Decal Sheet Review: VVS Fighters, Part VII

[All decal sheet scans have been deliberately skewed and distorted at random angles to dissuade illegal reproduction or Copyright infringement by any such parties. The precise line and measurement of any specific marking, therefore, should not be taken literally from these illustrations.]

AeroMaster Products    Sheet No. 48-423    "Yak-1B Fighters"
 

    Apparently, AeroMaster has been perusing the various Yak fighter books recently published, and in this case they have stumbled upon an absolute winner. These decal sets were all taken from the pages of the very outstanding Yak-1 book by Russian author S. Kuznetsov, "Perviy Yak" ("The First Yak") [Lyubimaya Kniga Press, 1995]. This outstanding work may be regarded as the superlative current reference on the Yak-1 fighter, and with Kuznetsov's tireless research, very little here is left to chance.
    Once again, these decals appear to be of the typical AeroMaster quality, and reacted well to the setting solution I used on them. The registration seems to be excellent, and I did not experience any tearing of the decals, nor really any difficulties worthy of mention, and overall was quite satisfied with them.

Decal Sheet Schemes

1. Yak-1B "White 41", pilot u/k, 267 IAP. With the accuracy of "Perviy Yak", and the information presented therein, there is little on which to draw comment. Since the decals match the profile in the book quite nicely, they are accurate. Period. In fact, I have completed a model of this very subject in 1:72 scale, and as soon as I take some [of my usually horrid] photos, I will post them. The sheet instruction comment on the odd white patch on the rudder, and I have no knowledge of what this might be, either. The scheme is a known Saratov pattern in AMT-12/-11/-7.
2. Yak-1B no number, Maj. Eremin, 31 GIAP. Eremin probably ranks as the VVS pilot with the most presentation Yak fighters; a quick count reveals five such aircraft, and there might be more still. This machine wears a simplified AMT-6/-4/-7 scheme from 1943, and is well documented in the photo in "Perviy Yak". Again, the decals here look to be great.
3. Yak-1B "White 58", Sergei Lunganksiy, 152 GIAP. This scheme is often replicated on various decals sheets, and I am always surprised in how many ways. For the record, the wreath, the number "32", and the bottom two lines of text are in yellow; the top line is in white. The bottom two lines of yellow text DO in fact have a black border (as shown on the photo of this aircraft on p.92 of "Perviy Yak"). I do not believe that any sheet in 1:48 scale currently has all of these details in order, but here AM can be easily excused by relying on Kuznetsov's artist. The scheme is a modified Saratov 1944 pattern in AMT-12/-11/-7.
4. Yak-1B "White 16", 31 GIAP, Maj. Reshetov. The decals provided on the AM sheet are excellent for this aircraft. However, I have a small and unusual quibble with Kuznetsov's artist on this scheme-- the coloration is well-known to be a typical single-color application of AMT-11, and is not "green". AMT-7 undersurfaces here, as well.
5. Yak-1B "White 23", Lidiya Litvyak, 73 GIAP. The artist has got the basics of this last of Litvyak's Yak fighters right, but is missing some details. The forward fuselage's camouflage pattern is incorrect, and in fact is the same basic scheme seen on "White 23" below-- a known Saratov 1942-43 pattern. As well, a "lilly" motif is missing from below the cockpit. A profile of Litvyak's "23" will appear in an upcoming article on our site.
6. Yak-1B "White 23", pilot u/k, 303 IAD, Normandie-Niemen Regiment. The side view of the camouflage application here is correct, and this is a common 1942-43 Saratov scheme in AMT-6/-4/-7. Once again, the decals match the artwork, and these are quite nice.

Summary
    This delightful sheet from AeroMaster is quite good, and a valuable addition to the decal retinue of VVS modelers. High quality decal work combined with faithful representation from the published art sources makes for an easy recommendation for this set #48-423.