Vital Stats

• Manufacturer: Zvezda
• Scale: 1:48
• Aircraft: Lavochkin La-5
• Markings: Silver 69 | 159th IAP
• Aftermarket: AML decals

Mini-Review

I will admit, I was a bit nervous about tackling Zvezda’s La-5. The Russian kitmaker has something of a spotty reputation, and several of the reviews I read went on at length about fit issues. Now that I’ve come out the other side, I can say that this kit is truly something special. The detail is superb and the fit, it not on par with the best Tamiya has to offer, is certainly a match for Accurate Miniatures. The engineering is a bit over-the-top, especially with regard to the internal structure, but if you pay attention and take your time, you’re rewarded with a very nice model of one of the most significant aircraft of World War II.

I did run into several issues with this build, but these were the products of my own errors or of paints and other supplies behaving badly, not the kit.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Posts

• The Next Build: Two Commie Bastards
• Build Report 1 – Cockpit and Main Assembly
• Soft Masks: Child’s Play
• Build Report 2 – Painting
• Baby Steps into Scratchbuilding
• Build Report 3 – The Wheels Come Off

Photos

• Flickr
• Photobucket