Lavochkin La-5 & Mikoyan and Gurevich MiG-3 - PDRV WW2

[zenrat]

Lavochkin La-5 & Mikoyan and Gurevich MiG-3 - PDRV WW2

MiG-3 PDRV "Snaggletooth" - 3 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

During WW2 the military of the People's Democratic Republic of Victoria operated a mixture of local and Soviet designed equipment.  Amongst the single engined fighters were La-5s and MiG-3s built in Victorian Aircraft Plants.

Lavochkin La-5FN - 4 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Lavochkin La-5FN - 19 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Lavochkin La-5FN - 22 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

At the start of the war PDRV aircraft markings consisted of the outline of a golden V over the outline of a golden star on a red circle.  This was changed after a number of alleged misidentifications resulted in Victorian aircraft being shot at and down by forces supposed to be allied.  The new design consisted of a white bordered black V over a golden star on a black circle.  The Hammer, V and Sickle tail markings were switched from red and gold to black and gold.  When these changes proved not to be enough to overcome the problem of lazy foreign troops failing to keep up with their aircraft recognition white tails were painted on all aircraft.
The La-5 wears Northern Summer camouflage.  When the landscape greened up in the winter and spring green was overpainted as shown on the MiG-3.

MiG-3 PDRV "Snaggletooth" - 12 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
MiG-3 PDRV "Snaggletooth" - 8 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
MiG-3 PDRV "Snaggletooth" - 18 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Models
Zvezda Lavotchkin La-5FN and Zvezda Mikoyan and Gurevich MiG-3.  Both 1/72 and both built OOB.
Painted with Vallejo acrylics.
Home made decals.
Shark mouth on Snaggletooth hand painted.
Both kits are fairly old moulds and are quite basic but respond well to a bit of carefull building.  I didn't get too carried away but both could really do with metal gun barrels fitted while the MiG has vey shallow undercarriage bays which really want deepening.

Lavochkin La-5FN - 23 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
MiG-3 PDRV "Snaggletooth" - 19 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

And looking at those photos it seems I have neglected to pin wash the control surface gaps on the MiG.  D'oh!

[PR19_Kit]

VERY smart. 

I specially like the MiG, that loooooong nose and the set back cockpit seem to enhance the 'speediness' of it. 

The La-5 says 'GET out of the way!' 

[NARSES2]

Very nice mate  I particularly like the La-5, very tempted to get myself one

[chrisonord]

Very nice Fred
Chris

[Old Wombat]

I like Lavochkins, they have that rugged workhorse look to them.

[TomZ]

Looking good.

TomZ

[sideshowbob9]

The red on the Lavochkin really pops out. Cracking job!

[Tophe]

Home made decals.

I was wondering where was this coming from, but congratulations for your ability to materialize your dreams...

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.

I like Lavochkins, they have that rugged workhorse look to them.

Puts me in mind of a bulldog.

Very nice mate  I particularly like the La-5, very tempted to get myself one

Look at the Clear Prop kits.  I've not built the one i have but in the box it looks markedly superior to the Zvezda kit.  Eduard's La-7 looks good in pics.  I may have to buy one.

As I say elsewhere, we need more decent injection piston engined Soviet fighters.

[Flyer]

 

Like the sharkmouth 

[zenrat]

Thanks mate.  It came out looking a bit more goofy than vicious but i'm still very happy with it.

[Rick Lowe]

  It came out looking a bit more goofy than vicious

Maybe cos of teeth overlap the bottom lip at the rear?
Has a sort of 'Cousin Cleetus' thing going on.

*Not that that detracts from the builds, just trying to figure out a reason for the slight goofyness.

[DogfighterZen]

Very nice work, Fred! I especially like the Mig, that camo looks great on it. 

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.