Bereznyak-Isayev BI-1
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KIT REVIEW
Nick-named the ‘Devil’s Broomstick’ the BI-1 is variously listed as being made by Bolkhovitinov-Isaev, Berezniak-Isaev (Isaov) or Bereznyak/Isayev? This new kit from Miro-Mir is not the first injected kit of the type in 1/48th, because OEZ are listed as having produced on in early 1990s, but I have to say I have never seen one? Inside the rather flimsy box you will find two sprues of dark grey-coloured plastic, one of clear and a fret of photo-etched brass. The moulding overall is very good, with fine engraved panel lines throughout and little sign of any moulding flaws. The wings are often when low-volume kits fall down, usually due to prominent ejector pin marks, or towers, but the wings halves here have smooth and commendably thin edges that are not marked by any such pin marks; even the wheel well is a separate part. The interior features moulded rib detail on each fuselage half and separate rear bulkhead, floor, control column, seat and rudder pedals in plastic with the seat belts and instrument panel as photo-etched brass (the latter utilises an acetate film for the dial faces etc.). There is no internal detail to the rocket exhaust, just the extreme tip as a separate (and thus shallow) part, but the tailplanes and endplates all feature locating tabs to ease alignment. The undercarriage is nice, with separate oleo with compression linkage, retraction rams, wheels and doors, the only thing I noted being inconsistent detail in the wheel hubs due to some malformation and what looks to be a slight bulge in the tyre edge by the rim, overall these are small points on a tiny component and if you really want finding alternative wheels in a collection of spare parts should not be hard as they are small diameter so probably 1/72nd or 1/144th would be suitable? The two pitot on the nose are supplied in plastic, but to be truthful these can never been successfully moulded round in cross-section, so are best replaced with length of a suitable diameter tube.
Verdict
A type like the BI-1 is unlikely to ever attract the attentions of the real big mainstream manufacturers, so this is probably the best way to add this rather neat little rocket interceptor to your collection. It is certainly an impressive little kit and I will keep a close eye on what Micro-Mir offer in 1/48th in the future as a result.
Nick-named the ‘Devil’s Broomstick’ the BI-1 is variously listed as being made by Bolkhovitinov-Isaev, Berezniak-Isaev (Isaov) or Bereznyak/Isayev? This new kit from Miro-Mir is not the first injected kit of the type in 1/48th, because OEZ are listed as having produced on in early 1990s, but I have to say I have never seen one? Inside the rather flimsy box you will find two sprues of dark grey-coloured plastic, one of clear and a fret of photo-etched brass. The moulding overall is very good, with fine engraved panel lines throughout and little sign of any moulding flaws. The wings are often when low-volume kits fall down, usually due to prominent ejector pin marks, or towers, but the wings halves here have smooth and commendably thin edges that are not marked by any such pin marks; even the wheel well is a separate part. The interior features moulded rib detail on each fuselage half and separate rear bulkhead, floor, control column, seat and rudder pedals in plastic with the seat belts and instrument panel as photo-etched brass (the latter utilises an acetate film for the dial faces etc.). There is no internal detail to the rocket exhaust, just the extreme tip as a separate (and thus shallow) part, but the tailplanes and endplates all feature locating tabs to ease alignment. The undercarriage is nice, with separate oleo with compression linkage, retraction rams, wheels and doors, the only thing I noted being inconsistent detail in the wheel hubs due to some malformation and what looks to be a slight bulge in the tyre edge by the rim, overall these are small points on a tiny component and if you really want finding alternative wheels in a collection of spare parts should not be hard as they are small diameter so probably 1/72nd or 1/144th would be suitable? The two pitot on the nose are supplied in plastic, but to be truthful these can never been successfully moulded round in cross-section, so are best replaced with length of a suitable diameter tube.
Verdict
A type like the BI-1 is unlikely to ever attract the attentions of the real big mainstream manufacturers, so this is probably the best way to add this rather neat little rocket interceptor to your collection. It is certainly an impressive little kit and I will keep a close eye on what Micro-Mir offer in 1/48th in the future as a result.
