1:48 La-5FN

The real subject

The Lavochkin La-5FN was a Soviet single-seat fighter aircraft of the Second World War. It grew out of the earlier LaGG-3 type when a liquid-cooled V12 was replaced by an air-cooled Shvetsov two-row radial engine, and it was precisely that swap which turned an average machine into a feared opponent at low and medium altitude. The structure stayed largely wooden, which was an advantage in Soviet conditions, because it did not call for aluminum that was in short supply. The letters in the designation point to a more powerful form of the engine with direct fuel injection.

What the set offers

It is a set of photo-etched metal parts, as its listing among photo-etched parts shows. Photo-etch is used where a plastic part would come out too coarse at the scale, that is on thin sheet, grilles, belts and instrument fittings. The set is cut for a model in 1:48 scale, and the manufacturer's instructions give the exact list of elements and the kit it belongs to.

Building and painting tips

Cut the elements from the fret with a sharp blade on a hard surface and sand the place left by the attachment tab. Make the bends along the scored lines, ideally with an etch bender or at least with a razor blade pressed against an edge. Metal is glued with super glue or epoxy, as cement for plastic will not hold on it. Before painting, degrease the parts and cover them with a primer, otherwise the layer will crack when bent. Move the smallest elements with a moistened toothpick; tweezers will flick them away more easily than you expect.

• 1:48 scale, photo-etched parts for working a model through
• subject: the Soviet Lavochkin La-5FN fighter aircraft
• the metal elements are glued with super glue or epoxy
• degreasing and a primer are needed before painting
• the list of parts and the kit intended are in the manufacturer's instructions

Terms of supply

This is an add-on set for a build. The model, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.