Zvezda have just officialy published six photographs of their incoming model kit of Russian fighter - Yakovlev Yak-3.



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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

I really think I need one of these. Great looking model.

It is a huge improvement over the Eduard Yak-3, but not quite the masterpiece I expected: The canopy is generally a trifle too big, a smidgen too tall and wide, the windscreen a bit too upright. Most obvious, the wingroot intake is way too shallow vertically. The spinner looks a little odd, but the image is too poor to say for sure (white background).

It is not to the level of the Zvezda Me-109F, or their La-5FN.

Maybe once painted the canopy will look smaller, but the windscreen will need a bit of tilt back, unless it is the white background again.

The "overexposed" white background might also explain the undernourished appearance of the lower nose profile.

I'll wait and see, but my expectations are much diminished.

Gaston

Looks like a great addition to my Soviet WWII collection, but only if Gaston pans it based on some oblique angle photos.

I am not concerned with the small inaccuracies, to me it looks like a very decent kit, resembles the Yak-3 very well to me. I am a model builder, not a detail historian.

Here is a decent comparison, and look pretty damn close to me.





It is a definate get for me.

Nothing wrong with the canopy from this photos to me. Also the air intakes look good to me.
Please give us Yak-1,7 and 9

The air intakes look good? Really? Are you being facetious?

They might not be a big deal to fix mind you, but still: I think the real engine would really be gasping for air with those... Good lord.

On the good side, it should be noted the thickness of the wings, including the leading edge sharpness and their taper to the wingtips, is really excellent, which means they are about 60-70% thinner than those on the Eduard kit... That alone is an enormous improvement. Unlike the two previous 1/48th Zvezdas however, this is not anywhere near the league of the the best from Hasegawa.

Gaston

I dont see anything wrong with the air intake. They look good.

However, Gaston, you always compare kits and real aircraft photos and don't thinkt about the fact,that even the shadows look different on big and small things. This air intakes look very good. What u see "bigger" on real photos, seems bigger because of different light,angles etc.

Like everytime with you:)

First 20 or so images of wartime Yak-3's I get via a Google search suggest that the kit air intakes are too pinched - especially to the inside. The kit photos don't even agree with the boxart on that point.

Not that I care. Still looks like a nice kit, and I will support Zvedza by buying one.

Tom
Wisconsin, USA

Hi there

I agree with Tom that it looks like Gaston's right - the intakes are a bit undernourished in the test shot. Good catch Gaston. As you say, not hard to fix (and I expect aftermarket replacements will be available too).

I'm still very much looking forward to this kit.

All the best

Rowan

You make wrong comparison.
When you take pictures of model kits, you light the inner plastic edges of holes. they appear smaller than they are.

If i go in distance and look only in front of it,the air intakes look correct:

Hi Evgenij

I understand what you're saying - but I stick to my opinion. Comparing the model shown with the shots in Erik Pilawskii's "Soviet Air Force Colours 1941-1945", both the size and shape differ a little.

Anyway, I'll modify the intakes on my kit (and then people will probably say I've made them too big! ).

All the best

Rowan

For me the intake size is not as much questionable as the shape of side-ends. On the published pictures it looks as if Zvezda made them a bit pointed while real photographs clearly shows it as rounded. Anyway final judgement can't be made untill the kit will be released.

Looks great! I just wish it was 1/32 scale

I for one don't' see anything that cant easily be corrected. All in all it looks like a rather nice release and one I would like to add to my stash.

So, big question is price point?