1/48 Vector La-5FN

by Joe Youngerman

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I typically build only 1/72 scale aircraft but had the chance to try one of Vector's new, all resin kits of the La-5FN.  I recieved my copy from Derek Brown's Buffies Best web store.  Vector  recently released a series of 1/48th scale Russian fighters and have finally brought the modeling community truly excellent kits of these long neglected aircraft.  If resin kits scare you, fear not, this was my first all resin kit and I found it to be no more challenging to build than your average plastic kit...even easier in some ways! 

The parts are beautifully cast and detail overall is very good.  The main landing gear legs have a metal core giving them more than enough rigidity to support the aircraft.  The same cannot be said of the all resin tail strut however and I would strongly recommend that you replace the upper portion of the strut with solid plastic rod or metal tube. I went the plastic route and it worked fine.  The tail strut attachment point also needs replacing for strength reason as well. I simply made one from a piece of plastic block.
 
The kit instructions are rather basic, making theplacement of a few parts rather vague...it's good to have some good references close by to settle any questions in this area!

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Construction was straight forward overall.  I started in the cockpit where you will find an excellent level of detail.  I added only  throttle linkage, some levers, rudder cables and pedal straps and some minor wiring. The fit of the kit is better than I expected.  You'll find only a little filler is needed in the wing root area and the joint between the bottom of the fuselage and the lower wing.  The wing itself comes as a one piece affair so no filling needed there!  The wing required just a little clean up and it was ready to install.  There is only one vacuform canopy supplied so be careful not to damage it!  I have to say I think Vector should give an extra one...just in case. One other area that needs a bit of caution is the attachment of the main gear.  The attachment point is not as sturdy or positive as your average plastic kit so be sure to check your references to get the right attachment angle.

 
I finished the model with White Ensign Models superb line of VVS paint colors. The scheme used was AMT-7/11/12...the most common one found on the La-5FN. There are decals are supplied for numerous a/c...I chose to model Nazimov Konstantin Savel'evich's a/c as it looked in Poland during the fall of 1944. Weathering was kept somewhat restrained...using pastels and Prismacolor's silver pastel pencil for the paint chipping on the wing root fairing. 
 
The exhaust shield is Alclad II and the stains were airbrushed with a very diluted mix of Modelmaster "Tar" and "Rust".  Some other final touches were the stainless steel wire for the radio antenna and CMK resin position lights for the wings and tail.  The pitot tube is not supplied and that was scratch built from pastic rods. The decals went on beautifully after a coat of Future and are very thin.
This was a very enjoyable and fairly quick build...be sure to give one of these kits a try when you feel the need for a VVS a/c build!

Joe

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Photos and text © by Joe Youngerman