Sovietwarplanes

Hey guys  :D

I know i am currently busy on my MiG-3. The thing is that i have few time to paint and more time to build. Now i am polishing and correcting the air intakes on the MiG's wing and that is hell to do. Because i want to make the nose in Alclad polished aluminum, i have to make the surface of the nose flawless and it takes a lot of time. So i started out to build the La-5F...The speed and ease of build of this kit is excellent and progress is good. I never thought i would make this so quick, because i am several months busy with the MiG-3. I build the La-5F in no less than three weeks... :o

I use both Zvezda kits of the Lavochkin 5 series to build a La-5F. The only kit available is the superb Vector resin kit. Sadly it also has a superb price of 70 euro's in my LHS... :(
A other option is to use a resin modification set of Loon models for the La-5FN kit. This modification is 17 euro's in my LHS. The La-5 costs 16 euro's and i have spare parts to use for maybe my LaGG-3. The choice i had was easy, buy the two Zvezda kits. I also bought Eduard upgrade PE and AML La-5F decals. Still not thatching the Vector price here...

(http://s20.postimg.org/ex8ufcp4p/La_5_F_001.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ex8ufcp4p/)
The scavenged parts from the nose of the La-5 kit. Later i also used the upper wing roots of the La-5 kit.

(http://s20.postimg.org/frve1dwzd/La_5_F_005.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/frve1dwzd/)
The wing roots are used from the La-5 kit. In the La-5FN kit they have aluminum plates fixed here. I made the rear seat cussing myself from a part of Evergreen plastic. No cussing is delivered with the kit.

(http://s20.postimg.org/m30lhsy7t/La_5_F_003.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/m30lhsy7t/)
I wanted to make the maintenance hatch open, so you can see whats inside. I cut out the hatch and made a new one myself.

(http://s20.postimg.org/yixbbjrjt/La_5_F_004.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/yixbbjrjt/)
Because the maintenance hatch is open, i also had to made the interior a bit further than the kit shows.

(http://s20.postimg.org/pdoyhoo55/La_5_F_006.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/pdoyhoo55/)
Some internal details made here. Oxygen bottles, fuel filters, battery case and radio set. few modifications i had to made to make it more accurate. I use the MBI books of the La-5 and La-7. I saw that they made an error with the position of the oxygen bottles and radio here. Zvezda used the lay out of the La-7 (radio and oxygen bottles) on their La-5FN kit. The La-5F radio and oxygen bottles were on a different location than on the La-7. I don't know if the rear lay out of the oxygen bottles and radio were different between the La-5F and La-5FN. i have to research this...

Regards,

Remco   

Hi Remco,
it looks very promissing :) I also thought about something like that - how to make La-5F from existing Zvezda kits.
Plus, how to make La-7. Somewhere on scalemodels.ru they wrote that best choice could be Zvezda plus Eduard, but it requires too much surgery. :( Of course, all that in 1:48.
What camo are you going to do?

     66misos

Hi Remco,
maybe you could use the advanced pieces for a two-seater La-5  trainer. There is a cockpit and canopy to scratchbuild, but looks feasible.
Regards
Massimo

Hey guys,

@ 66misos,
I almost forget to mention the camo  ::) Its Ivan Kozhedub's plane. Most modelers are making Ivan's La-7, but i allready had seen a nice camo on the La-7. I have the Eduard La-7 profipack, and liked the boxart camo of the Baltic sea/ Leningrad area units. White tail and nose, very cool. I am breaking my head to kitbash the Eduard and the Zvezda tougheter. I have read it also on scalemodels.ru. i think you have to use the wings and nose from Eduard and from the cockpit on till the tail, the Zvezda. The cockpit walls have pour detail, so you can better use the Zvezda cockpit here. The armor plate on the side you can make of styrene sheet youself. Detail on the armorplate from Eduard is poor, no small holes here were the riveting took place here...

@ Massimo,
I don't like two seaters in general (except on the MiG-31  ;D), but its very tempting to build something unique here...hmmm...I start to like your idea...I think i can make a La-5 uti, but i had other plans for it. I wanted to make a fully exposed La-5. All hathes open and a damaged outer wing part were you can see the internal structure, a new wing part and the internal structure of the inner wing part were the landing gear is...very ambitious, but still thinking how to build this  ;D

@Remco
I love the way you made the access hatch and to make some extra adjustments.
It give me the extra edge to make my Mig-19 as even good.
And then the Hs-129? :D

@ Michel,
I like the acces hatch to. Its a nice way to see inside. The fuel filters were a bit of a challange. especially the wire around it. i drilled a hole to put the wire in, and it split in two... ::) I glued the halves toghether and drilled them again with good results. I think your MiG wil be good, no doubt here  :)

The Hs-129 we build next  :D

Hi Remco,
Sounds interesting, but be careful not to make too heavy damage, else it is difficult that the plane lands safely. Such an idea could be more suitable for an Il-2, there are lots of photos to take ispiration and to prove that the plane landed.
Regards
Massimo

True Massimo. I had the idea to make a salvo of 7.62 and one 20mm hole in the middle next to the fuel tanks (lucky that the fuel tank was missed  ;D) The wooden wing could take more punishment then a metal wing. I was not planning something wild here. Just a couple of bullet holes. I have to work the idea out and see some bullet hole photo's for ideas...

