La-5 Late Version
Advanced Kit

Clear Prop!, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Lavochkin La-5 was a Soviet fighter aircraft of World War II.

It was a development and refinement of the LaGG-3, replacing the earlier model's inline engine with the much more powerful Shvetsov ASh-82 radial engine.

During its time in service, it was one of the Soviet Air Force's most capable types of warplane, able to fight German designs on an equal footing

Clear Prop! released a 1/72 scale La-5 Early Version during 2020.

They have now extended their Lavochkin family with a new La-5 Late Version Advanced Kit.

Clear Prop! offers three levels of kit. "Expert Kit" provides photo-etched parts, masks and sometimes other multimedia parts such as resin or turned brass. The "Starter Kit" series contains plastic parts and decals only. "Advanced Kit" takes the middle road with photo-etched parts but no resin or masks.

Clear Prop's 1/72 scale La-5 Late Version Advanced Kit comprises 112 parts in dark grey plastic (including 33 parts marked not for use), nine parts in clear (including one part marked not for use), one photo-etched fret with 57 parts plus a decal sheet with four marking options.

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Thumbnail panels:

The plastic parts are moulded in dark grey plastic. The texture of the plastic is very smooth and sprue attachments are narrow.

Surface details are fine, crisp and consistent. It is almost a shame that the La-5 features mostly smooth plywood surfaces to show off Clear Prop's undoubted prowess in this area. As it is, we do get to see a number of panel lines and rivets in selected areas, especially the lower wings and forward fuselage. The upper and outer lower wings as well as the mid and rear fuselage are all suitably smooth.

Fabric rendition on the control surfaces look good.

There is plenty of detail in the cockpit with photo-etched lap and shoulder straps plus a bunch of other small details. If you're not keen about handling some of the tiny photo-etched parts, especially on the sidewalls, you will find plastic alternatives on the sprues.

The instrument panel is a sandwich with a plastic back, decals dials and a photo-etched front panel.

The ASh-82 radial engine is presented as a single moulding with the front row of cylinders and pushrods in place. This is really plenty as any possible glimpses of the front of the engine will be blocked off by the photo-etched fan.

Ailerons, elevators and the rudder are all separate parts and may be posed to taste. Slats and flaps are moulded shut.

The undercarriage is detailed with photo-etched gear covers and oleo scissors. These will deliver impressive scale thickness but once again, plastic alternatives are available on the sprues if you prefer.

Two optional underwing bombs also feature photo-etched fins.

The canopy pieces are nice and clear.

Two parts are supplied for the sliding section. I presume that one is for the open position and the alternative is for the closed position.

Instructions are generally clear and laid out over 17 steps in a 12 page, folded A4 paper booklet.

The marking guide is in full colour and colours are called out throughout using MIG paint numbers. It might have been nice to have a few other paint brands cross-referenced too.

Markings

The colours and registration of the decals look good.

Six marking options are offered:

• the first is silver upper surfaces with AMT-7 Light Blue lower surfaces,

• the second is White over AMT-7 Light Blue lower surfaces

• the remaining four are in the three colour scheme of AMT-4 Green and AMT-6 Black on the upper surfaces and AMT-7 Light Blue below.

The four three-colour options feature striking markings, numbers and Cyrillic lettering.

We are truly living in a new Golden Age of 1/72 scale aircraft models.

Clear Prop! joins others like Eduard, Arma, Airfix, Special Hobby, Zvezda and Dora Wings who are all breathing fresh life and setting a new high bar for small scale kits.

This is a very high quality offering that will appeal to small scale and Great Patriotic War aviation fans.

Thanks to Clear Prop! for the sample

Text and Images Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 8 February, 2021
Last updated 9 February, 2021

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