Begemot Yakovlev Yak-7 Decals
By Matt Bittner
To support Yakovlev kits in both 1/48 and 1/72, Begemot has released a decal set for both scales of the Yak-7. Since there are 80 schemes for each scale – yes, that's right, I did type 80. Eight-zero. 80 separate and distinct aircraft are represented in both scales. These aircraft cover all major sections of combat the VVS was involved in, as well as prototype and special schemes.
I'll start by listing the Yak-7 schemes:
- Yak-7-37, 2, 42 IAP/240 IAD, 1942
- Yak-7, 7, 'Komsomol of Kuzbass', 12 GIAP, 1942
- Yak-7, 3, 'Komsomol of Novosibirsk', 12 GIAP, 1943
- Yak-7, 5, 'Komsomol of Narym',12 GIAP, 1943
- Yak-7, 'Pioneer of Narym', 12 GIAP, 1943
- Yak-7, 3, 'Novosibirsk Komsomol', 12 GIAP, 1943
- Yak-7, 27, 12 GIA
Next is the Yak-7A:
- Yak-7A, 14, 12 GIAP, 1943
- Yak-7A, 28, 4 IAP/288 IAD, 1942
- Yak-7A, 29, unknown unit, 1942
- Yak-7A, 34, unknown unit, 1942
Yak-7B schemes:
- Yak-7B, 133 IAP/234 IAD, Tuva Republic Donation Day scheme, 1943
- Yak-7B, 133 IAP/234 IAD, Tuva Republic Donation Day scheme, 1943
- Yak-7B, 7, 64 GIAP/4 GIAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 8, 42 IAP/240 IAD, 1942
- Yak-7B, 16, captured by Germany
- Yak-7B, 21, 29 GIAP, 1943
- Yak-7B, 27, 29 GIAP, 1943
- Yak-7B, 68, 29 GIAP, 1943
- Yak-7B, 34, 29 GIAP, 1943
- Yak-7B, 37, 1 GIAP, 1943
- Yak-7B, 21, 'For Zhora', 31 GIAP/6 GAD/5 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 'Latvian Shooter', 18 GIAP/303 IAD, 1 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 22-41, NII, 1942
- Yak-7B, 22-03, NII, 1943
- Yak-7B, 41-01, NI, 1943
- Yak-7B, 26, 812 IAP/3 IAK/4 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 40, 15 MRAP, Baltic Fleet, 1943
- Yak-7B, 17, 122 IAP/233 ShAD/1 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 120, 127 IAP/282 IAD/6 SAK, 1943
- Yak-7B, 09, Stalin Naval Aviation Flight School, 1943
- Yak-7B, 22, 438 IAP/205 IAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 13, 879 IAP/288 IAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 45, 18 GIAP/4 GIAD, 1943, Tiger art
- Yak-7B, 22, 728 IAP/256 IAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 50, 18 GIAP/303 IAD/1 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 9, 64 GIAP/4 GIAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 'In Memory of Marina Raskova from the Women of Moldovia', 91 IAP/20 ZAP, 1943
- Yak-7B, 31, 'Ishchu', 897 IAP/288 IAD/8 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 113, 163 IAP/273 IAD/16 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 47, 'For My Brother Shota', 65 GIAP/4 GIAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, LII, 1944
- Yak-7B, 65, 210 FAD/16 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 29, 28 GIAP, 1943
- Yak-7B, 22, 'For Nikolai', 43 IAP/278 IAD/3 IAK/8 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 39, 195 IAP/259 IAD/7 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 31, 434 IAP, 1942
- Yak-7B, 930, 976 IAP/259 IAD/3 VA, 1944
- Yak-7B, 935, 976 IAP/259 IAD/3 VA, 1944
- Yak-7B, 03, 157 IAP/256 IAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 33, 29 GIAP/324 IAD/7 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 33, 29 GIAP/324 IAD/7 VA, 1945 (in museum)
- Yak-7B, 06, 434 IAP, 1943
- Yak-7B, 1, 434 IAP, 1942
- Yak-7B, 1 GIAP, 1942
- Yak-7B, 67, 146 IAP/7 GIAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 3, 271 IAP/274 IAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 86, 875 IAP/274 IAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 64, 29 GIAP/324 IAD/7 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 14, 29 GIAP/324 IAD/7 VA, 1942
- Yak-7B, 32, 29 GIAP/324 IAD/7 VA, 1944
- Yak-7B, 35, 29 GIAP/324 IAD/7 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 35, 41 IAP/2 RA, 1942
- Yak-7B, 40, 20 IAP/303 IAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 24, unknown unit, 1942
- Yak-7B, 12, 812 IAP/3 IAK/4 VA, 1943
- Yak-7B, 45, 9 IAP/22 ShAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 58, 89 GIAP/6 GIAD, 1943
- Yak-7B, 1, 434 IAP, 1942
- Yak-7B, 9, 29 IAD/10 VA, 1943
Next is the Yak-7D:- Yak-7D, 7-D, Flight Test
- Yak-7DI, 7-DI, Flight Test
Yak-7V:
- Yak-7V, 01-70, VII, 1942
- Yak-7V, Normandy IAP/303 IAD, 1943
- Yak-7V, 1, Warsaw IAP/Polish AF, 1943
- Yak-7V, 4, Polish AF, 1945
And finally the Yak-7UTI:
- Yak-7UTI, 39, 15 MRAP, Baltic Fleet, 1944
- Yak-7UTI, unknown unit, Soviet AF, 1942
All decals are up to Begemot's very high standards and are quite stunning. If there's a Yak-7 scheme you're contemplating finishing your kit in, then chances are it's on this sheet. If not, then you could probably get to your final finish using something on this sheet.
If you're lucky enough to own a 1/72 Dakoplast Yak-7 (before they went out of business) or have one of the newer Valom kits, then these decals are definitely for you (or if you have any of the 1/48 kits as well). Plus, if you're contemplating building more than one (or a dozen) Yak-7s then you'll be able to make that quota by picking up this set. Yes, I do recommend this set of decals. In fact, I was about to sell my Yak-7s to drop myself down to only one kit, but now that I have these decals in hand, I'll hold on to them.
I definitely want to thank Begemot for sending this excellent, massive set of decals to review.