1/72 - Aero L-29 Delfin by Kovozávody Prostějov (KP) (plastic AMK) - released

[Homebee]

Source: https://www.modelarovo.cz/l-29-delfin-1-https://www.modelarovo.cz/l-29-delfin-1-72-kovozavody-prostejov/

 

"First traditional for you in close cooperation with AMK and MN modeler prepared for the end of April a kit of this beautiful machine in 1/72 scale. For KP the Delfín is an icon , the company’s first kit and the beginning of a whole pleiad of beautiful models continuing to this day. Originally we had in 3D CAD-CAM preparation our brand new model , but thanks to the offer of the above mentioned companies we finally agreed to buy nice mouldings from AMK company for which we are very grateful. Nevertheless, we used part of our 3D designs to produce new frames for the L-29R, L-29RS and single-seat aerobatic L-29A versions, which will suitably extend the original kit with other versions of the Delfín that are currently missing on the market. As always, there will be several covers and decal versions , so everyone interested in this kit can choose. We present you the first pictures from our „court“ painters Jaroslav Velc (the picture was originally created for our 1/32 model, which was resold to the cooperating company FLY together with Arad 96/Avia C-2) and Carlos Alonso from Spain.

The models will be available at the beginning of May at all good retailers and E-shops for around 14.20,- Euro. We believe that this info will please those interested in Czechoslovak aviation and I can promise that this is not the last „piece“ of cooperation of the above mentioned companies.

Important notice!!! Now in May we will release only the basic model of L-29 – AMK mouldings. L-29R, L-29RS and the single-seat aerobatic L-29A will be released during this year’s holidays!!!"

 

 

V.P.

 

Edited October 21 by Homebee

[Hook]

Some nice schemes there!

[Fin]

This is great news! Hopefully there will be a decal option for a Romanian machine with roundels.

[Homebee]

Box art & schemes

- ref. KPM0458 - Aero L-29 Delfín - Czecho/Slovak AF

Source: https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/aero-l-29-delfin-czecho-slovak-af/

 

 

- ref. KPM0459 - Aero L-29 Dolphin - Warsaw Pact

Source: https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/aero-l-29-delfin-warsaw-pact/

 

 

V.P.

[Hook]

I could go for that LSK one.

 

Cheers,

 

Andre

[klr]

I have two of these in the original AMK boxing, at least one (if not both) bought second hand. If memory serves, Eduard previously re-boxed this kit.

[MiG-Mech]

Yes, Eduard did.
https://www.eduard.com/eduard/plastic-kits/profipack/aircraft/1-72/l-29-delfin-1-72.html

The KP price is not a special price.
I got the AMK box, that includes photo etched parts, for less, and the Eduard box with mask and coloured photo etched parts was not much more. 

[Piotr Mikolajski]

On 5/1/2024 at 11:39 AM, klr said:

If memory serves, Eduard previously re-boxed this kit.

 

Yep. And they just announced reissue of the same kit: https://info.eduard.com/cz/05-2024/page-146

[Dennis_C]

9 hours ago, Piotr Mikolajski said:

 

Yep. And they just announced reissue of the same kit: https://info.eduard.com/cz/05-2024/page-146

Bitva českých modelářů!!!

 

I would personally love if Eduard prints stencils for L-29 as separately sold item. AMK kit's decals has practically none of these.

[Homebee]

Released 

- ref. KPM0458 - Aero L-29 Delfín - Czecho/Slovak AF - https://eshop.kovozavody.cz/10868,en_aero-l-29-delfin-czecho-slovak-af-.html

- ref. KPM0459 - Aero L-29 Dolphin - Warsaw Pact - https://eshop.kovozavody.cz/10869,en_aero-l-29-delfin-warsaw-pact-.html

 

V.P.

[Homebee]

New boxings released

 

- ref KPM0466 - Aero L-29A Delfin - Akrobat

https://eshop.kovozavody.cz/10878,en_aero-l-29a-delfin-akrobat-.html

https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/aero-l-29a-delfin-akrobat/

 

 

- ref. KPM0467 - Aero L29 (early) Delfin

https://eshop.kovozavody.cz/10879,en_aero-l-29-delfin-early-.html

https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/aero-l-29-delfin-early/

 

 

V.P.

Edited October 21 by Homebee

[Dennis_C]

That scheme looks very much resembling RAF trainers

 

And the phrase "aircraft graveyard (so called museum)" is at least exagerration. Anyone could google what exactly this L-29 looks like in Monino:

https://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/1557880/69-Russia-air-force-aero-l-29-delfn/

I think it's quite okay for any open air aircraft museum especially given 3-4 months of snow, multiple transitions through zero during cold season and temperatures ranging between minus 20 and plus 35 throughout the year. I've seen much the same condition of aircraft in Toulouse, probably a little worse in Kyiv and horrible condition of exhibits in Rimini which could be described as a true graveyard at least back in 2016 (looks like current condition became better than back in 2016).

 

UPD: just read on Monino Instagram (yes, Monino Instagram although Instagram is officially forbidden by Russian government) that this L-29 is stored there from 1974. Not a bad condition for a bird stored on open air for 50 years.

 

UPD2: I deleted text that turned out to be based on wrong assumption what was used as a basis for L-29 Ukrainian scheme - please see next post about actual prototype used by KP. 

Edited June 19 by Dennis_C

[Dennis_C]

Update to the previous post as unfortunately I misidentified what KP used as a prototype for Ukrainian L-29 option.

 

I got back to research L-29 monuments in Ukraine and went easy way this time by just googling 'Ukraine L-29'. Which I suspect Mr.Muzikant also did to find an L-29 in Ukrainian scheme. Unsurprisingly the first image from wikimedia was exactly the one chosen by KP as a prototype for decal scheme: 'blue 38' monument in Zaporizhzhia painted in blue-grey colour:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fexv6BeeyQsYtmVk9?g_st=ac

Today it's repainted into blue and yellow scheme. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/3NiZkxBMQQLazGde6?g_st=ac

Unfortunately I could not find the background story of this monument so hard to say whether this L-29 was actually ever used by Ukrainian Air Force and when exactly this monument was constructed. Given there is (was?) a huge L-29 graveyard in Zaporizhzhia (47.916733,34.965737) most probable that's where this L-29 came from. 

 

One more thought regarding use of L-29 in Ukraine. In 1991 most of the Delfins in USSR were operated by DOSAAF flight colledges. A lot of these existed in Ukraine. As I understand after the breakdown of Soviet Union some of these training centers transformed into aeroclubs. One of those in Kharkiv continued to maintain its L-29s in flying condition (the decal for their livery is included into AvantGarde kit). However none of these aeroclubs' Delfins belonged to Ukrainian Air Force. Kharkiv L-29s for example carry civil registration. Wikipedia says that only 20 L-29 in Bagerovo, Crimea actually belonged to Air Force. Maybe because Bagerovo belonged to military rather than DOSAAF flight colledge. So most likely the Ukrainian option on KP kit is not from Ukrainian Air Force but from Zaporizhzhia aeroclub (it's where the L-29 graveyard mentioned above still resides). Seems the aeroclub continued to fly their Delfins in early 90s. Interesting to know what was the colour scheme back then. Some post-Soviet L-29 in Ukraine had just blue-yellow painted tail and overpainted stars instead of full Ukrainian Air Force roundels.

 

I start to fancy an idea of making an early 90s L-29 in use in Ukraine! I just need some photoes from that period...

Edited June 19 by Dennis_C