Zvezda La-5fn (WIP)

Alright, I'm nearing the home stretch! The model got an oil wash of raw umber and various filters on the wing tops. The prop was glued on, and I had to use some ref. photos to make sure the engine cooling  shutters didn't end up too far inside the cowling. I made a pitot tube out of brass tubing, and still have to paint it. All thats left now is to attach the wheels and to give everything a flat coat.

Thanks Lyle. I owe some credit to Vector for the resin pit.

Outstanding work, Nathan. Cockpit looks especially nice.

Thanks Commander John!

Joe- I can't use Alclad Kear Kote because its Enamel based and I always use oil washes for my next step. I just sealed the decals with Alcald Aqua Gloss and I'm gonna give it 2 days to be sure. Thanks for the good words!

Nothing wrong. Great build

Don't see anything wrong with the decals.  Sharp scheme.  If you would like speed in the gloss drying process, try the Alclad Gloss.   I've decaled an hour after application before.  Fantastic stuff.  I lok forward to seeing this one done.

Joe  

Thanks Marc and JimN. If had another Zvezda La-5 in the stash, I'd bust it open right now for something to do while the gloss dries on these. Its just a great looking kit from beginning to end. The only thing to be real critical of is the kit's own decals, which I didn't use this time. I used Zvezda's decals before, and they are sub standard to say the least.

Happy to harass you all you want.  But it won't have anything to do with the build.  It simply not harassable.

Gee, go figure.  The spell checker is saying harassable is not a word.

Nathan, I'll take your word about that decal being crooked. If it is it is so slight that I can't tell. But, so what? We're talking about a weapon of war here. They saw a lot of wear and tear unless they never made it into combat. They should have some imperfections. I think you did a fantastic job on it. Can't wait to see it weathered and finished.

I really feel like I made some major progress now that I got the decals on. These are from an AML sheet that included the resin cowling parts to make this a -F. I've never used these decals before and I ended up being pretty impressed. They are really glossy and thin, yet tough enough, and respond well to Micro set and sol. I did have one issue with the port side slogan. This was one big decal that included the red star, and number 40 all in one. This was too big and I was worried the decal would want to curl up on me, so I cut it out into 2 pieces. I used alot of micro set, then set the slogan decal down, but one corner wouldn't move, and it tore slightly and wrinkled a bit. I just gave up and left the decal looking a bit crooked. Now, lots of of other soviet aircraft had slogans hurriedly painted on and were purposely crooked, so I'm going with that explanation on this plane! Micro-sol didn't quite get rid of the wrinkle I made, but it looks good enough for me to move on and forget. Soon I'll be sealing over these with some Alclad Aqua Gloss, and then the weathering will start. 

Feel free to harass me all you like!

Looking great.  The flat will definitely tone it down.  

Joe

Coming together nicely!

I think its fine Nathan. I would imagine after flat, it will tone down considerably.

Glossed using Polyscale acrylic clear and awaiting decals. I did some chipping along the metal parts. I might overspray some of it after the model is flat coated because i think it's a little over done??

Yes, the La-7 needs lots of work. I can see how in your situ. it tarnished the fun of building VVS. This Zvezda kit will turn that around. Then go build their Yak 3. Can't go wrong. I have the Eduard La-7 in the stash with bonus resin goodies. I plan on doing a bunch of mods just to get it looking right. ICM and Accurate Miniatures are other companies to look at for Yaks. They can be had cheap off ebay so no real loss if you end up not liking the kit.

Absolutely stunning airbrush work.  You have perhaps convinced me to get one of these turkeys.  I'm probably gun shy because I absolutely hated the Eduard LA-7 I built a few years ago, so I subconsciously figured all Russian fighters were lousy.   This certainly looks to be up to the standards of the Tamigawa faction.    

Joe

Yeah it is, but its what Stalin wanted!!

Good job Nathan! Man that is one wild shade of blue!!!

Sweet looking build Nathan!

jeaton01

Very nice, Nathan.

Very nice, Nathan.

Thanks guys! Toughest part was mixing the colors to the right shades.

Lookin' good man! Love the camo scheme.

Looks real nice Nathan.   Happy to see the quality of the Zvezda parts too

Painting is Done! Here's the steps:

Pre-shaded, then the first color, Amt-7 Blue going on:

Metal parts were sprayed and masked off before the camo.

The top camo then went on. They are a custom mix of Gunze colors. I sprayed them on freehand, then slightly lightened the colors. Its hard to make out in the pics. Metal panels were then un-masked:

Resin wheels and prop painted:

Gloss and decals coming up...

Can't wait to see the painting .  Loving it so far Nathan.  Nice touch with the cowl guns.  

Joe

Almost ready to prime. I have to try and fair in the rear canopy section. There are 2 rear canopy parts offered. One is skinnier to allow the kit hood to slide open, but it doesn't fit as well:

Added brake lines:

Here's the resin scoops attached to make this an La-5f:

I'll also be adding these nice tires from Roy Sutherland:

I posed the elevators with minimal fuss:

More to come...

Looking forward to seeing the progress, nice improvising Nathan.

Thanks for hanging in there guys. I see now Eduard has released this kit in a limited edition boxing, with all the pe and resin tires. Decals are nice, but I was hoping for more resin goodies from them, such as an engine or resin guns and gun bay. That kit is still on my list though as I want to build another La-5.

Glad to see this one back up front Nathan! Good eye on that plate behind the spinner.