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More Me/Bf-109 than fingers and toes but no decent La-7?


Otakar

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I doubt Cold War prejudice has much to do with it, at least nowadays, where a good many modellers grew up without any USSR.

 

It’s more about who has the money, where they are and what movies, books or history they are exposed to. Most model-money is in Western Europe/North America/Downunder. Many tend to build models of «their» side AND of the side of «their» enemies - thereof all the 109s and Zeroes alongside Spitfires and Mustangs*. I believe Russian subjects are more popular in e.g. Finland for the same reason as 109s are popular in Western Europe. Although I’m sure some have issues with making bad-guy models - or «loser models» as mentioned - that is obviously not a plausible reason considering the amount of models of Nazi planes.

 

 

 

*) Germany is a special case: de-Nazification has made them feel the Western allies are “their” mental side 😛

 

 

And finally let’s not forget the morbid fascination with Nazis that exist in the West, and the endless plethora of different camoflague schemes the Germans produced.

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I agree 110% with everything stated. We all have our favorites. I would hope that "favorites" we all possess, have a certain amount of "cool" factor to each and every one of us. I believe that the La-# series of aircraft possess that "cool" factor. Since the La-7 was the last REAL fighter since the La-9 was just a postscript. That it would be high on many peoples list. Someone from a Czech website provided me with this link http://scalemodels.ru/modules/forum/viewtopic_t_20235.html it is a tremendous amount of work. I was thinking about it but figured I would just finish the Gavia kit instead of throwing it into the trash. If some decent manufacturer do not pick up this subject in the next year or two I will definitely consider doing it. I think that a kit from Zvezda or ICM would be an ultimate. so far I have not received a reply of any kind from either. But it is still is quite early. The irony is that if I would have not put so much work and time into the cockpit of the Gavia kit, I would have thrown it away for sure in mid build. You can still follow my build here. https://www.modelforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=127351 For what ever it is worth. I am attempting to make some small fixes as I go along but they are just a "fart-in-the-wind" compared to the real mistakes. 

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I checked out your link by the way, looks ok to me. I hope you will post some photo’s of it when you are finished.

20 hours ago, Otakar said:

But it is not a total impossibility since we live close to each other.

Just a side note, my friend moved away from Chicago for his job many years ago. So no need to worry on that issue. 

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OK I am now considering on really kitbashing the Zvezda La-5 with one of my remaining Gavia 7 kits. That link really got me thinking.

 

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Anyone ever wonder if some of these kit reviewers are paid off for their reviews? I have now been working on my Gavia La-7 for about a week and five days now, and not just an hour or two a night either. Not to mention any names but they  list themselves as "The Finest Review Site on the Web: Since 1995 Celebrating 23 years on-line" Supposedly this reviewer had his finished in one night and painting the next day. I am still filling and sanding gaps that were worse than the stuff I have found on the "short run" kits by HiPM. Some of the wing-to-to-fuselage joints I have had to fill and sand two to three times. A kit that I was hoping I could have finished in two or three days has now taken me almost two weeks. Granted, I have spent about four days on the cockpit but that still leaves over a week on the "straight forward" kit. He actually called it "this well-designed kit is an obvious fall-together slammer" and "well-designed and close to a shake 'n' bake project". Yes those are exact quotes. At one time I have respected and paid heed to these reviews but no more. The old ICM Spits, Mustangs and such are MUCH MUCH better than this thing ever could hope to be.

     I have had a response back from ICM and it looks positive. Zvezda was blunt but not so positive. Roden I have had no news from yet. I mad no attempt with Eduard. Their plate is way too full I am sure and the kit would be twice the price as the Zvezda or ICM kits. The ICM Spits and mustangs were/are nice (for their age) Unbelievably this same reviewer gave the spitfire a very poor review. I know that he is getting paid for his reviews, one way or another. If you reed TC's reviews of the ICM Spitfire and the Gavia La-7, to me it appears like he reversed them. I 98% disagree with almost all he wrote. Anyone else have had the same experiences with these reviews? I have about 10 (maybe more) ICM spitfires and will at some point build all of them. These kits are only $9 which makes them 1/2 to 1/3 the price of the Eduard "weekend" kit depending on where you buy it.   

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I have been studying photographs of the La-7 and found that many of them have different shaped panels in the wing to fuselage joint area. Especially behind the exhausts. This means that there will not be such a thing as write or wrong. 

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43 minutes ago, Otakar said:

I have been studying photographs of the La-7 and found that many of them have different shaped panels in the wing to fuselage joint area. Especially behind the exhausts. This means that there will not be such a thing as write or wrong. 

 

Same thing on the La-5FN, if I remember correctly.

 

John

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I guess that might depend on the factory it cam from or batch#. These were mostly wood aircraft and that would only make sense. That is just fine with me.

