Yak-38 Forger from Hobbycraft, 1:72

[carlos]

Here is my first project on the forum, it´s a Soviet S/VTOL Aircraft produced by Yakolev´s bureau, designation is Yak-38. The model is from Hobbycraft is not the best brand on the market but it is one of the few that make this model (actually only Revell and A-Model produce this model as well).




Instructions are easy to follow and model comes with only 51 pieces so it is going to be a fun model to make and update with some scratch building.

[carlos]

The version that I choose for this model will be the one that was used in Operation Romb-1 which was the deployment of 4 units (numbers: 25, 53, 54 and 55) along with some Su-25´s to Afghanistan in 1980 to test them under harsh environment conditions. Normally you can only find the Yak in plain blue and green as it was used by the navy so this will be a good departure from the normal scheme.


After investigating in several russian sites I found that the original scheme used 4 colors (Dark green, medium green, brown and sand) So I had to adapt the only available ¨valid¨ scheme found to the correct 4 color scheme

Here is my rendition to the correct scheme:


First step is to start with the c-o-c-k-pit, as you can see it doesn´t have any detail (besides the plain seat!) so I´ll build the side and front instruments panels, control stick, etc.

[Gabriel]

Carlos:

Nice work, I know that brand is really bad because I build a Ju-88 in 1/48 years ago and I almost lost my mind trying to do my best, at the end finish in the trash ... ... but you are doing an excellent job, keep on posting the process for us.

I was looking in the web for pictures, but no results, it's a hard one, the only web site I found was this: www.ipmslondon.ca/reviews/aircraft/forger/forger.htm
But the modeler didn't do that much, and the paint looks not to real for a Russian plane.

Keep on the good work...

[carlos]

Actually there isn´t much info on the web. I had to get my info from a couple of russina sources (no, I do not know russian.. but I have a good translator!)

Well, here goes the process:


For the instrument panel as there was NO detail in the c.o.c.k.pit I started making one out of scratch with a piece of telephone card plastic, some drilling and some plastic bits.


I added the side instrument panels inside the cabin.


Here is a picture of how it will look (and fit!) inside the cabin once everything is put together. I put the rudder pedals also but they were a litle more separated than they should.



For the lower detail of the vertical engines I did not like the way they came detailed on the model so I choose to modify the whole section.


Here you can see the louver type exhaust for the lower section of the engines (exit), these were made (again) out of plastic cut from a telephone calling card. I cut out the original frame and installed this pieces one by one.


Here I´m going to put more close the two engine exits as the separation is greater than it should be according to the plans and also i am going to remove this detail to give way for an improved engine exhaust. (is this the correct word?).


For the bottom section of the engines I will use the tail section of a couple of bombs that will give a more realistic look to the engine section.


Here I already started drilling the ¨engine panel¨ and you can see the new position of one of the engines.


Well finally I glued, sanded and painted the whole section and I am dry fitting it to verify a correct fit.

[carlos]

Back into the process now it´s the turn for the seat and the instruments detailing.


Seat was sanded fron the back to make room for the control stick. Belts were added out of masking tape with a touch of silver pen to simulate the buckles. Colors used were MMAII black for the seat, Tamiya XF-65 for the seat cushion, PollyS FS34102 for the belts and a touch of PrismaColor Metallic Silver for the scratches in the metal seat base.


For the cabin the color is a litle darker than the one used in Sukhois and Mig´s cabins therefore I mixed up MMII RLM62 and Pollys FS15200 on a 10:6 proportion obtainig a grayish-blue color as seen in the Yak´s c.o.c.k.pit pictures. For the instrument panel I mixed a lighter tone (Tamiya XF-23 + White) and then all detailing was done with color pens and Prismacolor pencils.

[carlos]

OK, I am back and now it´s the turn for the fuselage so here it is..




Once glued I proceed to fill with Mr Surfacer 1000 and then sanded off with 360 grit sand paper



Next go the wings, for these I choose to use Tamiya´s thin cement it works best and doesn´t leave any residues..


Here you need to be very careful as the wings don´t come in a 90 degree angle.


OK, here is the model already with wings in position..

[carlos]

The next step is adding the air intakes for the main engine.


Once glued I notice that the auxiliary suck-in side intakes are missing so I will proceed to make them..

Here the job has been performed and now you can see a set of auxiliary intakes..



Next I proceed to drill litle hole in the rocket pods to give a more realistic look..


And then the landing gear gets a touch of detail with the help of some wire and tape..



Here I show one side already in position..


This is the front landing gear complete with doors, hinges, struts, cables, etc. One thing I found out is that it appears that there were at least two different type of landing gear for this aircraft as I found two aircraft with different type of landing gear!!

[carlos]

Now, going back to the rocket pods, here they are already semi-finished. I applied metalizer and a few rivets and I have to tell you that it is the first time I do rivets!!




Here is the aircraft with all details added, I am only missing a few small antennas and the main engine exhaust which I am going to add at the end.


Next step will be start painting for this I am going to use for the first time my Iwata Eclipse aibrush which I have not use it since I bough it last year!!

[Daniel C]

It is looking good Carlos, I am enjoying watching you work on this old kit.
This is a strange color scheme, I thought this was only used by the Soviet navy.

[carlos]

Well you are right it was only used for the navy but this particular scheme was used exclusively for the Operation Romb-1 trials in Afghanistan back in 1980 along with a few SU-25´s, aparently the idea was to test the aircraft under different and severe conditions but the aircraft only prove to be unsuitable to this type of terrain.

[Daniel C]

Hmm, I learn something new everyday!
The colors will look good on this aircraft, I am looking forward to the next pictures!!

[Gabriel]

Hey Carlos is looking good!!...I like the way you made the cables on the landing gear...

One question..what kind of plastic are you using to do the interior scratch.?

Keep on the good work...

[carlos]

Thanks! For the scratch aditions I use plastic out of phone air time cards (telcel, movistar,) and then also some old plastic calendars (those wallet sized). I have many cards with different thickness depending on the application. I also use the remains of the PE sprues as well as leftovers from other models.

[carlos]

Here are the latest updates on my YAK project..


The top cover of the vertical engine needed a good detail lift, therefore I opted for drilling all the vent holes like in the real aircraft.


Here is the cover already drilled and with the channels for the wire sections already done with my dremel tool.


Here is the cover with all the modifications done.


The main engine exhaust also needed some detailing, so I used aluminum foil paper to make the inside detail like it is shown in the picture below..



The next step will be to add the antennas, exterior instruments, etc. and then I´ll start the painting process.

[Daniel C]

;D
I was hoping for a Yak fix today.... still looking great!