bobster

Very nice natural metal finish, Daniel. What paint did you use?

Thank you all for your kind responses. My computer skills are minimal at best. If I knew how to post photos here, which is a skill I intent to work on, I would post photos. The holes are in two rows, just in front of the ailerons, and another two rows along back edge of wing. They appear prominently on most bottom wing diagrams of the Lagg 3 and entire La-5 family. My main reference for this build is the book (which clearly show these vent holes) LAVOCHKIN La-5 FAMILY, IN DETAIL AND SCALE, by Pilawskii...Bob.

While looking at profiles of the La-5 series of planes, I ran across what at first appeared to be small dots representing fasteners on the bottom of the all wooden wings of Lavochkin aircraft. There are 28 of these. I proceeded to add rivet decals to represent same. However, further investigation reveals these are actually "vent holes". My question is two fold, are these simple holes, and why are they there. My supposition is they are to drain collected moisture from the inside of the wing. After extensive searches on the ol' interweb, no photos could be found. I'm seeking photos with an explanation of purpose of these "holes". Thanks...Bob.

Nice kit, wonderful historical context, beautiful plane. Whats not to like! I will be following you closely Nikola.

Thanks, Ray. First time hearing of this model. Unfortunately, the 1/24 Bandai kit is a low wing plane. Rex is the mid wing version of the George. Except for scratch building, there is no path forward from here it seems.

I agree, Alan. A complete 1/32 printed Rex would be awesome! A complete kit would require extensive computer work for someone. It would likely end up being very expensive. As I know little about printing I should probably stay quiet, but a resizing of the conversion seems less involved and quite doable.

Have to agree, the Rex is a very nice looking float plane. It appears that the Shapeway's conversion is the only game in town to get to a Rex, but it is too large, being closer to 1/24 scale. As far as I know, there is no 1/24 scale George to use it with. As the conversion is PRINTED, maybe a redo of the conversion to make it 1/32 scale would make it useful to someone, as right now it will fit nothing. Right? You all have now given me a hankering for a Rex!

I say the more the merrier. I have learned so many different techniques here on LSP alone. Imaging what could be gleaned from different cultural perspectives. Perhaps Tamiya, HK, Trumpeter etc is influenced by the small scale models that are prevalent in the Orient. If the Asian market could find interest in larger scales, which would enlarge the market considerably, we might see more Asian companies interested in producing LSPs. I recall many years ago a 1/72 scale Zero from Japan that had as much detail as our larger scales. The East appreciates very fine detailed work. I think there could be a lot to gain by engaging more people.

One for me too.

OK. So these slats work much how I feel some days, they go "down and out." Thanks for all the informative responses...Bob.

Thanks for your response, Jari. That is an excellent reference that you sent. I am beginning a Craftworks resin kit, and it has retracted slats, but having them open is much more dynamic looking. I have not seen slats that wrap around to the undersurface as these. I think I will open them on my model. Thanks again for your help...from Bob.

My question is this, are the slats on the La-5 open when on the ground? in other words, do they work as on other WW II AC, being deployed spontaneously when wing is in a high angle of attack when flying, and then open on the ground ? All the photos (except for one or two) show closed slats on the ground. Could they be manually closed when on the ground? How should this be modeled on a resting La-5?...Bob.

Absolutely stunning! You hit this one clean out of the ball park (home run in baseball terms !). Your photography skills are also as stunning as your F-18. I tip my hat to a magnificent artist.

Thanks all for your replies. My mind flashes on the original boxing of the 1/72 Revell B-26, with that awesome art work of FLAK BAIT with guns blazing lighting up the side of the fuselage. Hope to build one in appropriate scale some day soon. I would like one of both the early narrow wing span and later wider wing. It is a plane with great history and importance. I'll take two or more please...Bob.

What happened to Resin2detail's efforts to bring us a 1/32 Marauder. It looked like it was close, and that was about 6 yrs ago. My failing memory recalls someone else was also working on a Marauder. The talk was it will be out this year. Or.... maybe... it was all a dream.