 

 I have my Gavia abomination all put together and filled in the big gaps that I had between the wing and fuselage. All sanded down and ready for painting tomorrow and this weekend. I dis a compilation of canopies on this. The front is a Taurus for a La5FN the middle s a Squadron for the Gavia and the aft is the original kit part. I just couldn't stand the "picture window" that the Gavia canopy has. The front armor glass is just enormous on the gavial kit. I wish I would have caught it sooner because I would have used the upper gun cover from one of my La-5Fn kits. The blisters on the Gavia kit are about two or three times the size they are supposed to be. I might still do a Gavia/Zvezda kit-bash to make a nicer representation. I also replaced the trim tabs on the wings because the ones on the gavial kit were too small and I fixed the upper rudder shape also because it was wayyyyyy too pointy.

Edited by Otakar
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On 4/28/2019 at 1:16 AM, John Thompson said:

While the Eduard 1/72 La-7 isn't perfect, I'm not aware of any glaring shape problems (the oil cooler housing isn't great, mind you), nor am I aware of a 1/72 La-7 from Gavia.

 

There are, actually, quite a few, I'm afraid.

I have made these observations regarding its accuracy:

  • Landing gear legs are too long. Shortening them (as well as their covers) is an easy fix, preventing the model from looking like a caricature
  • Front panel of the windscreen is too wide. I solved this with a spare windscreen from KP kit. Most vac replacements (Pavla, Rob Taurus, etc) also replicate this
  • Front of cowling (part No. 32 and/or 43) is too short and blunt. It needs a circular styrene insert at the back and reshaping. Unfortunately, KP part is narrower and can't be used as a replacement, although it has better shape
  • Spinner is a bit off (should have a subtle double curve). There is a replacement made by SBS Model, but I chose to correct mine on a lathe (not a difficult fix). Or you can find a spare from KP kit
  • This kit is a down-scaled Gavia/Eduard 1/48th scale model, which has received some criticism for rear fuselage being too narrow. But I don't think this is noticeable in 72nd...

 

I believe most of these mistakes are made because the kit is based on plans from MBI book, which show all these errors (when compared to photos).

The Steelworks 1/72 upgrade set corrects issues with the fuselage, and i'ts a simple fix if you are not into plastic surgery. 
For an even longer discussion on this kit than my mini-rant here, please have a look at THIS topic.
 

Regards,
Aleksandar

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Since the Gavia 1/48 kit is so bad than just avoid any kit subject matter associated with it. You might be better off with the KP kit. As much as I like the MBI books the drawing in the La-7 book is all wrong. The drawing in the La-5 book is however very good. For decent drawings of any kind you are much better going here.  http://www.airwar.ru/other/drawe.html They have three different sets of drawings on the La-7. Some better than others.  There are three 1/72 kits that I am aware of besides the Eduard kit. The old Frog which is now ARK models. KP, and Hobby Boss which has a single piece fuselage. I have always liked the old Frog and the KP kits.

Edited by Otakar
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UPDATE - UPDATE - UPDATE

It seams like Kovozavody Prostejov is already working on a NEW tool La-7 in 1/72 scale for next year release. Please be aware that the NE Kovozavody Prostejov is not the old one which than changed name to KP. The old @Name was purchased a few years ago and is doing new tools in 1/144, 1/72 and 1/48. Some of the 1/48 scale stuff was integrated directly from Smer with some new tooling added to them. https://www.kovozavody.cz/cs/ I own their 1/144 La-5 kits and they are extraordinarily well detailed for their diminutive size. I also have a bunch of their new 1/48 kits and they are very nice.  

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7 hours ago, warhawk said:

 

  • This kit is a down-scaled Gavia/Eduard 1/48th scale model, which has received some criticism for rear fuselage being too narrow. But I don't think this is noticeable in 72nd...

 

Regards,
Aleksandar

I think that's because the 1/72nd scale kit doesn't have as narrow a rear fuselage as the 1/48th. If you scale down the 1/48th rear canopy it would be approximately 1.5mm narrower than the 1/72nd one.

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Actually on the Gavia 1/48 kit the rear canopy is only about 1mm too narrow than what it should be. The rear canopy on the La fighters was a lot narrower than the main canopy. The Zvezda canopy is right on the La-5 and it is 1mm wider than the Gavia canopy. I was almost able to use the canopy from the La-5FN on the La-7. But the fuselage is so far off on the La7 that there would have to have been other changes made.

 

Here is a pretty decent image of the aft canopy. I have a better one but I don't feel like putting it on Photobucket and wasting my limited space.

 

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Edited by Otakar
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45 minutes ago, Otakar said:

Actually on the Gavia 1/48 kit the rear canopy is only about 1mm too narrow than what it should be. The rear canopy on the La fighters was a lot narrower than the main canopy. The Zvezda canopy is right on the La-5 and it is 1mm wider than the Gavia canopy. I was almost able to use the canopy from the La-5FN on the La-7. But the fuselage is so far off on the La7 that there would have to have been other changes made.

If the Zvezda kit is correct, then yes I agree, but I was just pointing out the fact that the 1/72 kit rear canopy is a lot wider than the 1/48th one ( and a little wider than the Zvezda kit ).

