Gudkov VRD (Unicraft Resin)

[McGreig]

This is one of my entries for the AnthonyP Memorial Build and the full build thread can be seen at www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,38430.0.html.





It is a Unicraft Resin kit of the Gudkov Gu-VRD.

Gudkov was one of the design team which created the LaGG-3. As well as proposing a jet powered version of the LaGG-3 (LaGG-3 RD-1: LaGG-3 converted to jet power à la Yak-15) he also designed an entirely original jet fighter bearing no relationship to the LaGG-3.

This was the Gu-VRD. It retained the pod and boom configuration of the LaGG-3 RD-1 and was to be powered by a Lyul'ka turbojet.

The project was submitted to the Scientific Research Institute of the Air Force (NII VVS) in March 1943. Their conclusion was that, while the aircraft would probably fly with the claimed speed, there was, at that time,  no suitable engine. This was because, while Lyulka had designed and partially tested the prototype RDT-1/VDR-2 centrifugal engine, this was still at an early stage of development with a thrust of around 700 kg which was only half that required for the VRD.





Work on the engine then stopped to allow Lyul'ka to concentrate on a new axial flow engine,  the VDR-3/S-18, which would not be ready for another two years and Gudkov's design bureau was closed in Summer 1943.

The kit is typical of Unicraft – the resin is hard and brittle, the detailing is quite neat, but the fit of the parts and the definition of the smaller parts is very poor. Although you get a pilot's seat, an instrument panel and a control column, there is no cockpit floor and no jet pipe for the jet exhaust, just a very crude, vaguely circular hole in the fuselage underside. However, despite these issues, this was an enjoyable and trouble free build.

[NARSES2]

Weird but wonderfull

[Captain Canada]

Exactly Chris ! Great job.

[Father Ennis]

Great looking model ...      You've done an outstanding job. Loved the build,too !!!

[CSMO]

Freaky! Looks like a tadpole or a spermatozoa with wings and guns.

Adios, Larry.

[Tophe]

Wonderfully surprizing...