Eduard 1194 1/48 Yak-1b Limited Edition Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

For a brief description of this subject, check our previous first-look at this kit here.

Many of you will recognize this kit. This is the Accurate Miniatures 1/48 Yak-1b that was originally released in the late 1990s but was never reissued by any of the instantiations of the company. Eduard released this kit in their limited edition series about seven years ago, combining the stock kit with their color-photo-etched parts and new decals. I'm pleased to see that Eduard has released this kit once again with some new options. Let's take a look:

The kit is molded in medium gray styrene and presented on four parts trees plus two small trees containing the clear parts and one fret of color-printed photo-etched parts. Note that there two key versions of this kit, this Yak-1b with the cut-down rear deck and the 'bubble' styled canopy enclosure and the earlier Yak-1 'fastback' version. Eduard periodically reissues both of these kits with some nice updates.

Among the features and options in this kit:

• Detailed cockpit with a great color photo-etched three-layer instrument panel and lots of details
• Color photo-etched pilot restraints
• Positionable canopy
• Yellow-tape canopy masks
• Choice of photo-etch or styrene fuel filler caps on wings
• Detailed landing gear
• Photo-etched grille-work on ventral radiator
• Positionable radiatior flap
• Choice of weighted or unweighted (round) main wheels
• Optional underwing drop tanks
• Optional underwing rocket rails w/rockets

Markings are provided for seven aircraft:

• Yak-1b, White 5, 427 IAP, as flown by Capt. Pavel Chuvilev, 1943
• Yak-1b, special markings, 2 GIAP, as flown by Vladimir P. Pokrovskij, 1944/45
• Yak-1b, Red 1, 9 GIAP, as flown by Alexei B. Aleyukhin, 1943
• Yak-1b, White 24, GC 3 Normandie, as flown by Roland de la Poype, 1943
• Yak-1b, White 41, 267 IAP, 'Free Donbass'
• Yak-1b, White 42, 910 IAP, as flown by Nikolai A. Kozlov, 1943
• Yak-1b, Red 12, 897 IAP/288 IAD, as flown by Pavel P. Karavaj, 1942/43

Naturally assembly begins with the cockpit. The main part is the cockpit floor that also has the coolant radiator molded on the underside. Assembly of this cockpit is not for the feint of heart as there are lots of small photo-etched details that build up from the photo-etched instrument panel and side consoles. This new instrument panel is trapped between the tubular framing that makes up the cockpit sidewalls and all mount to the cockpit floor.

The fuselage sides and upper fuselage deck go together next, and the previously completed cockpit subassembly slips up into the fuselage through the opening for the wings. The wings are next and note that the main spar that mounts to the lower wing half also boxes in the rear of the main wheel wells, so proper fit is essential. The landing gear is next up and with this kit you have the option of rounded or weighted (flat on the bottom) wheels. The canopy and propeller go on last. The canopy can be posed open as you'll want to show off that magnificent interior.

This is still a nice little kit that will build into a colorful subject with a little patience and skill. The AMS modeler will have fun with this project and have a variety of color schemes to round out the experience.

My sincere thanks to Eduard for this review sample!