10.02.2011, 13:44
Another economy kit from Airfix. Is this a good or a bad one?
IN THE BOX
As you open the box, you already know the answer. The sprues appear to come from a very old mold, flash is everywhere, some free-floating pieces, raised rivets, very basic detail. The molding quality itself is insufficient: actually, I found that on the left half of the fuselage, the forward air intake was partially missing. There are (few) decals for two planes, both from "Warszawa Regiment" ("White 86" and "White 100").
![[Image: b7c0f8fc2db5cc944d9dae6e3d77dce7cdb6917f...ed916g.jpg]](http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/b7c0f8fc2db5cc944d9dae6e3d77dce7cdb6917f5af133517dc68eb695abed916g.jpg)
BUILDING
Well, putting the thing together requires no particular effort. There is no cockpit except for a seat and a pilot figure, but it looks more like a mummy with a leather helmet and goggles, so I omitted it.
While joining the two fuselage halves, you can notice that the ventral radiator is open at the front, while it's closed on the rear. Instead, you will find a nice rectangular HOLE in the fuselage behind it! This is probably intended to receive a support for the finished model, but I preferred filling it with putty. Wing "pins" are a little too large for their slots on the wing roots. nothing special about tailplanes and undercarriage.
![[Image: 1c287f4572b14f2c187172ab6d92a54fc39ee2ce...42bb6g.jpg]](http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/1c287f4572b14f2c187172ab6d92a54fc39ee2cee942352416b851dd38de42bb6g.jpg)
PAINTING AND DECALS
Both of the featured planes have a brown-green livery, but with different patterns. I painted the livery for n° 86, but then I decided to apply the decals for n° 100 and save red stars in case I need them for another russian plane.
NOTE: I used this model as a "test subject" to try and dig engraved panel lines myself. To do so, I followed existing raised lines the better I could. The result is far from perfect, but this way you can clearly see the way the line pattern is. Look at the wings and judge yourself!
![[Image: 237cc1319e40ab1f84f074b7b0b086ee332b34bc...d5fa6g.jpg]](http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/237cc1319e40ab1f84f074b7b0b086ee332b34bcd9ac19afc0c286e54803d5fa6g.jpg)
CONCLUSIONS
Sad to say, this is one more for the "Shelf of Shame". Heck, the finished thing almost doesn't look like a Yak-9! The canopy is clearly set too forward, and the pattern of panel lines is completely different from that shown in the pics on the instructions sheet. This kit is hardly worth its low price. Its only perk is the ease of building, due to the small number of parts. For this reason only, you may consider it to experiment new techniques (as I did) or as a "training" kit for a total beginner, i.e. a kid who doesn't mind accuracy.
Elseway, probably ANY other Yak kit is better than this one.
See you!
IN THE BOX
As you open the box, you already know the answer. The sprues appear to come from a very old mold, flash is everywhere, some free-floating pieces, raised rivets, very basic detail. The molding quality itself is insufficient: actually, I found that on the left half of the fuselage, the forward air intake was partially missing. There are (few) decals for two planes, both from "Warszawa Regiment" ("White 86" and "White 100").
BUILDING
Well, putting the thing together requires no particular effort. There is no cockpit except for a seat and a pilot figure, but it looks more like a mummy with a leather helmet and goggles, so I omitted it.
While joining the two fuselage halves, you can notice that the ventral radiator is open at the front, while it's closed on the rear. Instead, you will find a nice rectangular HOLE in the fuselage behind it! This is probably intended to receive a support for the finished model, but I preferred filling it with putty. Wing "pins" are a little too large for their slots on the wing roots. nothing special about tailplanes and undercarriage.
PAINTING AND DECALS
Both of the featured planes have a brown-green livery, but with different patterns. I painted the livery for n° 86, but then I decided to apply the decals for n° 100 and save red stars in case I need them for another russian plane.
NOTE: I used this model as a "test subject" to try and dig engraved panel lines myself. To do so, I followed existing raised lines the better I could. The result is far from perfect, but this way you can clearly see the way the line pattern is. Look at the wings and judge yourself!
CONCLUSIONS
Sad to say, this is one more for the "Shelf of Shame". Heck, the finished thing almost doesn't look like a Yak-9! The canopy is clearly set too forward, and the pattern of panel lines is completely different from that shown in the pics on the instructions sheet. This kit is hardly worth its low price. Its only perk is the ease of building, due to the small number of parts. For this reason only, you may consider it to experiment new techniques (as I did) or as a "training" kit for a total beginner, i.e. a kid who doesn't mind accuracy.
Elseway, probably ANY other Yak kit is better than this one.
See you!