How about this for some Il-2 damage:

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/Learstang/IL-2withSevereDamagetotheWingroot.jpg)

Regarding the wooden wings, with the Shturmovik, it was found that the metal-covered wings were tougher than the wooden-covered wings, as often a large piece of the wooden skin would be blasted away by a shell penetrating through the wing, whilst the metal wing would only have a small entry and exit hole for the shell.  The metal wing was also lighter, and Sergey Ilyushin was always pushing to have the metal wings universally made for all Il-2's.  The only reason they used the wooden wings was because of a shortage of aluminium.

Regards,

Jason

HI Remco

great work, and useful info regards interior detail...

but you seem unaware that that AML decals include resin parts to make an La-5F from the FN kit? Or was yours missing.  

I have the set, it looks good.

http://www.eshop.aml.cz/lang-en/decals-1-48/197-lavochkin-la-5f.html

(http://media.hannants.co.uk/pics/AMLD4815_3.JPG)

they also do    Lavochkin La-5F Russian Aces
also with resin,
http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AMLD4823

Probably not of use to you now...

oh, AML do the same sets in 1/72
http://www.hannants.co.uk/product/AML72050

I don't pay much attention to 1/72nd much, but I know there are folks here who do.

cheers
Troy

Hi Troy,

I have the AML Lavochkin La-5F Russian aces decals and the resin parts are excellent for use. I am going to use the exhaust and exhaust covers. These are more thinner then the kitparts, and save time because i don;t have to sand them ''on to scale''. Why i use the La-5? The metal panel behind the exhaust of the La-5F is different then the panel of a La-5FN. The panel is the same as of the La-5.
The difference exactly? There are two holes (ventilation or something) next to the exhaust of the La-5/La-5F. On the La-5FN there are three holes and the holes are moved more to the cockpit... That is not an part that is included in the AML set. I can try to fill the holes and make new ones, but the detail from the kit is so excellent, i think i destroy more detail than i can add. Also i want to paint this panel in Alclad II and things have to to be as smooth as possible (i see with my MiG what a monstrous job that is  ::)). I want to build the whole Lavochkin family of fighters (LaGG-3, La-5, La,5F, la-5FN and La-7), and it if i line them up, you can (maybe) distinguish the detail on these planes  :D

Regards,

Remco

Hi Jason, WOW!! that is some ''battle damage''  :D This must be damage due bombing or strafing the airfield were the IL-2 was stationed. If you have this as damage on three miles high in the sky, i would sh*t my...  :-X, eh... be very scared... ;D . I going to make the IL-2 with the Leningrad drawing on it. Looks very nice  :D Or maybe i must make more IL-2's because the variation  ;D ;D ;D
If you want to make an accurate IL-2, you must have a lot of aftermarket stuff  :(. I know now..., so a second IL-2 is unlikely...

Hi Remco

thanks for the information, a detail I'd not noticed....have to check the kits later!

cheers
Troy

Hi,
do not forget for another more visible differences between La-5F and La-5FN:

La-5 & La-5F:
(http://www.mig3.sovietwarplanes.com/la5/cowling/cow5fp1.jpg)
- no additional metal panel behind the one just behind exhaust pipes,
- no metal plates on the wing root.

La-5FN:
(http://www.mig3.sovietwarplanes.com/la5/cowling/cow5fnp1.jpg)
- additional (camouflaged) metal panel behind the one just behind exhaust pipes, could be in 2 variants - the one on the picture and extended version,
- metal plates on the wing root.

Regards,
     66misos

66misos,
I agree 100% with you. I wanted to post some photo's with the difference, but you beat me to it  :D
Currenly the cockpit is in airbrushed in A-14 grey. Tomorrow i wil add a transparent layer for protection against weathering with oil/ turpentine based paints...This plane builds quite easy  :D i like this kit.

