Lavochkin La-7 - 1:72 Eduard ProfiPACK Edition

[Julien]

Lavochkin La-7
1:72 Eduard ProfiPACK Edition

The Kit
The Eduard La-7 kit is fairly new dating back from 2007, whilst this is a good kit after just reviewing the new tool Fw 190's from Eduard, it is surprising to see how much mould technology has moved on since then. The kit arrives on one sprue of grey plastic, with a clear sprue, sheet of photo-etch, a sheet of masks; and a comprehensive decal sheet. The parts are well moulded with no issues or flash.

Construction starts in the cockpit with various parts of Photo-etch being added to each side consol. Next up the exhaust parts are fitted into each fuselage half. Once these parts are in the fuselage can be joined up not forgetting to insert a blanking pate in the tail wheel well. Next up the wings are put together; these are a one part upper & one part lower. The top of the upper wing forms the base of the cockpit and the control column and rudder pedals are added. The instrument panel and pilots seat complete with rear bulkhead are then made up and added through the bottom of the fuselage; once these are in fuselage can be added to the wings.

The canopy (one piece or three piece) can be added along with the tail planes, rudder, engine cowling, propeller and top gun parts. Lastly the landing gear is made up and added along with the gear bay doors, and the large ventral radiator.

Decals
The decal sheet is in house printed by Eduard and is in register, colour dense and should pose no issues. Decal options are provided for eight aircraft:

• Maj. IN Kozhedub, 176th IAP, Germany Spring 1945 (Mask provided for nose painting this option).
• Maj. AV Alelyukhin, 9th GIAP, Berlin Operation 1945.
• Maj Amet Khan Sultan, 9th GIAP, Germany 1945.
• Lt. Col SF Dolgushin Co. of 156th IAP, Kluzov airfield, April 1945.
• Flt Sgt Stefan Ocvirk, 2nd Fighter Air Regiment, 1945.
• Unknown unit, Soviet Union late 1945.
• 2nd GIAP, 2 Sqn "Mongolsky Arat", Spring 1945.
• Co. of 4th GIAP, Lt. Col Vasily F Golubyev, Spring 1945.

Conclusion
This is a great kit from Eduard and it is good to see it re-released. Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Andrew D Jolly Rogers guy]

Yes, this is a great kit, all around! Loved it!