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Print Page - Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020

Sovietwarplanes

Modeling Soviet Warplanes => Model Kits => Topic started by: John Thompson on December 19, 2019, 12:46:22 AM



Title: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on December 19, 2019, 12:46:22 AM
From Britmodeller, here's a CAD-based look at the new 1/72 La-5 from Clear Prop, possibly due early in 2020:

(https://i.postimg.cc/jdrmZ8Rh/Clear-Prop-La-5.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

This should be the ultimate injection-molded styrene La-5 in 1/72, given the rave reviews Clear Prop's previous kits have received. My only concern would be where they got their information regarding shapes and dimensions. Don't get me wrong - I'll be eager to buy at least a couple of these regardless, but I'll be biting my fingernails the first time I check the plan view shape of the cowling, if anyone else remembers how that topic has been discussed here!

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early)
Post by: John Thompson on December 21, 2019, 10:20:29 PM
Two more images:

(https://i.postimg.cc/TwZMkHqv/Clear-Prop-La-5-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8JB0c40Z)

(https://i.postimg.cc/NGTWsDkL/Clear-Prop-La-5-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MX6sty48)


Looks amazing, although the windscreen seems a bit thick.

John

Go here for more images:

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235065013-172-lavoschkin-la-5-early-by-clear-prop-models-3d-renders-release-in-2020/&do=findComment&comment=3530333


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early)
Post by: Massimo Tessitori on December 23, 2019, 08:20:57 AM
Hi John,
I agree, looks good but the canopy and the seat seem to bee thick.
Overall, it looks nice, even if this version was fogettable for its scarce diffusion. I hope that they will make LaGG-3s too, aside La-5s.
Regards
Massimo


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early)
Post by: learstang on February 12, 2020, 01:12:59 AM
That does look nice! The thickness of the seat and windscreen may just be unavoidable in injection-moulded 1/72nd scale.

Regards,

Jason


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early)
Post by: John Thompson on February 19, 2020, 09:29:09 PM
Release probable for March 2020; the kit is now listed as "Soon" in the Clear Prop catalog:
https://clearpropmodels.com/catalog

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early)
Post by: John Thompson on March 30, 2020, 01:21:32 AM
Now available for purchase:
https://clearpropmodels.com/la-5

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early)
Post by: warhawk on March 30, 2020, 09:49:26 AM
Looks great. Can't wait for the LaGG.


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early)
Post by: John Thompson on March 31, 2020, 02:00:38 AM
I placed my order this morning, and got a message that it would be shipped on Wednesday, April 1. So far I haven't seen any online reviews.

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early)
Post by: John Thompson on May 14, 2020, 04:53:36 PM
Finally, after a wait of six weeks, probably due to shipping backlogs globally caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, my kits arrived this morning. I haven't had time to look at them in detail, but two initial observations:
(1) The apparent thickness of the windscreen visible in the CAD rendering is only an error in the image - the actual windscreen is as thin as you would expect in 1/72 scale. In other words, no problem.
(2) The main parts (fuselage halves, wings) match the drawings in the MBI La-5 book perfectly. I guess this is not surprising - this book seems to be regarded as very accurate, so it's likely that the drawings in it were used in the development of the kit.

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early)
Post by: John Thompson on May 18, 2020, 05:10:18 PM
Lots of close-up images of the kit parts here:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/ChmellScaleModels/photos/?ref=page_internal

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on December 08, 2020, 05:23:24 PM
I hope I'm not breaking any confidences by revealing the following, which comes from a source at Clear Prop; the new La-5 late version kit has been released, so I think I'm okay. Apparently the late version is an almost entirely new kit!

 The main differences are as follows:
- the new fuselage has improved geometry, as well as improved cockpit assembly (I'm guessing that CP listened and responded appropriately to complaints about the fit of the cockpit on the early version kit) and installation of clear parts.
- a new wing that contains three tanks, not five as in the "early" one.
- wheel bays have a different shape (on the La-5 "early" they are the same as on the LaGG-3).
- new sprue with clear parts, as well as a small sprue for clear "ears" corrections.
- given two options for the stabilizer.

From the La-5 "early" kit only one sprue with small details remains.

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Massimo Tessitori on December 08, 2020, 07:59:55 PM
Hi John,
this sounds interesting. I wasn't aware of the problems of the first kit, and didn't know that there was a difference in the landing gear bays.
Ears... are the small windows behind the canopy? What was the problem with them?
Regards
Massimo


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on December 08, 2020, 10:13:27 PM
Hi Massimo! I've ordered the late La-5; when I receive it, I'll be sure to compare it with the early version. Until then, I don't have any answers. I already converted an early kit to a late La-5 just by replacing the canopy, so I'm very curious to see what details I missed!   :D

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: learstang on February 03, 2021, 10:00:12 PM
Well, I just recently received my early La-5, and I have to say it looks very nice! I haven't glued anything together yet, so I can't comment on the fit, but the detail all looks lovely!