Regards,

Remco

Hi all,
I would add a further small difference: the plate of La-5FN is more curved in section on its front side; its thin exhaust pipes require less depth than the single one of La-5/5F.
Regards
Massimo

Hey guys :D

The small differences you pointed out are all accounted, have been noticed and will be added, removed or altered  :)
I have just filtered and washed the cockpit walls, bottom and frames. Now its time to add the colored PE in place. I always do this on the last step before assembling the whole thoughether. Some new wiring has to be done. Also the flaps inside frames are installed. I have to fill out some small gaps to have a nice and clean fit on the wings. This is (till now  ;D) a very ''friendly'' kit to work with. No big issues have occurred here. I will post some photo's before assembling  :D

Regards,

Remco

Hey guys  :D

I have almost finished the interior. Some small touch up and small adjustments have to be done...Here are some photos of the work in progress!

(http://s20.postimg.org/wdw8gsq7t/24_06_2013_006.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/wdw8gsq7t/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/txuf2y855/24_06_2013_007.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/txuf2y855/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/yl0h4pvi1/24_06_2013_008.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/yl0h4pvi1/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/6yxpk1c55/24_06_2013_009.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6yxpk1c55/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/awkz9fyyh/24_06_2013_010.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/awkz9fyyh/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/4mub06oxl/24_06_2013_011.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4mub06oxl/)

Feel free to comment  ;D

Regards,

Remco

Keep up the good work, Remco!

Regards,

Jason

Hi Remco,
good work indeed. Such internal details deserve to be made visible.
Regards
Massimo

Hey guys  :D

I have almost done the whole interior, and then we close this chapter of the build and go to the outside...
I have painted the tailwheel A-14 grey, but i don't really have an idea how to paint the main landinggear and inside of the landinggear doors. Should i paint it all A-14 grey, all in ATM-7 blue or the gear in A-14 grey and the inside of the landinggear doors AMT-7 blue?

Any ideas?

Regards,

Remco

Hi Remco,
the inside of the main wheel doors was dark, so I think for the tail wheel doors even if their inner face is not visible in photos.
Regards
Massimo

Hi Remco,

I checked russian forum scalemodels.ru and refferences I found when I built my La-5 and La-5FN.
The most often recommendation is A-14 for main landing gear legs, wheel discs and inside of the landing gear doors. There are photos showing that in some cases discs or legs are of different color - then AMT-7 or silver (not NMF) is considered.
If photo evidence does not not clearly show different colors I would use(as I already used) A-14.
LaGG-3 and La-7 are different case.

Regards,
     66misos

@66misos
Thanks for the quick response  :D I paint it in A-14 grey

I have finished the interior of my Lavochkin...

(http://s20.postimg.org/qidx8d3uh/12_07_2013_011.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/qidx8d3uh/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/fwu1wcxix/12_07_2013_012.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/fwu1wcxix/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/i2ocqv0zd/12_07_2013_013.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/i2ocqv0zd/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/3kvqwlz21/12_07_2013_014.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3kvqwlz21/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/m1q5nff09/12_07_2013_015.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/m1q5nff09/)

i hope you like it! Feel free to comment  :)

Regards,

Remco

Yes I do! Very well done.

Pascal

Wow!  Looks like you've done the entire interior - great work!

Regards,

Jason

Thanks guys!

Jason, the reason i did the whole interior is that i don't know the series. I want to build the whole series from LaGG-3 till La-7. Now i can see what i have "overdetailed" and can decide what not to add.
I hope that my Il-2 is easier to build and detail (guess not... I have every option available on this kit)

Looking good so far. :D

Hey guys  :D

Assembley is going good here. Some small setbacks and adjusments i made, due my lack of aircraftbuilding  ;D
I wil add some photo's before i put in the armored glass, seat and armorplate.
I have a color question: is the same color (AMT-11) different on the parts with fabric? Wil the same color be darker or lighter? Has it a some "fabric glow" shinning throu? Who can tell me? Thanks in advance

Regards,

Remco  :)

Great job on the interior! Opening the rear fuselage door is a good idea.

Hi Otto  :D

Thanks! It was easy to rebuild the door. I think i did it in one hour. The following you have to add;
- The interior longerons and an oval section
- Battery 12A-5 Type in a wooden container (the black box) on a plate between the oval sections 9 and 10
- The filter/cooler for the fuel tank (protecting inert gases). There were 2 of these (the silver cones on the black wire).
These were a challenge to build. especially the wire around the cone.
- the elevator control rod. The rod in the kit stops suddenly. You have to length it further to the rear.

Regards,

Remco

Hey guys  :D

I joint the fuselage and the wing section. Also i finished the landinggear. I used a steel rod instead of painting the shocks chrome. Lazy builder i know... ;D

(http://s20.postimg.org/gtdnd33nd/26_07_2013_008.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/gtdnd33nd/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/one8yhbg9/26_07_2013_009.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/one8yhbg9/)

Feel free to comment!

