1/48 Gavia La-7

by Paul R. Miles "Huey Gunner

--------------------

 

I named this the 'It's the Economy Stupid" build. When I pulled it out of the stash shelf, I decided that I would build it using only what I already had on hand. Strictly oob sans what I already had in my parts bin. This also included paint. I would use what colors I have, and/or mixed with what I had. So, armed with the Gavia "Professional Kit", which has some photo etch and resin and the January, 2006 FSM article by Francisco Alfaro, I went to work (play).

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

Construction was fairly easy. Gap filling was minimal. I drilled out the cowling and used brass tubing for canon barrels. Using a small sanding block, I thinned the main and tail wheel doors so it didn't look like they were made of T-34 armor. I had to scratch build the piot tube, because I broke the one in the kit. The cockpit came with resin seat and control stick and pe seat belt , harness and rudder pedals you can't see when done. As a final touch, I sanded the gun sight glass as it was way out of scale. I would highly recommend dry fitting cockpit assemblies as that was the only fit issues I had with the kit. 

After a coat of Tamiya primer it was time to paint. MM enamels are my poison of choice. For the underneath color, a mix Testors 1114 (square bottle) insignia white with a touch of euro grey to tone it down seemed to be a fair match. After the base coat dried, I lightened the blue alot with white then airbrushed the highlights around the landing gear doors, flaps and ailerons. The red and yellow were also given the white/euro grey treatment to take the edge off. The top colors are right out of the bottle. Euro Grey and Light Gull grey seemed to work ok. Then I misted and high lighted each shade with the other color (euro misted with gull and versa visea). 2 coats of Future and then the decals. Considering how large the ones that went on the fuselage, they cooperated very nicely. 2 more coats of Future and 48 hours to cure.

I use oils for a wash. Black and raw umber for the top and raw umber for the bottom. The exhaust stains was accomplished by airbrushing the black/raw umber wash at 7 psi. That was top coated with Testors acryl flat as soon as possible to prevent accidental removal. Cordite streaks are dark grey pastels. The aerial wire was constructed of monofilaments (fancy name for clear sewing thread).   I then used white glue on the wire to make what ever those things are. Weights I will assume. 3 coats of Testors flat acryl and my model on a budget was complete.    

Paul R. Miles

Click on images below to see larger images

  

Photos and text © by Paul R. Miles