Introduction

Serving the Soviet Air Force during World War the Yakovlev Yak-1 proved to be a fast, manvoeuvrable, and competitive aircraft. The aircraft sporting a composite wooden frame and a reliable engine designed by Alexander Yakovlev earned him the Order of Lenin. The Yak-1 was well liked by its pilots, and proved comparable to most German aircraft, although it did lack in climb rate as compared to the Bf-109F's. Also the Yak-1 suffered from weaker weapons in compared to its counter parts. In 1942, the Yak-1b replaced the two ShKAS 7.62mm machine guns with a single 12.7mm UBS and a more powerful engine.

A new set of decals from Exito Decals covers three Yak-1b flown during the second half of World War 2.

Contents

1 Sheet of Decals
3 Painting and Marking Scheme Cards

Review

Exito Decals continues to release exciting sets of decals, and this new set for the Soviet Yak-1b's is no different. Covering one aircraft from the Northern Fleet and two from the Ukrainian Front, these decals provide some very interesting painting and marking schemes for this aircraft.

The decals printed by Cartograph are very well printed with great looking color saturation and all in register. The decal sheet contains full sets of markings for three aircraft, and separated on the sheet in respective groups. This will allow you to cut of only decals you would need for your build and not have to dissect the decal sheet into multiple parts.

With every release from Exito Decals I am still impressed with the excellent done painting and marking cards. Printed on card stock, each separate scheme is printed on its own card, with the usual art like side images on one side, and the painting and marking details printed on the reverse. And as usual, Exito Decals has included black and white references images of the actual aircraft. Paint references include AK Interactive and Akan paints.

The reference images show the unique art work looks to be very we replicated on the decal sheet. And to me this will allow a builder to produce an accurate looking, and interesting looking finish on their build.

Painting and Marking Options:

• Flown by Capt. Vladimir p. Pokrovshiy, 2nd GIAP/6th IAD Northern Fleet, late 1943
  
• 'White 42', flown by Snr. Lt. Garri A. Merkviladze, 152nd GIAP/12th GIAD, 1st Ukranian Front, Germany, Spring 1945
  
• 'White 20'(most likely), flown by Snr. Lt. Fotiy Y. Morozov, 31st GIAP/6th GIAD, 4th Ukrainian Front, early 1944

For the first time reviewing a set of decals for Exito Decals, this set has one very slight draw back, and this is the availability of a kit to represent the aircraft. The only kit I am aware of in 1/48 scale would the the older kit from Accurate Miniatures. As the decal set is also available in 1/72 scale, this would provide more options.

Overview

Again Exito Decals has provided another great looking set of decals with a very interesting subject. The extremely well done painting and marking scheme cards should make completing the build easy. One slight issue may be the availability of an example target in 1/48 scale, but more options are available in 1/72 scale, and should be noted that the decals are available from Exito Decals in both scale. I would definitely recommend this set of decals.