Regards,

Remco

Hi Remco,
looks excellent. I see that you have utilized photoetched doors, and made buges on them. Was this difficult?
Regards
Massimo

Hi Massimo,

Actually is was easy. There are special places to push down with a ballpen. I made them in (both) in 15 minutes. Building is easy for me, painting costs time...and i have few time to paint...busy at home  :(
The "delay" was the alignment of the fuselage to the wings. I cut the access sheet to the weapons bay, and had difficulty gluing them in to place. I have a big seam by the access sheet and the wingroot. I want to fill it up with Mr. Surfacer 500 and place some tape to protect the detail.

Regards,

Remco

This is very good.
I'm curious about the painting of the camo.

Hi Michel  :)

I am curious to  ;D. I painted some Mr. Surfacer 1000 on the filled parts. Then i want to sand it smooth. The Mr. Surfacer sprayprimer is next (to fill other small holes) . I want to have a difference in the basecolor, so i am going to spray the wooden parts black, the aluminium parts white, fabric parts grey and the metal sheet in black. This because i want to spray the metal sheet in Alclad pale burnt metal. This color comes close (i think)

Regards,

Remco

Hi! i am back!  ;D

Beeing quite busy on some armor, i have found my La-5 again! After filling some seams and holes, the La-5 is ready to recive some paint. Although i have few time at home to airbrush, i managed to do some pre shading of the hull (then i noticed that i have some more parts to spay black than just the hull  :-[)

(http://s20.postimg.org/g1znnfoop/DSC_0002.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/g1znnfoop/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/5gfsbfid5/DSC_0003.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5gfsbfid5/)

The next step is to paint with Akan paint (yes, we have a first timer here!).

Regards,

Remco

Nice to see you back on your Lavochkin, Remco!  It will be interesting to see how your AKAN painting turns out.

Regards,

Jason

Hi Remco,
nice to see your model continued.
Have you published photos of your armour models anywhere?
Regards
Massimo

@ Jason, I hope it's a very nice experience with Akan. I don't have their dedicated airbrushthinner (something to order with my next shipment), so i have read some good results with Tamiya X20-A thinner. So i wil make a testpiece today to see how it holds up. If it turns out good, i wil use Akan also for my (Russian)armor projects i am currently busy with...

@ Massimo, here are the links for my armor builds (i hope they work, i am not a pro with computers...)

http://modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/7209/34-umtz-wreck-smert-dead

http://modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/7234/ba-64b-build

Hope you like it!

Regards, Remco

Hi Remco,
I see you are working on a T-34 with inside details. Nice work. Eventually, you can show it in the 'general' section.
Regards
Massimo

Hi Remco,
your tank is very detailed and nice build. Photo looks like from Prokhorovka.
If you have several tanks and would like to build diorama from Prokhorovka battle, here is something for inspiration - screenshots from movie found on Youtube.
(http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t518/66misos/Kursk/Kursk_zfilmuDvevojnyKozeduba_zps9f85a054.jpg)

Regards,
   66misos

@ Massimo, I will post some photos in the general section, no problem.

@ 66misos, well, the text under the photo says that it was taken in the summer of 1944, in the Ukraine (operation Bagration?). I have the two Jean Restayn books named " operation citadel" and they are are a real insperation source for modeling. I am currently making a beutepanzer T-34. I just don't have a nice pattern of camouflage to go with it... Just found something, but still under development.

Thanks for the nice comments guys!

@Remco
I will be good to see this one finished :D

@ Michel, I hope everything goes alright, then i have my first plane in my displaycase  :D

I have thought out the following for airbrushing; first layer is AMT-11 (topside grey), second is AMT-7 (undersurface blue), Tamiya clear coat for protecting the basecolor, AMT-12 (dark grey camouflage pattern), scraching of chipping the AMT-12 color with a needle or a thoothpic, Tamiya clear coat again to protecting the AMT-12 color from further weathering...

Any suggestion and comment is highly appreciated!

Regards,

Remco

Hi Remco,

may be you could consider yellow ALG-1 primer on metal parts and/or yellow nitroputty on wooden/fabric surfaces firstly.
Plus, dark AMT-12 was sprayed firstly, AMT-11 after that.

     66misos

@ 66misos, Yep, i was wrong... Just read that AMT-12 was the "basecolor". Good that you mention it  :D
I think i can make some yellow shine thro, while fading. Although i read that the wood parts must kept in mint condition. Did you see wood or primer, then they painted it (sorry comrade capitan, my wing has rotten off... I can not fly now...).

So, AMT-12 is first  :)

Yes and no...  AMT-12 was first, but it wasn't the "basecolor".  The sequence for fabric (on upper surfaces only) was:
1. silver
2. AMT-12
3. AMT-11
4. AMT-12 camouflage

HTH,
KL

hi KL,

didn't they use yellow nitroputty on the wood and fabric under grey-grey scheme? There is a lot of yellow scratches on the recovered Lagg-3 and Mig-3 wings in Finland.

