Model Airplane International – September 2019

Issue 170 - http://www.modelairplaneinternational.com 55

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The decals not only conform well to the surface detail but are an excellent fi t as seen here, with the
red decals outlining the auxiliary air intakes.

One of the very few enhancements made, was to replace the port and starboard navigation lights.

Using a generic set of coloured resin navigation lights produced by CMK. It is a simple task to

slice off the existing ones, then drill a hole to accept the resin replacements. Minimum effort, for

maximum effect.

that I had been putting off for some time:

the fi tting of the exhaust nozzles and blast

panels. To help matters in this area I suggest

you leave the area that attaches to the inner

fuselage free-fl oating, as this will give you

some much needed wriggle room when fi tting

the blast panels. The panels are an oddity,

as Zvezda would have you bend them as

you try to fi t them onto the fuselage lower.

Why they didn’t just mould them to the shape

required I don’t know. Though I suspect, that

the limitations of injection moulding prevent

the fi ne surface detail being reproduced onto

a concave shape. No matter what the case

though it makes for a diffi cult fi t, where more

fi ngers

are required

than you actually have. Once they were in

place the remaining pre-painted panels,

forward of the exhaust nozzles were

permanently secured.

Underwing Stores

The Yak is cleared to carry a great variation

of ordnance, but from the box your choice is

somewhat limited. What is supplied though is

nicely done, with the AA-11 Archer missiles

moulded in one piece

this requiring only the

faintest of mould lines to

be removed prior to painting.

Using the external tanks as an experiment

in weathering I strategically placed masking

tape along some panel lines, then proceeded

to add a gentle application of MRP-271 Clear

Smoke by airbrush. The B-13 Rocket pod was

also heavily weathered to depict extensive

use. This was achieved by the application of

various metallic shades around the nose area,

in an attempt to simulate the staining left as

the rockets leave the pod. The rear of the pod

received the same treatment along with some

Supplied with the kit is the

protector for the cockpit sill.

Both this and the deployed crew

ladder, provide an eye catching

contrast between the red and

the more subdued grey and

blues of the main camoufl age

colours.

A substantial amount of decals are supplied for the weapon

pylons, and the ordnance, really bringing these areas to life.