Attack Hobby Kits 1/144 L-39ZA Albatros Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | October 2006 | Manufacturer | Attack Hobby Kits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | L-39ZA Albatros | Scale | 1/144 |
| Kit Number | 14409 | Primary Media | Styrene |
| Pros | Nice detailing | Cons | |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | $6.01 |
First Look
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Aero Vodochody is the premiere aircraft works of the former Czechoslovakia. During that country's membership in the former Warsaw Pact, Aero produced the workhorse trainer used throughout the Warsaw Pact and exported to many other countries as well - the L-29 Delfin.
The 1970s rolled in with a variety of new trainers including the British Hawk, the joint French/German Alphajet, and the stillborn US T-46. While the Hawk has seen the greatest acceptance of the three listed, the clear winner by a landslide was the Czech L-39.
The L-39 Albatros was introduced in the mid 1970s and was adopted as the primary trainer throughout the Warsaw Pact, replacing the aging L-29, but unlike the L-29, the L-39 saw far more success in export sales, entering service well outside the Warsaw Pact. The aircraft is still in service today and has become the jet warbird of choice as well due to the same reasons it was adopted for the training role - low operating and maintenance costs.
The Attack Hobby Kits' 1/144 L-39ZA Albatros kit is molded in light gray styrene and features some beautifully cast details throughout the kit. While not a complex kit, it will become quickly obvious just how much detail is present once the completed model has been weathered.
As with the full-scale aircraft, the kit offers an optional set of external fuel tanks, K-13 Atoll missiles for underwing stores and a centerline gunpack.
Despite its petite scale though, this kit features some nice details that will look great after assembly. This should be quick and painless with the majority of time will be spent cleaning up the tree attachment points, and these are minimal.
Markings are provided for five examples:
- L-39ZA Albatros, 2418, Czech Air Force
- L-39V Albatros, 24+49, German Air Force
- L-39ZA Albatros, Syrian Air Force
- L-39ZA Albatros, 835, Bulgarian Air Force
- L-39ZA Albatros, 354, NigerianAir Force
This is a nice little kit that will go together quickly. Recommended!
My sincere thanks to Hobbyshop.cz for this review sample!