     66misos

Yes, yellow nitro putty was used primarily to glue fabric to wood and to level the surface after gluing.  I have listed paints that were applied overthe fabric.  Nitro putty wasn't waterproof, so it wasn't normally left exposed to the elements.

Wow guys!

Perfect input here! Thanks! So, if i stick to my original plan, it Will be OK?

Questions...
1- why was silver used as a "basecolor"? I thought that they used it in the LaGG-3 and some early MiG-3s and early Yak-1s... Was it also still used on the La-5F?
2- was the "yellow" nitroputty and "zink chome yellow/apple green" color visible throu the AMT colors?
As i read the maintenance rapports, damaged wooden parts that shows wood and primer, should be painted immediately... The aluminium parts were mostly a bit chipped and damaged.  Aluminium does not rust, so it needs "less" maintenance.

so if I understand correctly, then:
- on metal should be (from bottom to top): metal - yellow ALG-1 - AMT-12 - AMT-11,
- on wood/fabric: wood - yellow nitroputty - (fabric) - yellow nitroputty - silver as UV protection - AMT-12 - AMT-11.

interesting, but here are no traces of silver http://sovietwarplanes.com/board/index.php?topic=1194.msg7550#msg7550 (http://sovietwarplanes.com/board/index.php?topic=1194.msg7550#msg7550)

1. Silver "AII Aluminium" was there to reflect UV light and protect fabric undernith.  It was overpainted with camouflage colours. Practice probably started in 1940/41, definitivelly discontinued in first couple of war years and then reinstated.  Probably reinstated because of the many cases when fabric separated from wood (described by A.S. Yakovlev) in 1942/43.
2. not on planes and fragments preserved in museums


- on metal:  yellow ALG-1 - AMT-11 - AMT-12 (camouflage fields)
- on wood: yellow nitroputty - fabric - yellow nitroputty - silver ?AII Aluminium? - AMT-12 (overall) - AMT-11 (overall) ? AMT-12 (camouflage fields)

Fabric covered fuselage and wings were painted before final assembly.  Dark gray AMT-12 camouflage fields were thinly sprayed after final assembly.

All above from Yak-3 restoration?

Hi,
Probably the use of aluminium dope was older, since the '30s. Many planes of 1938/40 had silver fabric covered surfaces (or undersurfaces) and grey (or silver) painted metal surfaces (or undersurfaces). The only justification for this is to spare grey paint when the fabric has anyway to be painted aluminium to be protected.

Perhaps. In 1942, factories reduced from two to one the layers of green to spare paint. This could cause the green appearing a bit lighter in 1942 than in 1941. This could justify the strong contrast between green and black on some types of 1942 as many Yaks.
Regards
Massimo

- I am talking about the silver underlaying AII or AMT nitro paints.  Based on preserved planes and fragments, it looks now that the wide application of AII Aluminium as UV protection started sometimes later during the war.

- Silver AII Aluminum existed throughout 1930es, probably in 1920es.  It was used as exterior paint (for example on civilian planes), not as UV protection.

- There were some other reasons for that gray-on-metal+silver-on-fabric combination.  Not aesthetics, not to save gray paint.


Interesting explanation for "tractor green".  IMHO, contrast is a purely photograhic problem.  Gray-Gray camouflage on the same plane sometimes looks very contrasting, sometimes low contrasting....  nowdays you can play with contrast in Photoshop.

Maybe to save aluminium paint on metallic parts?
But wasn't fabric weakened by UV rays in 1930s too?
True, but it changes the background too.
Regards
Massimo

Hey guys,

I am busy painting, but witch color was the landing gear/ wheelbay?? Sometimes A-14, sometimes AMT-7...
My first experience with Akan paint is...great! Is sprays like a dream. No thick paint in the airbrush, only the cleaning was a bit more than i used to be. Vallejo paint cleans out better...but Akan sprays better...
I think that i paint the AMT-7 thonight :-)

Regards,

Remco

Hey guys!

Painting is going slow, but great! Some gaps i had to fill, like the oilcooler. This part i had to paint seperatly. You see whats inside. I have almost finnished the basecolor, so photos will follow soon. Soon i will start the gloss basecoat to protect the Akan colors against weathering. Next are the wheel wells and landing gear...

(http://s20.postimg.org/rcd3drcft/DSC_0017.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/rcd3drcft/)
(http://s20.postimg.org/bplu0dynt/DSC_0016.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/bplu0dynt/)

Painting in progress!

Hi Remco,
good work. Are the struts inside the flaps bay made by you or from the kit?
Regards
Massimo

Hey Massimo,

The struts are from the Eduard PE of the flap set. They went in very quickly, no real problems occured. The flaps are hollow and i had to paint the inside first, before folding it up.

