ICM 1/48 Yak-9M

Jamoliva · Aug 20, 2022

Not so much to report today... I varnished the insides with Quick Shine + Oily Steel mix and put the decal on the control panel. Most of my time was spent on sculping and molding the side panels around the engine compartment. I might need to do a little more. It is a hard fit but I think it will be fine at the end. If I am not satisfied, then the best thing to do might be leaving them open. I will decide later.

Vic Balshaw · Aug 20, 2022

Nice clean inst panel and I can see what you mean re the engine covers, not a great fit but you seem to be getting there. Good effort.

Wurger · Aug 20, 2022

le_steph40 · Aug 20, 2022

Very nice

Donivanp · Aug 20, 2022

Looking like you got it going on, nice IP

Gnomey · Aug 20, 2022

Nice work so far!

Jamoliva · Aug 21, 2022

Thanks friends! So, I worked on the engine covers more. I used the hobby files for a lot of sanding and they got really thinner but I think this is as close as one gets. I still think I might just leave one or both of them open. If I build this ICM kit again (which I might as I have another one in my stash for Stepanenko's Yak-9T), I will simply skip building the engine and cut the rips for easy fit of the covers. I think they look OK for now.

Then, I added the exhaust pipes to the engine. They need to be attached to the engine and aligned before the fuselage is put together.

Next, the pilot's seat, the IP and the back panel where the radio is located were glued to the right fuselage.

Finally, I put the engine in and tried to align it as best as I can. The exhaust pipes need to have a 90-degrees angle.

At the end surprisingly, both sides of the fuselage came together without much problems. I was concerned that the engine, the pilot's seat, or the instrument panel etc. might cause problems. I think the only engineering fiasco with this kit, other than some inaccuracies, is the engine covers. However, just like many other old ICM kits, it does need a lot of help to have a good fit.

Vic Balshaw · Aug 21, 2022

You done good Cem, very nice.

Wurger · Aug 21, 2022

Wayne Little · Aug 21, 2022

That's looking real nice.

Donivanp · Aug 21, 2022

Really good work there.

Jamoliva · Aug 22, 2022

We are getting there... Cockpit is finally done. Canopy is masked. Wings are attached. Stabilizers and the rudder is done.

Vic Balshaw · Aug 22, 2022

She is coming together and looking good Cem.

Wurger · Aug 22, 2022

Crimea_River · Aug 22, 2022

Good looking build so far Cem.

Gnomey · Aug 22, 2022

Good work so far!

Wayne Little · Aug 24, 2022

Agreed, lookin' the Biz....!

fubar57 · Aug 25, 2022

Really moving along :thumbright:

Jamoliva · Aug 28, 2022

Thank you friends! Last couples days I was working on mostly putty filling, sanding, and masking prior to black & white primer. I first fit the engine covers as best as I can. I did try to mask them with tape but that effort was just too time consuming and delicate that I simply used a soft silly putty to attach the covers in their place instead and then mask the landing gear holes with the same soft putty. I am ready to prime now!

Fitting of the covers