Vector 1/48th La-5F Razorback By Aleks Šekularac

Background

Second step in the evolutionary development of Lavochkin’s radial engine fighter family is known as the La-5F. With the introduction of cut-down fuselage spine La-5F offered much-improved stern field of view, and obtained graceful lines that will mark all the later types to the end of the war. Cyrillic letter “F” on the cowling indicated newer version of the M-82 engine.

The Kit

Interestingly, La-5F marks a second step for Russian kit manufacturer Vector as well. This is company’s second full feature resin aircraft kit. After an excellent debut with La-5 Razorback, and a whole range of stunning aircraft engines in all scales, my expectations became truly high, and this new release from Vector therefore had to really live up to its predecessor to earn good marks.

Being the same airframe in essence, Vector’s La-5 and La-5F kits share many of the parts, so the “F” inherits big advantage of having immaculate pedigree. All the small parts that come in one resalable bag are identical to those in the initial La-5 kit. The quality of these pieces is still on the same very high level. Instead of describing all the details again, I will refer you to my review of the La-5 Razorback kit.

As with La-5 kit, Pitot tube and antenna mast are not included, but these bits shouldn’t be too hard to scratch-build. “Equipage” resin ‘n’ rubber wheels are supplied.

The biggest change in the La-5F kit is indeed a new fuselage with lowered spine. There is also a new three-piece canopy, and appropriate new parts for the rear cockpit deck. The vacu-form canopy is particularly well done, without any imperfections, and with spacers between the front, middle and the rear sections. Building a model with an open cockpit should present no problems.

Wing and fuselage halves are the biggest parts in the kit, and therefore deserve closest look. Accuracy and details are of the highest standard. However, this time the casting gates along the edges were harder to remove, and in my case resulted in some damage to the leading edge of the wing and vertical stabilizer. Nothing drastic though; these will be easily filled with epoxy, but be warned: extra attention when releasing fuselage and wing from the casting stubs will save you from repair-work later on.

Resin surfaces of the fuselage halves and the wing in my sample came strangely speckled in two hues. While this does not influence the quality of the surface, or the properties of resin, it will make it difficult to spot any imperfections in the multi-colored surface when sanding and detailing. Cockpit details present on fuselage sides are practically identical to the original La-5 kit.

Decals are once more printed by “Begemot”, and seem to be well made and in register. Options for three different aircraft are given, all of them sporting standard AMT 11/12 camouflage pattern. The first option is featured on the box top and represents famous white “14” flown by Ivan Kozhedub. Next one was flown by N. Kuznetsov, and displays a big bird of pray on the port aft fuselage, and victory stars under the cockpit. The final option is Galchenko’s mount with famous black cat painted on both sides of the vertical tail. Two variations of Galchenko’s La-5F are proposed: “low-vis” variant from 1944, and more colorful one from 1945, with handsome red and white bands on the spinner and vertical fin, as well as kill marks on the port cockpit side. Beware that the color profiles printed on the side of the box top are incorrect in showing personal markings for all three airplanes on the starboard fuselage side. This was only true in case of Kozhedub’s white “14”. Painting instructions included in the box are however correct and these should be followed.

Conclusion

After initial inspection and cleanup I assembled the main components using tape, to get 3D impression of this bird. It indeed looks the part! Fuselage and wing fit very well together, especially when cockpit floor is installed in its slot. Speckled resin detracts somewhat from the view, but once the model is primed I think it will look excellent.

Vector’s La-5F is another superb resin kit. One can get jaded easily when exposed to exceptional hobby products. Multi-colored (speckled) resin and heavier casting gates are small faults that I picked out only in comparison to the original La-5 release. This is something that Vector can use to hone the production standards maybe, but should be of no concern for the discerning modeler. Everything else that can be said about this kit is indeed superlative. For the end I give you the two of kin, La-5 “Razorback” (already in works) and the new La-5F.

Vector kits can be obtained online from two vendors:
- Neomega (UK) Price: £49.95
- Buffie’s Best (USA) Price: US$85.00.