1:72 L-39ZA ALBATROS

Aero L-39ZA Albatros 1:72 (Eduard)

An injection-molded plastic model of the Aero L-39ZA Albatros in 1:72 scale from the Czech brand Eduard. Unlike the basic L-39C training version, this is the L-39ZA, the armed combat training and light attack variant. Its characteristic difference is an under-fuselage pod with a twin-barrel gun and four underwing racks that allow weapons to be carried. The model therefore builds the Albatros in combat form, not merely as an unarmed trainer.

The real subject

The L-39ZA came about as an armed derivative of the L-39 trainer. Under the fuselage it carries a conformal pod with a twin-barrel 23 mm gun, and on four wing racks it can lift bombs, rocket pods or short-range air-to-air missiles; thanks to that it serves both for advanced combat training and for light attack tasks. It retains the Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan engine and the two-seat tandem cockpit like the other Albatros aircraft. The type was exported to a number of countries.

Building and painting tips

Glue the plastic parts with a thin modeling cement for plastic and fill and sand the joints. Add the external stores and the gun pod only once the main surfaces are painted. Apply a primer before painting, lay the paints down with an airbrush in thin coats and mask the camouflage transitions. Apply the decals over gloss varnish and fix them with a matte overcoat.

Who the model is for

• Modelers interested in Czechoslovak military aircraft
• Collectors of combat training and light attack aircraft in 1:72 scale
• Builders who want the Albatros in the armed ZA version
• Anyone interested in Eastern Bloc equipment

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