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I would agree with that. Most likely something like the  Hobby Craft 1/48 canopy. It is ridiculous.  Take a look at the Kovozavody Prostejov 1/72 La-5FN and see what you think. If it is any good in your eyes, you might be able to kitbash something.

https://www.super-hobby.com/products/Lavochkin-La-5FN-Aces.html

 

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  • 8 months later...
On 5/4/2019 at 12:46 PM, warhawk said:

 

There are, actually, quite a few, I'm afraid.

I have made these observations regarding its accuracy:

  • Landing gear legs are too long. Shortening them (as well as their covers) is an easy fix, preventing the model from looking like a caricature
  • Front panel of the windscreen is too wide. I solved this with a spare windscreen from KP kit. Most vac replacements (Pavla, Rob Taurus, etc) also replicate this
  • Front of cowling (part No. 32 and/or 43) is too short and blunt. It needs a circular styrene insert at the back and reshaping. Unfortunately, KP part is narrower and can't be used as a replacement, although it has better shape
  • Spinner is a bit off (should have a subtle double curve). There is a replacement made by SBS Model, but I chose to correct mine on a lathe (not a difficult fix). Or you can find a spare from KP kit
  • This kit is a down-scaled Gavia/Eduard 1/48th scale model, which has received some criticism for rear fuselage being too narrow. But I don't think this is noticeable in 72nd...

 

I believe most of these mistakes are made because the kit is based on plans from MBI book, which show all these errors (when compared to photos).

The Steelworks 1/72 upgrade set corrects issues with the fuselage, and i'ts a simple fix if you are not into plastic surgery. 
For an even longer discussion on this kit than my mini-rant here, please have a look at THIS topic.
 

Regards,
Aleksandar

@warhawk Hello Aleksandar,

 

Thank you about this summary! I have the Eduard Dual Combo set stashed for over a decade and plan to build it next. I was aware of the issues you mentioned but I am not sure how to fix some of them.

 

Did you use the canopy from the old (1973) KP model? I believe Master/Mistercraft is that old kit repackaged and I was thinking about getting a couple to use as donors.

 

How much do you need to cut off from the undercarriage legs and covers to get them to a proper size?

 

Lastly, do you have the American scale plans mentioned in the thread that you linked? They are no longer available there. I would love to fix the short nose issue but I only have the MBI volume on the La-7 and by now I am aware that the scale plans there are off.

 

Sorry to bombard with so many questions, благодаря / thank you!

 

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For what it's worth, I corrected the obsolete links to the Aero Album Josef Krybus drawings on the Sovietwarplanes forum, so they're visible again.

http://massimotessitori.altervista.org/sovietwarplanes/board/index.php?topic=2003.msg16457#msg16457

 

John

Edited by John Thompson
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1 hour ago, Ventsislav Gramatski said:

@warhawk Hello Aleksandar,

Thank you about this summary! I have the Eduard Dual Combo set stashed for over a decade and plan to build it next. I was aware of the issues you mentioned but I am not sure how to fix some of them.

You're welcome, Ventsislav, glad to be of help!

 

1 hour ago, Ventsislav Gramatski said:

Did you use the canopy from the old (1973) KP model? I believe Master/Mistercraft is that old kit repackaged and I was thinking about getting a couple to use as donors.

I used a spare windshield from the oldest box available

spacer.png

 

 

1 hour ago, Ventsislav Gramatski said:

How much do you need to cut off from the undercarriage legs and covers to get them to a proper size?

Still haven't got to the landing gear, so I don't know precisely. (This is one of my oldest 'shelf of doom' projects)

 

1 hour ago, Ventsislav Gramatski said:

Lastly, do you have the American scale plans mentioned in the thread that you linked? They are no longer available there. I would love to fix the short nose issue but I only have the MBI volume on the La-7 and by now I am aware that the scale plans there are off.

I do, as well as some newer ones drawn by a Russian guy, Drop me Your e-mail in the PM, and I'll send all of those to You, as well as some pics of other builds that corrected the nose.

 

Regards,

Aleksandar

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La-7 isn´t probably popular in Russia too. Zvezda makes a decade ago an excellent kit´s of  La-5F and La-5FN... - but not an La-7... and both "five" ignored in small scale. La-7 is aircraft with relative short operation history, in USSR was shortly after war re-placed with full metal La-9 and first generation of jets (as Yak-15/23 and MiG-9)... I don´t think it is a "milking cow" for scale kits producers... La-5 family and LaGG La-3 yup (now may be released new by any eastern company)  but La-7 not... I have in my stash La-7 from Eduard (ex-Gavia) and for me it is a good kit. (They operational service in Post-War Czechoslovakia is very short, because build quality was poor,  and in combat used CZ pilots in Eastern front La-5FN...) So, i don´t think  any company make new qurter scale La-7 in short time...  Why ? Yak´s family or LaGG was more interested (many colourful camos with patriotics slogans and emblems, many famous aces,  in LaGG an captured Finnish AF too...)

 

No, La-7 isn´t good choice for new tool kit 😕... 

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Forgive my ignorance but what's wrong with the Hobbyboss easy-build kit? I put it together a few years back and apart from the cockpit detail (or rather lack thereof) it builds up very well into a good-looking model.

Edited by sroubos
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