a model of this museum MiG-27K since I saw it.

MiG-27K at a museum in Irkutsk. — Look at the wild sharkmouth, or is it a gator? Even though I doubt it was marked this way in service, I want it for my collection

While the kit is available in 72nd scale, it is crude and quite expensive for what is offered. I do have the nicely done Trumpeter kits, but the nose is simply incorrect on ALL their ground attack versions. Since Cold War Studios made excellent MiG-23BN and MiG-27D conversions (as well as decals for the latter), I had hoped to see this aircraft finally make it to my workbench.

In the time spent during the break from their last release, Cold War Studios have included 3D parts and STILL include everything needed for the conversion while allowing one to use kit parts or other third-party upgrades. For example, I will be using Metallic Details gear bay sets, being direct replacements for the Trumpeter kit parts, will fit the Cold War Studio conversion with no issues.

ALSO READ Trumpeter 1/48 Mig 21F-13

A quick look inside the box before my conclusion.

Main resin parts are the two nose halves of the conversion. — The nose is divided vertically into two resin parts.

We can see the corrected downward slope of the nose.

The resin part placed over the kit part shows the correction which is part of the conversion. — The resin part placed over the kit part shows the correction, which is part of the conversion.

With the Trumpeter nose over the Cold War Studio resin nose, we see that the plastic part lacks the downward slop of the nose. — With the Trumpeter nose over the Cold War Studio resin nose, we see that the plastic part lacks the downward slope of the nose.

Unlike previous MiG-23BN detail sets from Cold War Studio where the nose was a single part, it was divided into two so interior detail can be incorporated. — Unlike previous MiG-23BN detail sets from Cold War Studio, where the nose was a single part, it was divided into two so interior detail can be incorporated.

The nose gear doors are an improvement from the earlier Cold War Studio castings. — The nose gear doors are an improvement over the earlier Cold War Studio castings.

The canopy, windscreen, and laser designator clear parts are beautifully cast in resin.

Canopy and Windscreen masks are included as well as pre-cut foil for mirrors. — Canopy and Windscreen masks are included, as well as pre-cut foil for mirrors.

Conclusion – This is a very affordable kit with great value, but one must take into consideration that the resin parts in the kit will require filling (luckily along panel lines), and the panel lines on the resin items are intentionally heavy to match the kit’s scribed lines. Everything you need for the conversion is there, and MOST IMPORTANT is that the conversion also corrects the main flaw of Trumpeter’s ground attack variants. The downward slope of the nose, which also means replacing the windscreen and canopy with self-made parts. Not the case here, as it is included. Definitely worth buying from Cold War Studio. Click the Cold War Studio name, as it links to their site, for pricing.