December 1949 at the Khodynka Airfield near Moscow, one of the new, first generation Soviet jet fighters - the Lavochkin La-15 - is prepared for a trial flight from a compacted snow runway.
This recent new release by Armory Models of the Ukraine was irresistible to an early Soviet jet fan like myself and I ended up with two boxings to make four airframes.
While researching the type in the Yefim Gordon book on the Lachovkin jets, I found photographs of the scene represented in the vignette description which I thought would make an interesting setting.
Like most Armory kits, this is an enthusiastic but short run production requiring plenty of putty.
The etch is not for the faint hearted, the wing fences are incredibly small.
The undercarriage detail is actually optional, plastic parts for the doors are included but I decided to try the etch and it went on without any problems - given the spindly legs, these parts are more visible than usual.
Built up and coming together well.
The scheme was very easy - a blast of metallic from a Tamiya can and a couple of decals was all it needed. A few of the La-15 schemes do have coloured highlights, but not this one.
The diorama base was straightforward, so much so, I didn't even photograph any work in progress elements. The snow is texture paint, truck is a 3d print from Paint and Glue Minatures and figures are from 3djson.
The La-15 looks like a daunting build but actually come together without much fuss and makes a welcome addition to the availability of first generation jets in 144th.
Thanks for reading, comments welcome. The model will be touring with SIG144 on the IPMS circuit for the rest of the year, do come and say hi.
