Aero L-39 Albatros - Eduard
Opmerkingen
Thomas KolbWhile waiting for some paints to arrive in the mail to continue my MiG-23 build project, I decided to do a very quick build of the Eduard L-39 in my stash. This kit is labeled as a "weekend" build, which might be a bit optimistic for me, but should still be a quick progress.
ClementDo you already have a plan for the shades you're going to use? I found the L-39 classic camouflage very hard to get right. I hope you'll have more luck with it.
ClementThanks @Łukasz, well spotted!
MRP-010 Brown Green ČSN 2250
MRP-013 Khaki ČSN 5450
MRP-027 Light Pastel Grey ČSN 1010
For those interested
Thomas KolbFor the Hungarian standard camo, MRP has released an entire set, consisting of MRP-351 Brown, MRP-352 Dark Green and MRP-353 Light Blue.
Thomas KolbYesterday I spent some time comparing the hue and tint of the MRP paints with my own mix of Tamiya acrylics (as described in photo 26 above), and found them to be absolutely identical. I also found the MRP paints much too smelly and aggressive and hard to adjust if you want to blend in slightly varying tones in panels etc. The Tamiyas can furthermore be used for extremely diluted thin filter applications, while the MRP are block solid.
ClementWell done on those paints!
I agree with you, Tamiya paints spray great and don't smell nearly as nasty as MRP's.
Łukasz GlińskiI see you mixed too much of this colour and used it on the background 😋
Lovely preshading, sth I don't have enough patience for
CuajeteVery nice painting job, Thomas. Looks fantastic so far 👍
I recently saw that Edward has released the transparent parts of this kit as "L-39 Revised Canopy":
L-39 Revised Canopy (Eduard 7040Y, 1:72)
Do you know what problem the original transparent parts have?
Thomas KolbCuajete, thank you! No, I wasn't aware of any issues with the canopy. To me, the version provided in the kit is good enough, it certainly looks correct compared with photos.
NicolasI'm not sure, but the kit photos show onle the multi part canopy. The revised Canopy kit also has a single peace closed version.
Thomas KolbNicolas, yes, you are right. With the new set you also get a closed canopy so the builder doesn't have to join the separate pieces together. I guess it makes for a simpler build.
Nicolas@ Cuajete: I tried it direktly from Thomas' albums. There it works, but ther is a notice that comments are disabled.
Moreno BaruffiniVery nice! This build reminds me that I started a similar kit more thas ten years ago, with a Czech camo and some decals already applied...Now It's om the "shelf od doom" ...Maybe something I'll retake it!
Thomas KolbAnd with a little effort, the project is pushed over the finishing line. Photos will come soon!
Mr DDone a nice job there buddy, l really liked the cockpit on this one, nice colour n details.well done...👍👍👍
Thomas KolbMy dear fellow modelers, thank you for the congratulations. I really appreciate it.
Album info
At the end of the 80's, Hungary received two dozen 15 years old L-39ZO trainer aircraft for free from East Germany (DDR). The aircraft were delivered by train in containers and were then assembled at the Danubius Aircraft Factory in Hungary with support from consultants from the Czech manufacturer. Twenty airframes were built to be airworthy and four were put aside for spare parts. The good ones were exclusively used for pilot training at the Air Force Flight Academy in Szolnok and were never equipped with any kind of armament as per the agreement with DDR.
The Albas (as they were called in Hungary) initially they flew in their original German two-tone green camouflage with yellow wing and fin tips to mark them as trainers, but in 1998 they were completely overhauled and eqipped with NATO compatible equipment. They were also repainted in the standard blue-green/sand camouflage, although one aircraft was later equipped with a super cartoonish "angry wasp" livery. This aircraft got the nickname "Zümi" (which can be translated as "Buzz"). The Air Force high command however didn't quite like this, so the aircraft was soon ordered to be repainted in the modern NATO style, air superiority gray livery. Finally, however this aircraft (together with another L-39) received a special and highly artistic paintjob with an inventive shark theme: "Cápeti" and "Cápali" (the Hungarian names of the main characters of the French cartoon series "Sharky et Georges"), with the front of a shark emerging from the standard camo.
During its active life span in the Hungarian Air Force, a few Albas were lost: in 1995, number 139 went down due to turbine failure, but the two crewmembers ejected safely. In 1997, number 120 encountered an engine stall, but the crew managed to get it running at an altitude of only 150 feet above ground and were able to bring the aircraft safely home. In 2008 however, the very same aircraft collided with the ground due to pilot error, unfortunately killing both the student pilot and the instructor in the back seat.
The L-39 soon became obsolete due to the old style technology not providing the pilots possibility to practice operating in a modern electronically interconnected battlefield. Instead the Hungarian pilots now receive their tactical training in the twin seater D version of the JAS 39 Gripen. The last of the Hungarian Albas flew in 2009 in a commemorative flight escorted by two Gripens of the Hungarian Air Force. One of the shark themed L-39 with number 119 can today be seen on display at the Aviation Museum at Szolnok in Hungary.
