After WWII resistance leader General Tito's death in 1980, Yugoslavia entered into a long, slow and painful slide into civil war through the '80s and into the early 1990s. This was followed by a confrontation with NATO in 1999 when the West's patience ran out with worsening acts of Genocide and ignorance of UN mandates. For most of us with no family or cultural connection to the area the fighting at times seemed to be more about the settling of centuries old scores than any thing else. The geographical area known as Yugoslavia up until the early 1990s is now divided into a number of countries including Croatia. As the once united countries split in the early '90s and formed independent governments so did the arms of the military. Yugoslavia's AF had mainly been comprised of Soviet types with some home grown and Western aircraft in the mix.

 Mach's sheet No.1 covers several options on one ex Yugoslav AF Mig 21 Bis that defected to Croatia in 1992 - c/n N-2741 coded 102. The instructions sheet also states that the decals can be used for any camouflaged Croatian Mig 21. Other aircraft numbers would have to be sourced as only '102' is provided on the small 7x51/2cm sheet, although it seems that many Croat aircraft bore no external serial numbers at this time.

 The supplied markings allow 102 to be modeled from just a few days after its defection, in overall light grey, through to 1995 when it wore a 3 colour disruptive pattern of green and brown upper surfaces over light blue-ish grey lower surfaces. FS numbers are provided for these. At this time the aircraft had the then new Croatian roundel applied which replaced the shield type previously used. It also bore nose markings 'Osvetnik Dubrovnika' (Dubrovnik Avenger - a Croatian City that came under siege by Milosovic's forces) and the knights head marking of 1 sqn Croat AF.

 The decals seem mostly well printed with minimal carrier film, however the dimensions of the Dubrovnik shield seem a little out compared to the printed image on the instruction sheet.

 Recommended kits are Fujimi's -21 MF/Bis and KP's MF.

 Long time modelers would find the set out of the single sided A4 sized instruction sheet very familiar - it has a very Modeldecal appearance to it. This is one sheet that should be sort out by the fan of short-lived national insignia or small wars.

 I picked this sheet up at an IPMS NSW meeting back in the second half of the '90s but have seen no other work from this 'company'. The only information regarding those involved in the sheet is Research and drawings - D Frka and V.Jereb. No address or contact details are provided on the sheet. I believe that one of those involved would be Daniel Frka who co-produced an excellent pair of articles on Yugoslav Mig 21s for Scale Models back in 1989 (issues 235, May and 242, December) featuring some excellent colour profiles and 1/72^nd drawings.

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