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4. Mikoyan Gurevich I-270 The I-270(ZH) was a rocket-powered target defense all-metal fighter developed after the great war in 1946. It had a thin straight wing and an exceptional T-tail. The I-270 was equipped with pressurized cockpit for operating at high altitudes. Two prototypes were made but destroyed during the first flights. The model in 1/72 scale is a short
run kit from AModel (kitno 7212) obtained
in 2000. It has few parts and all parts need cleaning up with a modeling
knife and sandpaper but this does not take too long as the model is small.
There are only 25 parts in this kit and a simple decalsheet for 2 schemes.
I added some detail in the small cockpit
with some basic controls etc. I also made provisions for a metal pin joint
at the wing-fuselage junction. Otherwise the model was made as provided.
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Overall colour used was a dull metal with Humbrol 11 aluminium. A wire antenna from stretched sprue was added as well as a thin metal wire acting as a support to prevent "tail sitting".
The red lower nose markings are of
the test prototype. No numbers were carried.
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5. Yakovlev Jak-17 In 1946 a redesign of the Yak-15 was started by the Soviet Yakovlev design bureau OKB. It got a nosewheel and the again the jet engine in a fuselage belly. Pilot handling on the ground was much improved. Some other specifics were the two fueltanks below the wingtips and the production started in 1947 and about 400 were built. They were phased out in the mid 1950's. ![]() The Special Hobby kit (no. SH7201) in 1/72 scale of the Yak-17 is in fact made by MPM of Czech Republic and has a small resin cockpittub with details. ![]() There are about 35 parts and a nice set of decals for a Russian and Czech aircraft. ![]() ![]() The resin tub doesn't really fit is so some card is required to widen the fuselage but this is easily done with some card and putty. ![]() The wing seems to be a little to thin and is solid. I strengthened the wing fuselage joint with some metal pins. Considerable sanding and filling is required and the wingtip fueltanks need a lot of sanding to get a smooth result. Also, the plastic surfaces are a bit rough, needed sanding and the engraved panel lines are hardly noticeable. On the positive side, the vacuform canopy provided is very clear. ![]() After some work, all gaps are filled.
The cockpit internally got some drybrushing,
instruments made from home decals and the cockpit hood fitted without problem.
It was decided to make an overall
metal Soviet Yak using Humbrol 11 aluminium. To prevent tail sitting,
a ladder was found in the spare box; this suggests a pilot aid. The stub
on top of the hood is a rear view mirror.
Markings came from various other spares,
including the KP Yak kit.
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6. Yakovlev Jak-23 In Yak-23 was again based on the Yak-17 but there are differences, The main wheels retract into also part of the fuselage belly and the engine is longer and bigger. It was first flown in 1947 with a Rolls Royce Derwent jet! The Soviet copied this into the RD-500 jet. Deliveries started in 1949 and despite good flying characteristics, the Mig-15 also emerged at the same time. This outdated the Yak. In total about 310 planes were built and also supplied to Czechoslovakia and Poland. The Kovozavody
Prostejov (KP)
kit (no 18)
in
1/72 scale is despite the fact that is an old kit
a very nice kit. It has some 35 parts.
Cockpit canopy
is not very clear unfortunately, dipping the canopy into Johnson Future
varnish will improve the look of it. You may also try to get a Pavla vacuform
replacement.
Some surface panel re-scribing should still be done as the sanded kit surfaces now are too smooth. The cockpit hood of the kit did not fit very well. Lots of white glue was used but there is not a lot that can done about it. It was decided to create a Czech Yak-23 using kit decals from this kit and the MPM Yak-17. Colour used was upper Humbrol 105 green and lower Humbrol 65 light blue.
On the engine nose intake a cover as set as to mask the otherwise difficult intake lips fit.
More CZECH aircraft models can be seen here.... . |
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Created this page
July 8, 2005 |