O my! A (possible) new discovery! Color question... On some photo's of La-5f, i see that the color of the main leg of the landinggear, sometimes lighter is then the wheel wells. The landinggear doors are also darker. I thought of two theory's
1- its a lighter color. How about silver/ unpainted/ aluminium?
2- the lighter color is a mindplay by the sun, reflecting on the camera?

Is this plausible?

No, it's not plausible.  Landing gear legs were made of cast iron/steel so it had to be protected (painted) against corrosion.

I remember to have seen photos both with light and dark legs on Lavockins of various types. It is real. Probably the dark color is the standard, the light one is a repainting during maintenance.
Regards
Massimo

...oke, so they were painted and not "naked". Hmmm, the most logical conclusion is that they were painted in the color of the wheel wells. When repairs or maintenance occured, they were repainted in a lighter color. My personal thoughts were AMT-7 undersurface blue... A second thought is a bit different...the old interior aluminium color. But, the most logical is AMT-7. This color was available by maintenance crews. Any other thoughts??

AMT-7 doesn't fit there for 3 reasons:

1.  AMT paints were paints for fabric - think of WWI biplanes and 1911 technology.  They were not designed to be anti-corrosive paints for steel.

2.  legs were a sub-asembly made and painted at the different factory.  Being made of steel, legs had to be painted with oil paits.

3.  oil paints were supposed to be repaired with oil paints, nitro paints were supposed to be repaired with nitro paints.

HTH,
KL

I have found some photos of two Lagg-3 wrecks and those two have their landing gear legs in two different colours!

-One is lighter bluish gray, IMHO A-14.  Inside of the landing gear door's is light blue.
-the other one is darker green-gray, similar to the colour of the back armour.

HTH,
KL   

Thanks for the quick reply Konstatin!
I go for A-14 steel grey. I think i will spray it today.

Regards,

Remco

O, no... I was so focused on the top, i forgot the bottom. And especially the landing gear bay...
I see that there was a huge seam. Time to get the putty and pray it goes okay...(http://s20.postimg.org/420tb488p/DSC_0035.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/420tb488p/)

Darker green-gray - would that be ALG-5? That's the colour on the landing gear of the Il-2 at the Prague-Kbely Musuem.

Regards,

Jason

No need for zinc-chromate to protect cast steel, so it's probably something cheaper, a good quality oil paint.  Similar paints were used to protect fuselage frames on Mig-3s, Yaks etc.
regards,
KL 

Progress is slow, but going on...
Just filled up the wheel wells, and folded the flaps. The flaps are hollow,so i had to paint the inert first.(http://s20.postimg.org/654szjmwp/DSC_0042.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/654szjmwp/)
(http://s20.postimg.org/vcfozsq0p/DSC_0041.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/vcfozsq0p/)

The wheel wells are painted in A14 grey, now i am ready to paint the canopy section. This was challenging with masking. The Eduard set is made for the Zvezda canopy, and not for the Squadron vacuformed canopy i used. This required some modification on the mask...
(http://s20.postimg.org/6yzsb4mgp/DSC_0053.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6yzsb4mgp/)

Hi Remco,
looks a good work. I hope that the new canopy will fit well on the fuselage. The fact that the masks for Zvezda don't fit is not encouraging.
Regards
Massimo

Hi Massimo  :D

I used only the rear section of the canopy from the kit. This because of the armored glass in the back behind the pilot seat. Then i know for sure it fits. Masking was done within the hour, but it was not nice to have another setback  :(. I see it as a price to pay for a nice looking model(for me of course  ;D). I just painted the camouflage spots on the plane...for a first time...freehand... It was not easy, but i am satisfied. First i thought that the AMT-11 was a bit dark. When i painted the AMT-12, it all comes thogetter...Now on to the metal parts like the access hatch for the guns and the aluminium bands on the engine hood!

Regards,

Remco

Photo's photo's  ;D

(http://s20.postimg.org/s4u1p3e7t/DSC_0058.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s4u1p3e7t/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/dmwuh3mwp/DSC_0057.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/dmwuh3mwp/)

Nice work, Remco - it's coming along well!

Regards,

Jason

Hi guys!

Thanks Jason! I have put on the final laquer coat to protect the base collors. I used the Alclad aqua coat to (almost) do the job. It sprays perfect. Its almost decal time!! I wil post some photo's when the laquer has dried. The canopy section is ready and can be glued on the model. I wonder if i see my hard work on the inside...

