One-Two Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Heya Guys, Since I have at least 2 ongoing and unfinished projects, it seems like common sense to start another one. I guess that this is what happen when one is running out of steam with unfinished projects. Anyway, I just couldn't stop myself so here we go...after some rummage through the pile of plastic boxes, the winner was the Yak 23 from Bilek. I don't know why I choose it...maybe because of that vintage look of the early jets, which the little Yak captures very well methinks. Ok, so first of all the classic presentation of what's in the box: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Nice. Didn't know anything about this Yak before, but it clearly is a cousin to the Saab Tunnan, Bell X-5 and shares its roots with the Ta 183 Huckebein. Interesting twist with the story of the US tesing & kit including US markings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whofan Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Couldn't help but smile and wonder if the U.S. serial code was a dig at the Russians: -) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Maybe they thought it was a fu fighter.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Same engine as the Meteor - Rolls Royce Derwent (Licence-built by the Soviets as the RD-500) Ken 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One-Two Posted April 7, 2016 Author Share Posted April 7, 2016 Yeah lol...the fu fighter... However, the Americans' evaluation of this fighter was that it could hold on itself pretty well against competition. Although it was quickly phased out in favor of the more potent Mig15, the little Yak was liked by its pilots and was more maneuverable, especially at low to mid speeds. Also due to small weight the Yak was climbing really well... Back to the plastic....I made some work in the cockpit. OOB was pretty basic...so I made some additions from plastic and some wire. Regards, 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One-Two Posted April 8, 2016 Author Share Posted April 8, 2016 The pre-painted IP is from Eduard (it comes with the Bilek kit) and it does look much better when compared with the original plastic one. This, however, brings into discussion the issue regarding the interior (cockpit) color. From what I could find out, the interior color was a strange shade of green...possibly a color named A15 in the soviet color system...not very sure. Anyway the interior it was not the turquoise green found in the later soviet jets. Hopefully I will succeed in matching the color of the IP from some other shades of green I already have... Have a nice w/e Guys, 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 It's always good to see something different. Is the cockpit based on photographs or have you used some ' artistic license ' Looking forward to more. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One-Two Posted April 8, 2016 Author Share Posted April 8, 2016 Is the cockpit based on photographs or have you used some ' artistic license ' John Hi John, Actually is a combination of both. I am using some reference photos...bellow you can find a few of them. Also a very good source of inspiration is a restored Polish Yak23 which can be seen here (hope the link will work): http://www.muzeumlotnictwa.pl/pano_zwiedzanie/eksponaty/15/jak23.php?w=a Regards, 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean1968 Posted April 8, 2016 Share Posted April 8, 2016 I've just remembered, I have the 1/32 version of this by Planet Models. I might have to take a look. Great start. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik W Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 This is looking really good so far, looking forward to seeing how it progresses. The early Soviet jets really are a fascinating subject I think! Looking forward to seeing more! Regards, Nik 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 Nice work so far, keep it up! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One-Two Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 Thank you guys for your encouragements. Meanwhile I assembled the main wheel bays...and put some wires in there to act as pipelines & stuff. While checking the fuselage I discovered that the ejection ports for the spent gun cartridges are completely missing, so I just made some. Also, the fuselage walls from the area of the wheel bays are way too thick...they look like cement board or something. So I just thinned them a little bit...still not ideal, but better... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One-Two Posted April 13, 2016 Author Share Posted April 13, 2016 Another big problem of this kit is related to the way in which the gun openings are represented, on the front of the fuselage. I just marked these areas and for comparison I also attached a picture of the real thing. Really not the same thing...measures have to be taken. So I've used the existing ridiculous gun openings to drill some holes...after that, I sanded everything down...and then all the unwanted space was filled with CA glue and sanded again, until I obtained some sort of plain holes through which the gun barrels will protrude. I have to search for something like a gun barrel...some syringe needle I guess.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 I am not sure how I managed to miss this one but it looks like a very interesting build with some nice workmanship on display. Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbat155 Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 Hi, If you need some photo reference please check that link:https://plus.google.com/photos/102706803262583410664/albums/5391753871519251185?banner=pwaThose photos are from restoration process one of polish Yak-23's. This aircraft was first combat jet in PolAF service, and Poland was a second biggest user of that type (over 100 in service between 1950-1956 from total 313 produced). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One-Two Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Thank you Martin & foxbat155. Foxbat155, very good reference pictures indeed!! For sure they will be useful. I managed to install the mail wheel bays on the fuselages, and also to find a decent representation of the gun barrels. These tasks have to be done before closing the fuselage. Nevertheless, after studying some reference photos (thanks you again foxbat155), it seems to me that some interior walls are missing from the wheel bays...in the area where the wing will be inserted. I'll see what can be done about this... The gun barrels are actually made of two syringe needles of different dimensions...0.5 mm and 0.8 mm. Now they look kinda very thin...but these needles were what at had at hand. I would preferred a combination of 0.6 mm with 0.9 mm, but I couldn't find 0.9 needles. However...the cannons from the real Yak 23 was of 23 mm caliber...which reduced to 48th scale means something like 0.48...so the 0.5 needle must be a pretty close representation. Also I scribed some missing panel lines on the fuselage sides, in the area of the ejection ports of the spent cartridges.. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 I am weakening towards getting one of these. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One-Two Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 I am weakening towards getting one of these. Martin Go for it, Martin...it's a nice little kit... Base coat for the cockpit interior. It's a combination of Model Master European Green and RAF Interior Green...Mk1 eyeball style, of course. It's not a perfect match with the pre-painted IP, but I declare myself satisfied with it. The canopy will be closed anyway...so the difference in shade will not be so obvious, I hope... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim T Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Some great modelling skills on display here. Watching with interest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyverns4 Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 I am weakening towards getting one of these. Martin Me Too! But where from? Christian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One-Two Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 Me Too! But where from? Christian Hi Christian...I think you have to look for east-European providers for this one. Have a look here: http://www.jadarhobby.pl/aircraft-148-c-5_31.html?filter_id=215 They're from Poland and I think they ship worldwide...just check them if you are interested... For your Information, the kit is typical short-run style...that kind of soft plastic, not very crisp detail and not a great fit. But it is a nice and rewarding build, if you invest a little time and patience in it:) Good luck, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyverns4 Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Many thanks! I know Jadar of old and have placed an order for one of these! Thanks for the info. Short-run is great as I (can) like a challenge as it gets me away from the challenges of day-to-day life out here, (I should be shot...). Christian, exiled to the armpit of the universe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One-Two Posted April 27, 2016 Author Share Posted April 27, 2016 Only some modest progress...been working a little bit on the engine intake. Some internal walls were added to the nose wheel bay, because they were incomplete as molded. Also I scratched some sort of landing light which was situated also in the nose...the protective window for this landing light is terrible, but nevertheless I've used it. This is how this subassembly looks now...further work has to be done, especially in the wheel bay area... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One-Two Posted May 5, 2016 Author Share Posted May 5, 2016 Cockpit done. I've painted the details & stuff...then applied an oil wash with burnt umber. In the pictures it seems to me that the wash is too obvious...maybe I should have keep it more subtle.. strange that on the real thing the wash is not so visible. However, by now I'm preparing to close the fuselage... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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