EDUARD 1:48 YAK-3

Reviewer: Jennings Heilig  (rec.models.scale)

I must say, I was really impressed with Eduard's "new" technology kits a couple of years ago. However, to say I was impressed with this one would be a gross understatement. Their new Yak-3 is - almost - going to qualify for that elusive "perfect" moniker.

The surface detail must be seen to be believed. If there were ever such a thing as scale surface detail, this is it. The fit is at least as good as Tamigawajimi, and with the Profi-pack version, you get some very nice extra stuff in the form of gorgeous photo-etched cockpit parts. You also get a set of resin cast flat tires (at least I wouldn't take off if they were that flat) which aren't much of an improvement over the plastic ones.

This kit is so good, there's not much to say. I agree with Dave Williams (another modeller) that it appears they may have molded the main gear struts with the oleos in the extended (ie: in flight) position, pushing the nose too far off the ground, but I need to check more photos for a final call on that. The clear parts (three piece and single piece canopies as an option) are flawless and very thin.

The decals are (finally) by someone other than Propagteam, and probably won't fracture into a zillion pieces when wet. The selection of color schemes is pretty limited, but the a/c they've provided are all pretty interesting. Most Yak-3s were in the two-tone grey scheme, so the real thing wasn't terribly diverse either. If you don't have it, get the new AJ Press book on the Yak-1 & -3. It's got lots of great photos, along with some excellent color artwork - including a profile of the VVS aerobatic team a/c from 1945 (who knew?) in natural metal (or aluminum paint more likely) with red stripes on the fuselage and red scallops on the leading edges of the wings and stabs. And a huge periscope on the main canopy to boot!

All in all, a FANTASTIC kit of a really nifty looking little sportster of an airplane. All sources seem to indicate that the Yak-3 could pretty much - in the right hands - beat the pants off of just about any fighter produced by anybody during WWII, including the Spitfire and Mustang.

Please support Eduard's great efforts. Now maybe we'll get a really good family of LaGG and Lavochkin fighters??? And maybe something like an injection molded Pe-2???

(Addendum - snatched from Pete Chalmers who I hope doesn't mind that it is posted here): The LG (Landing Gear) is "about" 1mm too long and needs to be slightly angled forward. (per drawings/photos). The box pic has the gear perpendicular to the wing which REALLY looks long !

If you finely use a saw on the LG strut at the upper end of the oleo just below the "knee" and drill a hole at the cut in the end of the upper strut to insert the oleo, you can shorten the strut without seriously weakening the legs or disturbing the retraction arm geometry. You will also need to separate the LG doors and overlap them more so that the lower door part mounts with the wheel as before.

You also need to drill out the cowl gun openings and insert blast tubes which are quite visible on the actual aircraft.

That's really about it

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