L-39C Albatross "Patrouille Breitling"

[Alpha Delta 210]

Hi

Here is my sixth and most definitely final (I promise) entry for the GB.

It was a hard decision between this and my newly-delivered Airfix Jubillee Tucano. However, as this build will be my first to be painted by airbrush, I opted for the easier paint job!

I picked up this kit and aftermarket decals from Hobbyshop.cz for the princely sum of £15.18 including airmail. I had never used them before and was very impressed.

I was motivated by seeing the Team at RIAT. I understand that they replaced the Saudi Hawks at the last minute when that team withdrew due to pilot illness. I had seen the Breitling Jet Team before, but was particularly impressed with their display this time.

Here is a quote from http://www.breitling...om/accueil.html

"The Breitling Jet Team is made up of seven L-39 C Albatros aircraft, Czech-made twin-seater military training jets that can also be used for passenger flights. The L-39 C Albatros represents an excellent compromise between performance, aesthetics, reliability and operating costs. This extremely powerful jet was widely used in all former Soviet bloc countries, where large numbers are still around now. The Breitling Jet Team planes were acquired in exceptional technical condition. An eighth plane is used for photo flights as well as passenger flights (with press representatives, Breitling guests, etc.). It also serves to replace the other planes during technical maintenance operations."

Here are some of my pictures:

Unforunately, the Kopro decals don't reflect the latest, very smart livery, but the blue and yellow should be very eye-catching in 1/72.

The Weekend kit looks very simple with few parts, but the detail looks exceptional. It will be a shame not to use the USAF decals, as they look excellent.

Here is the starting point:

The starting point will be dipping the clear parts in Klear and setting aside, followed by commencing the cockpit. The family is away this weekend, and I am minding the mutt. I should be able to finish it by the end of the GB next Sunday!

Edited August 25, 2012 by Alpha Delta 210

[scorpion]

excllent.what are the decals like as i have this kit in the mail [along with my spitfire tr9 conversion set] as i type this and was thinking of doing the same if i could get some decals and now that i can see that someone is making them in going to do it but just curious if i should get a few decal sheets as spares just incase i need them,thanks

[Alpha Delta 210]

Hi Scorpion

The decals look really nice on the sheet, but I suppose we will just have to wait and see...

[TonyR]

Hello AD,

You can get the decal sheet for the scheme carried on your piccy's from Hobbyshop.cz! - Kopro also do them - Sheet KOP93300 the 2010 scheme, It's on page 5 of the online catalogue . Just in case you really want to do the up-to-date one.

However the one you have there comes out as a very nice eyecatching scheme, I have seen it done. (see below) - Good luck.

Tony R.

Taken at the IPMS scottish exhibition last year.

https://www.box.com/s/87700899af50917b97af

Edited August 25, 2012 by TonyR

[Alpha Delta 210]

Thanks for the link, Tony. That model looks really sweet. I didn't find the current decals on hobbyshop.cz - d'oh!

[Alpha Delta 210]

Hi

My first quick update... I have sprayed my first cockpit with an airbrush! I think that I am already converted!

The cockpit decals from the kit are very nice and I just need to do a little detail painting before closing her up. The seats go in after the fuselage is glued.

Sorry about the picture quality, but there was a thunderstorm overhead at the time!

[TonyR]

Ok, Try this then --

http://www.hobbyshop.cz/shop/1-72-decals/5514-l-39c-breitling-jet-team-2010-1-72-decal.html

Tony R

[Alpha Delta 210]

They're lovely, Tony. I might have to get another kit to go with them!

[TonyR]

The L-39 makes up to a super little subject - I've got a few put aside earmarked for the (black) Breigtlings - Biele Albatrosy - Team Russ & the Baltic Bees and there are still more teams using them - I may well have to raid the old piggybank myself yet!!

Tony R

[Alpha Delta 210]

The major sub assemblies are complete.

The fit of the fuselage halves is not perfect, in fact the left side seems to be a few mm longer than the right side - nothing that a little sanding session can't resolve!

[Alpha Delta 210]

I am not particularly impressed with the fit of some of the parts on this kit. The left hand intake was particularly bad and will require quite a lot of filling and sanding to blend it in with the fuselage.

[Parabat]

What a pity.

[EricP]

The fit looks ok from your pictures, but perhaps that's because you already fixed the issue there!

I hope you can get this done by next week, I'm looking forward to this one too!

[Dan]

Good god man! Another!! More power to ya, this looks another fantastic project

[Alpha Delta 210]

Thanks. chaps. The intake is sorted and I am now doing the seats, which comprise of 5 parts each.

The wing needed a lot of pressure to fit snugly....

Not long until the first "proper" use of the airbrush....

[Alpha Delta 210]

Just about ready for priming. As usual, I struggled with the canopies and windscreen!

[CliffB]

Looking very good to me!

Cheers

Cliff

[TonyR]

And me!! - Plus I must say that the Eduard kits look much better detail wise, than the old KP ones that I have, some of which are pretty shocking! - Though the price you pay probably has something to do with it (£8 - £12 as opposed to £5 - £8)

Waiting with anticipation (and fingers crossed!) to see how your first Airbrush finish turns out though, good luck.

Tony R

[Alpha Delta 210]

Thanks for the positive vibes, Cliff and Tony! I have applied two coats of Alclad Primer and am quite happy with the result. However, the cup does seem to empty very quickly, but that is probably dues to my technique!

I'll take some pictures in the morning and must force myself not to rush the top coat!!

[Alpha Delta 210]

Here is my Albatross after a couple of coats of Alclad primer, followed by a rub-down with a fine Micro Mesh stick. Although it might not look like it, she is as smooth as the proverbial baby's backside now!

Sorry for the "noisy" pictures, but I am so keen, I took them before there was really enough light!

I am now bracing myself to apply my first "proper" air brushed top coat!

I have been practicing on a scrap Hawk, but I am still nervous!

Fingers crossed, here goes.....

[Alpha Delta 210]

Well, here she is after the first airbrushed coat of Xtracolor. The finish is very patchy (some parts matt, some parts glossy). Is this normal for a first coat, or is it about my skills, or lack thereof?

What an indignity to have a brush handle shoved up your pipe!!

[TonyR]

It could have been the hairy end!! - lol

Tony R

[Alpha Delta 210]

That sounds more appealing!

[scorpion]

dont worry about it,my painting skills also leave a lot to be desired but im sure i will get there [as im sure you will too] in the end.....i must get myself 1 of those clamp thingys that you are using

[Alpha Delta 210]

Thanks, Scorpion. "Helping Hands" from Amazon £2.94 including delivery!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rolson-Tools-60335-Helping-Magnifying/dp/B001BMSBD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346065918&sr=8-1