Hi,

I'm trying to get myself back to the hobby. And I was looking for something relatively easy to build and paint. And the new tool Yak-9T by ICM in 32 scale has appeared just in time. So here it is.

The kit offers two options when it comes about engine – with and without the upper cowling. I've decided to not show the engine, and started with the cockpit. Seat belts by Eduard, originally designed for the SH Yak-3 kit.

Yak was primed with the Mr.Surfacer 1500 and I've started painting. For now, I've applied AMT-7 for the lower surfaces. It will be a challenge from the visual perspective – there are not much details on the wings, as they are mostly plywood without much panel lines, etc. The fuselage wouldn't help as well 🙂

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Great entry and excellent progress sofar, my friend @starfar!

Thank you mates!

George, regarding the windscreen – I've tried several gloss lacquers (AK's Gauzy, Vallejo, etc.), and the common issue I've got is some "smoke" which appears between two clear parts after drying. Don't know why.

Dmitry, does the geometry of the canopy parts allow you to put the joining material, white glue or gloss liquids, only on the edges of the armored glass such as where it touches the main canopy at the very top or bottom? It sounds to me as though your are putting the joining liquid on too large of a surface or that capillary action is drawing an excess of liquid between the armored glass and the windscreen where it is not needed. If this is the case, a longer drying time might see the graying go away, but I suppose you've thought of that, so I'd try to use a minimum of liquid on as small a surface as possible, especially if that small application can be hidden at a frame that will be painted later..

Chris, I've tried to do that, but the framing is relatively thinn, and glue is visible. But you're right, after the windscreen has been installed, now it will be possible to glue the armour at the very bottom using some clear/white glue, and it shouldn't be visible. I will try it once I pull off the masks after the painting.

I was off for a couple of days, but I've managed to finish the camouflage colours. Finally.

3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

@starfar - have you tried Micro Kyrstal-Klear, just a couple drops around the edges of the armored glass? that's what I did with the internal glass on the Tamiya P-38F.