Regards,

Remco

(http://s20.postimg.org/4nlp6cjeh/DSC_0069.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4nlp6cjeh/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/djwhaaa0p/DSC_0070.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/djwhaaa0p/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/6upxu9oop/DSC_0071.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6upxu9oop/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/qqlx9t5q1/DSC_0072.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/qqlx9t5q1/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/vrtbb6d6h/DSC_0074.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/vrtbb6d6h/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/g7lxkn321/DSC_0075.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/g7lxkn321/)

As promised, the photo's. I just put on the decals, and i was a challange to put the No. 14 on the fuselage half with the hatch open. I had to cut out the 14 on the spot and prey it goes ok... And it did! Now i hope no more stuff breaks off, or cracks... :-\

It looks good with the hatch open, Remco.

Regards,

Jason

O my! I droped the plane... (bad words here). Canopy has broken, flap piece is fallen off... The antenna has broken...aaaaaahrg!!! :-(
Starting recovery...

What a pity. However the double canopy of the kit gives some advantage in these cases.
Regards
Massimo

This is a test every good modeller must face sooner or later. :'(
Pavla has a good vacuform canopy to replace Zvezda's.
http://www.pavlamodels.cz/katalogy/katalog.php?katalog=vacucanopy&c=al&typ=nahled
http://modelingmadness.com/scott/detailsets/pavla/v/v4812.htm

Its finnished!!!!  I did all of the basic work, now the fun part starts. I can't wait to weather the plane.
@ Otto, thanks for the help!! I had extra spare parts for other Lavochkin models, so i took it out of my La-5 kit. I will buy the dedicated Pavla canopy for my La-5fn. I have Squadron and Rob Taurus La-7 canopies, and the Taurus are better. These have the rivets on the canopy frame.

@ Massimo, the damage was minor, after a second look. I think i gonna finnish this one. Great to have a plane in the display case!

Very well. We are waiting to see it.
Regards
Massimo

Hi Remco,
I am really curious for the finished kit. I like that dark AMT11/AMT12 colors.
However, upper wing AMT11/AMT12 areas look quite strange, not like usual, standard NKAP scheme. Is that painted according to the photo?
Regards,
   66misos

Photo's photo's!

(http://s20.postimg.org/cnynw8y0p/DSC_0096.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/cnynw8y0p/)
(http://s20.postimg.org/qvockwapl/DSC_0097.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/qvockwapl/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/f7uaqclkp/DSC_0098.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/f7uaqclkp/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/3k4u9jltl/DSC_0099.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3k4u9jltl/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/dvh727dix/DSC_0100.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/dvh727dix/)

@ 66misos, i just sprayed the camouflage like its displayed on the AML sheet and it comes quiete close (remember, its my first aircraft).

I hope you like it!

Regards,

Remco

Looks great, Remco! Nice to see it recovered from its accident.

Regards,

Jason

Hi Remco,
looks very well made. Worths the work done on it.
Regards
Massimo

Thanks guys!

I think aircraftbuilding by me, is cursed. I aplied a filter and it was way to light. On a testpiece it was perfect. After removing 85% of the filter, it turned out ok. But...the ruder and one of the flaps broke... AAAAAAHRG!! All have been repaired. Now i taped the aluminium parts of, for chipping... Prey it goes ok  ::)

HI Remco

lovely job so far.   One question regarding the La-7 canopies, are they made for the Gavia/Eduard La-7 kit, with a too narrow rear section, or are they corrected, but meaning you need to adjust the rear fuselage of the La-7 kit? 

I think the correction for the La-7 is quite simple, adding a small wedge at the rear of the cockpit opening, but means then the supplied canopy is too narrow.

If they are not corrected, perhaps better to use the La-5FN canopy on the La-7.  Would it fit?

I, [and I'm sure other members], would be interested in the answers to this, as I have the kit, but not the vac canopies, I was going to email Rob Taurus to ask.

This might be worth a separate thread, as it would then be easier to find

thank you
T

Troy,

You have great point here. I have the both, and going to buy the pavla canopy. I used the rear part of the kit suplied canopy. Front and mid section are Squadron. I also have the La-7 kit and the best rebuild is to use the body of the Zvezda La-5fn on the Eduard wings and engine section. The rear section of the La-5fn (late type) and La-7 are the same.

Regards,

Remco

The filters are in place. I have to do the wheel wells and landing gear a couple times with the filter. Now i have to "chip" the metal parts. Unfortunally, i have not much time to do some serious modeling. So i have to find some time to do this right.

Regards,

Remco

Hey guys!

Its a whole new weathering world to me here. Aircraft have a bit more "sophisticated" weathering. So i had to adapt my skills from tank to aircraft. Its difficult to make damages and chips on a largely wooden aircraft with few pannellines. Also the wooden parts were kept in mint condition (your wing should not rotten off, while in combat doing a barrelroll). On photo's i have seen that the aluminium parts were ''less'' maintain. Also, the places by the cockpit and wingroot were sometimes worn off. No wood visible, but the camouflage splotches were worn. This due maintenance and boarding and exiting the plane. I still have to do some aluminium chips and darker panellining, but this is the story so far. O, have i mention that everything has fallen or broken off?? a part is missing... aircraft modelling by me is doomed!

