Zvezda 1/72 Yak-3

[hamchuck]

I picked this one up in Russia a few years ago, pre-Ukraine war. I think it was around $10. I didn't even notice it was a snap-tite model until I dusted it off yesterday. After the somewhat involved Eduard B-25, this one will be a fairly low-effort and simple build, straight out of the box. I'll mix up whatever I have on hand for paints to get something fairly close to the right colors. I think I will, however, try my luck at free-handing the camo pattern. I'm not going to cry too much if I screw it up.

 

[Rhino]

It's been said that many Soviet World War II aircraft had field applied finishes. Often painted in the Blue Sky paint booth. It looks like s cute lil' model kit! I'll spare you the "yakety-Yak puns.

 

[hamchuck]

It's been said that many Soviet World War II aircraft had field applied finishes. Often painted in the Blue Sky paint booth. It looks like s cute lil' model kit! I'll spare you the "yakety-Yak puns.

Nah, bring 'em!

 

[moon puppy]

We've all seen the T72s all in Russian Green and not 2 the same color. Press on Al! Have fun.

 

[hamchuck]

Ok, mostly out of the box. I couldn't stop myself from adding leftover belts from the B-25. The pitot tube is going to have to be replaced too.
It's fun to have a simple model when I can have the wings on so quickly.

 

[moon puppy]

The extras are worth it, looks great!

 

[hamchuck]

The extras are worth it, looks great!

Thanks. But of course, I had to un-simplify the project just a little. I decided to saw open the somewhat over-thick canopy so the cockpit details would be visible. Now I think I'll have to thin down the moving part of the canopy so it fits properly over the rear canopy. I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to go about it. I've also got a couple scratches to clean up somehow.

 

[moon puppy]

You could always grab one of these somewhere.

Captcha

www.mojehobby.pl

 

[hamchuck]

You could always grab one of these somewhere.

Captcha

www.mojehobby.pl

Oh, I like that!

 

[Rhino]

Brace yourself! You asked for it!

What kind of sure-footed, burden animals do you need in the Himalayas?
A Yak-of-all-trades.

What nursery rhyme do the Nepalese sing?
Yak and Jill.

What do Himalayans drink to celebrate?
Cogn-Yak. (Except outside of Katmandu, Nepal is alcohol-free.)

What do you call the shaggy, long horned, tattooed mafia in Japan?
Yak-uza.

Why did the Yak cross the road?
To prove to the possum it was possum'ble.

How can you tell if there is a Yak in your fridge?
The door won't close.

How do Tibetans stick their Lonnie Anderson bikini posters to the wall?
Yak-Tak.

What do you get when you cross a Yak with a Mule?
A Yak-Ass.

What do you call a Yak with no legs?
It doesn't matter, he'll never come to you.

Howzatt?!?

 

[Rhino]

Thanks. But of course, I had to un-simplify the project just a little. I decided to saw open the somewhat over-thick canopy so the cockpit details would be visible. Now I think I'll have to thin down the moving part of the canopy so it fits properly over the rear canopy. I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to go about it. I've also got a couple scratches to clean up somehow.

View attachment 176799

This really is a nice little airplane model! Do you find Zvesda kits vary in their quality?

 

[hamchuck]

Brace yourself! You asked for it!

What kind of sure-footed, burden animals do you need in the Himalayas?
A Yak-of-all-trades.

What nursery rhyme do the Nepalese sing?
Yak and Jill.

What do Himalayans drink to celebrate?
Cogn-Yak. (Except outside of Katmandu, Nepal is alcohol-free.)

What do you call the shaggy, long horned, tattooed mafia in Japan?
Yak-uza.

Why did the Yak cross the road?
To prove to the possum it was possum'ble.

How can you tell if there is a Yak in your fridge?
The door won't close.

How do Tibetans stick their Lonnie Anderson bikini posters to the wall?
Yak-Tak.

What do you get when you cross a Yak with a Mule?
A Yak-Ass.

What do you call a Yak with no legs?
It doesn't matter, he'll never come to you.

Howzatt?!?

What, no songs? Yakety-yak, don't talk back? Yakety-axe (Chet Atkins & Mark Knopfler)

I've built three other Zvezda kits and they've all had good fit and detail. Their 1/48 MI-24 was particularly good. The only issue was a kit of the Varyag where there was a short shot and not all the lifeboats were there. Typical disregard for their people, I guess.

 

[moon puppy]

All I can contribute.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

 

[Rhino]

What, no songs? Yakety-yak, don't talk back? Yakety-axe (Chet Atkins & Mark Knopfler)

I've built three other Zvezda kits and they've all had good fit and detail. Their 1/48 MI-24 was particularly good. The only issue was a kit of the Varyag where there was a short shot and not all the lifeboats were there. Typical disregard for their people, I guess.

The songs? Too easy!

There once was a Yak that put to sea, and the name of the Yak was Rabimdra.......
Soon may the Pradhan come to bring us pink milk, snow and cogn-yak.....
Hmm. Needs work.

 

[Impisi]

Nice! a good start!

 

[hamchuck]

Nice! a good start!

Thanks!

 

[hamchuck]

Got around to painting today. This is my first time airbrush free-handing one. The scale made it more challenging and there was definitely some learning going on. I meant for the dark grey to be a little darker, but since it's not meant as a "serious" project I'll just go with it.

Both the greys are based with Vallejo Neutral Grey, mixed with their Sky Grey for the light shade and Tire Black for the dark.

 

[moon puppy]

You got Vallejo to spray that well, nice sharp demark lines. Well done Al!

 

[hamchuck]

You got Vallejo to spray that well, nice sharp demark lines. Well done Al!

I wish I could tell you exactly how! I'm not very scientific when it comes to thinner/paint ratios. I add one or the other until the viscosity looks right, with a couple drops of flow improver. I always run PSI somewhere between 15 and 20 PSI.