Regards,

Jason


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Psy06 on February 10, 2021, 05:56:55 PM
I just saw it now. In these models, the shape of the engine cowlings is incorrect in plan. Found factory drawings, it can be seen that the nose is in the shape of an onion. There are simply no straight sections.


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Massimo Tessitori on February 10, 2021, 10:19:33 PM
I remember that this thing was discussed years ago on the base of the drawings of... I don't remember, it's the same book with the detailed drawings of LaGG-3 and MiG-3.


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on February 11, 2021, 02:37:19 AM
It was Soviet Fighters of the Great Patriotic War: MiG-3, LaGG-3, La-5  by V. Voronin and P. Kolesnikov; the page on this topic is here:
https://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/la5/cowling/cowling.html

I remember having a discussion on the forum about this, but I can't find it.

Correct me please if I'm wrong, but I believe the cowlings of the La-5 and La-5F were tapered/bulged/onion-shaped, while the cowling of the La-5FN was straight, like the La-7 (in other words, the sides were parallel). This is also what is shown in the drawings in the MBI La-5 book. I've built the Clear Prop La-5 (early), and the cowling sides are straight, as Dimitri says. I've also built the KP 1/72 La-5. and on that kit, the cowling is very slightly bulged, matching the MBI drawings, although you have to look carefully to see it. It's not quite as visible as it is in the drawings by Voronin.

And what about the LaG-5, which I believe was built in very small numbers by converting stored LaGG-3 series 35 airframes by finishing them with ASh-82 engines? When the Clear Prop (early) kit first appeared, I thought maybe it represented this.

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: learstang on February 11, 2021, 07:59:22 AM
John, the early razorback La-5s were apparently initially referred to as the LaGG-5 or LaG-5. These had the rounded windscreens and the bulged tail wheel doors, and were converted LaGG-3 airframes. The sources I've read seem to confirm this. The Clear Prop early La-5 kit has the correct rounded windscreen and bulged tail wheel doors for this version. I have to admit that sometimes the bit about how much the cowlings might or might have been bulged is much ado about nothing. I've looked at hundreds of La-5/-5F/-5FN/-7 photographs and that particular feature never jumps out at me. I'm not saying it wasn't bulged on some versions/aircraft, but it is not very apparent, at least not to me, and something I don't worry about. The Clear Prop early La-5 looks like a very nice kit to me (as does the KP La-5 razorback).

Regards,

Jason


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on February 11, 2021, 03:34:00 PM
Thank you, Jason. I was of the belief that the LaGG-5 (or whatever) was built in very limited production to complete some stored LaGG-3s for which Klimov VK-105 engines weren't available. This is mentioned briefly in Gunston's Osprey Encyclopedia. My impression was that the cowling and panels behind the cowling used to blend the wider radial engine to the narrow LaGG-3 fuselage were very different from the early La-5; maybe I'm thinking of the Gudkov Gu-82 regarding the cowling and panels?

Re the choice between Clear Prop and KP, they're both much better kits of these aircraft than we had before they were released; my preference is starting to lean toward the KP ones. I haven't taken the time to check what's being said on Scalemodels.ru yet.

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Psy06 on February 11, 2021, 05:58:58 PM
It was Soviet Fighters of the Great Patriotic War: MiG-3, LaGG-3, La-5  by V. Voronin and P. Kolesnikov; the page on this topic is here:
https://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/pages/la5/cowling/cowling.html

I remember having a discussion on the forum about this, but I can't find it.

Correct me please if I'm wrong, but I believe the cowlings of the La-5 and La-5F were tapered/bulged/onion-shaped, while the cowling of the La-5FN was straight, like the La-7 (in other words, the sides were parallel).

(https://i.postimg.cc/DZzbdGxs/la.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

The trouble with modern model developments is that, very often, accuracy and authenticity are replaced by external beauty for someone who is not familiar with the subject. New models are qualitatively shed, with a lot of details, but with accuracy they have massive trouble ...

Just recently I saw in the Facebook feed, a guy boasted about a set of mods for Trumpeter's Mig-3, spent a lot of money, I looked and was amazed that the expensive resin of the interior was more wrong than the simple, but at the same time neat Trumpeter's castings.

Yes, John, on the Gu-82, the entire 'power-egg' from an M-82-equipped Su-2 was basically 'tacked' onto the front of a LaGG-3.

Jason, it is mistake.
Gudkov has nothing to do with Sukhoi. The Sukhoi motor unit is used on the Pe-8, and this is easy to check, they are exactly the same in key points.