(http://s20.postimg.org/hhxmfzpyx/tmp_DSC_0133_154581089.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/hhxmfzpyx/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/rgil2gzeh/tmp_DSC_01351488337377.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/rgil2gzeh/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/imroldcft/tmp_DSC_0136377417636.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/imroldcft/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/czvbnw9x5/tmp_DSC_0137_1623330749.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/czvbnw9x5/)

Once, again, looking great, remco! As far as losing parts, that's just the "fun" part of modelling - we've all done that. In the English-speaking world we call it "the carpet monster"; rugs and carpets that have a voracious appetite for model parts. What do you call it in French or Dutch?

Regards,

Jason

Hi Remco,
I see that Carpet Monster is entity living all around the world ;)
Seriosly, I really like your build, Remco. Keep going.
Maybe you could consider Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color. It would enhance little details, lines and thus optically broke monotone areas. There is black, brown and grey one, you can mix any tone - darker for upper surface and different covers, and lighter for und surface and panel lines etc.
Regards,
   66misos

Hey gus!

@ Jason- The carpetmonster is a good phrase. In French i don't know, but in Dutch we can call it "tapijt monster". We don't really have a word for this "phenomenom". This plane is (i think) very nice. I wanted to build the whole series, so we have a couple to go and perfect my aircraft modelingskills

@ 66misos- I shall look for this Tamiya product. I just have seen some reviews and its seems a good product.

Quick peep!  ;D

(http://s20.postimg.org/rxcm839yx/tmp_3747_DSC_0183_154581089.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/rxcm839yx/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/6c7jkhd89/tmp_3747_DSC_01841488337377.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6c7jkhd89/)

Excellent job with the weathering, remco! I need to get back to my La-5's (all in 1/72nd scale, though).

Regards,

Jason

Hi.Jason,

No matter 1/72, 1/144 or 1/350. Its a lavochkin  :D. Witch kit of the la-5 is it?

Hey guys!

The last week i made huge progress on the Lavochkin. Its almost finnished. I have only have to spray the exhaust fumes on the sides. I hope to do it tomorrow and post the pictures soon! And then i go to my next wingy project ;-)

Regards,

Remco

Hi Remco, we're waiting for it.
Regards
Massimo

Finnished!  :D

My first aircraft. I hope its Sovietwarplanes worthy...

(http://s20.postimg.org/td55v8czd/tmp_6332_DSC_0378844555003.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/td55v8czd/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/6cyiiwf5l/tmp_6332_DSC_0379_594668448.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6cyiiwf5l/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/7gn88lp6h/tmp_6332_DSC_0380_487340980.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/7gn88lp6h/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/n3ehlz2yh/tmp_6332_DSC_0381_903053109.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/n3ehlz2yh/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/lcvgkhlfd/tmp_6332_DSC_0382_1683001295.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/lcvgkhlfd/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/d8ncfqz09/tmp_6332_DSC_03831668193863.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/d8ncfqz09/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/svelt4cs9/tmp_6332_DSC_03841995566603.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/svelt4cs9/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/9rlacrzy1/tmp_6332_DSC_03852131410997.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/9rlacrzy1/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/6m0omkhbt/tmp_6332_DSC_0387_113500972.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6m0omkhbt/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/jrg6sob7d/tmp_6332_DSC_0388856377239.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/jrg6sob7d/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/axpabko8p/tmp_6332_DSC_038941355498.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/axpabko8p/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/fxmqjitvd/tmp_6332_DSC_03901949307831.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/fxmqjitvd/)

(http://s20.postimg.org/d4y4d8iwp/tmp_6332_DSC_0394_170505762.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/d4y4d8iwp/)

On to the next project!

Regards,

Remco

Lovely Lavochka, Remco! Congratulations!

Regards,

Jason

Great job. Remco!

Remco,
very nice. I like those AMT greys.
regards,
    66misos

Hi Remco, beautiful model indeed. The details of the cockpit are particulaly convincing for my eyes.
Have you already decided about the next one?
Regards
Massimo

Thanks for the nice comments! All the fustration of things to break off and stuff that let lose for the zillion times, it sure pays off. It was a very intresting journey, and had myself to learn aircraftbuilding. Its not like building a tank.

@ Massimo- yes we have a next victim. The LaGG-3. I want to build it with the engine exposed and all pannels. Also i going to leave the maintanence hatch open. I think it wil be not so high end detailed as the La-5f. Simply because of the extra timeconsuming details you don't see anymore. More time i want to spend on the engine and its details.  Unfortunally i don't have a lot of photo's of the engineparts and panels exposed...

Regards

Remco

Very well done !