MPM 1/72 LAVOCHKIN LA-9/11
Reviewer: Myself (braithy@bigpond.com)
The La-9/11 was an all-metal aircraft and was the last in the piston-engined aeroplanes of Lavochkin design. Construction started on the La-9 in 1945 and only a few examples were produced, because production of an improved type, the La-11, had started a short time later. Both types featured laminar-airflow wings and La-9's were produced to only see a moment of service before VE day, whereas the La-11 was produced too late to enter service in WW2, but the La-11 saw wide service with other Communist countries soon after. These types are essentially the next generation fighter design that started back in the LaGG-1 and LaGG-3 days, gradually being upgraded over time before becoming almost a completely new aircraft in the La-9/11.
MPM have produced an all in one kit to make up both versions, who differ very little in external detail. It comes packaged in a box containing one sprue molded in thick but relatively clean grey molded plastic, complete with photo etched detail set and vac-form canopy. There's little in the way of external detail, fairings and bulges are accurately molded but panel lines are non-existant. The instruction sheet is essentially a 6-page A4 sized booklet with sprue diagram showing part numbers, brief history (that has been translated so is a bit vague in meaning in places), sideview profiles to highlight the differences, one assembly step for the La-11 (with an addendum step to add the parts for the La-9) and colour scheme suggestions. Exact attachment points are not always discernible from the instructions so it's best to dry fit test parts before glueing into place.
As with most MPM kits this is not one for the faint hearted and is a challenge to build. Not much interior detail to speak of, the cockpit contains a base, seat, stick, instrument panel and bulkhead, which is recommended to be attached inside one of the fuselage halves, to ensure a proper fit. A regulator is provided to sit behing the seat and I gave it all a light grey wash, though it's best to check your references because no guide is given by the kit. A small clear part also sits further back in the top of the fuselage and I am not sure what this is, but remember to put this in before glueing the fuselage halves together (if you have managed to get the cockpit to sit right!).
Most parts go together reasonably well, but just about all of the main assembly provides a challenge. The wing is one-piece lower section and two piece upper and took quite a bit of work to mate nicely against the fuselage. Further sanding and putty were called upon. Don't forget to place the clear part into the wing before wing assembly, which appears to be a landing light? The engine cowling and propellor shaft/cone also provided bemusement for a while and needs to be place correctly over the nose area and left to dry overnight for best result. I used a small strip of masking tape over a non-glued portion to keep the cowling in position overnight. This worked a treat. The tailplanes were a bit difficult to coax into the right sitting position thanks to a lack of alignment pins or any kit assistance.
The undercarriage was also challenging, I ended up leaving mine in an-flight configuration but dry-fitting and a first attempt to glue revealed this, and all the gear doors did not fit snuggly into place - especially the rear wheel doors, which needed a major trim. The main gear doors only required a bit of filler. The vac-form canopy of course is one piece, which suited me fine because I had an in-flight depiction, but will need to be cut to display open - I assume it mirrors the LaGG-3 in this regard, which means the centre section slides back from the windscreen over the back canopy portion.
The main differences between the La-9 & La-11 are (La-9 additions) an air scoop under the centreline fuselage whose exact positioning is a bit vague - and no references could help, a starboard side fairing and engine cowling. Naturally, the kit allows for all these to be attached or omitted depending on the version you choose.
The kit allows for replication of three examples - one La-9 from 1946 post-war period USSR air force in an overall light grey finish and red spinner. The other two versions are La-11's, one being from the USSR air force of 1947 post-war year in the same overall finish as the La-9. The second La-11 is a Korean War example of the North Korean Air Force of 1950 in a light grey finish with dark green upper drab-like camouflage markings. I chose a speculative World War 2 La-9 example in a distinctive red-brown and dark green camouflage pattern with light grey cowling and undersides and a crimson red spinner/propellor tips. Looks yummy! Of course, a dark green and russian green overall finish with sky blue or light grey undersides is also another suggestion.
I can't comment a lot about it's accuracy because I have very little reference material available to call upon - all I have is one sideview of an La-11 plus the drawings supplied on the MPM instruction sheet. If these are anything to go by then the tailfin is a bit too broad and the engine cowling is slightly out of shape, but otherwise looks okay to me. It's a kit that I would only recommend to those with experienced modelling skills and those who like a challenge. If I can ascertain whether this kit is truly accurate then I will build another one to depict a North Korean La-11 in suitable colour scheme. Knowing some of the pitfalls in fitting and other problems, next time will be a lot easier to assemble.
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