La-7 (Academy 1/48th)

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hi all.

Again I rejoined the armed models. In this case an Academy kit in 1/48 number 1649, pretty spartan inside and details on the external surfaces somewhat exaggerated for scale.

I’m using as reference books Aces Soviet War in Osprey, La-5/7 Fighters in Action Squadron Signal, MBI La-5 and La-7 deAgostini (in Cyrillic)

Actually, what I am building this kit parallel to ICM’s Yak-9T.

As you can see the interior is too basic.

I could with my temper and I put detail that can be seen even with the closed cockpit, for example using a old clock gear as the trim wheel and radiator flaps command (I know they are three-spoke wheels but I took a modelistic license)

I made rudder pedals with plastic stretched and flat plastic.

I made the quadrants and gas/propeller pitch/mixture levers with stretched plastic sprue and a wire segment.

LOX Instruments on the right side:

Got behind the seat and control stick position, I felt that was disproportionate. For this I had to shorten the armor plate from interfering with radio racks behind the seat.

The engine exhausts tubes was recreated them with segments of thin plastic hose. Before gluing this I had to make a plastic reinforced from the inside to prevent accidents in handling.

I forgot to clarify that the belt buckles are homemade, made with metal foil.

I improved the sight based on photos and drawings of the bibliography above exposed as this is very visible through the windshield.

This aircraft is already primed, pre shaded and painted with colors Model Masters 2126 topside blue for the lower side as the AMT 7, 2120 and 2121 Topside and underside gray to emulate the AMT 11 and 12 respectively of the top side. After some researching of this shades of colors I decided to use these colors knowing that they are not specified but I like the result.

Hope you like.

Pablo.

2

Very nice work on that kit. Especially all the added details in the cockpit. The kit is actually originally a Hobbycraft molding that is at least 20 years old and was later reboxed by Academy.

3

The gizmology is strong with this one!

4

Very nice scratch building!

Mike

5

Nice job making something out of nothing. I agree, some of those Hobbycraft kits are brutal…DO 17 anyone? I recall building their P-40B years ago and it was mediocre as well. Since Academy seems to have taken over their molds, maybe they threw in the towel.

Joe

6

Academy bounces back and forth. They have their own original moldings, plus they bought up many of Hobbycrafts molds as well. But they are a long way from throwing in the towel. Their new Phantom is proof enough of that.

7

Ohhh, nice work on my favorite Soviet Great Patriotic War fighter!

8

It’s true, is a Hobbycraft kit upgraded by Academy.

9

Thank you Gamera, it is my favourite soviet aircraft too!!!

Regards.

10

Thank you Joe!!!

Regards.

Pablo

11

Thank you Mike!

Pablo

12

It’s true, but I enjoy it.

Pablo

13

I painted this kit with the known innacurate Model Masters 2125 on the bottom, 2120 and 2121 on the top.

I have the Aeromasters decals 48-087 “Fighting Lavochkins II” in order to replace the box decals.

I emulated the bulged effect on the tyres by sanding down and adding putty on the sides.

I made the weathering with diluted black enamel.

I added hypodermic needles as the 20mm cannons

I added as the wing tips lights some clear sprue melted.

And at last the antenna cable with a hair.

I hope you like it.

Pablo

14

I finish this kit last week, so this is the final result.

I hope you like it as I do.

Pablo

15

Very nice Pablo!! Its the little details that add up. Your rigging is especially nice with the added springs and such. I used some hypodermic tubing on my last Spitfire build and think it makes a huge difference in the looks of the weapons.

16

Thank you Eric!!!

Pablo

17

cool build

18

Turned out great Pablo. The scheme looks the part to me. Interesting technique on the tire bulges, I may have to try that.

Joe

19

nice

20

Thank you Lawdog!!!

Pablo