1/48 Eduard Yak 3

by Laurent “Angus” Beauvais

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Hello.  Back with my favorite subject : Non French aircraft in French Markings, with a special interest for the Free French forces.  With such a subject, it was mandatory to realize the Eduard Yak 3 that is a wonder.  The subject is one of the most classic ones, so let’s talk about Roger Sauvage, which aircraft is today’s subject.

Roger Sauvage was born in 1917 in Paris.  His father was from the Martinique island and died during the First World War on the battlefield.  In April 1939 he was assigned to the fighter group (GC= Groupe de Chasse) GC 115 “Champagne” based in Reims.  During the Battle of France he did shot down 2 German bombers.  Loosing his time in North Africa, he did join the “Normandie” group at Toula, January 7th 1944.  At the end of the war he was credited with 21 victories, ranking him as the 3rd French ace.  After the war he remained in the army and wrote two books: “La soif de l’air (“seeking for air” I guess)” and “one of the Normandie Niemen” that I do advise you to read.

Let’s start with the cockpit.  As I had the standard Eduard version (not the profipack), I had to scratch built some details.  Nothing complicate, it just takes time.  So the instrument panel was finned and drilled to glue on it’s back decals, various details where added with wire and aluminium scotch.

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Armoured plates have been added with alumimium scotch.  Landing gear is too simple and has to be detailed.

Unfortunately the decals where so fragile that I had to paint the white arrow and the 5 number.  To be noted that this number is too small on the decal sheet.  Regarding the arrow there are several possibilities. Watch the photo further down.

Regarding the paint scheme, I used the following colors:

  • Underside blue: 50% Humbrol 65 + 50% Humbrol 47

  • Light grey:  Tamiya XF19 + some Tamiya XF 2 (white)

  • Dark grey: Humbrol 129

Exhaust traces is usually not represented like this, but if you watch the photo below, it’s possible.

Hope you enjoy

Laurent 

 

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Photos and text © by Laurent “Angus” Beauvais