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15. Yakovlev Yak-1
Soviet Union - 1940

The Yak-1 was available in small numbers when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, but thousands were built by the end of the war.  A simple, rugged design constructed of metal and wood, the fighter was easy to build and maintain in the field - perfect for the primitive conditions at the front.  Most Soviet fighter squadrons flew the Yak at one time or another.  Shown here is an early production Yak-1 flown by Lydia Litvyak, widely considered to be the world's leading female ace with anywhere between 5 and 12 kills.  Build notes at the bottom.
Accurate Miniatures #85061, 1/48 Yakovlev Yak-1

1/48 Accurate Miniatures Yak-1 Lydia Litvyak
1/48 Accurate Miniatures Yak-1 Lydia Litvyak
1/48 Accurate Miniatures Yak-1 Lydia Litvyak
1/48 Accurate Miniatures Yak-1 Lydia Litvyak
1/48 Accurate Miniatures Yak-1 Lydia Litvyak
1/48 Accurate Miniatures Yak-1 Lydia Litvyak
1/48 Accurate Miniatures Yak-1 Lydia Litvyak
1/48 Accurate Miniatures Yak-1 Lydia Litvyak

-  I used a set of photo etch seat belts from Eduard to dress up the cockpit.  I tried drilling out the exhaust stubs that came with the kit but after stabbing myself in the finger one too many times I ordered a set of Quickboost resin exhaust stubs.  They were worth it.  I also added miniature metal tubes to replicate the gun barrels in the nose.

- The decals were from the kit, but they were stubborn - to be expected as the kit was more than 20 years old!

- My first Accurate Miniatures kit, it was an enjoyable build without any real issues.  I hope to build more of their kits.​​

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