1:72 Yakovlev Yak-1b Soviet WWII fighter

Yakovlev Yak-1b, 1:72, Armory

A kit of the Soviet Yak-1b fighter in 1:72 scale from Armory. The letter b denotes the late production form of the type, which can be told from the earlier machines at first glance: a cut-down rear fuselage and a bubble canopy instead of the glazed structure behind the pilot. The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted.

The real subject

The Yak-1 was a single-engined fighter of mixed construction, combining a steel tube frame fuselage with wooden and fabric-covered sections. It came about at the start of the war as an answer to the need for a modern, light fighter that was easy to build, and it was gradually improved during production. The late version received markedly better visibility to the rear, which proved essential in combat, and simpler but more effective armament with a cannon firing through the propeller hub and one heavy machine gun. The type became the basis for a whole series of further machines from this design school.

Building and painting tips

Dry-fit the parts first and only then glue them; in smaller scales a small deviation on the fuselage shows up immediately in the way the wing seats. Join the plastic parts with a thin plastic cement that wicks into the joint, and any resin or photo-etched additions with cyanoacrylate. The canopy framing in this scale is best handled with masking tape cut into thin strips. Spray a gloss coat before the decals and go over them with a matte one once dry, so that the edges do not shine. Soviet machines take restrained weathering; it is enough to suggest the worn walkway at the wing root and a faint exhaust deposit behind the engine.

Who the model is for

• modelers of Second World War aircraft in 1:72 scale
• collections of Soviet fighter hardware
• modelers who want precisely the late form with the cut-down rear fuselage
• builders with basic experience who enjoy working with smaller parts

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.