1/48 LaGG-3 “Late” & La-5FN from
Vector
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Introduction
These were the missing links in the 1/48 Lavockin family, but they are
missing links no more. Before, we had of course the LTD vacu-form LaGG-3
kit, which could be reportedly built into a decent model, and the ancient
toy-like Hobbycraft La-5FN, but realistically, both of these types lived
in oblivion until now.
Back in 2005, Vector company from Podolsk-Moscow entered the market
for scale aircraft kits with one excellent resin 1/48 La-5 Razorback.
This kit was among few who established new standards for the resin casting
technology, and as a result more of us can now claim that we build full
resin models. To be honest, Vector kits are easier to build than most
short run styrene kits, and even some mainstream injection offerings.
They are also surprisingly lightweight for a resin kit when finished.
After the La-5, La-5F followed, with same level of quality and finesse.
You can find my reviews about both of these kits elsewhere on this web
site.
Now the circle is closed. I would call LaGG-3 and La-5FN the second-generation
kits from Vector. Some things have changed, others didn’t. The kits
are even more refined, with more details. There are virtually no casting
blocks on any major parts, and building instructions are better (with
some color suggestions for the interior details). The wheels are no longer
made in rubber; rather the “tires” are cast together with
hubs in resin.
Kit packaging stayed the same. Small, unassuming box made of thicker
paper, rather then cardboard. There is some foam padding inside the box
protecting the intricate resin parts, but it would be nice to see more
substantial outer shell for these precious kits. My box started tearing
apart within first three openings…
La-5FN
As a further evolutionary step of the La-5F, the 5FN’s major distinguishing
feature is the bigger, continuous supercharger air-duct on top of the
engine cowling, plus the multiple exhaust pipes instead of the single
big one on each side. Other exterior difference is the additional triangular
metal plating on the fuselage sides, under the cockpit, and adjacent metal
trim for the wing fillet. All these features are accurately represented
in the kit.
The single piece wing is, once again, worth mentioning. This is an improved
wing, which Vector now supplies in all of their kits. While I felt quite
content with the original La-5/5F wing geometry, Sergey from Vector wasn’t.
New wingspan is some 2mm bigger, and the leading edges look a bit more
slender. The most appreciable difference though is separate ailerons.
As a matter of fact, all of the control surfaces are now separate parts:
ailerons, elevators and the ruder. This is a very nice touch, me thinks.
There are also some small additions to the old part-count: cannon rear
ends and manual loading handles, as well as the main antenna mast. There
is again no Pitot tube in the kit. Oh, well… back to my hypodermic
stash.
One thing that bothers me is the connection for the tail wheel leg inside
the rear fuselage. In all four Vector kits there is a single tab coming
out of the port side fuselage that is supposed to hold the rear wheel
assembly, but this single point support is simply not enough. Here is
how I solved the problem on my kit, but I feel that this inadequate attachment
should be redesigned.
Early Vector kits used to have only one vacu-formed canopy in the box;
now there are two! The quality of the transparencies is very high. They
are clear and smooth, without blemishes, and with sharply defined framing.
This said, canopies are packed together in a bag with multitude of resin
parts, without protection. Here is another point where packaging of this
kit can be improved.
There are five alternatives on the decal sheet to adorn this kit! Four
of the offered airplanes are  in
standard AMT11/12 camouflage, and the fifth is in a single color AMT11
livery on the upper surfaces. Some of these schemes are well known, and
some are perpetually argued upon, like the ubiquitous “Za Vasila
I Žoru”. Was the text silver, white, or yellow, with border
or without? In any case Begemot decals are excellent, and whatever scheme
you select, Vector kit will be a wonderful canvas for them.
You may have noticed on the La-5FN  box
top that this is actually the “special edition” kit, containing
additional decals with four more options for the older La-5 Razorback
kit. Without going into discussion about given profiles, I will just say
that this is a very nice touch that rewards “returning customers”.
If I may add more spice to the stew, there is one CD edition coming
soon from the Pilawskii factory, focusing on at present documented Lavockin
color profiles (some 110 of them as I hear). We can certainly expect some
excitement, stir, and more inspiration to build Lavockins when this new
research comes out in the sun…
LaGG-3
LaGG-3 “Oblegchenniy” kit, while still based in some elements
on previous Vector Lavockins, brings radical redesign of all major components:
in-line engine cowling, wing-root compressor inlets, big oval heat exchanger
under the central wing section, etc. Fuselage and wing are new, each accurately
representing the idiosyncrasies of this type.
Once again, everything seems to be in place and well produced. All control
surfaces are separate parts, as are small radiator flaps. Radiator faces
are also included, and are very nicely detailed (an enhancement over the
1st generation Vector kits).
One item that could be improved from the engineering standpoint is the
detail of the wing-root inlets. The fuselage/wing break is positioned
right in the middle of the air inlet, and the inlet itself is represented
with blank front. If it was made as separate insert, to fit between fuselage
and wing, better definition could be achieved and the inlet could be appropriately
cast with open front.
When assembling the fuselage components and the wing, one is advised
to carefully check the fit, especially around the main radiator exit channel
at the bottom of the wing. This curvy area can prove tricky to align due
to the complex geometry. I discovered a small gap between the fuselage
halves at this joint, although this may well be a result of my keen sanding
of the matting surfaces prior to assembly.
Decals (made again by the “red hippo” a.k.a. Begemot) provide
options for three very colorful airplanes. One can chose between early
green/black, and late light/dark gray camouflage. It will be hard to decide
on only one favorite in this excellent selection!
I have only a small remark regarding the  second
aircraft with the sea-anchor decoration on the rudder. Optional fin flash
is shown as red, but the photograph of an aircraft from this unit (shown
below) displays significant tonal difference between this flash on top
of the ruder and the adjacent red star. Erik Pilawskii calls this type
of film a “journalist type”, and often points out its hypersensitivity
to red color, as all surfaces painted red look burnt out. I would suggest
that the color of the rudder decoration in this picture was other than
red (perhaps blue to go with the naval theme?).
In Closing
In the old days there was a distinctive rivalry between the OKBs in
the SSSR, as well as among pilots who flew these machines. Some of this
mentality rubbed off on our hobby field. There is a Yakovlev clan and
a Lavockin one. Without having anything against the first-mentioned, I
must admit that I am a big Lavockin aficionado. It therefore makes me
extremely happy that now I can have the whole family on my display shelf,
and in my favorite scale!
Despite my nit-pickings, I failed to find anything considerably wrong
with these lovely kits. So to reiterate, Vector kits are well researched,
precisely made, and very user-friendly. I have no reservations in recommending
them to everybody who can handle CA or epoxy glue. The LaGG-3 and La-5FN
are even better than their already excellent older brethren. Bolshoi Spasibo
Sergey, and keep on the good work!
Vector kits can be obtained online from two vendors:
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