Presumably, the legs of the La-5 motor installation are still growing from relations with the Polikarpov Design Bureau. There was such a situation that Polikarpov began distributing documentation for the I-185 m82 to literally almost everyone, including Gudkov at the 301st plant.

- On July 7, Polikarpov received a letter from the Deputy Head of the 7th Main Directorate of the NKAP G.P. Leshukova:
For the second time, you are invited to urgently print and send to the address of the chief designer of the plant No. 301 com. Gudkov, one set of drawings for the engine cowlings, propeller group and special equipment of the I-185 aircraft with the M-82A engine.
According to the instructions by phone from Comrade Leshukov, the cowlings drawings should be sent to plant No. 301 urgently. 8/07 N. Polikarpov.

Massimo, board broke.  I cant post any new post, and because it, modify old post.


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: learstang on February 11, 2021, 06:16:41 PM
Yes, John, on the Gu-82, the entire 'power-egg' from an M-82-equipped Su-2 was basically 'tacked' onto the front of a LaGG-3. It apparently wasn't a particularly 'neat' installation. All the La-5s, even the ones converted from the redundant LaGG-3 airframes, had the M-82s carefully faired in, with the fairing built up on top of the original structure. It's been a while since I wrote my book on the Lavochkin fighters, but I believe the only external difference between the early La-5s (or LaG-5s) and the later, purpose-built razorback La-5s, was the windscreen, the tail wheel doors, and the landing light on the port wing. Regarding the kits, it seems to be another case of you wait for the bus for an hour, and two show up at once. The KP kit does have more interior detail than the Clear Prop kit, but they both appear to be very nice kits. To think we now get to choose between different early La-5s! (Or not; I went ahead and bought both.) Now we can only hope they turn their attention to the LaGG-3. It wouldn't be too hard - to turn an early razorback La-5 into a LaGG-3 series 35 all you need is a different front fuselage, just like on the full-sized aircraft.

Best Regards,

Jason



Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on February 11, 2021, 08:12:52 PM
Thank you for your answers, Psy and Jason! By now I should know all this...  ???

Jason - I believe Clear Prop are already working on a 1/72 LaGG-3 series 66 for release sometime this year. Originally it was supposed to be late 2020, but COVID delayed their plans.

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: learstang on February 11, 2021, 09:58:12 PM
You're welcome John, and excellent news indeed on the LaGG-3! I shall be looking for it!

Regards,

Jason


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Massimo Tessitori on February 12, 2021, 07:20:21 AM
Hi all,
I've up-powered the database, this type of interruption shouldn't repeat any more. Years ago, this required payment, now they offered the upgrade for free.
Quote
(https://i.postimg.cc/DZzbdGxs/la.jpg)

I am surprised that the photo of the La-7 here seems to show an even more curved profile than the La-5.

Regards
Massimo


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Psy06 on February 12, 2021, 07:32:41 AM
Hi all,
I've up-powered the database, this type of interruption shouldn't repeat any more. Years ago, this required payment, now they offered the upgrade for free.
Quote
(https://i.postimg.cc/DZzbdGxs/la.jpg)

I am surprised that the photo of the La-7 here seems to show an even more curved profile than the La-5.

Regards
Massimo
Massimo, in fact, there is a transverse frame in the area of the nose, where cowlings are closed and there are locking locks. Many high-quality photos show a large dent in this area. Simply put, the nose contours of the la-5 were in reality distorted due to poor-quality production and inaccurate handling during operation.


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on February 12, 2021, 02:41:01 PM
Is the aircraft on the right an actual La-7, or is it the La-7 prototype, converted from a La-5FN (serial No.39210206)? If it is the prototype, that might explain the bulged cowling.

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Psy06 on February 12, 2021, 03:31:28 PM
Is the aircraft on the right an actual La-7, or is it the La-7 prototype, converted from a La-5FN (serial No.39210206)? If it is the prototype, that might explain the bulged cowling.

John

A set of genuine factory theoretical drawings is available on la7, therefore this aspect is not disputed in any form.

Here you can see that the cowling is not a cylinder

(https://www.airport-data.com/images/aircraft/001/409/001409806.jpg)


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on February 12, 2021, 04:02:34 PM
Thank you, Psy! That's very interesting - the curvature is very subtle, but it is visible. Until today, I believed the La-7 cowling was straight. That makes the Eduard 1/72 La-7 kit incorrect in this regard, although easily corrected. Cheers;

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on February 12, 2021, 08:19:45 PM
How about this image:

(https://i.postimg.cc/R0Vqkfn6/Lavokin-La-7-P-15.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yDtV9Djs)

It's a bit big (sorry!) but I think it shows the slight curvature of the cowling as well as possible.

