1/72 L-39ZA Albatros s/n 2430, Czech AF, RIAT1991, Fairford

[petros]

Hi,

I got an idea for a long term built several weeks ago, and that is to build planes present at some air show. I decided to go with RIAT 1991 at Fairford, as it was one of the very first air shows presenting both eastern and western planes, and what a diversity! The planes would be presented in individual dioramas in that context. It might be at the airshow, preparing to leave for it, inspected by a general before leaving, or similar. Everything in 1/72 scale, superdetailed for show entries. 

The first build I started mid-june is Eduard's L-39ZA Albatros of the Czech air force. I opted to use the Weekend edition kit, with dropped in Eduard color self-adhesive PE, and 3 CMK detail sets - Cockpit/Interior, Exterior, and Weapon. 

Here is how she looked at that show.

[petros]

Here are the goodies I got:




After one evening, i got raw painting of the seats and cokpit done. Fuselage halves were also cleaned. 

[petros]

On the second building day, I got a problem which was known to me from several other builds - the fuselage around the cockpit is too narrow. It is a problem of the kit, and CMK made their cockpit tub to correct width, so plastic wedges would be needed to widen the joint. 









and the raw fix looks like this



I also toned down the seats using some washes and filters.

[petros]

On the next days I made cut outs for internal steps, and added the resin parts for their interior. It had to fit quite well, as if too deep it would prevent the resin tub to go in.I also chopped off the rudder to be replaced by a resin part.

By this time, the display idea was formed - to show her in a context of being prepared for a final inspection by some general of the air force before leaving to the show. Some mechanics digging in her open electronics and gun bays, a pair of guys removing the grass from the airfield seams and loading that grass into a small truck (either UAZ-452 or GAZ-66 from Balaton). A refueler (ZIL-157 or GAZ-51 or GAZ-66) might also be there, or on a later dio with MIG-21 or MIG-29, not yet sure. 

The result of the day:

[petros]

Before the next photo session done yesterday, I had to do several fixes.
First, I darkened the interior color. I actually disassembled the cockpit, repainted it, washed, drybrushed and then readded the PE, stick and similar. Tub was fixed on one cockpit side, with resin side panels added on both sides. Then, I assembled both the engine intake (plastic), and the rear (resin), and added them to the fuselage. Then, I closed down the fuselage halves. 




Then, I made another paint and detailing session on the seats, adding around a dozen PE buckles per seat. Also some smaller belt parts in PE were added, and the ejector grips. 

[wbill76]

Moving fast on this one Petr! Looks like you're whipping it into shape nicely.

[Leon]

Making good progress Petr! Nice fix on the fuselage gap.

[petros]

Thanks! It is not that fast in fact, I started it in may