So last night I received a special request via my brother in law from his grandson, my great nephew, that he would like another plane from Uncle Carlos. I have given him several of of my older builds, and also you may recall the Monogram Hurricane that I built for him a few years back. Now how can I say no to such a lad? The only problem was, I only have a few days to get it done before our next trip to visit, so the build has to be quick and simple. After mulling over my stash last nite, I settled on this baby
I’m going old school and high speed, so no add-ons, just straight OOB. I’ve built the related La-7 kit years ago and recall it is simple and straight forward, if somewhat inaccurate kit. So no real surprises or speed bumps should delay this.
Besides, this gives me an excuse to get the newer & better Zvezda 1/48 La-5 FN…
Looks like a good choice Carlos. My grandkids have a few of my throwaways hanging from their celings. On occasion my daughter will being one over for reoair.
Well, I dunno Carlos - some Hobbycraft kits are real dogs… I hope you can optimize this one for good looks and let accuracy go here… Good luck with it!
Steve, that’s what this one is supposed to be, a ceiling hanger in a kids room. Just like the older kits that I’ve given him previously.
Pawel, that’s my aim here, no worries about accuracy, build it up OOB quick as nice as I can within those limits and get it over to the brother in law for handoff.
I already have the Zvezda La-5 FN on order now for my own collection.
G, I’m with you about the La-5 & La-7. Very good looking deadly birds! I have no problem with Hobbycraft kits. Sometimes they’re the only game in town in 1/48 on certain subjects.
W, I’m sure that that he’ll love it. He has been very happy with all the others that I’ve given him so far.
My progress so far…
Built the cockpit and painted the base colors. Just gonna dry brush the instruments and then install it. No washes or weathering…
And few of the sub assemblies that I can do so far- the main landing gear struts and the cowl & prop assemblies…
Gamera, it is indeed an ideal kit for a weekend/speed build.
John, it’s getting there quick enough…
This morning after the gym I sanded the fuselage seams after letting that dry overnite. Then I added the wings…
And then I added the chin radiator, main gear well center plate, and the tail wheel mount. I also added some strip styrene shims at the rear of the wing to fill a gap there
I had to putty some small openings in the wing front that are a carry over from the common La-5/La-7 molds that should only be present on the La-7. I’m letting those dry before I sand them and resume adding the last assemblies.
Thanks Chad. This is a fun little kit and a perfect for learning with. Either as a basic OOB build for beginners, or for trying out a bit of AMS techniques or materials upon without sinking a lot of money.
John, this may not be my fastest build, but it sure has to rank up there. And this quick build is indeed rejuvenating.
Mike, I agree about Hobbycraft kits. You’ll see more of this over the next couple of days. I need to get it all wrapped up by Thursday evening for passing on to the little guy over the weekend.
Tomorrow will be paint work. Stay tuned for photos then…
Well, I’ve got the basic colors on now. Underside is Humbrol enamel 114, Russian Light Blue. My old bottle of Polly S Russian Underside Blue had dried out since my last Red Air Force build… Topside is Polly Scale USSR Light Topside Gray. That took two thinned coats hand brushed… I had painted the side exhaust panels with Testors square bottle Steel last night
I’m loving this! Maybe because it represents my best work , but more likely because this just feels fun. Thanks for posting, even though you are working against a tight deadline.