John



Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Massimo Tessitori on February 12, 2021, 08:45:38 PM
Hi,
Quote
Massimo, in fact, there is a transverse frame in the area of the nose, where cowlings are closed and there are locking locks. Many high-quality photos show a large dent in this area. Simply put, the nose contours of the la-5 were in reality distorted due to poor-quality production and inaccurate handling during operation.
So, was the curvature  due to the bending between the central dent and the fasteners?


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Psy06 on February 12, 2021, 09:59:03 PM
Hi,
Quote
Massimo, in fact, there is a transverse frame in the area of the nose, where cowlings are closed and there are locking locks. Many high-quality photos show a large dent in this area. Simply put, the nose contours of the la-5 were in reality distorted due to poor-quality production and inaccurate handling during operation.
So, was the curvature  due to the bending between the central dent and the fasteners?
Andrey thinks so, but I disagree with him.


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Massimo Tessitori on February 13, 2021, 06:52:37 AM
Maybe for La-5FN with an hinge amid the panel.


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: righidan on February 14, 2021, 11:25:40 PM
Dear friends,
   I have to thank Mr. Linevitch for sharing all his information on this topic, as I realized that we older western modellers got an inprint from the material we received from England half a century ago and yes, I am so old!
   For us the Lavochkins were as represented in a Scale models drawing of 1971:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50939722456_489bd80417_b.jpg)

   Now I think that we should admit that this drawing was as good as the Russian colour description that accompanied the drawing:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50939024913_08bfacdc71_z.jpg)

   I fear that this material was used in some Russian publications too.
   Now it is good to know that the factory drawings survived, and we hope to see them in some modelling magazine, and have them used to produce some model in Gentlemen's scale...
Regards
Daniele


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: learstang on February 15, 2021, 03:06:29 AM
One big problem we have with the LaGG-3 and the La-5 variants is that not a single example still exists, just pieces. At least with the La-7 there are two examples still existing (that I know of), the one at the Prague-Kbely museum, and the aircraft of Ivan Kozhedub, at the Russian museum at Monino. All we have to go on are drawings and photographs for the earlier aircraft. I do hope someday, that someone will find at least a semi-intact LaGG-3 or La-5(F/FN) in a lake somewhere in Russia. It probably won't happen, but we can hope.

Regards,

Jason


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on February 15, 2021, 03:58:33 PM
I remember buying those 1971 drawings by G.R. Duval and thinking they were quite impressive! Obviously there's a difference between drawings that look pretty because of good draftsmanship, and drawings that are accurate. There was another set of La-7 drawings published in Aero Album magazine, some time later. These I believed to be most accurate because they were based on measurements taken from one of the surviving La-7 airframes, but now I'm not so sure about thir accuracy. Here's a sample:

(https://i.postimg.cc/W49G3Fyx/La-7-AA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cKngkH0c)

As can be seen, there's no sign of a bulged cowling there! I hope more accurate drawings based on the factory prints will some day be available.

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Massimo Tessitori on February 15, 2021, 05:40:14 PM
Hi,
there is written 'All metal construction, aluminum covered', but practically no panel lines.
For its age, the shape looks fairly good.


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Psy06 on February 16, 2021, 08:18:50 AM
Despite the statement that the drawings were based on the measurements of the machine, it is obvious that the author did not personally see the plane, otherwise how could he have missed the completely asymmetrical fairings of the guns


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Massimo Tessitori on February 16, 2021, 08:37:12 AM
There is something suspicious on the line of the ailerons over the wing. The inner end appears rightly reduced in comparison to its extension on the lower face, but the outer one isn't. The shape of the spinner is not perfect. But let's see the kits of Soviet planes that were available at that time, this drawing looks a progress anyway.  I suppose that the colors were those of the plane in the museum at that time.
Probably the error on the metallic structure was due to a photo of his previous aluminum livery.


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on February 16, 2021, 03:50:12 PM
Despite the statement that the drawings were based on the measurements of the machine, it is obvious that the author did not personally see the plane, otherwise how could he have missed the completely asymmetrical fairings of the guns

Yes, I noticed that too.

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: John Thompson on February 16, 2021, 03:57:08 PM
But let's see the kits of Soviet planes that were available at that time, this drawing looks a progress anyway.

It's not a Soviet plane, but I remember when I was a kid buying the latest issue of some aviation magazine because it included drawings of the Czech Avia B-534. Among the references used to make the drawings was listed the old KP 1/72 kit! I don't remember comparing them, but I assume the kit matched the drawings perfectly! So drawings can't always be trusted, as I'm sure everyone knows.

John


Title: Re: Clear Prop 1/72 La-5 (Early); Late version Released 11/2020
Post by: Massimo Tessitori on February 16, 2021, 07:41:36 PM
In absence of better sources.... He was honest to admit it. Anyway I suppose that it was accurate and made on the base of some drawing of Letectvi Kosmonautika.