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ESCI Decals 1/72nd "Russia - Yak-9, Lavochkin La-5/7" (44)

By Erik Pilawskii
 [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.]

ESCI Sheet No.44 "Russia - Yak-9, Lavochkin La-5/7"

    This classic old ESCI sheet first appeared some 25 years ago, and it is still one of our favorites, despite the rather dated assumptions to be found in the instructions! Long since out of print, these sheets are nonetheless still obtainable at most major modeling conventions, and from specialty hobby shops. The age of these old ESCIs often means that one can expect considerable yellowing of the carrier film, but prolonged exposure to the sun seems to be a fair remedy for this condition. The quality of the decals, however, is surprisingly good, especially considering their age, and they do lie down fairly well with moderate applications of setting solution.

Schemes

Eight schemes are provided on this sheet, including complete national markings for each aircraft.

  1. Yak-9D "Yellow 22", Mikhail Grib, 6 GIAP ChF, 1944:    The instructions attribute the machine to Col. Avdeyev! The color scheme and application pattern are complete rubbish, as they are throughout the painting guide; a Medium Grey over Dark Sea-Grey scheme with yellow trim is correct for this machine. However, the ESCI is the only contemporary decal sheet to correctly render the numeral and national star borders in yellow ; as a result, a mandatory sheet for completing this machine.

  2. Yak-1 "Yellow 12", 31 GIAP, 1943:    There are several possible explanations for this attempted decal set (including a white scheme "Red 12" Yak-1), but I suspect the intended machine was one of a series of presentation Yak-1(1943) machines handed over to the 31 Guards IAP. The national stars are yellow bordered, as should be the numeral and inscription "Moskva". The scheme is the standard Winter coat of Dark Sea-Grey .

  3. Yak-1 "White 58", Sergei Luganski, 270 IAP, 1943:    Another Winter scheme Yak-1(1943), the instructions actually identify this aircraft as a Yak-3! The set in this case is too replete with errors for use on Luganski's machine, which should have Victory type national stars and larger numerals. The text as well is mostly yellow, in fact, and the different in calligraphy (as is the wreath item). Interestingly, however, one could use this set to complete "White 58" as it appeared in the Fall of 1943; the inscription on the machine at this time was all in white, and looks very much like the provided decal. There was no wreath on this scheme, and the color pattern was a classic Black Green over Dark Olive Green application.

  4. Yak-1 "White 11", Albert Durand, 303 IAD, 1944:    One of our sharp-eyed readers, Stefan Srkeborn, pointed out that these markings match Durand's Yak-1(1943) machine pretty well. I agree. The color scheme and application are fatuous, of course, "White 11" should be finished in a Black-Green over Olive application.

  5. La-5FN "White 14", Ivan Kozhedub, 240 IAP, Winter 1943/44:    This is a rather failed attempt to represent the markings for Kozhedub's "14" machine, which should be in its Winter scheme here. Not useable at all.

  6. La-5FN "Yellow 06", 437 IAP, 1943-44:    Another hopeless attempt at one of the presentation Lavochkins of the 201 IAD.

  7. La-7 "White 27", Ivan Kozhedub, 176 GIAP, 1945:    The scoreboard and medal decals here are appropriate for "White 27's" post-War appearance, though Victory type stars would be needed in this case.

  8. P-40K (Kittyhawk III) "White 23", Nikolai Kuznetsov, 436 IAP, 1942:    A fine set of markings for  Kuznetsov's P-40. Very useable. The printed scheme is close to spot-on, with only minor corrections.

    In addition to these markings, there are some 'bonus' decals provided, including inscription decals for an Il-2, Yak-7B, P-39, etc.

    Overall, the sheet is extremely valuable as a source of very well completed national markings, the Yellow and White bordered national stars are amongst the best decals of their kind anywhere. Certainly the sheet is a must have item for these, alone, but there are in addition some very useable decals on the sheet besides, Kuznetsov's Kittyhawk and Grib's Yak-9 predominately among them.