The ghost of Kiev, a Ukrainian fighter jet

Build me up. Defend the skies over Kiev!

The Ghost of Kiev. A fighter pilot of the Ukrainian Air Force. Reaper over 40 Russian aircraft. Who was this indomitable defender of the Ukrainian capital? He suddenly appeared in his MiG-29 fighter jet in an unexpected place. He lived in the minds of Russian pilots, fearfully holding Russian airspace, not daring to fly missions over Kiev and at the same time inspiring a nation fighting against hopeless odds. Was he man or myth? One pilot or many? Is he still guarding the Ukrainian skies or did he fall in battle?

People need hope, they need heroes, and in the first days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the ghost of Kiev became that hero for millions of Ukrainians. As the number of downed enemy aircraft in aerial combat attributed to the ghost grew, so did the legend. But legends or not, the fact is that Russia failed to gain air supremacy over Kiev in the early days of the war – a crucial factor in Ukraine’s survival – thanks largely to the brave pilots of Ukraine’s 40th Tactical Air Brigade, the true “Ghosts of Kiev”.

Ugears, a proud Ukrainian company, brings the Ghost of Kiev to life with this 1:72 scale model of the MiG-29 fighter jet. The model impresses with its realism, with movable ailerons, wing flaps and tail rudders, retractable front and rear landing gear, removable missiles and a hinged canopy. However, the outstanding feature of this self-built wooden 3D aeroplane model is that it floats in the air like a phantom. This is thanks to the use of tensegrity (tensile strength or floating compression), an elegant construction principle that is also used for bridges and stadium roofs. Four thin fishing lines with ratchet tension allow the self-built model aeroplane to hover above its stand as if by magic, even though the lines are underneath the model! A slider at the back of the model allows you to roll the aeroplane to the left and right to simulate a flight. The angle of attack of the MiG-29 can also be changed using the adjusters under the stand.

The stand, above which the ghost of Kiev appears to be hovering, tells a story. The base shows an attractive, stylised map of Kiev cut out of wood, symbolising the city and all its inhabitants under the protection of the ghost. The sides of the pedestal offer a panoramic view of the Kiev skyline. The arm of the stand shows an enemy aircraft that has been shot down – another one for the ghost!

The kit contains everything you need to assemble it. No glue or additional tools required. The parts are carefully laser-cut from high-quality plywood sheets and can be detached with light pressure and then assembled with the help of the illustrated step-by-step instructions in eleven languages. If a part breaks during assembly, please let us know. We will be happy to provide you with spare parts for your 3D puzzle free of charge.

Assemble this mechanical 3D puzzle and retell the legend of the brave fighter pilot who heroically defended his city against invaders over and over again – part of the history and mythology surrounding the rebirth of the modern Ukrainian state. The “Ghost of Kyiv Ukrainian Fighter” is an interesting and educational project for hobbyists and families, and its gravity-defying tensegrity construction makes it an eye-catching addition to your home or office. This MiG-29 model is an original gift for anyone interested in aircraft modelling, military history and aviation, and for anyone helping Ukraine to preserve its freedom and independence against Russian aggression. A portion of the proceeds from each “Ghost of Kyiv Ukrainian Fighter” model purchased through our international website will be donated to Ukrainian relief and defence.