Aero L-39 Albatros in 1/72 scale kit review and modelling report
 
 

This modelling report covers 1/72 scale kits: the old KP kits and the better EDUARD kits.  

Eduard 1/72 scale kits of the L-39 in several releases are discussed on page 4... 

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Several kits were purchased:
(A) KP kit #15 L-39 with very basic decals for 3 Czech and a Soviet L-39, 4 kits were bought over the years;

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Basic instructions: 

(B) AERO kit of a L-39ZA which is the same KP kit but with decals for a Thailand Air Force aircraft with blue'ish camouflage; 

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Though the KP kits are simple, shapes are not bad at all. The number of parts is about 40 is cream white plastic which is a bit brittle and some parts need quite some sanding to remove all flash. The moulds are rather old and that shows. A couple of fuel tanks and 4 wing pylons are provided but not the seperate canon fairing below the forward fuselage. Panel lines are there but mostly raised, I retained these as much as possible: a camouflage paint later on will make them look good enough. 

The KP kit single piece canopy is often scratched so needs polishing. Also, its fit is not that good. To get a better result, I bought a couple of PAVLA #7225 clear vac canopy sets for the L-39, they are not expensive at all. 

The good news is that the KP kit intakes are quite deep but the exhaust pipe a bit undeep. Also the wing has 2 upper and lower halves and correct dihedral. The undercarriage is a simple affair as well, but the L-39 also has a simple undercarriage with mostly the doors closed when parked. (these doors are moulded "closed" in the kit). 

The KP kit cockpit is very basic, the seats are "L- shaped" forms and really inaccurate and unusable. So a couple of PAVLA sets S72021 with VS-1 resin seats for the L-39 were bought as well. 

During the L-39 modelling project, a whole bunch of seats and accessoires were tackled in one go. Seats got medium grey paints with variation in head rest and parachute pack colours. Ejection handles were made from thin metal wire and painted red. Seat straps made from tape cut in slices. 

Kit assembly started with fitting the cockpit tub and panels. It shows gaps when fitted, these will be filled with white glue later on. The transparant screen between forward and rear seat is missing in the kit, this was made from thin clear sheet to be fitted later. 

The KP kit required considerable filling and sanding, particularly below the intakes between fuselage and wing. This is difficult to reach, so sanding sticks were used. The wing itself and tip tanks also require filler and sanding. The wing tip tank lights do not fit well and also need sanding and filling with white glue that dries up clearly. 

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Various KP models would be made.

On each model, after the basic assembly and filling and sanding the model got a grey base coat with the airbrush to check for any flaws. I usually use Revell Steingrau #75 acrylic for that.

After that the model got its appropriate checks and further corrections, and than finished in it's desired scheme. This will be discussed for each model made.
 

References:

IPMS NL L-39 walk around 

Internet:
- http://l39.com/